Induced Microearthquake Patterns in Hydrocarbon and Geothermal Reservoirs: Six Case Studies

—?The injection or production of fluids can induce microseismic events in hydrocarbon and geothermal reservoirs. By deploying sensors downhole, data sets have been collected that consist of a few hundred to well over 10,000 induced events. We find that most induced events cluster into well-defined geometrical patterns. In many cases, we must apply high-precision, relative location techniques to observe these patterns. At three sedimentary sites, thin horizontal strands of activity are commonly found within the location patterns. We believe this reflects fracture containment between stratigraphic layers of differing mechanical properties or states of stress. At a massive carbonate and two crystalline sites, combinations of linear and planar features indicate networks of intersecting fractures and allow us to infer positions of aseismic fractures through their influence on the location patterns. In addition, the fine-scale seismicity patterns often evolve systematically with time. At sedimentary sites, migration of seismicity toward the injection point has been observed and may result from slip-induced stress along fractures that initially have little resolved shear. In such cases, triggering events may be critical to generate high levels of seismic activity. At one crystalline site, the early occurrence of linear features that traverse planes of activity indicate permeable zones and possible flow paths within fractures. We hope the continued development of microseismic techniques and refinement of conceptual models will further increase our understanding of fluid behavior and lead to improved resource management in fractured reservoirs.     

The Fine Structure of the Spiral-arms

An explanation for filaments inclined to the galactic plane observed in the next-inner spiral-arm is sought in terms of self-consistent z-oscillations. These filaments or „shingles”︁ are observed to be ˜ 1.4 kpc long, 70 pc thick and inclined to the plane by ˜ 12°. In a collisionless axi-symmetric stellar system we simplify the BOLTZMANN and POISSON equations by assuming a constant density normal to the galactic plane up to z ≈︂ 200 pc and by assuming a constant radial component of the spatial coordinates. The condition for selfconsistency in the linear approximation results in shingles 1.3 kpc long, inclined to the plane by 17°. The length of the shingles is independent of the radial distance R from the centre and the inclination depends inversely on R as is observed.     

Landslide susceptibility mapping of Tevankarai Ar sub-watershed,Kodaikkanal taluk,India, using weighted similar choice fuzzy model

This paper deals with the landslide susceptibility zonation of Tevankarai Ar sub-watershed using weighted similar choice fuzzy method in a GIS environment. There has been a rapid increase in landslide occurrences in the Kodaikkanal town and area surrounding the town specially in the settlements around the town and road links leading to and from the town. This necessitates a detailed study of slope instability problems in this area. It is observed that these incidences occur frequently during the monsoon and summer showers. Rainfall is identified as the prime triggering factor. Eleven physical factors that cause instability are identified as causative factors from the field investigations and landslide occurrences. Land use pattern, slope gradient, curvature and aspect, weathering index which are evaluated from the weathering ratios of different chemical constituents of the three major lithological variations, soil type, hydraulic conductivity of soil and soil thickness, geomorphology, drainage, and lineament have been utilized to prepare the spatial variation. A weighted similar choice fuzzy model which ranks a set of alternatives by identifying the similarity between the outcome of alternatives and outcome of ideal alternatives is used to rank the causative factors. Each causative factor is classified into sub-categories and rated based on their effect on stimulating the landslide event using qualitative judgment derived from field studies and landslide history. The prepared thematic maps of causative factors are integrated, utilizing the GIS software Arcmap. The outcome has projected the low, moderate, high, and very high landslide susceptibility zones. The high-hazard and very high-hazard areas fall in the northwestern part characterized by croplands and agricultural plantations, while the moderate hazard zones are seen in prominent settlements and low-hazard zones are observed in the sparse settlements and zones of less agricultural activity. The model is verified using the relative landslide density (R) index, and the susceptibility map is found to be consistent with the mapped landslide incidences. The results from this study illustrate that the use of weighted similar choice fuzzy method is suitable for landslide susceptibility mapping on regional scale in growing hill towns as Kodaikkanal town.     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in lake sediments of Katedan Industrial Development Area,Hyderabad, India

Spatial distribution and temporal trends studies were carried out at Katedan Industrial Development Area (KIDA) near Hyderabad, capital of Andhra Pradesh state, India under Indo-Norwegian Institutional Cooperation Program, to find out the extent of contamination in streams and lake sediments from the discharge of industrial effluents. Stream and lake sediment samples were collected from the five lakes in the study area and connecting water streams. The samples were analyzed by XRF spectrometer for toxic elements. The studies reveal that the stream sediments with in the KIDA and the impounded Noor Mohammed Lake down stream have high concentration of some of the toxic elements like chromium, nickel, lead, arsenic, zinc etc. The geology of the area indicates that the study area consists of residual soil of acidic rocks, which are predominantly of Archaean gneisses and granites having low to medium concentrations of chromium and nickel. The source of these high concentration of elements like lead 2,300 mg/kg, copper 1,500 mg/kg, arsenic 500 mg/kg, chromium 500 mg/kg etc. cannot be derived from the surrounding acidic rocks and may be attributed to the industrial effluents released in the ditches and random dumping of hazardous solid waste. It was observed that the metal concentrations increased in the streams during the dry season (pre-monsoon period). After the monsoon rains, the metal concentrations in the streams were reduced by half which may be due to dilution. The eroded sediments are deposited in the lake where very high concentrations were encountered. Overflowing of the lake will spread the contamination further downstream. The lake sediments will remain as a major source of contamination by desorption to the water phase regardless of what happens to the effluent discharge in the KIDA. However, some samples showed enrichment of lead, arsenic and nickel during post-monsoon, which were collected near the dumpsite due to the leaching of toxic elements from the dump site to the lakes. Some of the toxic elements like nickel and copper have not shown any dilution but have increased after the rains, which could be due to the leaching of arsenic from the dumpsite to the lake along with rainwater. Geochemical maps showing the distribution of heavy/trace elements in streams and lakes are prepared and presented in this paper. Effect of toxic elements on the health of the residents in the surrounding residential areas is also discussed.     

Comparison of flood hazard assessments on desert piedmonts and playas: A case study in Ivanpah Valley, Nevada

Accurate and realistic characterizations of flood hazards on desert piedmonts and playas are increasingly important given the rapid urbanization of arid regions. Flood behavior in arid fluvial systems differs greatly from that of the perennial rivers upon which most conventional flood hazard assessment methods are based. Additionally, hazard assessments may vary widely between studies or even contradict other maps. This study's chief objective was to compare and evaluate landscape interpretation and hazard assessment between types of maps depicting assessments of flood risk in Ivanpah Valley, NV, as a case study. As a secondary goal, we explain likely causes of discrepancy between data sets to ameliorate confusion for map users. Four maps, including three different flood hazard assessments of Ivanpah Valley, NV, were compared: (i) a regulatory map prepared by FEMA, (ii) a soil survey map prepared by NRCS, (iii) a surficial geologic map, and (iv) a flood hazard map derived from the surficial geologic map, both of which were prepared by NBMG. GIS comparisons revealed that only 3.4% (33.9 km²) of Ivanpah Valley was found to lie within a FEMA floodplain, while the geologic flood hazard map indicated that ~ 44% of Ivanpah Valley runs some risk of flooding (Fig. 2D). Due to differences in mapping methodology and scale, NRCS data could not be quantitatively compared, and other comparisons were complicated by differences in flood hazard class criteria and terminology between maps. Owing to its scale and scope of attribute data, the surficial geologic map provides the most useful information on flood hazards for land-use planning. This research has implications for future soil geomorphic mapping and flood risk mitigation on desert piedmonts and playas. The Ivanpah Valley study area also includes the location of a planned new international airport, thus this study has immediate implications for urban development and land-use planning near Las Vegas, NV.     

The existence of the third integral for a family of high-velocity stars

A family of high-velocity stars (Energy-19000 km²/sec², angular momentum 1150 kpc km/sec) were computed using Innanen's (1966) mass model of the Galaxy. The stars were set initially on the curve of zero velocity. The inclination diagram indicates a quasi-isolating third integral.     

上海市土地有形市场管理信息系统

本文首先介绍了上海市土地有形市场管理信息系统的建设目标和内容,其次从系统的体系架构、与其他现有系统间的关系、系统功能设计和技术路线等方面详细介绍了系统实现的技术方案,然后总结了系统运行的五个特点,最后介绍了系统的运行情况。     

通过技术规定提高软件质量

本文主要介绍了《上海局应用软件产品技术规定》的缘起、编制过程、主要内容和如何落地实施等方面的内容,以及规定本身和落实过程中遇到的问题,分析了问题的成因并就如何解决提了一些建议。     

Modelling groundwater/surface water interaction in a managed riparian chalk valley wetland

Understanding hydrological processes in wetlands may be complicated by management practices and complex groundwater/surface water interactions. This is especially true for wetlands underlain by permeable geology, such as chalk. In this study, the physically based, distributed model MIKE SHE is used to simulate hydrological processes at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology River Lambourn Observatory, Boxford, Berkshire, UK. This comprises a 10‐ha lowland, chalk valley bottom, riparian wetland designated for its conservation value and scientific interest. Channel management and a compound geology exert important, but to date not completely understood, influences upon hydrological conditions. Model calibration and validation were based upon comparisons of observed and simulated groundwater heads and channel stages over an equally split 20‐month period. Model results are generally consistent with field observations and include short‐term responses to events as well as longer‐term seasonal trends. An intrinsic difficulty in representing compressible, anisotropic soils limited otherwise excellent performance in some areas. Hydrological processes in the wetland are dominated by the interaction between groundwater and surface water. Channel stage provides head boundaries for broad water levels across the wetland, whilst areas of groundwater upwelling control discrete head elevations. A relic surface drainage network confines flooding extents and routes seepage to the main channels. In‐channel macrophyte growth and its management have an acute effect on water levels and the proportional contribution of groundwater and surface water. The implications of model results for management of conservation species and their associated habitats are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.