First insights to the seismic response of the fractured Carboniferous limestone reservoir at the Balmatt geothermal doublet (Belgium)

Kinscher, Jannes; Broothaers, Matsen; Schmittbuhl, Jean; Santis, Francesca De; Laenen, Ben; Klein, Emmanuelle

doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2022.102585

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…During the second injection cycle, the majority of events were triggered when the concurrent recorded pressures clearly exceeded the maximum levels observed in the first cycle. This is a strong indication of the presence of a stress memory effect, also known as the Kaiser effect, which has been observed in other stimulation experiments (Baisch et al, 2009;Kinscher et al, 2023;Kluge et al, 2021;Niemz et al, 2024). Meanwhile, the average distance of these events from the injection interval exhibited only a slight increase compared to the first cycle.…”

Section: Number Of Injection Cycles Versus Proximity Of Activated Str...supporting

confidence: 71%

Insights from Subsurface Monitoring for Engineering of the Stimulation Pattern in Fractured Reservoirs

Doonechaly,

Bröker,

Hertrich

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Stimulation operations enhance the performance of geothermal reservoirs by boosting fluid flow and heat transfer. Predicting stimulation outcomes is challenging due to complexity of reservoir properties and limited observations given by operational conditions. Factors like stress state, natural structures, pressure distribution, and injection patterns play crucial roles in engineering of a stimulation operation. This study provides in-depth observations from a hectometer-scale stimulation experiment conducted at the Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geosciences and Geoenergies within a densely monitored crystalline rock volume with an overburden of more than 1 km. We found that hydraulic connectivity, pressure compartments, and the characteristics of existing geological structures play pivotal roles in the propagation patterns of seismic events. Notably, the initiation and distribution of seismicity are markedly influenced by the zonal isolation and the structured propagation of pressure front across the reservoir. The research highlights the necessity of adapting stimulation strategies to the unique geomechanical as well as geological characteristics of the reservoir, as evident from the distinct activation patterns observed between the first and second injection cycles. The spatial extent of the stimulated volume can be partially guided by the number of stimulation cycles and injection pressure level, as farther structures are increasingly likely to be activated in the subsequent cycles. The results also indicate that the Kaiser effect is more pronounced in regions closer to the injection borehole. However, this effect can be attenuated due to stress changes caused by stimulation, consistent with a proposition from a recent study. Our findings underscore the critical importance of understanding the interplay between hydraulic pressures and stress states to optimize the stimulation of geothermal reservoirs effectively.

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Section: Number Of Injection Cycles Versus Proximity Of Activated Str...supporting

confidence: 71%

Insights from Subsurface Monitoring for Engineering of the Stimulation Pattern in Fractured Reservoirs

Doonechaly,

Bröker,

Hertrich

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…Note however that the direct pressure effect plays a role near the well, and for the faulted reservoirs or reservoirs overlying fracture (basement) rocks (Baisch et al, 2010; Hsieh & Bredehoeft, 1981; Keranen et al, 2013). Pressure changes likely played a dominant role for the induced events in the faulted carbonates at Balmatt (Kinscher et al, 2023), although for the events near Californië, Limburg, it is argued that thermo-elasticity and pressure decreases are responsible for generating the observed events (Vörös & Baisch, 2022). For smaller fracture spacing fractured rock masses may behave more as a porous rock mass (Wassing et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Just south of the Dutch border, the same carbonates are targeted at Balmatt, near Mol in Belgium (Broothaers et al, 2021). Here also, seismic events up to M L 2.2 occurred, which could be felt in the villages nearby (Kinscher et al, 2023). The events led to suspension of operations.…”

Section: Reservoir Rocks and Caprocksmentioning

confidence: 96%

Comparison of hydrocarbon and geothermal energy production in the Netherlands: reservoir characteristics, pressure and temperature changes, and implications for fault reactivation

Buijze¹,

Veldkamp²,

Wassing³

2023

Netherlands Journal of Geosciences

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The Netherlands is in the midst of an energy transition with hydrocarbon production gradually declining, whereas the role of sustainable energy technologies is on the rise. One of these technologies is geothermal energy production from porous reservoirs at 1.5–3 km depth. As the number of geothermal projects increases, there is a growing concern that felt and/or damaging induced seismic events could occur as a result of geothermal operations. Over the last two decades, such events have occurred in the Netherlands due to gas production, notably in the Groningen gas field. However, the occurrence of felt events is limited to hydrocarbon fields in certain regions or reservoirs. Understanding where and for which plays these events are observed helps to estimate seismogenic potential for geothermal operations and other sustainable subsurface activities. Here, we summarise and review the main similarities and differences in terms of geological and geomechanical characteristics between the hydrocarbon and geothermal plays in the Netherlands, and we consider the differences in pressure and temperature changes. By doing so, we provide better insights into the factors that could play a role for fault reactivation and induced seismicity, and how these differ for hydrocarbon production and geothermal operations in the Netherlands. The review shows that geological characteristics for most geothermal target reservoirs are similar to those of hydrocarbon, albeit geothermal projects so far target higher porosity rocks than hydrocarbon reservoirs. On the other hand, pressure and temperature changes are very different, with significant depletion for hydrocarbon fields vs significant cooling around geothermal injection wells. The different operations result not only in different expected stress change magnitudes but also in a distinct spatio-temporal stress build-up on faults, which has implications for seismogenic potential and monitoring of these different operations.

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“…The act of classifying seismic events into two distinct categories, namely microearthquakes and ultramicroearthquakes, serves to emphasize the presence of seismic activities in the region that may otherwise go unnoticed due to their subtle nature (Hopp et al, 2020;Kinscher et al, 2023;Nibe & Matsushima, 2021). By specifically identifying microearthquake zones in close proximity to injection and production wells, it becomes apparent that seismicity is localized to these areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the Effect of Local Magnitude on Peak Ground Acceleration and Seismic Vulnerability Index for Geothermal Field Monitoring Using Microearthquake

Utama,

Indriani,

Garini

2023

jppipa, pendidikan ipa, fisika, biologi, kimia

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Intensive exploitation of geothermal injection and production can trigger microearthquakes which it signals come from dynamic fractures. The purpose of this study is to decide the impact of local magnitude on mitigation in geothermal fields based on soil acceleration and vulnerability of seismic in geothermal fields. This study uses seismic wave recording data and the geology of the research area. It is focable on calculating local magnitude, ground acceleration and seismic susceptibility index to earthquakes based on ground acceleration and seismic susceptibility index in geothermal fields. The maximum amplitude value represent that the medium classification class (3<A0<6) is associated with a moderate degree of deformation. Natural frequency value are found with a moderate classification (4<f0<10) around the area of injection wells and production wells, indicating that the research area has a moderate level of soil hardness structure. The peak ground acceleration in the study area is classified as moderate (0.25<PGA<0.7) which means that the area has a moderate level of risk. Vulnerability of seismic in the study area is included in the low classification (Kg<10). The local magnitude impact on soil acceleration and vulnerability of seismic in this study has a moderate risk and can be categorised as safe. In the future, this research serves as a basis for proper decision-making in geothermal energy operations, monitoring, and infrastructure development

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First insights to the seismic response of the fractured Carboniferous limestone reservoir at the Balmatt geothermal doublet (Belgium)

Cited by 5 publications

References 59 publications

Insights from Subsurface Monitoring for Engineering of the Stimulation Pattern in Fractured Reservoirs

Insights from Subsurface Monitoring for Engineering of the Stimulation Pattern in Fractured Reservoirs

Comparison of hydrocarbon and geothermal energy production in the Netherlands: reservoir characteristics, pressure and temperature changes, and implications for fault reactivation

Analysis of the Effect of Local Magnitude on Peak Ground Acceleration and Seismic Vulnerability Index for Geothermal Field Monitoring Using Microearthquake

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