Impact of hydraulic fracturing in the overburden of shale resource plays: Process-based evaluation (SHAPE-UK)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences
Abstract
In recent years, the UK has made significant progress in establishing renewable sources of energy. Solar, wind, biomass and hydro have seen a steady rise in use over the past decade, having gone from providing less than 5% of our electricity in 2004 to nearly 25% in 2016 (DBEIS, 'DUKES' - chapter 6, 2017). Nevertheless, natural gas will continue to be an important fuel in a transition to a carbon neutral supply of electricity. Furthermore, natural gas currently heats roughly 80% of our homes in the UK, and provides an important industrial feedstock. As North Sea gas reserves decline, the UK has in a decade gone from a position of self-sufficiency to importing over 50% of its natural gas. Therefore, for reasons of energy security, affordability and environmental impact, it is desirable to increase domestic gas supplies until we reach a point where carbon neutral energy sources are better established (e.g., nuclear).
Shale gas and shale oil has transformed the World's energy market, contributing to the reduction of world oil prices and the USA becoming self-sufficient in both gas and oil. Furthermore, CO2 emissions in the USA are back to levels last seen in the early 1990s, because electricity generation has moved from coal- to gas-fired power stations. However, the move to shale gas has not been without controversy. Shale gas resources normally require hydraulic fracture stimulation - or fracking - in order to achieve production at economic rates. This technique is contentious due to public fears over a range of issues, including ground water contamination, induced seismicity, atmospheric emissions and ground subsidence.
In November 2017 the UK will see its first shale gas stimulation in over 6 years, which will occur in the Vale of Pickering, North Yorkshire. The UK has a strict regulatory framework for shale gas exploitation, which requires close monitoring of any fluid leakage, fracture growth and induced seismicity associated with fracking. To achieve this requires a detailed understanding of local geology, and robust means of sensing fluid movement and stress changes before, during and after stimulation (e.g., geophysical monitoring). SHAPE-UK is a project that will establish a series of best practice recommendations for monitoring and mitigating fluid leakage into the overlying sediments and close to boreholes. To accomplish this, it is crucial that we understand the mechanical processes occurring in the subsurface, which are dependent on the composition of the rock, the chemistry of the fluids, and the structures they encounter (e.g., faults). Through a linked series of work packages that integrate geology, geophysics, geochemistry, petroleum engineering and geomechanics, we will be able to address fundamental scientific questions about the mechanisms for leakage, and how the leaking fluids might affect the sub-surface environment.
A team of leading experts from a range of disciplines at 6 institutions has been assembled to address 'coupled processes from the reservoir to the surface' - Challenge 3 of the NERC call for proposals in the strategic programme area of Unconventional Hydrocarbons in the UK Energy System. We will exploit newly acquired data from the UK Geoenergy Observatory near Thornton in Cheshire. We are also very fortunate to have access to seismic, borehole and geologic data from a new shale gas development in North Yorkshire and a dataset from a mature shale gas resource in Western Canada. Our project partners include regulatory bodies who monitor ground water and seismicity during shale gas operations. The team has access to several comprehensive datasets and are thus in a very strong position to answer fundamental science questions associated with shale gas stimulation, which will provide a firm foundation for an effective regulatory policy. We expect this project to be a role model study for future developments in the UK and internationally.
Shale gas and shale oil has transformed the World's energy market, contributing to the reduction of world oil prices and the USA becoming self-sufficient in both gas and oil. Furthermore, CO2 emissions in the USA are back to levels last seen in the early 1990s, because electricity generation has moved from coal- to gas-fired power stations. However, the move to shale gas has not been without controversy. Shale gas resources normally require hydraulic fracture stimulation - or fracking - in order to achieve production at economic rates. This technique is contentious due to public fears over a range of issues, including ground water contamination, induced seismicity, atmospheric emissions and ground subsidence.
In November 2017 the UK will see its first shale gas stimulation in over 6 years, which will occur in the Vale of Pickering, North Yorkshire. The UK has a strict regulatory framework for shale gas exploitation, which requires close monitoring of any fluid leakage, fracture growth and induced seismicity associated with fracking. To achieve this requires a detailed understanding of local geology, and robust means of sensing fluid movement and stress changes before, during and after stimulation (e.g., geophysical monitoring). SHAPE-UK is a project that will establish a series of best practice recommendations for monitoring and mitigating fluid leakage into the overlying sediments and close to boreholes. To accomplish this, it is crucial that we understand the mechanical processes occurring in the subsurface, which are dependent on the composition of the rock, the chemistry of the fluids, and the structures they encounter (e.g., faults). Through a linked series of work packages that integrate geology, geophysics, geochemistry, petroleum engineering and geomechanics, we will be able to address fundamental scientific questions about the mechanisms for leakage, and how the leaking fluids might affect the sub-surface environment.
A team of leading experts from a range of disciplines at 6 institutions has been assembled to address 'coupled processes from the reservoir to the surface' - Challenge 3 of the NERC call for proposals in the strategic programme area of Unconventional Hydrocarbons in the UK Energy System. We will exploit newly acquired data from the UK Geoenergy Observatory near Thornton in Cheshire. We are also very fortunate to have access to seismic, borehole and geologic data from a new shale gas development in North Yorkshire and a dataset from a mature shale gas resource in Western Canada. Our project partners include regulatory bodies who monitor ground water and seismicity during shale gas operations. The team has access to several comprehensive datasets and are thus in a very strong position to answer fundamental science questions associated with shale gas stimulation, which will provide a firm foundation for an effective regulatory policy. We expect this project to be a role model study for future developments in the UK and internationally.
Planned Impact
The potential for using hydraulic fracturing for the production of shale gas in the UK may lead to significant economic benefits, but it is also a controversial activity. The overarching objective of the SHAPE-UK project is to provide a robust framework with which to assess, monitor and mitigate risks of leakage through the overburden of UK shale gas prospects - key issues in terms of public perception and robust regulation. The economic and regulatory importance of the project is significant and, given the generic nature of the work with respect to geological containment, there are many potential beneficiaries of the research.
Who would benefit from the proposed research?
Industry:
-Companies involved in production of hydrocarbons from unconventional reservoirs
-Companies involved in exploration and production of conventional hydrocarbons: risk assessment of petroleum seals and more effective and safer drilling of the overburden
-Companies involved in CO2 and gas storage, mining and geothermal exploitation, where rapid stress changes within the overburden can result in felt seismic activity and possible leakage through the overburden
Government and Regulatory Organisations:
-UK Policymakers and Regulators, including DBEIS and the UK and Scottish Environment Agency
-Oil and Gas Authority
-Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and similar European bodies (NAGRA, ANDRA)
Technology Organisers and Providers:
-UK: Energy Technologies Institute, Innovate UK, UKCCSRC, UKOOG, ITF
-Europe and Beyond: European Environment Agency, EERA, IEA GHG
The general public:
-Via local councils, rotary clubs, etc., in areas of proposed shale gas exploration
How might the potential beneficiaries benefit?
We have worked closely with UK and overseas industry and regulators in all key areas of this proposal and are well placed to transfer results and knowledge. We also have a strong track record in public communication of science.
Financial beneficiaries: Companies applying for an onshore production licence (a Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence, PEDL), and, by association, UK PLC, require sound geologic risk assessment and will benefit from the framework resulting from this proposed work. On a more international scale, the issues faced with using hydraulic fracturing as a technique for developing hydrocarbon resources in proximity to substantial populations are not problems unique to the UK; potential shale gas provinces exist in other populated areas in North America (NY State has a fracking moratorium), Europe and beyond.
Regulators: will benefit from the project deliverables, including white papers and best-practice recommendations. Their involvement on the management boards of SHAPE-UK will ensure this. Examples include seismic network design, monitoring strategies, and a better understanding of environmental risks.
General public: local populations within the vicinity of proposed shale gas sites require clear and unbiased information about the safety of hydraulic fracturing. These communities will benefit from impartial and independent scientific information regarding potential leakage mechanisms and fracking in general.
Software development: A number of the investigators in the SHAPE-UK project have experience in producing commercially viable software, for example: fault seal analysis (Traptester, RDR Petrel Fault Analysis Plugin); coupled flow geomechanical modelling (ELFENRS); seismic modelling (ATRAK); geomechanical prediction of microseismicity (ELFEN TGR); and pore pressure prediction (ShaleQuant). This will benefit UK PLC, as evinced by many of our 4* Impact Case Studies in REF2014.
Young scientists: Our students and young researchers have a strong track record of entering geological and environmental industries. Through annual meetings with industry representatives, they learn time management skills and are also obliged to see the relevance and potential impact of their research.
Who would benefit from the proposed research?
Industry:
-Companies involved in production of hydrocarbons from unconventional reservoirs
-Companies involved in exploration and production of conventional hydrocarbons: risk assessment of petroleum seals and more effective and safer drilling of the overburden
-Companies involved in CO2 and gas storage, mining and geothermal exploitation, where rapid stress changes within the overburden can result in felt seismic activity and possible leakage through the overburden
Government and Regulatory Organisations:
-UK Policymakers and Regulators, including DBEIS and the UK and Scottish Environment Agency
-Oil and Gas Authority
-Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and similar European bodies (NAGRA, ANDRA)
Technology Organisers and Providers:
-UK: Energy Technologies Institute, Innovate UK, UKCCSRC, UKOOG, ITF
-Europe and Beyond: European Environment Agency, EERA, IEA GHG
The general public:
-Via local councils, rotary clubs, etc., in areas of proposed shale gas exploration
How might the potential beneficiaries benefit?
We have worked closely with UK and overseas industry and regulators in all key areas of this proposal and are well placed to transfer results and knowledge. We also have a strong track record in public communication of science.
Financial beneficiaries: Companies applying for an onshore production licence (a Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence, PEDL), and, by association, UK PLC, require sound geologic risk assessment and will benefit from the framework resulting from this proposed work. On a more international scale, the issues faced with using hydraulic fracturing as a technique for developing hydrocarbon resources in proximity to substantial populations are not problems unique to the UK; potential shale gas provinces exist in other populated areas in North America (NY State has a fracking moratorium), Europe and beyond.
Regulators: will benefit from the project deliverables, including white papers and best-practice recommendations. Their involvement on the management boards of SHAPE-UK will ensure this. Examples include seismic network design, monitoring strategies, and a better understanding of environmental risks.
General public: local populations within the vicinity of proposed shale gas sites require clear and unbiased information about the safety of hydraulic fracturing. These communities will benefit from impartial and independent scientific information regarding potential leakage mechanisms and fracking in general.
Software development: A number of the investigators in the SHAPE-UK project have experience in producing commercially viable software, for example: fault seal analysis (Traptester, RDR Petrel Fault Analysis Plugin); coupled flow geomechanical modelling (ELFENRS); seismic modelling (ATRAK); geomechanical prediction of microseismicity (ELFEN TGR); and pore pressure prediction (ShaleQuant). This will benefit UK PLC, as evinced by many of our 4* Impact Case Studies in REF2014.
Young scientists: Our students and young researchers have a strong track record of entering geological and environmental industries. Through annual meetings with industry representatives, they learn time management skills and are also obliged to see the relevance and potential impact of their research.
Organisations
- University of Liverpool (Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- DURHAM UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (Collaboration)
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Collaboration)
- Newcastle University (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
Daniel Faulkner (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Beynon S
(2020)
Dry, damp, or drenched? The effect of water saturation on the frictional properties of clay fault gouges
in Journal of Structural Geology
Blake O
(2019)
The role of fractures, effective pressure and loading on the difference between the static and dynamic Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus of Westerly granite
in International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences
Blake O
(2022)
Effect of thermal shock on the permeability and seismic wave velocity of the caprock and reservoir during CO2 injection
in International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control
Blake O
(2020)
Using Velocities, Density, and Bulk Modulus to Predict the Permeability Evolution of Microfractured Rocks
in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
Blake O
(2020)
The Effect of Effective Pressure on the Relationship Between Static and Dynamic Young's Moduli and Poisson's Ratio of Naparima Hill Formation Mudstones
in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
Blake O
(2020)
Using the Q factor to detect closed microfractures
in GEOPHYSICS
Den Hartog S
(2020)
Low Friction Coefficient of Phyllosilicate Fault Gouges and the Effect of Humidity: Insights From a New Microphysical Model
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
Iyare U
(2020)
Petrographical and petrophysical characterization of the late cretaceous Naparima Hill Formation, Central Range, Trinidad, West Indies
in International Journal of Coal Geology
Description | We have measured the frictional properties of subsurface rocks from two shale gas injection sites, Horn River and Cheshire, and assessed the seismic potential of specific horizons at the reservoir level and in the overburden. We have linked the seismic b-value to the laboratory-measured constitutive frictional parameters, thus providing the potential to predict the likely frequency-magnitude of induced seismicity before injection. |
Exploitation Route | The data produced so far could be used for modelling to predict the induced seismicity at the sites during fluid injection. |
Sectors | Education Energy Environment |
Description | Panel member to write proposal for NERC call |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | A £5M NERC and Nuclear Waste Services call arose from the scoping document our committee wrote. The funded project will provide essential scientific data that contribute towards UK's future energy security and also help communication to the public about the eventual siting of a Geological Disposal Facility that is based on sound scientific research. |
URL | https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/derisking-geological-disposal-of-radioactive-waste-in-the-uk/ |
Description | FY2022 JSPS Invitational Fellowships for Research in Japan (Short-term) |
Amount | ¥850,000 (JPY) |
Funding ID | S22037 |
Organisation | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Japan |
Start | 07/2022 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | NSFGEO-NERC Earthquake nucleation versus episodic slow slip: what controls the mode of fault slip? |
Amount | £408,234 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/V011804/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2021 |
End | 03/2024 |
Description | Fault roughness modeling |
Organisation | Ben-Gurion University of the Negev |
Country | Israel |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Developed a collaborative project with Dr. Yuval Tal to understand how fault roughness affects fault damage zone properties. I shared mechanical and field data as input to the model and co-wrote a submitted manuscript on the results. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Tal developed the idea/concept of the project, performed the numerical modeling and co-wrote the manuscript. |
Impact | 2 conference abstracts 1 submitted manuscript, now in revision. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | JSPS Fellowhip |
Organisation | Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | This was a joint application from Daniel Faulkner and Takehiro Hirose (JAMSTEC, Kochi) for funding from the JSPS to allow a research visit to Japan to follow up on some of the work that was discussed during the course of the UKRI grant. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Fellowship is planned for September 2022. |
Impact | No outputs yet. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Ongoing collaboration with Durham University rock mechanics team. |
Organisation | Durham University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | My research team has provided sample preparation, characterisation and experimental friction tests and data analysis to the collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Durham team has provided experimental data on rock physical properties which will be correlated with the Liverpool team data. |
Impact | An abstract for an oral presentation has been created for EGU 2021 (see specific entry) and multiple internal talks have been given on the topic. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Ongoing collaboration with Leeds University petroleum engineering team. |
Organisation | University of Leeds |
Department | School of Earth and Environment |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | My research team has provided sample preparation, characterisation and experimental friction tests and data analysis to the collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Leeds team has provided data on rock physical properties which will be correlated with the Liverpool team data. |
Impact | No outputs as of yet. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Ongoing collaboration with Newcastle University micromechanics team. |
Organisation | Newcastle University |
Department | School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | My research team has provided sample preparation, characterisation and experimental friction tests and data analysis to the collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Newcastle team have provided micromechanics data on rock physical properties which will be correlated with the Liverpool team data. |
Impact | No outputs as of yet |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Ongoing collaboration with Oxford University geophysics team. |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Department | Department of Earth Sciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | My research team has provided sample preparation, characterisation and experimental friction tests and data analysis to the collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Oxford team has provided material for experimental analysis as well as data and interpretation on induced seismicity, which is being correlated with the laboratory experimental results. |
Impact | An abstract for an oral presentation has been created for EGU 2021 (see specific entry) and multiple internal talks have been given on the topic. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | A talk within the Department |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | An internal departmental talk detailing the outcomes of the project and discussing future work |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | An invited talk at the Bristol University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | An invited talk to University of Bristol to speak about project outcomes to a wider audience including industry. Discussions were had after the talk with talks of further work to investigate findings. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Departmental talks and presentations |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | A number or poster presentations and talks made to the research group and department over past 3 years. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020,2021 |
Description | Herdman Symposium, Liverpool |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Invited talk to the annual Herdman Symposium 2022, a gathering of Schools, general public. We had participants from several countries and 6 invited speakers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Outreach event with National Industries and Businesses |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | An outreach day was held to build connections with national industries and businesses. This involved discussion about the project in question as well as a social media posts regarding outcomes and future work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Talk to the University of the Third Age, Loughborough, UK, November 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk on 'Carbon capture and storage' to the University of the Third Age, Loughborough, UK, November 2021. ~60 people attended online. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Upcoming Oral Presentation at European Geophysical Union 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Upcoming oral presentation for members of wider research group and other international researchers in the field. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU21/session/38739 |