Microseismic Monitoring and Geomechanical Modelling of Co2 Storage in Subsurface Reservoirs Springer Theses

This thesis presents an impressive summary of the potential to use passive seismic methods to monitor the sequestration of anthropogenic CO2 in geologic reservoirs. It brings together innovative research in two distinct areas – seismology and geomechanics – and involves both data analysis and numerical modelling. The data come from the Weyburn-Midale project, which is currently the largest Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project in the world. James Verdon’s results show how passive seismic monitoring can be used as an early warning system for fault reactivation and top seal failure, which may lead to the escape of CO2 at the surface. Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Introduction....Pages 1-9 The Weyburn $$\hbox{CO}_{2}$$ Injection Project....Pages 11-26 Inverting Shear-Wave Splitting Measurements for Fracture Properties....Pages 27-54 A Comparison of Microseismic Monitoring of Fracture Stimulation Due to Water Versus $$\hbox{CO}_{2}$$ Injection....Pages 55-81 Geomechanical Simulation of $$\hbox{CO}_2$$ Injection....Pages 83-105 Generating Anisotropic Seismic Models Based on Geomechanical Simulation....Pages 107-139 Forward Modelling of Seismic Properties....Pages 141-151 Linking Geomechanical Modelling and Microseismic Observations at Weyburn....Pages 153-170 Conclusions....Pages 171-177 Back Matter....Pages 179-183