Oil and Natural Gas Induced
Seismicity
J. R. Century
There has been recent increased scientific awareness of seismicity
induced
by
natural resource operations in major oil and natural gas developments, mineral
extraction and dam impoundments. Serious earthquakes causing great loss of life
and property have occurred unexpectedly in many parts of the world, especially
within intra-plate regions of low level
seismicity
. The petroleum industry has
an added responsibility to further educate the public about those fields where
induced
seismicity
has already been accepted as scientifically proven. We should
also investigate with increased rigorous objectivity, all areas at risk in which
seismicity
may be
induced
through current activity of oil and gas production,
enhanced oil recovery by water injection and in natural gas storage facilities.
Case histories from western Canada, the United States, France, Uzbekistan and
other places will be reviewed. It is also incumbent on petroleum geologists to
integrate and publish what is well established in the geological, geophysical
and seismological disciplines. The purpose of this activity will be to develop a
more complete understanding of, and reduction in, risk of serious earthquakes
induced
by petroleum and natural gas operations. Mitigation of risk is of utmost
urgency, especially in highly populated areas.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91020©1995 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1995