Monitoring the Groningen gas field

It is well known that the seismicity in the Groningen area is caused by gas extraction. How the rate and location of extraction is related to the magnitude and frequency of seismicity is however not well understood. In a synergetic collaboration between Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 and the 木瓜福利影视 of Twente, we propose to develop state-of-the-art tools to comprehensively address the causality between gas extraction and seismicity.

Three-dimensional models will be used to calculate changes in seismic sources, geometry, stress and elastic structure.

Using full waveform inversion, a technique where complete recordings of Earth's movement together with a complete wave propagation theory are used to image the deep underground, we will develop three-dimensional models of the structure and density of the Groningen gas field. These models will be used to monitor changes in seismic sources, geometry, stress and elastic structure of the reservoir.

The generation of models and data necessary for monitoring are computationally very expensive. We will therefore develop a reduced version of the model. Together with machine learning techniques, they will monitor changes much faster but with equal reliability. The data generated by this project will be used to develop a prediction tool for seismicity due to gas extraction. This tool will be important for any structural engineering work and for decision makers who decide on future gas extraction policies. All the tools and data will be openly available.

PIs

Prof Jeannot Trampert


Dr Hanneke Paulssen

Staff

Rhys Hawkins (Postdoc, UU)
Janneke de Jong (PhD, UU)
Thomas Cullison (PhD, UU)
Eldert Fokker (PhD, UU)
Muhammad Hamza Khalid (PhD, TU)
(PhD, TU)

Research partners

Arie van Wettum (UU)
(Princeton 木瓜福利影视)
(KNMI)
(TU)
(TU)
(TU)

About DeepNL

The aim of the  research programme is to improve the fundamental understanding of the dynamics of the deep subsurface under the influence of human interventions.

With DeepNL, NWO is providing a concrete response to the advice of the Dutch Safety Board: ensure that there is a structural and long-term research programme into the gas-extraction related problems in Groningen. This NWO research programme has been made possible in part by a financial contribution from NAM. DeepNL will be realised in accordance with the usual NWO procedures and quality standards and is entirely independent. NAM is not involved in the decision-making or the specific management of the programme. DeepNL is part of NWO's contribution to the Top Sector Energy.