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09:11
Evaluating the Impact of Hydraulic Fracturing on Streams using Microbial Molecular Signatures
Published on: April 4, 2021
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A risk-based approach for managing hydraulic fracturing-induced seismicity
Ryan Schultz1, Gregory C Beroza2, William L Ellsworth2
1Department of Geophysics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. rjs10@stanford.edu.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Effective management of induced earthquake risks is crucial. This study proposes spatially varying red-light thresholds for hydraulic fracturing, offering a fairer and safer approach than single thresholds for managing seismic events.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics and seismology
- Energy and environmental science
Background:
- Induced seismicity from hydraulic fracturing poses significant risks.
- Effective management strategies are needed to mitigate earthquake hazards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a risk-informed strategy for setting "red-light" thresholds for hydraulic fracturing in the Eagle Ford shale.
- To create spatially varying thresholds that account for heterogeneous impacts.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a combination of datasets to simulate spatially heterogeneous nuisance and damage impacts.
- Developed spatially varying red-light thresholds normalized on simulated impacts (moment magnitude [M_w] 2.0 to 5.0).
Main Results:
- Simulated impacts were greater in the northeast and smaller in the southwest of the play, driven by population density.
- Spatially varying thresholds were found to be fairer and safer than a single, broad-area threshold.
- Forecast maximum magnitude was the most influential parameter in sensitivity tests.
Conclusions:
- The proposed risk-informed strategy provides a guideline for traffic light protocols to manage induced seismicity risks.
- Spatially varying thresholds offer a more equitable and secure approach to managing earthquake risks associated with hydraulic fracturing.
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