Influence of Stratigraphic Conditions on the Deformation Characteristics of Oil/Gas Wells Piercing Longwall Pillars and Mining Optimization

Shun Liang, Derek Elsworth, Xuehai Fu, Xuehua Li and Qiangling Yao
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Shun Liang: School of Mines, Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Derek Elsworth: EMS Energy Institute, G3 Center and Energy and Mineral Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, PA 16802, USA
Xuehai Fu: Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resource and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Xuehua Li: School of Mines, Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Qiangling Yao: School of Mines, Key Laboratory of Deep Coal Resource Mining, Ministry of Education, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: Hydrocarbon wells drilled vertically through longwall coal pillars are vulnerable to severe deformation and potential failure as a result of underground coal mining. The lithology of the host rocks play a critical role in well stability. In this study, a two dimensional finite element method is employed to investigate the horizontal shear offset, vertical delamination, and compression at the weak interface between neighboring soft and stiff layers after the sequential extraction of longwall panels flanking the protective coal pillar. The influence of stratigraphic conditions, including the single rock layer thickness (SRLT), seam mining height (SMH), and seam dip angle (SDA), on deformation of hydrocarbon wells is explored. An optimization of mining sequence along strike and for panel advance direction along dip is also performed. Finally, some recommendations regarding coal mining and peripheral support measures are suggested.

Keywords: hydrocarbon wells; rock layer thickness; seam mining height; seam dip angle; well stability; longwall mining (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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