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Wellbore stability analysis using integrated geomechanical modeling: a case study from the Sarvak reservoir in one of the SW Iranian oil fields

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Abstract

In this study, an integrated geomechanical analysis was carried out for the Sarvak carbonate reservoir in three wells of one of the oil fields in Abadan Plain, SW Iran. The static Young’s modulus (ES), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), cohesion (C), and angle of internal friction (Φ) were determined directly, using rock mechanics tests. Subsequently, some correlations were introduced based on tests-to-logs relationships. The 1D geomechanical models were constructed for three wells in the north, center, and south of the studied field. The results show that the stress state is not uniform for the studied wells, as it is strike-slip normal in northern well, strike-slip in central well, and strike-slip reverse in southern well. Likewise, the stability of the wells was evaluated using Mohr-Coulomb and Mogi-Coulomb criteria, and it was observed that the Mogi-Coulomb criterion could more accurately estimate the breakout pressure. According to the recognized borehole breakouts in image logs, the SHmax direction is to NE-SW in all three wells. Based on the wellbore stability analysis, it was concluded that the more stable directions for drilling are NW-SE in the northern part, E-W and N-S in the central part, and NE-SW in the southern part of the studied oil field.

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Abbreviations

BS:

Bit size

C:

Cohesion

CAL:

Caliper

DSI:

Dipole shear sonic imager

DST:

Drill stem test

DT:

Slowness of compressional wave

DTm :

P wave slowness in shale with zero porosity

DTml :

P wave slowness in drilling mud

E:

Young’s modulus

FMI:

Fullbore formation microimager

Fullset logs:

Caliper, bit size, gamma ray, bulk density, neutron porosity, slowness of compressional wave, photoelectric factor, and resistivity logs

g:

Earth’s gravitational acceleration

GR:

Gamma ray

MDT:

Modular dynamics tester

NCT:

Normal compaction trend

NPHI:

Neutron porosity

OBMI:

Oil-base microimager

pcf:

Pound per cubic foot

PEF:

Photoelectric factor

PHIE:

Effective porosity

PP:

Pore pressure

PPg :

Pore pressure gradient

PPHyd :

Hydrostatic pore pressure gradient

Pw :

Drilling mud pressure

Pwb :

Drilling mud pressure which causes borehole breakouts

Pwf :

Drilling mud pressure which causes induced fractures

RFT:

Repeat formation tester

RHOB:

Bulk density

S1 :

Maximum principal stress

S2 :

Intermediate principal stress

S3 :

Minimum principal stress

SHmax :

Maximum horizontal stress

Shmin :

Minimum horizontal stress

Sm,2 :

Effective mean stress

Sn :

Normal stress

SV :

Vertical stress (overburden stress)

TS:

Tensile strength

UBI:

Ultrasonic borehole imager

UCS:

Unconfined compressive strength

VP :

Compressional wave velocity

VS :

Shear wave velocity

τ oct :

Octahedral shear stress

μ:

Coefficient of internal friction

ɛx :

tectonic strain on x plane

ɛy :

tectonic strain on y plane

α:

Biot’s coefficient

ν:

Poisson’s ratio

νd :

Dynamic Poisson’s ratio

ρ:

Density of rock

͞ρ:

Overburden average density

σ1 :

Maximum principal effective stress

σ3 :

Minimum principal effective stress

σr :

Radial stress

σz :

Axial stress

σΔT :

Thermal stress

σӨ :

Tangential stress

τ:

Shear stress

Φ:

Angle of internal friction

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI) for the publishing permission and financial support. Appreciation is given to SeaLand Engineering and Well Services (SLD) for its supports.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), Tehran, Iran

    Mohsen Ezati, Mehran Azizzadeh & Javad Honarmand

  2. Petroleum Geology Dept., Center for Exploration & Production, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), West Blvd., Azadi Sport Complex, P.O.Box: 14665-1998, Tehran, Iran

    Mehran Azizzadeh

  3. Institute of Geophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Ali Riahi

  4. School of Mining Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Vahidoddin Fattahpour

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  1. Mohsen Ezati
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Correspondence to Mohsen Ezati or Mehran Azizzadeh.

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Responsible editor: Zeynal Abiddin Erguler

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Ezati, M., Azizzadeh, M., Riahi, M.A. et al. Wellbore stability analysis using integrated geomechanical modeling: a case study from the Sarvak reservoir in one of the SW Iranian oil fields. Arab J Geosci 13, 149 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-5126-1

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