Steps Toward a “Best Practices” Protocol - Induced Seismicity Potential in Energy Technologies - page 138

TABLE 6.4 Summary of the Primary Elements of a Protocol for Addressing Induced Seismicity Associated with Injection Wells Used for Oil
and Gas Development (EPA UIC Class II wells) or Associated with Carbon Sequestration (EPA UIC Class VI wells)

Additional UIC Permitting
Requirements

After Drilling and Prior to
Injection (A Second Look)

Monitoring Requirements During
Injection

Public and Regulatory
Communications

Operator should identify local
residents and cities and counties
that could be affected by induced
seismicity and hold public
meetings to explain project and
identify concerns.

Operator should notify
appropriate regulatory agencies
and the local public and provide
updated information and analysis
based on any new information
obtained during drilling
operations.

Operator should provide periodic
updates to appropriate regulatory
agencies and the local public on
the locations and extent of their
injection operations and the locally
observed seismic activity.

Hazard Assessment Evaluate the potential additional

hazard to be expected from
locally induced seismicity.

Review and reassess the potential
for induced seismicity based
on any additional information
obtained during drilling and
completion of the injection well.

Report to the appropriate
regulatory agencies and the public
on any actual hazards observed
during injection activity.

Risk Assessment Develop a probabilistic

risk analysis to estimate the
probability of risk to be expected.

Revise the risk assessment as
appropriate based on any
additional information obtained
during the drilling and completion
of the injection well.

Revise the risk assessment as
appropriate based on additional
information obtained during
injection activity.

Criteria for Ground
Vibration

Determine areal size, sensitivity,
and appropriate instrumentation
needed for local array.