Integrated microseismic and geomechanical analysis of hydraulic fracturing induced fault reactivation: a case study in Sichuan Basin, Southwest China

Abstract Because of the special geographical location adjacent to Tibetan Plateau, geological setting Sichuan Basin is very complex, which brings a great challenge shale gas development. In this study, we conducted an integrated microseismic and geomechanical analysis on refracturing well in Basin. We observed that casing deformation occurred area fault reactivation. However, reactivation pre-existing faults does not always cause deformation. addition, cluster high-magnitude events will be triggered during reactivation, also helpful recognize reactivated faults. Furthermore, according definition b-value Gutenberg–Richter law, group usually shows low vice versa. Based treatment data microseismicity, found there positive relationship between instantaneous shut-in pressure (ISIP): lower represents ISIP. The investigation stress shadow effect based theoretical solution plane strain fracture convincing prove Therefore, significant hydraulic fracturing, established. Importantly, some useful implications could utilized for early warning (probably deformation) optimization design unconventional plays.