A Numerical Study of the Phenomenon of Seismic Slip on a Fault as a Result of Fluid Injection

Abstract

The issue of the occurrence of seismicity induced by injection of fluid into the subsurface is considered. A model of nested fractures is presented, which allows simulating the process of fluid filtration in a rock containing fractures or faults, taking into account the change in the filtration properties of the latter during the change in pore pressure. The process of fault deformation is described using the displacement discontinuity method. The model is used to analyze the effect of fluid injection in the immediate vicinity of a fault on its subsequent deformation. The transition of fault slip from aseismic to seismic is investigated when the parameters of the friction law or fluid injection parameters change. Conditions have been found under which seismic slip may occur within the framework of the proposed model.