Title
Correlation between hydrocarbon reservoir properties and induced seismicity in the Netherlands
Author
van Eijs, R.M.H.E.
Mulders, F.M.M.
Nepveu, M.
Kenter, C.J.
Scheffers, B.C.
TNO Bouw en Ondergrond
Publication year
2006
Abstract
Earthquakes induced by gas production are a social concern in the Netherlands. Over the last two decades, a total of about 350 such earthquakes have been recorded, with magnitudes ranging up to 3.5 on Richter's scale. The new Dutch mining law prescribes the operators to give a quantitative estimation of the likelihood of future seismic activity (hazard) and the associated damage (risk). This estimation has to be given for every onshore field (producing, or to be produced). A traditional probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) can not give an estimation of the hazard for a field before the occurrence of seismic activity. We have therefore investigated the correlation between parameters related to reservoir and production properties and the occurrence of induced seismicity in a hydrocarbon field statistically, using Bayes' theorem and the Rule of Succession. Three key parameters have been identified that show a good correlation with the occurrence of earthquakes: pressure drop, fault density of the reservoir and stiffness ratio between seal- and reservoir rock. Based on the observed correlation a probability for the occurrence of earthquakes in fields that have no historical earthquake record has been calculated. This has resulted in the definition of four groups of hydrocarbon fields having all a different probability. © 2006.
Subject
Geosciences
Bayesian statistics
Hydrocarbon reservoir
Induced seismicity
Seismic hazard
Correlation methods
Earthquakes
Hydrocarbons
Probability
Statistical methods
Tectonics
Bayesian statistics
Hydrocarbon reservoir
Induced seismicity
Seismic hazard
Seismology
Bayesian analysis
correlation
hydrocarbon reservoir
induced seismicity
probability
seismic hazard
Benelux
Eurasia
Europe
Netherlands
Western Europe
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TNO identifier
239271
ISSN
0013-7952
Source
Engineering Geology, 84 (3-4), 99-111
Document type
article