Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2005
Antalya, Turkey, 24-29 April 2005
A Poissons Ratio Distribution From Wadati Diagram as Indicator of Fracturing of
Lahendong Geothermal Field, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Silitonga T. H., Siahaan E. E., Suroso
Mailing address, PT. Geodipa Energi, Jl. Karawaitan No. 32, Bandung 40264, Indonesia
E-mail address, thsilitonga@geodipa.co.id
Keywords: Poissons ratio, Wadati diagram, fracturing,
permeability.
ABSTRACT
Poissons ratio from Wadati Diagram using micro
earthquake monitoring is relatively simple and useful for
direct indicator of fracture. A short term micro earthquake
monitoring in the Lahendong geothermal field shows two
distinct shallow and deep hypocenters distributions. This
paper describes the Poissons ratios distribution from
Wadati method in the Lahendong geothermal field. The
higher Poissons ratio associated with shallow hypocenters
indicated by the fractured rocks, and the lower Poissons
ratio associated with deeper hypocenters and un-fractured
rocks with silicified rocks.
1. INTRODUCTION
The Lahendong geothermal field situated in the North
Sulawesi Province which is approximately 30 km from the
capital city of Manado.
One of the geophysical method used to detect reservoir
permeability is micro earth quake. Each event of micro
earthquake can be associated with permeable zone. As a
result, this geophysical method is very helpful to develop a
geothermal field.
Poissons ratio is one of the important parameters that can
be used as a fracture indicator through simple calculation of
Wadati diagram. Whereas, well data like cores, minerals
and loss circulation can provide reservoir permeability are
very expensive and limited.
This paper describes the calculation and interpretation of
Poissons ratio derived from the short monitoring of micro
earthquake at the beginning of production in the Lahendong
geothermal field. More over, one layer modeling of
earthquake distribution and Poissons ratio calculation by
using Wadati diagram indicate different fracture intensity
between shallow and deep reservoir.
2. MICRO-EARTHQUAKE DISTRIBUTION
The Lahendong geothermal field is confined to an area
about 12 km2 as shown Figure 1. Five MEQs stations with
spacing less than 2 km were utilized to cover interest area.
Two seismometers L4-C (3-components) and three
seismometers SS-1 ranges (1-component) with natural
frequency 1 Hz were connected to DATAMARK LS-
8000SH. By using sample interval of 10 msec, gains 100
times, pre trigger data 1000, and low pass filter 30 Hz were
applied to detect micro-earthquake with magnitude < 3
Richters scale focal depths < 5 km.
The Lahendong geothermal field was produce steam about
160 tonnes/hr and about 75 tonnes/hr brine were injected
back into the earth through an injection well LHD-5 at
1
WHP 0 up to -0.8 bar. It is believed that local changes in
the stress field are obviously caused by production and re-
injection; however; the induced seismicity is not confined
to the immediate regions of production and re-injection, but
also occurs at greater depths (Figure 2).
DATAMARK LS-8000SH is a high precision data logger
capable of recording induced or tectonic earthquakes data.
Since it is synchronize with UTC by GPSs time calibration
function, each logger can record the data independently. It
has been claimed by the manufacture that the time accuracy
is 5 sec.
In the Lahendong geothermal field, the typical micro
earthquakes, see Figure 3, are as follow: duration < 50
second, the depths < 5 km, and the time differences
between P and S arrival (S-P) < 3 second. Therefore, a
simple assumption that model is a horizontal layered
velocity structure, assuming constant, isotropic velocity
within one layer, is reasonable enough to get a quick
interpretation as preliminary result.
A small error in picking of the arrival time and the
inaccuracies of velocity model can produce a large error in
determining the hypocenter and epicenter location.
Therefore, both factors must be controlled, carefully.
Firstly, as we know, it is easier to pick P wave than S wave,
so P wave data from 4 stations is much better than P and S
wave data from 3 stations. Using this procedure, which
controlled by data from the shortest station usually
associated with good event, it is expected to minimize the
error.
Secondly, sensitivity analysis was used to obtain the
representative velocity of the area. Since there is no direct
velocity measurement, and no velocity data from
petrophysics, the whole micro-earthquakes data were
calculated using a simple linier inversion program (Gede
Swantika) with various velocities ranges from 2.5 to 4 km
/sec. Most of data converged quickly to provide satisfactory
hypocenter locations using a compressional wave velocity
of 3.5 km/sec.
Since full production began, as well as during
commissioning, four production wells in the Southern
block were used to produce 20 MWe. The brine from a
production separator were injected into the ground by using
one injection well, also in the Eastern block.
Although the mechanism which causes induced seismicity
is not understood yet, but it has been studied that injection
of fluid into the ground already deformed by regional stress
can cause man made earthquakes. Another way,
detailed study of the Geyser reservoir showed that
seismicity can also increase due to production (Denlinger et
al, 1981)
Silitonga et al.

0 2 4 6 8

Legend : : Proposed development area

LHD-3
: 0<M<1 : Interpreted Natural recharge
1 : Sta. Numb. & Seis. 1-component
: 1<M<2 8
5: Sta. Numb. & Seis. 3-component
: 2<M<3 : Production Well

: Deeper : Injection Well

: Shutin Well]
:Shallower
LHD-2

20 6
21
E
Eastern block
2
LHD-1 41 51
1 23 49 36
LHD-7 4
LHD-5 22 37 48
44 9
53 12 46
6 24 Recharge
35 F8 50 4
17 5
42 32
25 5 52 54 47
19 33
38 43 27
39 45
THE LAHENDONG 16 26 30 28
LHD-1340 11 0
PROSPECT AREA
18 31 34 3
1
2LHD-4
Southern block 6
barrier ?

10 8 LHD-6

North
7 14
2

0 1 km 2
SW 3

Figure 1 The map of the Lahendong geothermal field showing the prospect area, production and injection wells, micro-
earthquakes distributions in the period Desember 2000 - Februari 2001 (Modified from Sudarman S.)

NE W
SW E
Mt.Lengkoan A=13km2 Mt.Tampuso
LHD-13 LHD-4 LHD-5 LHD-7
39
2 54 22 20
23 24
0 10
16 Shallow Resrvoir 53 42
41
25 40 17 49 + 37
+ + +
Legend : 26 30 + 4
34 43 35
+ + + + 12
+
d) rge

+ + 21 <100C
a

-1 + +
re ech

+
Z (km)

+ + + +
te al r

Propilitik +
te

: Production Well + + + + 51
+ + +
(In tur

48
rp

+
a

+ + + + +
N

+ + +
+ 52 6 + + + +
-2 + + + + +44+
+ + Deeper Reservoir
+
+ + + + +
: Injection Well +
++ + + + + + + + 9
+ + + + + +
+
9
: Microearthquake & No. + +
31 + 1 + 36 46 50
-3
0 2 4 6 8 10 km

Figure 2 The cross section of the Lahendong geothermal field showing vertical distribution of micro-earthquake and
injection and production wells (Modified from Sudarman S.).

2
 Silitonga et al.

0.6
Fig. 3b ST3-NS
0.4

0.2
mV

-0.2

-0.4

-0.6
9:40:32 9:40:37 9:40:42 9:40:47 9:40:52 9:40:57

0.6
Fig. 3a S T3-UD
0.4

0.2
mV

-0.2

-0.4

-0.6
9:40:32 9:40:37 9:40:42 9:40:47 9:40:52 9:40:57

0.6
Fig. 3c S T3-EW
0.4

0.2
mV

-0.2

-0.4

-0.6
9:40:32 9:40:37 9:40:42 9:40:47 9:40:52 9:40:57
West Indonesian Time (Hr:mnt:sec)

Figure 3 A Typical of micro-earthquake record from a 3-component seismometer in the Lahendong geothermal field,
during monitoring (Fig. 3a, record from a vertical component, Fig. 3b and 3c record from horizontal components)

3. WADATI DIAGRAM Table 1 The corrects picks of micro-earthquacke data

Wadati diagram is important in processing micro- on 1st January 2001
earthquake data for two reasons. The first is that we can
control the correct picks of travel time of P wave and S Tp Ts Ts Tp
Sta.
wave (ts and tp) from record data. The second reason is that (second) (second) (second)
we can compare the origin time of earth-quake (To, if the 2 22.501 23.041 0.540
time of S and P are equal, it means the rock are fractured) 5 22.700 23.520 0.820
with To from a computer program e.g. linier inversion. 1 22.740 23.510 0.770
3 23.470 25.110 1.640
In many cases, it is hard to pick S wave accurately even To (Wadati) 22.327
though we use 3-component seismometers. Particularly, in To (Inversion) 22.197
the Lahendong geothermal field we only use 2 Error 0.006
seismometers 3-components. Therefore, the use of Wadati Poissons ratio 0.36
diagram is very important to control the correct picks.

After picking all of the ts and tp from all micro-earthquake

stations as shown in Tabel-1, we can construct a Wadati
diagram by plotting all Ts Tp vs Tp for all the receiver
stations, as shown in Figure 4.

3
Silitonga et al.

M ic r o -e a r th q u a k e d a te : 1 st J a n 2 0 0 1 tim e : 1 5 :3 8 :2 2 .3 2 7 The graph of Poisson's ratio versus depth

2 1

0 Shallow reservoi r

depth (Km)
-1
Ts-Tp (Second)

1 -2
y = 1 ,1 2 8 5 x - 2 4 ,8 4 7
R 2 = 0 ,9 9 3 4 -3 deeper reservoir

-4
0,25 0,3 0,35 0,4 0,45
0
2 2,0 2 2,5 2 3,0 2 3,5 24 ,0 Poisson's Ratio
T p ( S e co n d )

Figure 5: The graph of Poissons ratio value of

Figure-4: Wadati diagram of micro-earthquakes on 1st Lahendong geothermal field versus depth relative to sea
January 2001 level.
4. POISSONS RATIO CONCEPT
Basically Poissons ratio is defined by the ratio of the strain 0.5
perpendicular to either type of deforming force to that in the
direction of the force itself. In other way, by using Frac
tu ring
compressional velocity and transversal velocity or the Lahendong Ciero Prieto,Mexico
0.4
comparison of both velocity from Wadati diagram the Soft, poorly
shallow reservoir

Poissons ratio is defined as follow : consolidated

Lahendong

(Vp 2 2Vs ) deeper reservoir

=
(Andesit)
0.3
Wairakei (greywacke)

2(Vp 2 Vs 2 )

Most crustal rocks

where , Vp dan Vs are Poissons ratio, the 0.2

compressional wave velocity (longitudinal) and the shear
Poisson's ratio

Coso, California

wave velocity (transversal) respectively.

Geyser

If we assume that the ray-paths are confined to 0.1

Steam dominated
homogeneous geology, experimental and theoretical results
indicate that additional fracturing of a fluid-filled rock will Hot water dominated

cause an increase in the Poissons ratio. The P-wave 0

velocity decreases slightly and the S-wave velocityis
hard, rigid r

1 2 3 4 5
significantly reduced. This phenomena is observed in a Vp/Vs
survey on Hawaii near the successful HGO well (Butler
David).
Figure 6 Poissons ratio of some geothermal fields (from
The study of refraction survey indicates the anomaly of the Soengkono, S.; Dobrin) over the world wide versus
velocity structure in the high temperature; the velocity of Vp/Vs.
the compression wave (Vp) reduced by the fluid Figure 6 shows the significant differences between
composition and temperature; velocity of transversal wave Poissons ratio in the shallower zone and deeper zone. The
also influenced by temperature but not affected by fluid best explanation of the Poissons ratio anomaly is where the
composition. (Ito vide Soengkono 1999). In the steam rocks type is different from in the anomalous area.
dominated system, Vp decreases faster than Vs. The two
parameters provide poisson ratio lower than 0.25. In the
water dominated system at the higher porosity pressure, the
Poissons ratio is bigger than 0.25. The Vs decreases faster
than Vp.

5. POISSONS RATIO OF THE LAHENDONG

GEOTHERMAL FIELD.
The Poissons ratio of the Lahendong geothermal field
indicate a significant differences between shallower and
deeper zone. In the shallower zone, the Poissons ratio
varies between 0.35 up to 0.43. In the deeper zone, the
Poissons ratio varies from 0.27 to 0.35.

4
 Silitonga et al.

6. CORRELATION OF POISSON RATIO WITH 2. Higher Poissons ratio is associated with deeper
WELL BORE DATA hypocenters characterized by un-fractured rocks
and the silicified alteration.
The value of Poissons ratio with depth in the Lahendong
geothermal field can be divided into two zones which
correspond to shallower and deeper zone. The shallower ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
zone with interval of Poissons ratio varies from 0.35 to The authors would like to thank Pertamina Geothermal
0.43 has depth from surface to 2000 meter depth and the Management for permission to publish this paper.
deeper zone with interval of Poissons ratio varies from
0.27 to 0.35 has depth is deeper than 2000 meter. The REFERENCES
correlation between cores and Poissons ratio data provide Hochstein M. P : Geothermal Exploration-665.603,
the two reservoir zones. Geothemal Institute, The University of Auckland,
The shallower zone is distinguished by the intensively 1999.
fractured rock, the loss circulation, partial loss circulation
and drilling break. All the steam in Lahendong field derived Butler David : Notes on Seismic Exploration for
from this zone which is the main target to develop another Geothermal Energy, MicroGeophysics Corporation,
2X20 MWe. In the deeper zone, the rock is silicified 10900 W. 44th Aveneu, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033,
without loss circulation zones, see Figure 7. 1982.

depth: POISSON'S RATIO - MEQ Well LHD-1

(Western side)
Well LHD-4
(Southern side)
Well LHD-5
(Eastern side)
Dobrin M. : Introduction To Geophysical Prospecting,
(m)
800 1
TD= 2303 m TD= 2307m TD= 1897m
1999.
TLC
TLC

Fractured
Rock
steam
kick
Fractured
Rock
drilling drilling
Denlinger, R. P.; Isherwood, W. F.; Kovach, R. L : A
break break
0
0
Shallow
Reservoir
PLC
600 lpm Fractured
Rock
Geodetic Analysis of reservoir Depletion at The
PLC
200 lpm
Geysers Steam Field (Denlinger et al, 1981)
TLC

-1000
-1 PLC
20 - 300 lpm
Gede Swastika , Pembuatan Program Inversi Linier Untuk
- Silicification
- No loss circulation PLC
300 - 1000 lpm
Menentukan Hypocenter Gempa, a Report in Master
- Tight permeability
of Science Program, Bandung Institute of Technology,
-2 Deep
Reservoir
Note:
TLC = Total Loss Circulation
1999.
-2000 PLC = Partial Loss Circulation

-3 Siahaan E.E. : Hydrothermal Mineralogy and veining

system in well LHD-1, LHD-4, LHD-5, 1999

-4 Siahaan E.E. : Interpretation of Land sat and Aerial Photo

0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45

0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45

poissons vs fracture
of Lahendong (internal report Geothermal Pertamina-
unpublished), 2000.

Figure 7 Poissons ratio versus fracturing system (Total Soengkono, S: .Geothermal Geophysics Passive Seismic
Loss Circulation) and lithology (Modified from Siahaan, Method (665.612) Geothemal Institute, The University
E. E.) of Auckland, 1999.

7. CONCLUSIONS Sudarman S. : Review of Lahendong Model and

1. Lower Poissons ratio is associated with Development Strategy, (Internal Report, Geothermal
shallower hypocenters, indicative of fractured Pertamina-unpublished)
rocks.