Physics-based seismic evaluation method: Evaluating possible seismic moment based on microseismic information due to fluid stimulation

Abstract

The forecasting and risk assessment of induced seismicity associated with fluid injection have considerable importance for subsurface energy development. We have developed a seismic evaluation method called the possible seismic moment (PoSeMo) model to assess the potential seismic moment that could be released in the future based on current seismic activity. The PoSeMo model assumes the existence of a representative parameter that can describe the seismic characteristics of a given field. This parameter is defined as the seismic moment density, which quantifies the seismic moment able to be released per rock volume. The rock volume presumed to be in critical condition because of stimulation is defined as the stimulated rock volume. The current stimulation condition for the PoSeMo model can be estimated from the product of these two parameters. The difference between the output of the PoSeMo model and the observed cumulative seismic moment corresponds to the cumulative seismic moment that could be released in the future. This value can be transformed into the possible maximum magnitude that has clear physical meaning and that can be used as feedback on the stimulation operation for seismic hazard assessment. We have applied this model to a microseismic data set from the Basel engineered geothermal system project. We have successfully estimated reasonable values for seismic moment density and stimulated rock volume. The PoSeMo model performed well, and it provided reasonable estimates of seismic moment. The maximum magnitude estimated by the PoSeMo model was almost identical to the largest event that had occurred previously. Thus, it was concluded that the PoSeMo model satisfactorily demonstrated its feasibility as a real-time seismic evaluation method, based on physical parameters derived from microseismic information.