Reverse Faulting Stress Regime Research Articles

Roles of heat and stress transfer in triggering fault instability in conjugate faulted reservoirs

The presence of multiple conjugate but non-intersecting faults in geothermal reservoirs presents issues related to fault interaction in the presence of complex coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes in influencing the triggering of seismicity. We examine alternate strategies in stimulating such a conjugate-faulted geothermal reservoir analogous to that hosting the Mw 5.5 Pohang earthquake (2017). We evaluate the response of the reservoir to both short-term stimulation (1y) and long-term production (10y), both with and without thermal effects – for a large fault (F1) adjacent to a non-intersecting smaller fault (F2) and in a reverse faulting stress regime. Results suggest that the slip on either fault impacts the stress state on the other fault through stress transfer. Reactivation of the minor fault (F2) transfers stress towards to the upper part of primary fault (F1), inducing instability. The slip of the major fault is delayed by positioning the location of injection away from the junction between the two faults – decreasing the injection depth from 4087.5 m to 3712.5 m delays the time to slip by 2.61 y. Furthermore, thermal stress plays a decisive role in prompting late-stage fault reactivation for long-term fluid circulation where pore pressures have already reached steady state. The pattern of thermal unloading follows the path of fluid transport and heat transfer along the faults. Overall, this study not only advances our understanding of mechanisms of injection-induced fault instability in EGS reservoirs with multiple and closely-interacting faults, but also provides insights into how different injection strategies can delay or mitigate induced seismicity.

Image analysis of acoustic data and interpretation of rock stress orientations for geothermal exploration in Gothenburg borehole GE-1, SW Sweden

Abstract This study contributes to geothermal exploration in 1660–1520 Ma old, reworked bedrock in Sweden. Our primary objectives are to constrain the orientation of horizontal stresses, and to discuss implications for geothermal exploration. High-resolution acoustic televiewer image data reveal the downhole distribution of stress indicators (borehole breakouts, drilling-induced fractures and petal centreline fractures) and pre-existing structures (natural fractures, foliation). About 135 m of stress indicators are measured from 0.2–1.0 km. The results suggest a uniform NNW–SSE mean maximum horizontal stress orientation. A total of 1525 pre-existing structures (natural fractures, foliation) are mapped in borehole GE-1. The prevailing stress regime controls whether natural fractures and foliation are well-oriented for stimulation. For strike-slip and normal faulting stress regimes, well-oriented fractures steeply dip towards the WSW. For a reverse faulting stress regime, shallow dipping fractures are well-oriented for stimulation. The downhole distribution of stress indicators and other stress measurements in the region and other parts of Fennoscandia tentatively suggest a strike-slip stress regime, but additional studies are needed to constrain the complete stress field at study depth and towards engineered geothermal systems reservoir target depths. Our secondary objective is to highlight that interpretation of high-resolution acoustic data, particularly in metamorphic crystalline rocks, is subjective and that more guidelines for data interpretation are needed. The interactive interpretation of the images is based on visual analyses of complex pre-existing structures and stress indicators with highly variable shapes. The application of three methods for data analyses in the GE-1 borehole proposes that drilling-induced fractures are little influenced by the method applied. Interpretations on individual borehole breakout azimuths may, however, result in over 10° differences in orientation.

Thrust v. stylolite

Mesostructures in subhorizontal thinly bedded calcareous mudstones of the Permian Bell Canyon Formation in the western Delaware Basin (Guadalupe Mountains foothills, west Texas) include vertical tectonic stylolites kinematically linked with low-angle thrust faults. Schmidt rebound is high (38–70) for all but a few beds, indicating competent rock. Competent beds exhibit contrasting behavior ranging from (i) no visible tectonic stylolites and numerous small-displacement (<1 cm) thrust faults, to (ii) tectonic stylolites with rare thrust faults. Thrust fault intensity correlates positively with total carbonate, and negatively with clay, clay + quartz, quartz + feldspar, and total organic carbon (TOC). Tectonic stylolites are abundant in beds with 3.5–6.5% clay. Stylolite intensity correlates positively with TOC. Lowest-rebound beds exhibit ductile flowage or internal folding rather than stylolite formation, and tend to terminate small-displacement thrust faults in adjacent beds. Tectonic stylolites and thrust faults are consistent with formation in a thrust faulting stress regime during NE-directed Laramide shortening. Fluid inclusion analyses of vein calcite from thrust faults indicate maximum burial depths of 3.3–4.2 km at the time of deformation. Deformation behaviors are highly sensitive to composition, with coeval thrust faulting in clay-poor beds versus stylolite formation in slightly more clay-rich beds.

Numerical investigation of the stress regime effect on injection-induced fault reactivation and associated seismicity

The occurrence of many seismic events in energy production projects is caused by fluid injection-induced reactivation of critically stressed faults. The distribution of local stress regime has a significant influence on natural earthquakes, while its role in controlling injection-induced fault slip behavior and seismicity magnitude remains poorly understood. In this paper, we present a three-dimensional hydro-mechanical coupled fault reactivation study using unified pipe-interface element method (UP-IEM). The accuracy and reliability of the numerical method are evaluated and confirmed by numerical verification and actual observation data in Pohang EGS project, South Korea. The relationship between fault aseismic slip, seismic slip and seismicity magnitude is analyzed. Results show that both aseismic and seismic slip have different spatiotemporal distribution with the variation of stress regime. The seismic slip zone will exceed the pressurized area with the increase of initial slip tendency under the strike-slip-faulting stress regime (σH>σv>σh). Compared with fluid pressure, the seismic slip is mainly determined by a sudden increase of the shear stress at the aseismic slip zone boundary. In addition, the location of the microseismic events moves towards the fluid pressure propagation front. The larger slip area and seismicity magnitude are easier to be induced under strike-slip-faulting stress regime than thrust-faulting stress regime (σH>σh>σv). The tensile failure and higher permeability of the fault induced at injection phase for normal-faulting stress regime (σv>σH>σh) leads to a greater seismogenic hazard at the shut-in stage.

Rock Strength and In Situ Stress Analysis for Wellbore Instability, Fault Stress Regime Prediction, 3D Structural and Geomechanical Modelling in H-field Offshore of Rio Del Rey Basin, Southwest Region, Cameroon

The study involved the determination of strength parameters and in situ stresses in two wells pseudo-named H005 and H008 in a hydrocarbon field located offshore of Rio Del Rey basin. The work was aimed at revealing the stability of formation rocks and fault stress regimes associated with the study wells. The parameters determined employed only empirical correlations and tools since core samples were not available for laboratory experiments. The unconfined compressive strength for the two wells was relatively low varying from 1500 to 3300 psi in well H005 and from 1000 to 4000 psi in well H008. The friction angle varies from 21.0° to 23.0° in well H005 and from 21.0° to 27.0° in well H008. The results of the in situ stress analysis in well H005 indicate a reverse fault stress regime where maximum horizontal stress (SH) is greater than the minimum horizontal stress (Sh), which is in turn greater than the vertical stress (SV) in the shallow part of the well (1028.5–1249 m), while a normal fault stress regime where the vertical stress is greater than the two horizontal stresses was interpreted at a depth from 1250 to 1390 m. Unlike well H005, the entire depth of well H008 under interpretation revealed a normal fault stress regime. The outcome of the 3D geomechanical model closely agrees with the 1D model. It was concluded that the formation rocks are weak, and the wells are dominated by normal fault stress regimes.

Magnitudes and orientations of present-day in-situ stresses in the Kurdistan region of Iraq: Insights into combined strike-slip and reverse faulting stress regimes

The study area is in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, including the northwestern extension of the Zagros suture zone, where present-day stress data derived from actual measurements is rare. The magnitudes and orientations of principal in-situ stresses were determined using well logging data. The deepest drilled formation in this study was the Albian upper Qamchuqa Formation in northeastern Iraq, which is a carbonate hydrocarbon reservoir. In the present study, several wireline logs including borehole image logs, conventional wireline logs, and six-arm caliper logs for two vertical wells provided detailed borehole breakout and drilling-induced tensile fracture (DITF) data between depths of 1600 and 2240 m. Two oil wells (wells A and B) were evaluated, and in well A, several breakouts occurred in eight distinct zones. Below the depth of 1600 m, 26 pairs of breakouts with considerable length were observed. The standard deviation of breakout azimuths was 11°, and the mean azimuth of the breakouts was N162°E. Using breakout and DITF data, the orientations of the maximum and minimum horizontal stresses (SH and Sh) were determined, and the results were validated by six-arm caliper measurements and lithological evaluation from wireline log data. The mean azimuth of maximum horizontal in-situ stress was N72°E, which showed relative consistency with the NE–SW to E–W direction of tectonic movement and previous studies in the nearby Zagros suture zone. Ultimately, the magnitudes of the three principal in-situ stresses were determined by two methods: poroelastic strain theory and breakout analysis. The stress regime below the depth of 1600 m was a reverse faulting stress regime, and above this depth, it likely changed to a strike-slip faulting stress regime. The determined stress regime was consistent with the nature and dynamics of the tectonic plate movement of the Arabian and Eurasian (Iranian) plates. Consequently, results suggest that the pattern of present-day tectonic stress is controlled mainly by the collision between the Arabian and Eurasian plates.

Direct constraints on in situ stress state from deep drilling into the Nankai subduction zone, Japan

Abstract Stress state is a long-sought but poorly known parameter on subduction megathrusts and in overlying accretionary wedges in general. We used direct observations made during drilling of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) borehole C0002 to a depth of 3058 m below the seafloor (mbsf) in the Nankai subduction zone of southwestern Japan to constrain in situ pore pressure and stress state in the deep interior of an accretionary wedge for the first time. These data included downhole pressure, active pumping tests, and logging and sample measurements. We found a nearly linear gradient in minimum horizontal principal stress (Shmin) and show that it remained consistently smaller than the vertical stress (Sv), definitively ruling out a thrust-faulting stress regime to at least 3 km depth, and to within ~2 km above the subduction megathrust. At 3000 mbsf, the estimated effective stresses were: Sv = 33 MPa, SHmax = 25–36 MPa, and Shmin = 18.5–21 MPa. We therefore interpret that the stress state throughout the drilled interval, which lies entirely in the hanging wall of the active megathrust, lies in a normal or strike-slip faulting regime (Sv ≥ SHmax &amp;gt; Shmin). Total differential stresses are below ~18 MPa. We conclude that (1) basal traction along the megathrust must be small in order to permit both locking (and frictional sliding at failure) of the décollement and such low differential stresses deep within the upper plate; and (2) although differential stresses may remain low all the way to the plate boundary at ~5000 mbsf, SHmax must transition to become greater than the vertical stress—either spatially below the base of the borehole or temporally leading up to megathrust fault rupture—in order to drive thrust motion along the plate boundary as observed in great earthquakes and in recurring very low-frequency earthquakes and slow-slip events.

Laramide contractional folding in the Devils River Uplift, west Texas, U.S.A.

Structures in Cretaceous strata in the Devils River Uplift of west Texas include folds, thrust faults, and bedding-parallel veins indicative of contractional deformation in a thrust faulting stress regime. In this study we analyze a series of small-wavelength (meters to tens of meters) folds in roadcut exposures northwest of Del Rio, Texas. The folds have WNW-ESE dominant trends, gently plunging axes, and are gentle to tight with upright to inclined axial surfaces of variable vergence. These structures are interpreted as detachment folds, with detachments within volcanic ash or mudrock beds. Observed thickening in anticline cores was by ductile flow of volcanic ash or mudrock, small-scale folding, and thrust or reverse faulting. Bed-perpendicular calcite veins are common and in some cases are offset by flexural slip on fold limbs, indicating that folding occurred after brittle failure and extension vein formation in lithified rock. Although rare, bed-parallel calcite veins are also present in the exposure and indicative of a thrust faulting stress regime. Occasional normal and reverse or thrust faults are also present in the exposures. Fluid inclusion analysis of vein cements from extension fractures and faults yielded homogenization temperatures of 71–101 °C, and estimated trapping depths of 2.2–3.5 km prior to and coeval with folding. We interpret these folds as having formed during NNE-SSW directed Laramide shortening (∼80–40 Ma) in a thrust-faulting stress regime with >2 km of overburden, rather than as either penecontemporaneous with deposition or after exhumation by caliche formation, as previously interpreted.

Contractional fold amplification through bed-parallel gypsum vein (“beef”) formation

Field observations and structural analysis of a 50-m-wavelength gentle anticline document bed-parallel fibrous gypsum veins (“beef”) and calcite veins associated with contractional folding in the Boquillas Formation, east of Langtry, west Texas. Gypsum beef veins with bed-perpendicular fibers accommodated vertical extension of 13% in the anticline, diminishing to 0% in adjacent synclines. Bed-parallel calcite veins accommodated 0–4% vertical extension across the structure, with no clear correspondence of vein distribution to structural position. Homogenization temperatures from two-phase fluid inclusions in calcite veins indicate trapping depths of 2.0–2.7 km. Source rock analysis from unoxidized organic-rich mudrock at the site shows that the rocks never reached hydrocarbon maturation conditions, therefore vein formation cannot be explained by in situ hydrocarbon expulsion. Bed-parallel veins with vertical or bed-perpendicular fibers document a thrust faulting stress regime during contractional folding near the frontal limit of Laramide deformation. Gypsum vein formation may be related to meteoric water interacting with pyrite or H2S to form sulfuric acid, dissolution of carbonate, and deposition of gypsum as an auxiliary mineral. Switching between calcite and gypsum mineralization suggests opening and closing of fault and fracture controlled fluid pathways during deformation.

The fold-thrust belt stress cycle: Superposition of normal, strike-slip, and thrust faulting deformation regimes

Mesoscale deformation in fold-thrust belts and foreland areas occurs during the interaction of evolving stress regimes and mechanical stratigraphy, leading to a progressive deformation sequence. Tensile, hybrid, shear, compactive shear, and compactive failure may all occur in a thrust faulting stress and deformation regime, often contemporaneously in adjacent layers. Mesostructural studies, however, typically identify structural suites that appear inconsistent with a thrust faulting stress regime, such as vertical opening-mode fractures, normal faults, and strike-slip faults. We present a conceptual model that considers the progressive sequence associated with development and eventual waning of fold-thrust belt activity. The general sequence consists of five stages: (1) burial deformation in a normal faulting stress regime, (2) early horizontal contractional deformation in a strike-slip stress regime, (3) horizontal contractional deformation in a thrust faulting stress regime, (4) late horizontal contractional deformation and initial relaxation in a strike-slip stress regime, and (5) horizontal extensional deformation in a normal faulting stress regime. This sequence can be recognized in horizontal or subhorizontal strata in fold-thrust belts and foreland areas, and in more structurally complex structural positions. This model explains common suites of mesostructures, and can be used to (i) predict mesostructural suites in different structural positions, (ii) explain apparently anomalous, but inherited, structures, and (iii) infer paleostress history.

Characteristics of the In Situ Stress Field in the Yadian Coal Mine, Central China: Implications for Roadway Differential Deformation.

To study the in situ stress mechanism for different deformations of roadways in different directions, in this paper, we used the method of stress relief with a hollow core to measure the in situ stress of roadways with different degrees of deformation in the Yadian coal mine. The results showed that the in situ stress field was generally σH > σh > σV, indicating a typical reverse faulting stress regime. The present in situ stress field was the main factor for roadway differential deformation. The σH orientations were ESE and ENE-trending, which were consistent with the regional tectonic stress field in North China. The instrument for monitoring the abscission layer deformation indicated that the NS-trending roadway (cut-hole) deformation time approached stability after approximately 1–2 months, while it was 5–10 days for its EW-trending counterpart. The study of stress gradient shows that the stress state of the Ordos Basin has changed at a depth of 600 m, which is related to multiple tectonic events from the Late Paleozoic to Cenozoic in the Ordos Basin. The comprehensive analysis results show that the differential deformation of roadways is affected by many factors, such as the buried depth of the stratum, lithology and structural characteristics, fracture development degree, mining influence, composite deformation mechanics mechanism of weak swelling rock stratum, in situ stress field, tectonic stress mechanism, fracture development, etc.

Local stress perturbations associated with the 2008 Wenchuan M 8.0 earthquake near the Longmenshan fault zone in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau

The 2008 Wenchuan M 8.0 earthquake induced local stress perturbations near the Longmenshan (LMS) fault zone. Using in situ measurements and stress tensor inversions from focal mechanisms, we investigated the post-earthquake perturbed stress field at shallow depths (≤1.2 km), in the upper crust above a basal attachment (~5–18 km) as well as in the middle crust beneath a basal attachment (~19–32 km). At shallow depths in the Beichuan-Jiangyou section, the maximum principal stress (σ1) orientations changed from a pre-earthquake orientation of NWW to a post-earthquake orientation of NEE. However, near the Baoxing-An'xian and Qingchuan-Mianxian sections, the pre-earthquake σ1 orientation of NW-NWW was largely unaltered. Before the mainshock, in the upper crust above the basal detachment, the entire LMS fault zone exhibited a consistent σ1 orientation of NW-NWW. However, after the earthquake, some sections, such as the Beichuan-Nanba section, achieved σ1 orientations of NEE that were distinctly different from the pre-seismic stress field. In the middle crust beneath the basal detachment, the stress field was mostly unchanged. The crust beneath the basal detachment, along the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, is dominated by NWW-oriented maximum principle stress and strain directions and a thrust faulting stress regime along the entire LMS fault zone; these observations are representative of the southeastward motion of the Bayan Har block and its ongoing collision with the South China block along the LMS thrust belt. The spatially heterogeneous stress field that occurred in the upper crust (≤18 km) after the mainshock was most likely caused by the co-seismic static stress changes associated with the Wenchuan earthquake. Prior to the onset of seismic activity, the deviatoric stress magnitudes were estimated at less than 22 MPa and 4 MPa at depths of 10 km and 20 km, respectively, suggesting that the mainshock fault zone has a relatively low fault strength to overcome, in order to initiate significant co-seismic rupture and aftershocks, especially in the crust beneath the basal detachment. These smaller deviatoric magnitudes are indicative of the weaker fault materials that resides in the LMS region.

Scales of Stress Heterogeneity Near Active Faults in the Santa Barbara Channel, Southern California

AbstractThe Santa Barbara Channel represents the offshore portion of the Ventura Basin in Southern California. Ongoing transpression related to a regional left step in the San Andreas Fault has led to the formation of E‐W trending en‐echelon fault systems that accommodate localized shortening across the basin. Recent studies have suggested that faults within the channel could be capable of a multisegment rupture and producing a Mw 7.7–8.1 tsunamigenic earthquake. However, dynamic rupture models producing these results do not account for stress heterogeneity. With only sparse information available on the stress field in this region, further borehole‐derived stress constraints are essential for obtaining a more comprehensive understanding of the hazards related to the complex fault systems. We used caliper logs from 19 wells obtained from industry to identify stress‐induced borehole breakouts beneath the Holly and Gail oil platforms in the channel. Our newly developed forward modeling technique provides constraints on the orientations and relative magnitudes of the three principal stresses. At Gail, we determine a reverse faulting stress regime (SHmax = 1.7; Shmin = 1.6; SV = 1.0) and an SHmax azimuth of N45°E. Our results are consistent with local structures, which reflect deeper regional scale trends, and with similar studies onshore nearby. At Holly, an SHmax rotation from ~N36°W to ~N57°E occurs across ~100 m depth in a single well and differs from nearby results, indicating that short‐length scale (&lt;10 km laterally and &lt;1 km in depth) stress heterogeneity is associated with complex changes in fault geometry.

Fault failure modes, deformation mechanisms, dilation tendency, slip tendency, and conduits v. seals

AbstractFaults have complicated shapes. Non-planarity of faults can be caused by variations in failure modes, which in turn are dictated by mechanical stratigraphy interacting with the ambient stress field, as well as by linkage of fault segments. Different portions of a fault or fault zone may experience volume gain, volume conservation and volume loss simultaneously depending on the position along a fault's surface, the stresses resolved on the fault and the associated deformation mechanisms. This variation in deformation style and associated volume change has a profound effect on the ability of a fault to transmit (or impede) fluid both along and across the fault. In this paper we explore interrelated concepts of failure mode and resolved stress analysis, and provide examples of fault geometry in normal faulting and reverse faulting stress regimes that illustrate the effects of fault geometry on failure behaviour and related importance to fluid transmission. In particular, we emphasize the utility of using relative dilation tendency v. slip tendency on fault patches as a predictor of deformation behaviour, and suggest this parameter space as a new tool for evaluating conduit v. seal behaviour of faults.

Characteristics of in-situ stress distribution in Zhengzhuang Region, Southern Qinshui Basin, China and its stress path during depletion

The in-situ stress and its behavior during depletion are critical for investigation of the reservoir permeability, wellbore stability, enhanced oil recovery (e.g. stimulation), fault reactivation, and reservoir management. However, the rules that govern in situ stress variation in coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs and its influences on reservoir stability are still unclear due to the matrix shrinkage effect. In this study, the distribution characteristics of in-situ stress in the Zhengzhuang (ZZ) region were investigated by multi-loop hydraulic fracturing tests and a theoretical stress-depletion response model was built to reveal the dynamic rules of in-situ stress during CBM depletion. Additionally, considering the redistribution of in-situ stress and the limitation induced by fault friction coefficient, a criterion for stress-based failure was developed to analyze the stability of CBM reservoir. The results suggest that in the ZZ block, the fracturing pressure, closure pressure, and the maximum and minimum horizontal principal pressures are positively correlated with burial depth. During drainage, the horizontal principal stress reduces and the effective horizontal principal stress increases linearly as pore pressure reduction. During gas desorption phase, the horizontal principal stress decreases and the effective horizontal principal stress increases non-linearly under weak desorption, whereas both decline non-linearly in response to strong desorption. In addition, the failure criterion for CBM reservoirs indicates that reservoirs in a normal faulting stress regime are the most easily damaged, which may occur during drainage or desorption. However, reservoir damage can only be induced under strong desorption in a strike-slip faulting stress regime and cannot occur in a reverse faulting stress regime. If faults do develop in reservoirs, the reservoir stability is governed by the fault friction coefficient. Finally, by combining the data, the changes in in-situ stress and the stability of the reservoirs during depletion in the ZZ region were revealed and its implications for CBM development were discussed.

Injection-induced seismicity: strategies for reducing risk using high stress path reservoirs and temperature-induced stress preconditioning

SUMMARYIt is suggested that fluid injection in normal faulting stress regimes can stabilize a reservoir if the stress path is high enough. This stabilization is not seen when the reservoir is significantly cooled as a result of injection. Further, a new strategy is suggested for stimulating reservoirs in shear with a reduced chance of inducing a large magnitude seismic event. The version of this methodology presented here is applicable for reverse faulting stress regimes and involves an initial stress preconditioning stage where the reservoir is cooled and the pressure increase is limited. This process reduces the horizontal total stress and thereby also the differential stress. Next, the reservoir is stimulated with a rapid increase in pore pressure, resulting in shear failure at a lower differential stress than was initially present in the reservoir. Due to the connection seen between the Gutenberg–Richter b-value and differential stress, it is suggested that reservoirs stimulated in this fashion will exhibit higher b-values and thereby also have a reduced chance of hosting a large magnitude event. It is suggested that adaptations of this methodology are applicable to both normal and strike-slip faulting stress regimes.

Causes of the N\u2013S compressional aftershocks of the E\u2013W compressional 2008 Iwate\u2013Miyagi Nairiku earthquake (M7.2) in the northeastern Japan arc

In this study, we investigated the influence of local structural heterogeneities on aftershocks of the 2008 Iwate–Miyagi Nairiku earthquake (M 7.2) that occurred in the northeastern Japan arc. Although this area is characterized by an E–W compressional thrust faulting stress regime, many N–S compressional thrust-type and strike-slip-type earthquakes were also observed in the aftershock activity of the 2008 event. The occurrence of such N–S compressional aftershocks indicates that the differential stress was very low before the main shock. We investigated Vp/Vs structure in the aftershock area in detail to find most of the area showed Vp/Vs as low as less than 1.70, which is consistent with the previous studies. Our result shows, however, the aftershock area was dotted with high Vp/Vs small areas, which suggests the locations of abundant fluid-filled cracks. The comparison of the distributions of Vp/Vs, the stress changes due to the mainshock, and focal mechanisms of the aftershocks indicate that the N–S compressional aftershocks are concentrated in regions with high Vp/Vs and large N–S compressional stress change. From these results, we concluded that the N–S compressional aftershocks occurred in regions with low strength due to the high pore pressure and with N–S compressional stress caused by the stress change due to the mainshock in a low differential stress regime.

Basement Fault Reactivation by Fluid Injection Into Sedimentary Reservoirs: Poroelastic Effects

AbstractTo investigate mechanisms of seismic fault reactivation in crystalline basement in response to fluid injection in overlying sedimentary reservoirs, we conducted three‐dimensional finite element simulations to assess the effects of direct pore pressure communication and indirect poroelastic stress transfer on the change in Coulomb failure stress of favorably oriented faults of varying permeability structure in normal, strike‐slip, and reverse faulting stress regimes. We demonstrate that the direct pore pressure effect transmitted along a hydraulically conductive fault exceeds the indirect poroelastic effect, but alone is insufficient for fault reactivation in the basement. The poroelastic effect on the Coulomb failure stress results from induced normal tractions and, to a lesser extent, from induced shear tractions that relate to the flexing of the fault as the reservoir expands poroelastically with fluid injection. Assuming a higher Biot coefficient for reservoir over basement rock as previously reported, the combined direct pore pressure and indirect poroelastic effects result in reactivation of hydraulically conductive faults in the basement in normal and strike‐slip faulting stress regimes and in the reservoir in reverse faulting regimes. Sealing normal faults that are not preferentially conductive also preferentially reactivate in the reservoir. These findings apply to injection in either hanging or footwall of normal and reverse faults. Reducing the contrast in Biot coefficient between reservoir and basement favors fault reactivation in the reservoir for injection in the footwall in normal faulting stress regimes. These simulations demonstrate that geomechanical models without coupled poroelasticity underestimate the potential of fault reactivation in crystalline basement.

Subsurface structure and spatial segmentation of the Longmen Shan fault zone at the eastern margin of Tibetan Plateau: Evidence from focal mechanism solutions and stress field inversion

As the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, the Longmen Shan fault zone (LMSFZ) is characterized by a complex structural style and strong seismicity, such as the 2008 Wenchuan Ms8.0 and 2013 Lushan Ms7.0 earthquakes. In order to better understand the subsurface geometry of the LMSFZ we inverted 391 focal mechanism solutions (FMS) of earthquakes (M ≥ 3.5) that occurred between 2009 and 2016 in the Longmen Shan region using seismic waveforms. Subsequently, we calculated the stress field based on the FMSs. The results show that the LMSFZ is dominated by a thrust faulting stress regime with subhorizontal NW-SE-trending maximum principal stress σ1 and subvertical minimum principal stress σ3, indicating a lateral compression due to the southeastward movement of the Bayan Har block. Changes in fault dips at ~ 10 km depth are inferred as the result of a shallow level detachment layer, which may also promote shortening of the upper crust and uplift of the Longmen Shan. Based on differences in subsurface fault geometry, stress field and geomorphological evidence, we divide the LMSFZ into two segments by Beichuan County: the southwestern segment has a listric fault geometry, while the northeastern segment is dominated by subvertical transpressional strike-slip faults. According to the FMSs results, we suggest that the Lixian fault is a tear fault accommodating different thrusting rates in the eastern margin of the Bayan Har block. The normal faulting earthquakes in the Lixian area are caused by local extension resulting from the sinistral shear movement of Lixian fault in a strike-slip faulting stress regime. It is suggested that under the continuous southeastward movement of the Bayan Har block and the obstruction of the rigid Sichuan basin, stress is accumulating along the southwestern segment of the LMSFZ, to which accordingly a high seismic hazard is ascribed and which should be carefully monitored.

Effects of tectonic stress environment on tectonophysical features of deformed coal

ABSTRACTTo study the effects of the tectonic stress environment on the tectonophysical features of deformed coal, No.8 Mine in the Pingdingshan mine area is used as a study area and the relationship between the development of deformed coal, distribution of fractures, formation of deformed coal and tectonic stress environment are analyzed. The results indicate that the thickness of the bedrock layer should be included in the analysis of the tectonic stress environment for a region of intense tectonic activity. Although the reverse faulting stress regime can control the development of deformed coal, the C seam is extremely sensitive to the stress regime. The most advantageous direction of the deformed coal fractures is consistent with the regional maximum principal stress, and the development of fractures is closely related to the evolution of the tectonic stress environment. The fracture density of the E seam presents a uniform distribution, yet that of the C seam is completely heterogeneous. Superposition and compounding of the tectonic communities evidently increase the fracture density of the deformed coal. There is a relatively apparent boundary between the different types of deformation, which gradually transform from brittle to ductile with a decreasing lateral pressure coefficient. A generalized deformation pattern of the deformed coal is proposed and can be divided into frictional sliding and solid flow.