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Alberta No. 1 (ABNo1) is a geothermal project targeting deep carbonate, conglomerates, and sandstone formations in a potential production and injection zone for geothermal energy exploitation within the Municipal District of Greenview south of Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. In geothermal systems without a steam fraction (typically systems under 170 [degrees]C), rapid widespread pore pressure changes and slow temperature changes have led to increased deviatoric stresses, resulting in induced seismicity. A concern for the ABNo1 Geothermal Project is that anthropogenic seismicity from oil, gas, and well field fluid injection has created felt events in Alberta. Thus, at the beginning of this type of project, it is prudent to review the potential for induced seismicity. In this study, a geomechanical study of the Leduc and Granite Wash Formations, two potential geothermal fluid exploitation zones, has been undertaken based on borehole geophysics and regional injection-induced earthquake data. Determining subsurface properties such as state of stress, pore pressure, and fault properties, however, poses uncertainties in the absence of actual data from the target formations. Geomechanical analysis results (with associated uncertainties) are used to assess the potential for injection-induced earthquakes. A Monte Carlo probability analysis is employed to estimate the likelihood of slippage of the known faults close to the ABNo1 Geothermal Project. A cumulative distribution function of the critical pore pressure on each fault is derived from the local tectonic stress state and Mohr-Coulomb shear parameter analyses. The resultant probabilistic fault stability maps can serve as a baseline for future fluid injection projects in the region including wastewater disposal, hydraulic fracture stimulation, CO2 sequestration, as well as geothermal energy extraction. Key words: Alberta No. 1 geothermal project, induced seismicity, fault stability, probabilistic assessment, 1. Introduction Renewable baseload geothermal energy can contribute significantly to meeting energy demand and decarbonizing the world's energy sources (Frick et al. 2010; Amponsah et al. 2014). In the last [...]

Reference: Can. ]. Earth Sri. 60: 294-306 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2022-0070 In the originally published article, Fig. 8 was mis-rotated by 90[degrees]. The original and corrected versions of Fig. 8 are shown [...]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.08.004 Byline: Saif Ud din (a), R.P. Oskui (a), Maurice B. Dusseault (b), A.N. Al Ghadban (a) Abstract: Waste generation and accumulating quantities of oil field waste are a matter of environmental concern. This study proposes the Slurry Fracture Injection (SFI) technique as an alternative waste disposal method. The slurried solids injection waste disposal method is environmentally secure and permanent, leaving no future liabilities that must be risk-evaluated or priced. An entire waste stream comprising ground solids and waste water can be injected into deep and hydraulically secure target strata with no contamination of potable water-bearing formations or formations outside the target zone that may contain resources (gas and oil). The slurry injection method can be used to clean and reclaim landfills, oil pits and granular waste dumps. This article proposes a two-tier screening method for evaluating the feasibility of this technique and the identification of suitable target zones. A stringent environmental and process control monitoring program should complement the planning and operational period to ensure environmental protection, waste containment, and regulatory HSE compliance. Author Affiliation: (a) Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Environment Sciences Department, P.O. Box. 24885, 13109 Safat, Kuwait (b) Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, ESC 357C, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada Article History: Received 7 January 2009; Revised 16 July 2009; Accepted 5 August 2009