Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Recent earthquakes in Fox Creek, Alberta have sparked a global debate on the risks and environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing (for short, 'fracking') for enhanced oil and gas recovery. &nbsp;Three earthquakes in this previously quiescent region exceeded a moment magnitude of 4.0, which rank among the largest fracking-induced events in the world. &nbsp;Injection operations were temporarily suspended in June 2015, in compliance with the first Traffic-light subsurface regulation in Canada. &nbsp;The lack of seismic receivers in the vicinity of shale gas stimulation wells, however, greatly hamper the detection and location of earthquakes, especially the magnitude 2-4 events that are crucial to the evaluation of subsurface fault(s), criticality and stress conditions. <br /> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; This proposal requests funds for 4 sets of broadband seismographs to improve the regional capability to monitor and analyze potentially induced earthquakes near Fox Creek, Alberta. &nbsp; These are high precision, non-invasive equipment sensitive to ground motion at a broad range of frequencies. &nbsp;The increased station density and carefully designed layout will ideally complement the existing regional seismic array and address the critical needs for 1) accurate earthquake detection, location and source analysis, and 2) improved resolution on the subsurface conditions surrounding major shale gas stimulation wells. The availability of the proposed instrument in the vicinity of recent earthquakes, which remain seismically active at the present time, will greatly enhance the overall seismic monitoring efforts in central Alberta. &nbsp; The improved timing and location of earthquakes will enable accurate, independent assessments of the temporal/spatial correlation between earthquake and injection activity, and ultimately lead to more informed decisions by the industrial operators and provincial/federal energy regulators. &nbsp; The outcomes of this instrument project will shed new light on the role of crustal fluids and their impact on, and association with, regional stresses and tectonics. <br /> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; In short, induced earthquakes in Alberta represent both a major challenge and a unique opportunity to evaluate the influence of our day-to-day operations on the environment. &nbsp;The timing is critical, as earthquakes with magnitudes of 2-3.5 continue to occur at a high rate in the vicinity of Fox Creek. &nbsp;Understanding the nature of these earthquakes is essential to balance between economic development and hazard mitigation. &nbsp; Having established the first Alberta Broadband seismic array, our group is in a prime position to investigate induced earthquakes in Alberta. &nbsp;This instrument project will provide excellent opportunities for on-field training, and the continuous induced earthquake data will directly benefit the thesis research of several highly qualified personnel. </p>