Introduction to this special section: Passive seismic and microseismic—Part 2

Abstract

An introduction to this special section: Passive seismic and microseismic-Part 2 W elcome to the second half of TLE's two-part special section on passive seismic and microseismic. This month, we focus again on monitoring hydraulic fracturing with microseismic with five articles, but also expand beyond "micro"seismicity, to include unintended "induced" seismicity that may occur during injection. Five articles in this special section focus on induced-seismicity topics. In this introduction, we will highlight various issues related to undesired induced seismicity which may be caused by hydraulic fracturing and deep, underground salt water disposal. Why should you care about induced seismicity? The large increase in unconventional plays and hydraulic fracturing, discussed in the November special section introductory article (Goodway, 2012), has been accompanied with an increase in the generation of wastewater, which is a byproduct resulting from flowback after the stimulation procedure. Induced seismicity from the wastewater injection is extremely rare, occurring in less than 1% of the wells (NAS report, 2012, Shemeta et al., this issue). Induced seismicity (M>1) associated with hydraulic fracturing is even more rare. However rare, and regardless of the cause, induced seismicity

Fact-based communication: the Shale Gas Information Platform SHIP

“…Broomfield 2012; Green et al 2012;Gregory et al 2011;Haluszczak 2013;Koppelman et al 2012;Shemata et al 2012;Weber and Clavin 2012). Environmental issues dominate the discussion, including the potential impact on climate from shale gas production.…”