Hazard assessment and site characterization at an oil and gas well site using surface wave methods

Abstract

PreviousNext No AccessInternational Conference on Engineering Geophysics, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, 15-18 November 2015Hazard assessment and site characterization at an oil and gas well site using surface wave methodsAuthors: Steven D. Sloan*J. Tyler SchwenkRobert H. StevensBenjamin W. ButlerSteven D. Sloan*XRI GeophysicsSearch for more papers by this author, J. Tyler SchwenkXRI GeophysicsSearch for more papers by this author, Robert H. StevensXRI GeophysicsSearch for more papers by this author, and Benjamin W. ButlerXRI GeophysicsSearch for more papers by this authorhttps://doi.org/10.1190/iceg2015-032 SectionsAboutPDF/ePub ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Abstract Surface wave methods were used to interrogate the subsurface along a proposed natural gas pipeline route to identify potential subsurface hazards prior to construction and around existing sinkholes to determine their lateral extent beyond the surface expression at an oil and gas production facility. Shear-wave velocity cross-sections derived using the multichannel analysis of surface waves method along the pipeline route were used to identify low-velocity areas that might be indicative of voids or structurally weaker zones and to select geotechnical boring locations for a subsequent geotechnical engineering assessment. Small sinkholes are known to exist and develop in the study area and their formation beneath or around pipelines is an immediate threat to public and environmental safety. Potential sinkholes in the immediate area of the well site also pose a threat to personnel, equipment, and infrastructure if not identified before collapsing at the surface. Survey results identified several anomalous zones along the proposed pipeline route to further analyze during the geotechnical assessment. Two sinkholes that have breached the surface were also shown to be larger in extent beneath the ground surface than the surface expression would suggest. Keywords: surface wave, MASW, shear wavePermalink: https://doi.org/10.1190/iceg2015-032FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails International Conference on Engineering Geophysics, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, 15-18 November 2015ISSN (online):2159-6832Copyright: 2015 Pages: 309 publication data© 2015 Published in electronic format with permission by Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG)Publisher:Society of Exploration Geophysicists HistoryPublished Online: 18 Nov 2015 CITATION INFORMATION Steven D. Sloan*, J. Tyler Schwenk, Robert H. Stevens, and Benjamin W. Butler, (2015), "Hazard assessment and site characterization at an oil and gas well site using surface wave methods," SEG Global Meeting Abstracts : 114-117. https://doi.org/10.1190/iceg2015-032 Plain-Language Summary Keywordssurface waveMASWshear wavePDF DownloadLoading ...