Practical Geomechanics for Oil and Gas Field Development

Integrity of the wellbore plays an important role in petroleum operations including drilling, completion, stimulation and production. Borehole failure, stuck pipe/tool, mud losses, casing collapse, compaction, subsidence, permeability reduction, sanding, and requirement for stimulation cost the oil and gas industry several billions of dollars annually. Minimizing the cost of these issues requires clear understanding of the interaction between formation properties, in‐situ stresses, and our operations.

The 1st module focuses on “Geomechanics and Geomechanical Modeling”. It covers the history and importance of geomechanics in oil and gas industry. Some important theoretical background in rock mechanics are explained. In addition, participants will learn how to use geology and drilling information, well logs and core data from off-set wells to construct 1D to 3D geomechanical models. Participants will also learn how to calibrate the model with regional stress and rock strength data.

The 2nd module is “Wellbore Stability Analysis and Sand Production”. It will enable participants to analyze wellbore stability for generic and optimum well trajectories using an existing calibrated geomechanical model. Participants will learn to define a safeoperating mud weight window for a well trajectory. Special cases such as chemically reactive rocks, weak bedding planes, naturally fractured formations, and underbalanced drilling will also be addressed. Several case studies from around the world, especiallyfrom naturally fractured formations will be shared. This module also includes sand production prediction under different drawdown, depletion, and water breakthrough conditions. Participants will learn which parameters influence sanding and how it can be managed with selective or/and oriented perforating, as well as how geomechanics helps production technologists and completion engineers to optimally design sand control and management strategies.

The last module is “Hydraulic Fracturing and Other Applications”. This module discusses geomechanical aspects of hydraulic fracturing. Participants will learn how fracturing improves production from tight formations, what parameters control fracture geometry and the success of fracturing operation. It includes discussions on how to select wells and the best intervals for stimulation, how to control fracture height and extension, how stress regime influences fracture orientation, and how to develop data sets for hydraulic fracturing analysis. This module also briefly covers other important applications of geomechanics in development of oil and gas fields, including modelling naturally fractured  formations, production optimization from naturally fractures, and reservoir compaction and subsidence.

This multi-disciplinary course provides a concise overview of rock mechanics and its application in many practical problems encountered at well and field scales. This interactive course is presented in three modules and utilizes Excel sheets for exercise.