Optimal Wellbore Trajectory and Mud Weight Window Design for Generic Anticline Reservoirs
Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Major
Petroleum Engineering
Research Advisor
Eckert, Andreas
Nygaard, Runar
Advisor's Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Abstract
In this study we investigate the state of stress of a generic anticline reservoir and analyze a variety of parameters such as reservoir geometry, in situ stress regime, and the coefficient of friction between rock layers. We utilize 2D and 3D finite element analysis to map stress magnitudes and orientations in the reservoir and then apply analytical solutions to study conditions for safe and optimized drilling.
We investigate three proposed drilling locations; the crest, limb, and trough of the anticline. The modeled state of stress and associated rock strength parameters then determine the conditions for the safe mud weight window. Based on these windows the optimal well placement and well trajectory can be determined. From the study of the 2D model the stress regime is the biggest factor in determining the optimal wellbore location for vertical wellbores. The viability of deviated and horizontal wellbores is currently being investigated.
Biography
Nevan graduated as valedictorian from Glasgow High School in 2008. In the same year he began his undergraduate studies at Missouri University of Science and Technology as a petroleum engineering major. He will graduate in May 2012 with his undergraduate, and will begin graduate school at S&T in the fall of 2012. In April 2010 Nevan began working part time for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as a hydrologic technician. During his time with the USGS he traveled all across Missouri collecting and recording groundwater data. In March 2011 he resigned from the USGS in order to spend more of his time as an undergraduate research assistant for Dr. Andreas Eckert, where is still currently employed. Nevan spent the summer of 2011 in North Dakota with Continental Resources Inc. as a petroleum engineering intern.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
10 Apr 2012, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Optimal Wellbore Trajectory and Mud Weight Window Design for Generic Anticline Reservoirs
Upper Atrium/Hallway
In this study we investigate the state of stress of a generic anticline reservoir and analyze a variety of parameters such as reservoir geometry, in situ stress regime, and the coefficient of friction between rock layers. We utilize 2D and 3D finite element analysis to map stress magnitudes and orientations in the reservoir and then apply analytical solutions to study conditions for safe and optimized drilling.
We investigate three proposed drilling locations; the crest, limb, and trough of the anticline. The modeled state of stress and associated rock strength parameters then determine the conditions for the safe mud weight window. Based on these windows the optimal well placement and well trajectory can be determined. From the study of the 2D model the stress regime is the biggest factor in determining the optimal wellbore location for vertical wellbores. The viability of deviated and horizontal wellbores is currently being investigated.
