Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.9720/kseg.2022.4.643

Sequential Use of COMSOL Multiphysics® and PyLith for Poroelastic Modeling of Fluid Injection and Induced Earthquakes  

Jang, Chan-Hee (Department of Geophysics, Kangwon National University)
Kim, Hyun Na (Department of Geoenvironmental Science, Kongju National University)
So, Byung-Dal (Department of Geophysics, Kangwon National University)
Publication Information
The Journal of Engineering Geology / v.32, no.4, 2022 , pp. 643-659 More about this Journal
Abstract
Geologic sequestration technologies such as CCS (carbon capture and storage), EGS (enhanced geothermal systems), and EOR (enhanced oil recovery) have been widely implemented in recent years, prompting evaluation of the mechanical stability of storage sites. As fluid injection can stimulate mechanical instability in storage layers by perturbing the stress state and pore pressure, poroelastic models considering various injection scenarios are required. In this study, we calculate the pore pressure, stress distribution, and vertical displacement along a surface using commercial finite element software (COMSOL); fault slips are subsequently simulated using PyLith, an open-source finite element software. The displacement fields, are obtained from PyLith is transferred back to COMSOL to determine changes in coseismic stresses and surface displacements. Our sequential use of COMSOL-PyLith-COMSOL for poroelastic modeling of fluid-injection and induced-earthquakes reveals large variations of pore pressure, vertical displacement, and Coulomb failure stress change during injection periods. On the other hand, the residual stress diffuses into the remote field after injection stops. This flow pattern suggests the necessity of numerical modeling and long-term monitoring, even after injection has stopped. We found that the time at which the Coulomb failure stress reaches the critical point greatly varies with the hydraulic and poroelastic properties (e.g., permeability and Biot-Willis coefficient) of the fault and injection layer. We suggest that an understanding of the detailed physical properties of the surrounding layer is important in selecting the injection site. Our numerical results showing the surface displacement and deviatoric stress distribution with different amounts of fault slip highlight the need to test more variable fault slip scenarios.
Keywords
fluid injection; induced earthquake; surface displacement; poroelasticity; COMSOL; PyLith; Coulomb failure stress change;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 3  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Xue, L., Moucha, R., Scholz, C.A., 2022, Climate-driven stress changes and normal fault behavior in the Lake Malawi (Nyasa) Rift, East Africa, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 593, 117693.   DOI
2 Stephens, J.C., Jiusto, S., 2010, Assessing innovation in emerging energy technologies: Socio-technical dynamics of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) in the USA, Energy Policy, 38, 2020-2031.   DOI
3 Yim, J., Min, K.B., 2022, A hydro-mechanical basic study on the effect of shut-in on injection-induced seismic magnitude, Tunnel and Underground Space, 30, 203-218 (in Korean with English abstract).
4 Brunsting, S., Desbarats, J., de Best-Waldhober, M., Duetschke, E., Oltra, C., Upham, P., Riesch, H., 2011, The public and CCS: The importance of communication and participation in the context of local realities, Energy Procedia, 4, 6241-6247.   DOI
5 Aagaard, B.T., Knepley, M.G., Williams, C.A., 2013, A domain decomposition approach to implementing fault slip in finite-element models of quasi-static and dynamic crustal deformation, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 118, 3059-3079.   DOI
6 Pampillon, P., Santillan, D., Mosquera, J.C., Cueto-Felgueroso, L., 2018, Dynamic and quasi-dynamic modeling of injectioninduced earthquakes in poroelastic media, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 123, 5730-5759.   DOI
7 Agathos, K., Chatzi, E., Bordas, S.P., Talaslidis, D., 2016, A well-conditioned and optimally convergent XFEM for 3D linear elastic fracture, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 105, 643-677.   DOI
8 Wetzler, N., Shalev, E., Gobel, T., Amelung, F., Kurzon, I., Lyakhovsky, V., Brodsky, E.E., 2019, Earthquake swarms triggered by groundwater extraction near the dead sea fault, Geophysical Research Letters, 46, 8056-8063.   DOI
9 McCormack, K.A., Hesse, M.A., 2018, Modeling the poroelastic response to megathrust earthquakes: A look at the 2012 Mw 7.6 Costa Rican event, Advances in Water Resources, 114, 236-248.   DOI
10 Papadimitriou, E.E., 2002, Mode of strong earthquake recurrence in the central Ionian Islands (Greece): Possible triggering due to Coulomb stress changes generated by the occurrence of previous strong shocks, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 92(8), 3293-3308.   DOI
11 Cao, W., Verdon, J.P., Tao, M., 2022, Coupled poroelastic modelling of hydraulic fracturing-induced seismicity: Implications for understanding the post shut-in ML 2.9 earthquake at the Preston New Road, UK, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 127, e2021JB023376.   DOI
12 Biot, M.A., 1941, General theory of three-dimensional consolidation, Journal of Applied Physics, 12, 155-164.   DOI
13 Chang, D., Boulanger, R., Brandenberg, S., Kutter, B., 2013, FEM analysis of dynamic soil-pile-structure interaction in liquefied and laterally spreading ground, Earthquake Spectra, 29(3), 733-755.   DOI
14 Chang, K.W., Yoon, H., 2020, Hydromechanical controls on the spatiotemporal patterns of injection-induced seismicity in different fault architecture: Implication for 2013-2014 Azle earthquakes, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 125, e2020JB020402.
15 Cipolla, C., Weng, X., Mack, M., Ganguly, U., Gu, H., Kresse, O., Cohen, C., 2012, Integrating microseismic mapping and complex fracture modeling to characterize fracture complexity, Proceedings of the SPE/EAGE European Unconventional Resources Conference & Exhibition - From Potential to Production, Copenhagen, Denmark, cp-285.
16 De Simone, S., Carrera, J., Vilarrasa, V., 2017, Superposition approach to understand triggering mechanisms of post-injection induced seismicity, Geothermics, 70, 85-97.   DOI
17 Rinaldi, A.P., Vilarrasa, V., Rutqvist, J., Cappa, F., 2015, Fault reactivation during CO2 sequestration: Effects of well orientation on seismicity and leakage, Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, 5, 645-656.   DOI
18 Jha, B., Juanes, R., 2014, Coupled multiphase flow and poromechanics: A computational model of pore pressure effects on fault slip and earthquake triggering, Water Resources Research, 50, 3776-3808.   DOI
19 Kim, H.S., Kim, M.S., Kim, N.W., So, B.D., 2022, Numerical investigation for the effect of the subducting slab geometry on the postseismic deformation using finite element method, Journal of the Geological Society of Korea, 58, 191-203 (in Korean with English abstract).   DOI
20 Kraeusel, J., Most, D., 2012, Carbon capture and storage on its way to large-scale deployment: Social acceptance and willingness to pay in Germany, Energy Policy, 49, 642-651.   DOI
21 Goebel, T.H.W., Weingarten, M., Chen, X., Haffener, J., Brodsky, E.E., 2017, The 2016 Mw5.1 Fairview, Oklahoma earthquakes: Evidence for long-range poroelastic triggering at >40 km from fluid disposal wells, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 472, 50-61.   DOI
22 Dutschke, E., 2011, What drives local public acceptance - Comparing two cases from Germany, Energy Procedia, 4, 6234-6240.   DOI
23 Ellsworth, W.L., 2013, Injection-induced earthquakes, Science, 341, 1225942.   DOI
24 Ge, S., Saar, M.O., 2022, Review: Induced seismicity during geoenergy development-A hydromechanical perspective, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 127(3), e2021JB023141.   DOI
25 Hoffmann, J., Hafner, C., Leidenberger, P., Hesselbarth, J., Burger, S., 2009, Comparison of electromagnetic field solvers for the 3D analysis of plasmonic nano antennas, Proceedings of SPIE, 7390, 174-184.
26 Horton, S., 2012, Disposal of hydrofracking waste fluid by injection into subsurface aquifers triggers earthquake swarm in central Arkansas with potential for damaging earthquake, Seismological Research Letters, 83, 250-260.   DOI
27 Hughes, K.L.H., Masterlark, T., Mooney, W.D., 2010, Poroelastic stress-triggering of the 2005 M8.7 Nias earthquake by the 2004 M9.2 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 293, 289-299.   DOI
28 Hui, G., Chen, S., Chen, Z., He, Y., Wang, S., Gu, F., 2021, Investigation on two Mw 3.6 and Mw 4.1 earthquakes triggered by poroelastic effects of hydraulic fracturing operations near Crooked Lake, Alberta, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 126, e2020JB020308.   DOI
29 Keranen, K.M., Weingarten, M., Abers, G.A., Bekins, B.A., Ge, S., 2014, Sharp increase in central Oklahoma seismicity since 2008 induced by massive wastewater injection, Science, 345, 448-451.   DOI
30 Jin, L., Zoback, M.D., 2018, Fully dynamic spontaneous rupture due to quasi-static pore pressure and poroelastic effects: An implicit nonlinear computational model of fluid-induced seismic events, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 123, 9430-9468.   DOI
31 Lee, H.J., Park, E.G., Kim, K.J., Park, K.H., 2008, A joint application of DRASTIC and numerical groundwater flow model for the assessment of groundwater vulnerability of Buyeo-eup area, Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment, 13, 77-91 (in Korean with English abstract).
32 Rutqvist, J., Birkholzer, J., Cappa, F., Tsang, C.F., 2007, Estimating maximum sustainable injection pressure during geological sequestration of CO2 using coupled fluid flow and geomechanical fault-slip analysis, Energy Conversion and Management, 48, 1798-1807.   DOI
33 Rutqvist, J., Vasco, D.W., Myer, L., 2010, Coupled reservoir-geomechanical analysis of CO2 injection at In Salah, Algeria, Energy Procedia, 1(1), 1847-1854.   DOI
34 Segall, P., 1989, Earthquakes triggered by fluid extraction, Geology, 17, 942-946.   DOI
35 Altmann, J.B., Muller, T.M., Muller, B.I., Tingay, M.R., Heidbach, O., 2010, Poroelastic contribution to the reservoir stress path, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 47, 1104-1113.   DOI
36 Kim, S., Hosseini, S.A., 2014, Above-zone pressure monitoring and geomechanical analyses for a field-scale CO2 injection project in Cranfield, MS, Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, 4(1), 81-98.   DOI
37 King, G.C., Stein, R.S., Lin, J., 1994, Static stress changes and the triggering of earthquakes, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 84, 935-953.
38 Lee, C.I., Min, K.B., 2013, Effect of ground vibration on surface structures and human environments -Application of blasting vibration to induced seismicity in EGS hydraulic stimulation-, Tunnel and Underground Space, 23, 521-537 (in Korean with English abstract).   DOI
39 Lee, H.J., So, B.D., 2020, Numerical simulation of coseismic and postseismic deformation using finite element modeling with weak elastic fault, Journal of the Geological Society of Korea, 56(6), 771-787 (in Korean with English abstract).   DOI
40 Lee, S.H., So, B.D., 2019, Two dimensional finite element numerical model for slab detachment using Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian and remeshing, Journal of the Geological Society of Korea, 55(6), 663-682 (in Korean with English abstract).   DOI
41 McCormack, K., Hesse, M.A., Dixon, T., Malservisi, R., 2020, Modeling the contribution of poroelastic deformation to postseismic geodetic signals, Geophysical Research Letters, 47(8), e2020GL086945.   DOI
42 Nolte, K.A., Tsoflias, G.P., Bidgoli, T.S., Lynn W.W., 2017, Shear-wave anisotropy reveals pore fluid pressure-induced seismicity in the U.S. midcontinent, Science Advances, 3, e1700443.   DOI
43 Piombo, A., Martinelli, G., Dragoni, M., 2005, Post-seismic fluid flow and Coulomb stress changes in a poroelastic medium, Geophysical Journal International, 162, 507-515.   DOI
44 Rathnaweera, T.D., Wu, W., Ji, Y., Gamage, R.P., 2020, Understanding injection-induced seismicity in enhanced geothermal systems: From the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical process to anthropogenic earthquake prediction, Earth-Science Reviews, 205, 103182.   DOI
45 Williams, C.A., Wallace, L.M., 2015, Effects of material property variations on slip estimates for subduction interface slow-slip events, Geophysical Research Letters, 42, 1113-1121.   DOI
46 Willson, J.P., Lunn, R.J., Shipton, Z.K., 2007, Simulating spatial and temporal evolution of multiple wing cracks around faults in crystalline basement rocks, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 112, B08408.   DOI
47 Shan, B., Xiong, X., Wang, R., Zheng, Y., Yang, S., 2013, Coulomb stress evolution along Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang Fault System since 1713 and its interaction with Wenchuan earthquake, May 12, 2008, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 377-378, 199-210.   DOI
48 Deichmann, N., Giardini, D., 2009, Earthquakes induced by the stimulation of an enhanced geothermal system below Basel (Switzerland), Seismological Research Letters, 80, 784-798.   DOI
49 Yeck, W.L., Weingarten, M., Benz, H.M., McNamara, D.E., Bergman, E.A., Herrmann, R.B., Rubinstein, J.L., Earle, P.S., 2016, Far-field pressurization likely caused one of the largest injection induced earthquakes by reactivating a large preexisting basement fault structure, Geophysical Research Letters, 43, 10198-10207.   DOI
50 Yeo, I.W., Brown, M., Ge, S., Lee, K.K., 2020, Causal mechanism of injection-induced earthquakes through the Mw 5.5 Pohang earthquake case study, Nature Communications, 11, 1-12.   DOI
51 Deng, K., Liu, Y., Harrington, R.M., 2016, Poroelastic stress triggering of the December 2013 Crooked Lake, Alberta, induced seismicity sequence, Geophysical Research Letters, 43, 8482-8491.   DOI
52 Zhang, Y., Person, M., Rupp, J., Ellett, K., Celia, M.A., Gable, C.W., Bowen, B., Evans, J., Bandilla, K., Mozley, P., Dewers, T., Elliot, T., 2013, Hydrogeologic controls on induced seismicity in crystalline basement rocks due to fluid injection into basal reservoirs, Groundwater, 51(4), 525-538.   DOI
53 Zienkiewicz, O.C., Taylor, R.L., 2005, The finite element method for solid and structural mechanics, Elsevier, 736p.
54 Haug, J.K., Stigson, P., 2016, Local acceptance and communication as crucial elements for realizing CCS in the Nordic region, Energy Procedia, 86, 315-323.   DOI
55 Ahrens, J., Geveci, B., law, C., 2005, Paraview: An end-user tool for large data visualization, The Visualization Handbook, 717-731.
56 Bagge, M., Hampel, A., 2016, Three-dimensional finite-element modelling of coseismic Coulomb stress changes on intracontinental dip-slip faults, Tectonophysics, 684, 52-62.   DOI
57 Terwel, B.W., ter Mors, E., Daamen, D.D., 2012, It's not only about safety: Beliefs and attitudes of 811 local residents regarding a CCS project in Barendrecht, International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 9, 41-51.   DOI
58 Shukla, R., Ranjith, P., Haque, A., Choi, X., 2010, A review of studies on CO2 sequestration and caprock integrity, Fuel, 89(10), 2651-2664.   DOI
59 Stanislavsky, E., Garven, G., 2002, The minimum depth of fault failure in compressional environments, Geophysical Research Letters, 29(24), 8-1.   DOI
60 Tapia, J.F.D., Lee, J., Ooi, R.E., Foo, D.C., Tan, R.R., 2018, A review of optimization and decision-making models for the planning of CO2 capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) systems, Sustainable Production and Consumption, 13, 1-15.   DOI
61 van Egmond, S., Hekkert, M.P., 2015, Analysis of a prominent carbon storage project failure - The role of the national government as initiator and decision maker in the Barendrecht case, International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 34, 1-11.   DOI
62 Wang, H., 2000, Theory of linear poroelasticity with applications to geomechanics and hydrogeology (Vol. 2), Princeton University Press, 304p.
63 Weingarten, M., Ge, S., Godt, J.W., Bekins, B.A., Rubinstein, J.L., 2015, High-rate injection is associated with the increase in US mid-continent seismicity, Science, 348(6241), 1336-1340.   DOI
64 Segall, P., Lu, S., 2015, Injection-induced seismicity: Poroelastic and earthquake nucleation effects, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 120, 5082-5103.   DOI
65 Safari, R., Ghassemi, A., 2016, Three-dimensional poroelastic modeling of injection induced permeability enhancement and microseismicity, International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 84, 47-58.   DOI
66 Barbot, S., Fialko, Y., 2010, A unified continuum representation of post-seismic relaxation mechanisms: Semi-analytic models of afterslip, poroelastic rebound and viscoelastic flow, Geophysical Journal International, 182(3), 1124-1140.   DOI
67 Chang, K.W., Segall, P., 2016, Injection-induced seismicity on basement faults including poroelastic stressing, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 121(4), 2708-2726.   DOI