Integrated Modeling and Field Study of Potential Mechanisms for Induced Seismicity at The Geysers Geothermal Field, California
- Key words
- Induced Seismicity; The Geysers, steam production, geomechanical modeling
- Location
- The Geysers, California
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 2006
- Session
- Induced seismicity; steam production; geomechanical modeling
- Language
- English
Abstract
In this paper, we present progress made in a study aimed at increasing the understanding of the relative contributions of different mechanisms that may be causing the seismicity occurring at The Geysers geothermal field, California. The approach we take is to integrate: (1) coupled reservoir geomechanical numerical modeling, (2) data from recently upgraded and expanded NCPA/Calpine/LBNL seismic arrays, and (3) tens of years of archival InSAR data from monthly satellite passes. We have conducted a coupled reservoir geomechanical analysis to study potential mechanisms induced by steam production. Our simulation results corroborate co-locations of hypocenter field observations of induced seismicity and their correlation with steam production as reported in the literature. Seismic and InSAR data are being collected and processed for use in constraining the coupled reservoir geomechanical model.
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