HAI

3D absolute stress state of the Alberta Basin

The project is part of the Helmholtz-Alberta Initiative (HAI), a collaboration between the Helmholtz Association  and the University of Alberta, Edmonton. They aim to intensify the research collaboration particularly in the areas of Energy and Earth, and Environment. One key project of HAI is the assessment of the geothermal energy potential in the Alberta Basin. Within this topic, the knowledge of the 3D absolute crustal stress state is a pre-requisite to assess the productivity of a future reservoir, orientation of open fractures, the stability of the drilling and planning of reservoir stimulation.

We construct a 3D geomechanical numerical model of the Alberta Basin region which quantifies the 3D absolute stress state. The large scale model takes into account the most important layers: topography, sedimentary basin, basement, Conrad and Moho as well the active fault system. Subsequently we have to discretize to finite elements and to apply boundary conditions, material properties as well the initial stress and temperature conditions. The model shall be tested and calibrated against model-independent dynamic constraints, mainly orientation of S_H and S_h magnitudes from well log data, as well as kinematic data (GPS, InSAR) followed by the assessment of model uncertainties and interpretation of model results.

We will also address the questions of the impact of remnant stress sources due to the last glaciations and the stress transfer of the mantle flow due to the ongoing uplift in particular in the Northern Alberta Basin. Furthermore, we would like address the question of seismic hazard in that region in order to assess the in-frequent occurrence of unusually high intra-plate seismicity.