Insights of using Control Theory for minimizing Induced Seismicity in Underground Reservoirs

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Gutierrez-Oribio, Diego, Stefanou, Ioannis
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
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author Gutierrez-Oribio, Diego
Stefanou, Ioannis
author_facet Gutierrez-Oribio, Diego
Stefanou, Ioannis
contents Deep Geothermal Energy, Carbon Capture, and Storage and Hydrogen Storage have significant potential to meet the large-scale needs of the energy sector and reduce the CO$_2$ emissions. However, the injection of fluids into the earth's crust, upon which these activities rely, can lead to the formation of new seismogenic faults or the reactivation of existing ones, thereby causing earthquakes. In this study, we propose a novel approach based on control theory to address this issue. First, we obtain a simplified model of induced seismicity due to fluid injections in an underground reservoir using a diffusion equation in three dimensions. Then, we design a robust tracking control approach to force the seismicity rate to follow desired references. In this way, the induced seismicity is minimized while ensuring fluid circulation for the needs of renewable energy production and storage. The designed control guarantees the achievement of the control objectives even in the presence of system uncertainties and unknown dynamics. Finally, we present simulations of a simplified geothermal reservoir under different scenarios of energy demand to show the reliability and performance of the control approach, opening new perspectives for field experiments based on real-time regulators.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2310_02700
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Insights of using Control Theory for minimizing Induced Seismicity in Underground Reservoirs
Gutierrez-Oribio, Diego
Stefanou, Ioannis
Systems and Control
Optimization and Control
Deep Geothermal Energy, Carbon Capture, and Storage and Hydrogen Storage have significant potential to meet the large-scale needs of the energy sector and reduce the CO$_2$ emissions. However, the injection of fluids into the earth's crust, upon which these activities rely, can lead to the formation of new seismogenic faults or the reactivation of existing ones, thereby causing earthquakes. In this study, we propose a novel approach based on control theory to address this issue. First, we obtain a simplified model of induced seismicity due to fluid injections in an underground reservoir using a diffusion equation in three dimensions. Then, we design a robust tracking control approach to force the seismicity rate to follow desired references. In this way, the induced seismicity is minimized while ensuring fluid circulation for the needs of renewable energy production and storage. The designed control guarantees the achievement of the control objectives even in the presence of system uncertainties and unknown dynamics. Finally, we present simulations of a simplified geothermal reservoir under different scenarios of energy demand to show the reliability and performance of the control approach, opening new perspectives for field experiments based on real-time regulators.
title Insights of using Control Theory for minimizing Induced Seismicity in Underground Reservoirs
topic Systems and Control
Optimization and Control
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.02700