Applying Lessons Learned in Borehole Seismology to the Paralana Geothermal Development in South Australia

Abstract

The Institute of Earth Science and Engineering (IESE), at The University of Auckland, will be applying borehole seismology for a variety of investigations in Australia, including geothermal exploration. In the development discussed here, working with Petratherm Ltd of Adelaide, IESE will provide both seismic monitoring and advanced data analysis for the Paralana Geothermal Development. The objective is to monitor and analyse the seismicity produced by the hydrofracturing program in order to create a tomography of the fracture zone. The project will proceed in 3 phases. The initial phase was begun in June 2008 with the deployment of a preliminary shallow post-hole microearthquake net. This net is aimed at establishing the local background seismicity for comparison to induced events, and we expect the first data from it to be available at the AGEC meeting. The subsequent phases will focus on monitoring the geothermal development, with initial EGS drilling and, hopefully, power production.