Masters Theses

Ming-Yen Lee

Abstract

"Numerical modeling methods such as the widely used finite element method provide an excellent opportunity to analyze the wellbore state of stress for a variety of applications such as wellbore integrity, wellbore design or hydraulic fracturing. However, numerical modeling methods introduce errors by nature and may not precisely match the analytical solution if the meshing of the numerical model is not carefully taken care of. This study presents a parametric study of the meshing parameters mesh density, element type, and model size for 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional vertical wellbore models under three different types of boundary conditions, and a guideline for mesh optimization is provided. The implications of the accuracy of numerical modeling results are shown by calculating the safe mud weight window for different stress regimes for a non-optimized wellbore mesh and an optimized mesh. Utilizing a non-optimized mesh for well bore stress analysis may lead to a significant misinterpretation of the minimum usable mud weight and borehole collapse may result. Exemplary cases of well bore stability during drilling and well bore integrity of CO₂ sequestration in a generic anticline structure have been studied with the optimized 3-D wellbore model"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Eckert, Andreas
Nygaard, Runar

Committee Member(s)

Flori, Ralph E.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Petroleum Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2011

Pagination

x, 72 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 68-71).

Rights

© 2011 Ming-Yen Lee, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Finite element method
Stress concentration -- Mathematical models
Wells

Thesis Number

T 9933

Print OCLC #

795522001

Electronic OCLC #

914467533

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