A New Model for Real-Time Prediction of Wellbore Stability Considering Elastic and Strength Anisotropy of Bedding Formation

Liqin Ding, Zhiqiao Wang, Jianguo Lv, Yu Wang and Baolin Liu
Additional contact information
Liqin Ding: School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Zhiqiao Wang: School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Jianguo Lv: School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Yu Wang: School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Baolin Liu: School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China

Energies, 2021, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Severe wellbore stability issues were reported while drilling in laminated formation with weak planes such as beddings. To accurately determine the safe mud weight according to the changing environment is of primary importance for safety control of drilling. Considering both the elastic and strength anisotropy of bedding formation, a novel theoretical model is established and the stress and failure around wellbores are analyzed. The accuracy and applicability of the theoretical model is verified by in situ field data. For the purpose of fulfilling real-time prediction, the method flowchart of programming is also provided. The results show that the model built can be conveniently used to predict the stress distribution, failure area, and collapse and fracture pressure while drilling, and rather good predictions can be made compared to real field data. In addition, the inhomogeneity of in situ stress and elastic parameters affect the upper limit of the safe mud weight window (SMWW) greater than the lower limit. Negative SMWW may appear with the direction change of the wellbore or weak plane, especially when the azimuths of them change. As to the magnitude of SMWW, the anisotropic effects of Young’s modulus are greater than the Poisson’s ratio. The method established in this paper can greatly help with the precise prediction of wellbore stability as drilling proceeds in bedding formation.

Keywords: strength anisotropy; elastic anisotropy; bedding formation; real-time prediction; safe mud weight window (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
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/1/251/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/1/251/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2021:i:1:p:251-:d:714867

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().