Speaker
Description
The state of Kansas has recently experienced an unprecedented increase in seismic activity that has been linked to high-rate wastewater injections. CO2 sequestration has growing interest as a strategy to mitigate climate change, but large-scale CO2 injections may induce seismicity. The National Risk Assessment Partnership (NRAP) has established that local earthquake monitoring networks must be installed before CO2 sequestration operations can commence. But affordable earthquake monitoring options are very limited. Therefore, there is a need for efficient monitoring technology to mitigate induced seismicity risk. This study evaluates the low-cost Raspberry Shake 3D (RS-3D) seismometer and readily available components, such as wireless modems, solar panels, and weather-resistant housing as a suitable alternative to the traditional broadband stations. Each RS-3D station comes at a cost of approximately $\text{\$}$3,500, offering a significant advantage over commonly used broadband seismometers that can cost more than $\text{\$}$35,000 per station. By comparing earthquake data collected in central Kansas from RS-3D seismometers with data collected from USGS and KGS seismometers, this research will help determine if the low-cost RS-3D is sufficient for a local earthquake monitoring. This research will be conducted at the ONEOK Inc facility located in Bushton, Kansas. There are three active wastewater injection wells in the Arbuckle at this facility. The site historically has been seismically quiet, however, that may be attributed to a lack of earthquake monitoring coverage within the area. This project will be able to establish local background seismicity to satisfy the NRAP guidelines if ONEOK pursues future CO2 sequestration operations.
