Comparison of Rock Strength Predictions for Well Applications from Geological and Geophysical Information
Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Major
Petroleum Engineering
Research Advisor
Nygaard, Runar
Advisor's Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Funding Source
Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Fellows Program
Abstract
Numerous correlations exist to determine rock strength of various lithologies. Rock strength information is used in the prediction of in-situ rock behavior and allows for proper determination of casing design, perforation zones and in the stability of formations. However, almost all of the correlations developed are site specific and applications in fields outside the sampled area are questionable and unguaranteed. As such, there is no field wide accepted correlation used to determine rock strength. This research focused on first identifying formation specific correlations and applying a statistical approach to determine expected rock strength. Effects of various lithological combinations were established. The methods were applied to an actual field case in the Mid-Alberta basin in an attempt to ascertain its accuracy.
Biography
Imowo Akpan is a post-baccalaureate student presently a senior in the Petroleum Engineering. He acquired his first degree in chemical engineering from the University of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria and worked in the Oil and Gas industry with ExxonMobil Nigeria over 5 years before deciding to advance his educational career.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Location
Ozark Room
Presentation Date
08 Apr 2009, 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Comparison of Rock Strength Predictions for Well Applications from Geological and Geophysical Information
Ozark Room
Numerous correlations exist to determine rock strength of various lithologies. Rock strength information is used in the prediction of in-situ rock behavior and allows for proper determination of casing design, perforation zones and in the stability of formations. However, almost all of the correlations developed are site specific and applications in fields outside the sampled area are questionable and unguaranteed. As such, there is no field wide accepted correlation used to determine rock strength. This research focused on first identifying formation specific correlations and applying a statistical approach to determine expected rock strength. Effects of various lithological combinations were established. The methods were applied to an actual field case in the Mid-Alberta basin in an attempt to ascertain its accuracy.
