Five key lessons gained from induced seismicity monitoring in western Canada

Abstract

In response to induced seismicity observed in western Canada, existing public networks have been densified and a number of private networks have been deployed to closely monitor induced earthquakes associated with oil and gas operations in the region. Over the past three years, we generated an unprecedented volume of seismic data from monitoring induced seismicity for some of the most active operators in western Canada. This rich data set can be used to understand preexisting geologic structures, the activation mechanisms and probabilities, and seismological attributes of the resultant ground motions. Acknowledging that the primary goal of private networks is assisting operators in making operational decisions, these insights can play key roles in improving the accuracy of event magnitudes, ground-motion predictions, and hazard estimates, which successively can be used for developing effective risk management strategies.