Prediction and Early Detection of Karsts—An Overview of Methods and Technologies for Safer Drilling in Carbonates

Danil Maksimov, Alexey Pavlov and Sigbjørn Sangesland
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Danil Maksimov: Department of Geoscience and Petroleum, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, S.P. Andersens vei 15a, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
Alexey Pavlov: Department of Geoscience and Petroleum, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, S.P. Andersens vei 15a, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
Sigbjørn Sangesland: Department of Geoscience and Petroleum, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, S.P. Andersens vei 15a, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 20, 1-33

Abstract: The nature of carbonate deposition as well as diagenetic processes can cause the development of unique geological features such as cavities, vugs and fractures. These are called karsts. Encountering karsts while drilling can lead to serious consequences such as severe mud losses, drops of bottom hole assembly and gas kicks. To improve drilling safety in intervals of karstification, it is important to detect karsts as early as possible, preferably in advance. In this paper, we review methods and technologies that can be used for the prediction and early detection of karsts. In particular, we consider acoustic, resistivity, seismic and drilling-data methods. In addition to the inventions and technologies developed and published over the past 40 years, this paper identifies the advantages, limitations and gaps of these existing technologies and discusses the most promising methods for karst detection and prediction.

Keywords: carbonate; karst; geophysics; looking ahead of the bit; hazards mapping; karst prediction (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: 2021
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