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Are there concerns for earthquakes similar to how "fracking" used by the oil and gas industry has caused earthquakes? From the article: >To generate geoetherma

Are there concerns for earthquakes similar to how "fracking" used by the oil and gas industry has caused earthquakes? From the article: >To generate geoethermal energy there, Fervo had to drill two horizontal wells through which it pumps water. Fervo pushes cold water through fractures in the rock, which heats it up so it can generate steam back at the surface. It sounds like it might be a possibility.

auspiv 3y ago
Edit: Fervo energy is using the same exact techniques used by oil/gas for the hydraulic fracturing so yes the risk exists, but they didn't run into any issues. Seismic risk is typically highest near water disposal wells, which continuously inject water at high rates (>10000 bbl/d). These geothermal wells were fractured once, and whatever is injected is produced a few hours later (no net increase of volume after the initial frac job). From the white paper (https://eartharxiv.org/repository/object/5704/download/11142/ https://eartharxiv.org/repository/object/5704/download/11142...) - "Prior to starting the operations phase of this project, a preliminary screening assessment was performed to evaluate the potential risk of induced seismicity at the project site. We followed the guidelines outlined by the US Department of Energy’s Protocol for Addressing Induced Seismicity Associated with Enhanced Geothermal Systems (Majer et al. 2012). Based on our analysis, we developed and implemented a Traffic Light System (TLS) to mitigate the risk of potential induced seismicity associated with the project. The TLS system was in effect throughout all major phases of the project from July 2020 through June 2023, including drilling, completions, stimulation, and well testing. All observed seismicity fell within the Green TLS protocol, with no significant impact or incident throughout the full duration of the project."
BurningFrog 3y ago
Someone correct me if this is wrong, but I believe human induced quakes can only have any serious power if they release tension that is already present. Which means making a quake happen earlier than it would, not creating one in a seismically calm area.
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moffkalast 3y ago
Yes, it can backfire massively. https://www.thelocal.de/20170818/this-historic-german-town-is-falling-apart-in-slow-motion-catastrophe https://www.thelocal.de/20170818/this-historic-german-town-i...

auspiv 3y ago

Edit: Fervo energy is using the same exact techniques used by oil/gas for the hydraulic fracturing so yes the risk exists, but they didn't run into any issues. Seismic risk is typically highest near water disposal wells, which continuously inject water at high rates (>10000 bbl/d). These geothermal wells were fractured once, and whatever is injected is produced a few hours later (no net increase of volume after the initial frac job). From the white paper (https://eartharxiv.org/repository/object/5704/download/11142/ https://eartharxiv.org/repository/object/5704/download/11142...) - "Prior to starting the operations phase of this project, a preliminary screening assessment was performed to evaluate the potential risk of induced seismicity at the project site. We followed the guidelines outlined by the US Department of Energy’s Protocol for Addressing Induced Seismicity Associated with Enhanced Geothermal Systems (Majer et al. 2012). Based on our analysis, we developed and implemented a Traffic Light System (TLS) to mitigate the risk of potential induced seismicity associated with the project. The TLS system was in effect throughout all major phases of the project from July 2020 through June 2023, including drilling, completions, stimulation, and well testing. All observed seismicity fell within the Green TLS protocol, with no significant impact or incident throughout the full duration of the project."

BurningFrog 3y ago

Someone correct me if this is wrong, but I believe human induced quakes can only have any serious power if they release tension that is already present. Which means making a quake happen earlier than it would, not creating one in a seismically calm area.

deleted 3y ago
[deleted]

moffkalast 3y ago

Yes, it can backfire massively. https://www.thelocal.de/20170818/this-historic-german-town-is-falling-apart-in-slow-motion-catastrophe https://www.thelocal.de/20170818/this-historic-german-town-i...