Induced Seismicity and Energy Technologies - Induced Seismicity Potential in Energy Technologies - page 13

injected or withdrawn (e.g., Nicholson and Wesson, 1990). Controlled experiments both
at Rangely, Colorado (Raleigh et al., 1976; see also Chapter 2), and in Matsushiro, Japan
(Ohtake, 1974), were undertaken to directly control the behavior of large numbers of small
seismic events by manipulation of fluid injection pressure.
Fluid withdrawal has also been observed to cause seismic events. McGarr (1991)
identified three earthquakes in California caused by or likely related to extraction of oil:
(1) Coalinga, in May 1983, M 6.5; (2) Kettleman North Dome, in August 1985, M 6.1;
and (3) Whittier Narrows, in October 1987, M 5.9. All three events occurred in a crustal
anticline close to active oil fields and on or near seismically active faults. Although seismic
deformation (uplift) observed during each earthquake has been suggested to have a cor-
relation to removal of hydrocarbon mass (McGarr, 1991), well-documented and ongoing
uplift and seismicity over the entire region, related to natural adjustments of the Earth's
crust, make it difficult to determine unequivocally if these were induced seismic events. In
the mid-1970s and 1980s three large earthquakes (measuring M ~ 7) were recorded near
the Gazli gas field in Uzbekistan in an area that had largely been aseismic. Although precise
locations and magnitudes of the earthquakes were not possible to determine, a potential
relation to gas extraction was suggested based on available data and modeling (Adushkin
et al., 2000; Grasso, 1992; Simpson and Leith, 1985).
Some surface effects associated with energy technologies may occur (without associated
shaking at the surface) that result from surface subsidence or “creep” rather than from slip
along a fault. Examples include the Baldwin Hills dam failure in California (Appendix F).
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Human activity, including injection and extraction of fluids from the Earth, can induce
seismic events. While the vast majority of these events have intensities below that which
can be felt by people living directly at the site of fluid injection or extraction, potential
exists to produce significant seismic events that can be felt and cause damage and public
concern. Examination of known examples of induced seismicity can aid in determining
what the risks are for energy technologies. These examples also provide data on the types
of research required to better constrain induced seismicity risks and to develop options for
best practices to define and alleviate risks from energy-related induced seismicity. These
issues are explored in the remaining chapters of this report.
REFERENCES
Adushkin, V.V., V.N. Rodionov, S.T. Turuntnev, and A.E. Yodin. 2000. Seismicity in the oil field. Oilfield Review Summer:2-17.
Davis, S.D. 1985. Investigations of Natural and Induced Seismicity in the Texas Panhandle. M.S. thesis. The University of
Texas, Austin. 230 pp.