Abstract
Fluid extraction or injection into underground reservoirs may cause ground deformation, manifested as subsidence or uplift. Excessive deformation may threaten the infrastructure of the oilfield and its surroundings and may even induce earthquakes. Therefore, the monitoring of surface deformation caused by oil production activities is important for the safe production of oilfields and safety assessments of surrounding infrastructure. Karamay oilfield is one of the major oil and gas fields in China. In this study, we take the Karamay oilfield in Xinjiang as a case study to detect surface deformation caused by subsurface fluid injection. Sentinel-1A images of 32 ascending (Path 114) and 34 descending (Path 165) tracks spanning March 2017 to August 2018, were used to derive vertical and horizontal deformation over Karamay oilfield using the MSBAS-InSAR method. The observed two-dimensional deformation exhibited significant vertical and east-west deformation in this region. The maximum uplift and horizontal velocity was approximately 160 mm/year and 65 mm/year, respectively. We also modeled one of the typical deformation zones using a dislocation model in a homogenous elastic half-space.
Highlights
Oilfield fluid injection is an important means of oil extraction, which mainly uses professional equipment to inject fluid into an oil layer to improve the speed of extraction and oil recovery efficiency [1,2]
GPS measurements at station XJKL were obtained from (Global Navigation Satellite System Data Products of China Earthquake Administration). They were used to evaluate the reliability of the Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) results (Figure 8)
This comparison shows that the InSAR and GPS observations are in good agreement
Summary
Oilfield fluid injection is an important means of oil extraction, which mainly uses professional equipment to inject fluid into an oil layer to improve the speed of extraction and oil recovery efficiency [1,2]. Monitoring of oilfield surface deformation is indispensable for understanding the underground oil extraction or fluid injection process [6]. Several studies have examined ground deformation characteristics caused by oil and gas exploitation before 2010 in this area, by using Envisat ASAR and ALOS PALSAR images [6,26]. These studies revealed that there was significant deformation in this area, with maximum accumulated uplift of 200 mm between 2006 and 2011. Monitoring recent surface deformations over the Karamay oilfield area is of great significance for guiding the continued exploitation for oil and gas.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
