Addressing Induced Seismicity: Findings, Conclusions, Research, and Proposed Actions - Induced Seismicity Potential in Energy Technologies - page 143

Addressing Induced Seismicity:
Findings, Conclusions,
Research, and Proposed Actions
Induced seismic activity attributed to a range of human activities has been documented
since at least the 1920s. However, recent induced seismic events related to energy technol-
ogy development projects that involve fluid injection or withdrawal in the United States
have drawn heightened public attention. Although none of these events resulted in loss of
life or significant damage, their effects were felt by local residents. These induced seismic
events, though usually small in scale, can be disturbing for the public and raise concern
about additional seismic activity and its consequences in areas where energy development
is ongoing or planned. The findings, gaps, proposed actions, and research recommenda-
tions outlined in this chapter, based upon material presented earlier in the report, address
• the types and causes of induced seismicity;
• issues speciic to each energy technology addressed in the study (geothermal energy,
conventional and unconventional oil and gas production, injection wells for dis-
posal of wastewater associated with energy development, and carbon capture and
storage [CCS]);
• oversight, monitoring, and coordination of underground injection activities to help
avoid felt induced seismicity;
• hazards and risk assessment; and
• best practices.
Although credible and viable research into possible induced seismic events has been
conducted to date by industry, the academic community, and the federal government, fur-
ther research is required because of the potential controversies surrounding such events. The
Department of Energy, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Science Foundation
are important organizations both for conducting and for supporting this kind of research
and research partnerships with industry and academia. In addition to proposed actions
to address induced seismicity, research recommendations are specifically highlighted in
Box 7.1; some of these recommendations are specific to individual energy technologies,
but most can be conducted with a purpose to understand induced seismicity more broadly.