Can Humans Create Earthquakes?

An Overview of How Hydraulic Fracturing Can Induce Seismicity

Goncalves da Silva, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Mike Fehler, Ph.D.

Deputy Director, Earth Resources Laboratory (ERL), MIT

May 9, 2018, 2:30 am - 4:00 pm

Campus Center Atrium, NJIT Main Campus

Hydraulic fracturing is a method routinely used in oil and gas extraction and in engineered geothermal systems— helping to increase the permeability of source rock and making it possible for oil, gas or heat to be more easily recovered in a financially viable way. However, many aspects of hydraulic fracturing are not well understood, such as the induced seismicity produced during these operations. While this induced seismicity is useful to monitor the hydraulic fracturing processes, it may also cause fear to nearby communities.

In their Technology and Society Forum presentation, Goncalves da Silva, assistant professor in the civil and environmental engineering department at NJIT, joins Michael Fehler, senior research scientist and the deputy director of the Earth Resource Laboratory at MIT, discussed current technologies, misconceptions, and challenges associated with hydraulic fracturing.

Dr. Gonçalves da Silva introduced the methodology used in hydraulic fracturing and addressed recent studies conducted at NJIT and MIT on induced seismicity and hydraulic fracturing at the laboratory scale. Dr. da Silva earned his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from MIT and is currently studying the induced seismicity and fracturing processes that occur due to hydraulic fracturing of rocks.

Dr. Mike Fehler discussed the mechanisms of hydraulic fracturing and how earthquakes are caused by it, as well as field scale projects he has been involved with, ranging from enhanced geothermal systems to oil and gas extraction. Dr. Fehler particularly focussed on hydraulic fracturing-induced seismicity and the mechanisms responsible for it. Dr. Fehler received his Ph.D. in Geophysics from MIT in 1979. He currently focuses on seismic and electromagnetic imaging and microearthquake monitoring and interpretation around the production of hydrocarbons, in geothermal energy production and reservoir characterization.

 

NJIT welcomed attendees from all area colleges, universities, and professions. This public forum qualified attendees for Professional Development Hours.

Sponsors:

Albert Dorman Honors College
John A. Reif, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Otto H. York Dept of Chem and Material Engineering,
Dept of Chemistry and Env Science,
Sigma Xi NJIT Chapter, and NJIT ASCE Chapter.