Hydraulic Fracture Well Completion Seismic Monitoring

ISTI has many years of experience in Induced Seismicity Monitoring of geothermal and hydraulic fracture “frac” operations and an understanding of similar issues in mine operations, gas sequestration, and saltwater disposal well operations. The common thread in all these processes is the risk of induced earthquakes due to rock stress changes during or after injection or extraction activity.

Whether mandated by regulation or not, operators can monitor seismic activity and characterize it in operationally useful ways; this supports real-time decision-making, mitigates risks, and may prevent an occurrence that could cause the well to be shut-in or jeopardize the operator’s Social License to Operate (SLO). 

Microseismic monitoring with a “Traffic Light System (TLS)” protocol is the tool of choice for Induced Seismicity Monitoring work. Typically, seismic monitoring is done pre- and post-injection, and the TLS is active during injection activity; this keeps the operator from having to work blind, not knowing what is happening sub-surface. Operators can adjust operations to reduce the risk of their activity causing a damaging, more significant earthquake.

Induced Seismicity Monitoring is a small investment in the overall life cycle cost of the well. It can pay significant dividends by creating peace of mind with internal and external stakeholders. Seismic monitoring also makes good Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) sense and provides critical insurance that supports the technical and financial success of the well.

ISTI’s team of seismologists, systems engineers, software engineers, and data analysts are specialists in designing, implementing, and operating of real-time induced seismic monitoring networks and Traffic Light Systems. ISTI can provide all or part of the system and services needed for a successful TLS operation.