This issue of Groundworks is a special edition devoted entirely to the following announcement from Loren Lorig, CEO of Itasca International Incorporated.

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Clients,

For more than a decade, Itasca International Inc. (Itasca) and Applied Seismology Consultants (ASC) have developed a growing partnership that extends to project work across a range of fields, from petroleum extraction to waste isolation to mining. In addition, the collaborations between the personnel of both companies over that period have been extensive. So it is my pleasure and privilege to announce to you today that, with agreement on both sides, ASC has merged with Itasca. As of May 1, 2009, ASC is an Itasca International company. ASC's leading-edge capabilities in microseismic monitoring added to Itasca's unmatched expertise in numerical modeling results in truly unique opportunities that we are eager to explore with our clients. But first, a few words about ASC by way of introduction.

Introducing ASC

ASC is a twelve year-old company based in Shrewsbury, UK, that specializes in providing seismic monitoring of rock masses and concrete structures to multiple industries encompassing mining, radioactive waste storage, petroleum, geothermal, carbon sequestration, engineering and laboratory testing. Its services supply an integrated work package along the full data path from instrumentation design to data acquisition to processing and interpretation. ASC is a pioneer and recognized world leader in the development of hardware and software technologies, as well as interpretation techniques, for monitoring rock mass behavior around underground excavations, within stimulated energy reservoirs and in critical engineered structures. ASC's integrated seismic processing, data management and visualization software package, InSite, developed over more than 10 years, is used as a complete solution for the company's consulting operations and is now used by many international organizations for in-house processing and management of seismic data. The company is led by its founder and scientific director Professor Paul Young who is the Keck Chair of Seismology and Rock Mechanics at the University of Toronto and Vice President (Research) for the University. His wife Teresa Young is the operations director of ASC.

Example of the integrated approach using Itasca's models and ASC's microseismic processing for the understanding of the mechanics of deep cave mining. [click here or on the image to enlarge in a new window]

Introducing Fracture Network Engineering

In recent years, ASC and Itasca have developed advanced, groundbreaking techniques for correlating microseismic field observations with simulated microseismicity from Itasca's models. On the one hand, data acquisition and microseismic processing are used to map a disturbed or enlarging fracture network in space, magnitude, and evolution using techniques developed by ASC for signal processing and interpretation. The feedback provides "first order" information to engineers, potentially in real time, so that decisions on project design can be made and revised effectively and efficiently. On the other hand, a Synthetic Rock Mass (SRM) numerical model is developed. The SRM is enhanced and updated by the information provided by the microseismic information. SRM models employ Itasca's PFC2D/PFC3D codes to create an assembly of bonded particles that represent the rock mass on a large scale (e.g. 10-100m). A Discrete Fracture Network is embedded within the bonded assembly to represent joints, faults, or other pre-existing fractures as smooth, frictional (or cohesive) planar features. SRM samples that are subjected to the same mechanical or fluid disturbance expected in the field produce synthetic seismicity that can be compared directly with microseismic data collected in the field.

This approach can effectively monitor the rock mass disturbance as it is developed on site, and has two principal objectives:

1. to use the models to better interpret the causal effects of the microseismicity by analyzing the micromechanics occurring within the numerical model framework (recognizing that in the model we observe all activity within the configured boundary conditions, whereas field observations record only a portion of the activity depending on the sensitivity of the monitoring system);
2. to use the observed microseismicity to feed back into the development of the models, and so validate their results, in order to develop robust predictive models for engineering the fracture network (both for the project in hand or for future projects).

The image below illustrates how this technique, which we term Fracture Network Engineering, is used in a hydraulic fracturing campaign to provide results and interpretations that feed back into the design and operation of the project.

Both ASC and Itasca have been aggressively pursuing the expansion and growth of Fracture Network Engineering. We define this new discipline as the design, analysis, modeling, and monitoring of in-field activities that enhance or inhibit permeability and/or promote disintegration of rock masses through fluid injection, blasting, or excavation. The validation of predictive models resulting from the SRM technique makes it possible to develop robust guidelines for engineering fracture networks based on in situ conditions, rock mass properties, and operational controls.

We believe the opportunities inherent in this discipline are of great benefit in any field where the behavior of in situ rock masses subject to fracturing can have critical impact on the design, efficiency and success of industrial operations: hydraulic fracturing for petroleum extraction in oil reservoirs, stimulation of rock at depth for extraction of geothermal energy, examination of rock mass behavior around underground excavations (tunnels, caverns, storage facilities), and blast design, to name a few. And the potential applicability only extends from there.

Next Steps

In the coming months, ASC and Itasca will be completing the integration of ASC into the international family of Itasca companies. We will keep our existing clients appraised of our progress and remain ready to respond to all inquiries and requests for information. We are excited about the new directions, new energies, and new possibilities this move will provide. Having had, for years now, the sincerest respect for Professor Young, his colleagues, and the work that they do, it gives me great pleasure to welcome them to our growing company. The dynamic energy, talent, experience, and innovation that ASC brings are an enhancement to Itasca that will be of immediate value to our clients. I look forward to having further opportunities to communicate with you about this exciting development, and welcome any occasion to hear your thoughts, questions, and responses.

Sincerely,

Loren Lorig, Chief Executive Officer