Numerical simulation of deep-hole resistivity anomaly caused by drilling construction in Xinfengjiang geoelectric station

The Xinfengjiang reservoir in Guangdong Province, is one of the large reservoirs that have triggered earthquakes of magnitude greater than 6. Numerous earthquakes have occurred since the impoundment of the reservoir, making it one of the most active seismic zones in south China. In 2015, a set of deep-hole resistivity anomalies was observed in the Heping geoelectric station in Dongyuan county, located near the Xinfengjiang reservoir. After a field investigation, we found that a planned well drilling construction of new measuring channels was being carried out during that corresponding period of time. After careful comparison and analysis on the basis of the collected raw data, we had a reason to believe that drilling construction, rather than the inducement of the Xinfengjiang reservoir, was the main culprit for those unusual georesistivity values. So as to verify the above conjecture, we constructed a series of 3D finite element models based on the geological and hydrological information around Heping station and analyzed the drilling disturbances, respectively. Some significant conclusions were finally drawn according to the precise numerical simulation. This study gives a good example by combining numerical simulation with engineering practice as a way to understand the root cause of georesistivity anomalies in reality.