Stress and seismicity related to cooling of geothermal wells

Abstract

Deep geothermal energy (~3-6 km depth) is a candidate for sustainable and carbon-free energy supply. One of the main concerns of deep geothermal systems is induced seismicity that may produce earthquakes of economic concerns, challenging the development of this form of alternative energy. So far, cold water injection has been overlooked but may contribute to induced seismicity due to fault reactivation through thermal stresses also beyond the cooling region. This can be of importance, in particular, in fractured and faulted geothermal reservoirs. In this study, we first compare different approaches to estimate induced seismic risk from slip-tendency analysis, rate-and-state friction theory and modified Gutenberg-Richter statistics based on frictional Coulomb-stress perturbations. Then, we systematically investigate effects of both, intrinsic geological parameters (e.g., fault-, host rock properties and in-situ stress), and operational parameters (e.g., well geometry and placement, injection schemes, induced pressure perturbation) on induced seismicity.