Interpretation call for papers

Induced seismicity: Defining the problem & solution for managing risk

It has been known for years that large volume injection can cause seismicity. Injection of industrial waste, military waste, and water has caused indisputable seismicity in many cases. In tectonically active regions, smaller injection volumes associated with stimulations can also trigger seismicity at levels felt by local communities.  While these events have not led to widespread hazard for oil and gas operators, this problem is being recognized as an emerging risk that needs to be managed appropriately.

The editors of Interpretation (www.seg.org/interpretation) invite papers on the topic of identifying the risk factors of induced seismicity and on integrating monitoring data with operation protocols. Contributions are solicited for the following topics:

  • interpreting geologic conditions that can lead to a seismic hazard
  • integrating seismic monitoring with operations data
  • understanding the implications of incomplete or ambiguous data
  • designing monitoring networks to meet operational needs
  • demonstrating how such systems can meet or exceed specific mandates for detailed geomechanical information

Interested authors should submit their manuscripts for review no later than 1 April 2014. In addition, the special section editors would like to receive a provisional title and list of authors as soon as possible. Authors should submit via the normal online submission system for Interpretation (https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/interpretation) and indicate that it is a contribution for induced seismicity. The submitted papers will be subject to the regular peer-review process, and the contributing authors also are expected to participate in the review process as reviewers.

We will work according to the following timeline:

Submission deadline: 1 April 2014
Peer review complete: 1 August 2014
All files submitted for production: 15 August 2014
Publication of issue: November 2014

Special section editors:

Brad Artman brad.artman@spectraseis.com
Brad Birkelo brad.birkelo@spectraseis.com
Randy Keller grkeller@ou.edu
Ernest Majer elmajer@lbl.gov
Hal MaCartney Hal.Macartney@pxd.com
Dave Dillon david.dillon.pe@q.com


Interpretation, copublished by SEG and AAPG, aims to advance the practice of subsurface interpretation.