Fluid injection can cause earthquakes, threatening wellbore stability and damaging structures. Today, the forecasting of injection-induced seismicity remains a challenge: while the mechanisms responsible for micro-earthquakes are well known and predictable, ensuing seismic activity is related to currently unpredictable thermo-hydro-mechanical-seismic (THMS) processes. The EU-funded GEoREST project will develop an innovative methodology to predict and reduce induced seismicity, relying on the integration of the THMS processes occurring in the subsurface as a consequence of fluid injection. The project will apply innovative analytical and numerical solutions to understand the processes causing induced seismicity, develop a methodology to improve and extend subsurface characterisation, and use the obtained knowledge to predict and moderate induced seismicity.
Funded by the European Union (ERC-2018-STG) under Grant agreement ID: 801809
