Control of Seismic Activity in Tectonic Fault Zones Using Vibrationsand Fluid Injection in Deep Wells

The paper discusses the basic principles underlying a new approach to the control of seismic activity in tectonic fault zones. A key component of the approach is the use of controlled man-made impacts on highly stressed fault segments. The applicability of the approach was verified in field experiments on seismically active fault segments of the Baikal rift zone and collision structures of Mongolia. The paper reports the most striking examples of applying man-made pulsed vibrational impacts to highly stressed fault segments in combination with controlled fluid injection into deep wells. The results of impacts on the studied fault segments are discussed in the light of new geological data on physicochemical processes in the zones of ancient seismically active faults and recent advances in deep drilling for hydrocarbon exploration and production. A justification is provided for the concept of controlled shear stress relaxation in potentially hazardous fault segments showing the signs of earthquake preparation. The possible implementation of the proposed concept in the near future is discussed.