Poroelastic Modeling and InSAR Analysis of Hydrocarbon Production-Induced Surface Deformation in the Permian Basin, USA

The Permian Basin, a major oil and natural gas source in the United States, is experiencing significant surface deformation due to hydrocarbon production and wastewater injection, impacting infrastructure, seismicity, and the environment. The region’s complex geology and presence of thousands of active hydrocarbon wells make deformation prediction challenging. Simple elastic models fail to capture these complexities, necessitating a more detailed approach. This study uses poroelastic modeling and InSAR to investigate the role of geology and subsurface pressure changes in surface deformation within the Delaware Basin, the most productive sub-basin of the Permian Basin.

First, Sentinel-1 SAR data were processed using persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI) techniques to obtain surface deformation time series. The results indicate that a large portion of the Delaware Basin is subsiding, with two prominent deformation hotspots to the north of the Grisham Fault Zone (GFZ), subsiding at a rate of 3-4 cm/yr.

Then, focusing on the Northern Delaware Basin, where seismicity is minimal and subsidence primarily exhibits radial patterns, we developed a fully coupled poroelastic model in COMSOL® Multiphysics that integrates the conservation of momentum and mass to simulate subsurface fluid behavior. The model incorporates well data, fluid injection/extraction volumes, fault layers, and geological stratigraphy to simulate stress and pore pressure changes from hydrocarbon extraction and wastewater injection. Faults are modeled as discrete elements that either block or facilitate fluid movement, depending on their orientation and permeability. The results highlight the complex relationship between hydrocarbon production, wastewater injection, subsurface geology, fluid pressure propagation, and surface deformation.

The model’s predictions are then validated using InSAR-derived surface deformation data, offering a detailed understanding of stress and strain dynamics in the region. This study provides valuable insights into subsurface deformation in hydrocarbon-producing regions, with potential applications for assessing risks to infrastructure, seismicity, and environmental health.