Managing the Risk of Wellbore Instability Using Geomechanical Modeling and Wellbore Stability Analysis for Muzhil Shale Formation in Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Mohamed, Ahmed Sayed; Mohamed, Mustafa Tantawy; Omran, Awad Ahmed; Nabawy, Basem Sayed

doi:10.21608/jesaun.2023.201902.1215

Managing the Risk of Wellbore Instability Using Geomechanical Modeling and Wellbore Stability Analysis for Muzhil Shale Formation in Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Associate research, Department. of Mining and Petroleum, Engineering, Qena, Al-Azhar University

² professor, Dept. of Mining and Metallurgical. Eng., Assiut University

³ professor, Dept. of Geology. Science, Assiut University

⁴ professor Dep. of Geophysical Sciences, National Research Centre, Cairo

10.21608/jesaun.2023.201902.1215

Abstract

Wellbore instability constitutes potential risks during wellbore drilling operation; these risks may cause complicated states, and in some cases, can lead to costly operational issues. In this study we present the best solution by predicting and quantifying wellbore instability in Muzhil field, Gulf of Suez, using a 1-DMechanical Earth Model (1DMEM) built with well logs, pressure measurements, and drilling events reports. Firstly we created 1DMEM by calculating the pore pressure, vertical stress, rock strength, rock elastic parameters, and horizontal stresses. Mohr Coulomb, Modified Lade and Mogi Coulomb failure criteria determined the well deformation possibility. Lastly 1-DMEM can be used to conduct a comprehensive geo-mechanical wellbore stability analysis for the trouble zones of Muzhil Formation. 1-DMEM results showed that the best azimuth for Vertical and slightly inclined Wells will be (40º–60º) clockwise from the North, i.e. parallel to SHmin (NE40SW). The wellbore stability analysis showed that the vertical and low deviated wellbore (less than 40º) is safe and more stable than the horizontal and high deviated wellbore and unsuitable Mud Weight (MW) is a major cause of the wellbore instability. The optimal solution to wellbore instability is to follow the optimum wellbore path and use safe MW. The optimum MW in shale formation ranges from (13.5-15) ppg. The results contribute in development plan of the wellbores nearby the studied area and reducing nonproductive time and cost.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Mining and Metallurgical Engineering.

References

[1] Liu, C., Abousleiman, Y.N., 2018. Multiporosity/multipermeability inclined-wellbore solutions with mudcake effects. SPE J. 23 (5), 1723–1747.

[2] Kang, Y., et al., 2009. Wellbore stability: a critical review and introduction to DEM. In: SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, p. 24.

[3] Detournay, E., Cheng, A.H.D., 1988. Poroelastic response of a borehole in a non-hydrostatic stress field. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr. 25 (3), 171–182.

[4] Zhang, J., Bai, M., Roegiers, J.C., 2003. Dual-porosity poroelastic analyses of wellbore stability. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 40 (4), 473–483.

[5] Zhang, J., Roegiers, J.C., 2005. Double porosity finite element method for borehole modeling. Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 38 (3), 217–242.

[6] Haimson, B., Lee, H., 2004. Borehole breakouts and compaction bands in two high-porosity sandstones. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 41 (2), 287–301.

[7] Dresen, G., Stanchits, S., Rybacki, E., 2010. Borehole breakout evolution through acoustic emission location analysis. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 47 (3), 426–435.

[8] Gelet, R., Loret, B., Khalili, N., 2012. Borehole stability analysis in a thermoporoelastic dual-porosity medium. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 50, 65–76.

[9] Dokhani, V., et al., 2015. The effects of anisotropic transport coefficients on pore pressure in shale formations. J. Energy Resour. Technol. 137 (3).

[10] Bradley, W.B., 1979. Failure of inclined boreholes. J. Energy Resour. Technol. 101 (4), 232–239.

[11] Aadnoy, B.S., Chenevert, M.E., 1987. Stability of highly inclined boreholes (includes associated papers 18596 and 18736 ). SPE Drill. Eng. 2 (4), 364–374.

[12] Roshan, H., Fahad, M., 2012. Chemo-poroplastic analysis of a borehole drilled in a naturally fractured chemically active formation. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 52, 82–91.

[13] Rui, Z., et al., 2017. A quantitative oil and gas reservoir evaluation system for development. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 42, 31–39.

[14] Yuan, J.-L., et al., 2013. Borehole stability analysis of horizontal drilling in shale gas reservoirs. Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 46 (5), 1157–1164.

[15] Chen, P., Ma, T., Xia, H., 2015. A collapse pressure prediction model for horizontal shale gas wells with multiple weak planes. Nat. Gas. Ind. B 2 (1), 101–107.

[16] Manshad, A.K., Jalalifar, H., Aslannejad, M., 2014. Analysis of vertical, horizontal and deviated wellbores stability by analytical and numerical methods. J. Petrol. Expl. Prod. Tech. 4 (4), 359–369.

[17] Aslannezhad, M., Khaksar manshad, A., Jalalifar, H., 2016. Determination of a safe mud window and analysis of wellbore stability to minimize drilling challenges and non-productive time. J. Petrol. Expl. Prod. Tech. 6 (3), 493–503.

[18] Al-Ajmi, A.M., Zimmerman, R.W., 2009. A new well path optimization model for increased mechanical borehole stability. J. Petrol. Sci. Eng. 69 (1), 53–62.

[19] Gholami, R., et al., 2014. Practical application of failure criteria in determining safe mud weight windows in drilling operations. J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng. 6 (1), 13–25.

[20] S. Clark, "Handbook of Physical Constants," New York, GSA, 98-102., 1966.

[21] Fjaer, E., Horsrud, P., Raaen, A.M., Risnes, R., Holt, R.M., 1992. Petroleum Related Rock Mechanics, vol. 33. Elsevier, , ISBN 9780080868912.

[22] Allawi RH, Al-Jawad MS (2021) Wellbore instability management using geomechanical modeling and wellbore stability analysis for Zubair shale formation in Southern Iraq. J Petrol Explor Prod Technol 11(11):4047–4062

[23] Allawi RH, Al-Jawad MS (2022a) 4D Finite element modeling of stress distribution in depleted reservoir of south Iraq oilfield. J Petrol Explor Prod Technol 12(3):679–700

[24] Raed H. Allawi (2023) Chemical and mechanical model to analysis wellbore stability, Petroleum Science and Technology, DOI: 10.1080/10916466.2023.2183966

[25] M. Zoback, "Reservoir Geomechanics (2007) " (First edition): Cambridge University Press.

[26]Hesham Shaker Zahra a , Adel MokhlesNakhla(2015) "Deducing the subsurface geological conditions and structural framework of the NE Gulf of Suez area, using 2-D and 3-D seismic data" National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, DOI: 10.1016/j.nrjag.2015.04.003, : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282533743

[27] Eissa, E.A. and Kazi, A. (1988) Relation Between Static and Dynamic Young’s Moduli of Rocks. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geomech anics Abstract 25 (6): 479-482.

[28] Tutuncu, A.N. and Sharma, M.M., 1992, "Relating static and ultrasonic laboratory measurements to acoustic log measurements in tight gas sands," The 67th SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, (SPE 24689).

[29] J. J. Zhang and R. Bentley, (2005) "Factors determining Poisson's ratio," CREWES research report, Univerity of Calgary, Canada

[30] N. Tutuncu, 2010"Anisotropy, Compaction and Dispersion Characteristics of Reservoir and Seal Shales," Paper ARMA 10-344 presented at the 44th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium and 5th U.S.-Canada Rock Mechanics Symposium, Salt Lake City,.

[31] Chang, C., Zoback, M.D. and Khaksar, A. , 2006 "Empirical relations between rock strength and physical properties in sedimentary rocks," Journal of Petroleum Science & Engineering, 51, 223-237.

[32] M. Lal (1999) "Shale Stability: Drilling Fluid Interaction and Shale Strength. .," SPE 54356, SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference held in Caracas, Venezuela.

[33] Scott, D.R., Thomsen, L.A., 1992. U.S. Patent No. 5,081,612. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC. Sen, S., Kundan, A., Kalpande,

[34] Eaton, B.A., 1975. The equation for geopressure prediction from well logs. Fall meeting of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, Dallas, Texas

[35] Zhang J (2011) Pore pressure prediction from well logs: methods, modifications, and new approaches. Earth Sci Rev 108(1):50–63

[36] Moos, D.; Zoback, M.D. 1990 Utilization of observations of well bore failure to constrain the orientation and magnitude of crustal stresses: Application to continental, Deep Sea Drilling Project, and Ocean Drilling Program boreholes. J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 1990, 95, 9305–9325.

[37] A. Al-Ajmi, " Wellbore stability analysis based on a new true-triaxial failure criterion.," Doctor of Philosophy thesis, land and water resources engineering department, KTH Royal Institute of Technology., Sweden, 2006.

[38] M. Zoback, "Reservoir Geomechanics," (First edition): Cambridge University Press, 2007.

[39] K. Mogi, "Fracture and Flow under High Triaxial Compression.," Journal of Geophysical Research. Res. 76: 1255–1269., 1971.

[40] A. Al-Ajmi, "Mechanical Stability of Horizontal Wellbore Implementing Mogi-Coulomb Law.," Advances in Petroleum Exploration and Development, 4(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3968/j.aped.1925543820120402.843, 2012.

[41] A. Al-Ajmi, "Mechanical Stability of Horizontal Wellbore Implementing Mogi-Coulomb Law.," Advances in Petroleum Exploration and Development, 4(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3968/j.aped.1925543820120402.843, 2012.

[42] P. Lade, "Elasto-plastic stress-strain theory for cohesionless soil with curved yield surfaces," International journal of solids and structures, 13(11), 1019-1035., 1977.

[43] A R. Ewy, "Wellbore-stability predictions by use of a Modified Lade criterion," SPE Drilling & Completion. (SPE-56862). Res. 14: 85–91, 1999.

[44] R. Rahimi, "The effect of using different rock failure criteria in wellbore stability analysis," Master of Science theses, Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering, Missouri University and Technology. Retrieved from http://mst.bepre, 2014.