Richter
Predict. Prevent.
Protect operations.
Richter Predictor is ShearFRAC's advanced early warning system for casing deformation and induced seismicity. It uses surface pressure analytics to detect fault activation precursors and casing deformation risk — giving operators the lead time they need to prevent costly events.
- SF-007 (Montney): predicted a 4.6 magnitude induced seismicity event days in advance.
- Precursory paper: automated warning delivered >7 hours prior to caliper tool detection (example).
- Precursory paper (Duvernay example): warning for potential M3+ seismicity followed ~ 1.5 hours later by a 3.01 ML event.
How Richter Predictor Works
A seamless workflow from data acquisition to actionable decisions.
Sense
High-frequency surface pressure data acts as a distributed fluid antenna.
Analyze
Machine learning algorithms search for stick-slip fault precursor signatures in real time.
Forecast
System provides early warning—hours or days in advance—of potential induced seismicity.
Prevent
Operators implement targeted mitigation protocols before a critical event can occur.
About Richter Predictor
Proactive seismic risk management using surface pressure analytics — no downhole instrumentation required.
Continuous active & offset well monitoring
Track pressure behavior across wells in real time to identify stick-slip fault activation and seismicity precursors.
Stick-slip fault precursor detection
Proprietary algorithms identify pressure signatures associated with fault slip events before seismicity occurs.
Real-time risk level assessment
Dynamic risk scoring based on live pressure data, providing operators with clear escalation indicators.
Mitigation protocol guidance
Actionable response procedures linked to risk levels, enabling crews to react appropriately at each threshold.
Technical Specifications
Robust data requirements for accurate fault activation detection.
Identifies pre-seismic patterns in treating pressure
Significant actionable window for crews
Validated across multiple active basins
What Richter Predictor Delivers
Casing deformation and induced seismicity threatens operations, infrastructure, and regulatory standing. Richter Predictor gives you the intelligence to stay ahead of risk.
Detect seismicity precursors from surface data
Identify fault activation signatures in treating pressure without downhole instrumentation.
Casing deformation early warning
Recognize pressure patterns associated with casing strain before physical damage occurs.
Basin-validated algorithms
Validated across Montney, Permian, and other active basins where induced seismicity is a regulatory concern.
Regulatory compliance support
Provide documented evidence of proactive seismic risk monitoring for regulatory reporting.
Supporting Evidence
Richter Predictor content on this page is grounded in published technical papers and case studies. Use the PDFs below to review methodology and reported examples.
Technical papers
Detection lead-time examples referenced are from published technical papers and documented field deployments. Seismic risk outcomes depend on operating conditions, data quality, and subsurface factors. Past results from specific deployments are not a guarantee of performance in all settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much lead time does Richter Predictor provide?
Lead times vary, but published examples show warnings delivered anywhere from hours to days prior to a significant event.
Can it replace downhole geophones?
It serves as a highly effective, lower-cost complement or alternative that doesn't require complex wellbore intervention.
Does it predict the exact magnitude of the earthquake?
It identifies the underlying risk and progression of fault slippage, allowing you to mitigate before the magnitude escalates to problematic levels.
Stay Ahead of Seismic Risk
See how Richter Predictor can protect your operations in seismically active basins.