Petroleum Geomechanics Assignment 3

PE5010 PETROLEUM GEOMECHANICS
CLASS ASSIGNMENT-3
1) A sandstone at a depth of 10,000 ft has a Poison’s ratio of 0.25 and a poro-

elastic constant of 0.72. The average density of the overburden formation is
165 lb/ft3. The pore pressure gradient in the sandstone is 0.38 psi/ft.
Assuming a tectonic stress of 2,000 psi and a tensile strength of the
sandstone of 1,000 psi, predict the Shmin.
Vertical stress is calculated using

ρH
σV = = 165 x 10000/144 = 11458.33 psi
144
Pore pressure ( P p) at 10,000ft is 0.38 x 10000 = 3800 psi

σ V (eff )=σ V −α P p = 11458.33 – 0.72 x 3800 = 8722.33 psi
ϑ
σ h ,min =σ h (eff ) +α P p= σ +α P p =¿8722.33/3 + 0.72 x 3800 = 5643.44 psi
1−ϑ V (eff )
2) Using Same Data from previous question Calculate the Shmax and Formation
Breakdown Pressure using the following equations
σ h ,max =σ h , min + σ tectonic =¿ 5643.44 + 2000 = 7643.44 psi
Pbd =3 σ h ,min −σ h ,max + σ tensile −P p= 3(5643.44) – 7643.44 +1000-3800 = 6486 psi
3) Calculate the Friction Angle, Cohesion pressure (Triaxial Loading Test) for
(19.52, 28.26)
˚
(10.55, 12.36)
˚
˚
9.685
˚
5.275
132˚
14.45
From the Mohr circle construction,

2β = 132˚ => β = 66˚
The y intercept for the “3” and “4” Mohr circles is S 0 = 9.685 MPa
The slope of the tangent = µ = 0.924
4) The gas/water contact in this well occurs at 3950 feet where a formation
pressure gradient of .464 psi/ft exists. (Gas gradient of 0.1 psi/ft) What is the
pressure at the top of the gas reservoir at 3470 feet?
Psurface = 14.7 psi

Pressure at G/W contact = 14.7 + 0.464 x 3950 = 1847.5 psi
Now pressure at the top of the reservoir = 1847.5 – (3950 – 3470) x 0.1 =
1799.5 psi
5) The fracture gradient of an open hole formation at 3680 feet is .618 psi/ft.
Calculate the fracture mud weight density
0.618 = 0.052 x ρmud = 11.88 lb/gal
6) A Texas Gulf Coast well has a pore pressure gradient of 0.735 psi/ft. Well
depth = 11,000 ft. Calculate the fracture gradient in units of lb/gal using
a) Hubbert & Willis, b) Eaton’s
Ans)
(a) Hubbert & Willis model:

Using the model empirical constant as 0.3, from plots overburden stress gradient
is 0.96psi/ft.
Sh , min=0.3( S ¿ ¿ V −P p )+ P p ¿
Sh , min=0.3 (11000 x 0.96−11000 x 0.735 )+11000 x 0.735=8827.5 psi
The fracture gradient = 8827.5/ (0.052x11000) = 15.43 lb/gal
(b)Eaton’s model:
From the plots overburden stress gradient is 0.96 psi/ft, ϑ = 0.45
ϑ
Sh , min= ( S ¿ ¿V −P p )+ P p ¿
1−ϑ
0.45
Sh , min= (11000 x 0.96−0.735 x 11000)+0.735 x 11000 = 10110 psi
1−0.45
The fracture gradient = 10110 / (0.052x11000) = 17.67 lb/gal
7) Determine the fracture using Ban Eaton Method at 11000 ft. for gulf coast well,
Obtain S/D and Poison’s ratio from overburden stress plot and PR plot from
the following plots
Ans)
From the question 6 b
8) In a leak-off test below the casing seat at 4,000 ft, leak-off was found to occur
when the standpipe pressure was 1,000 psi. MW = 9 lb/gal. What is the
fracture gradient?
Ans)
Pressure at the bottom is equal to 1000 + 0.052 x 9 x 4000 = 2872 psi
Fracture gradient is equal to 2872/ (0.052 x 4000) = 13.807 lb/gal
9) Consider the below data from the table and calculate the elastic properties of
the formation (Poisson’s ratio, Young’s Modulus, Bulk Modulus, Shear
Modulus)
Poissons Youngs Bulk Shear

Density P S
Depth ratio Modulus Modulus Modulus
(g/cc) (m/s) (m/s)
ν E(GPa) K (GPa) G (GPa)
800 2.89 2400 1350 0.268571 13.36319486 9.6237 5.267025
1200 2.78 2750 1345 0.342788 13.50600698 14.31829733 5.0290895
1500 2.84 3600 1740 0.34759 23.17418754 25.341888 8.598384
1550 2.88 4400 2055 0.360506 33.09380444 39.540384 12.162312
1675 2.99 5600 2400 0.3875 47.79216 70.8032 17.2224
10) What is Mechanical Earth Model and how it is helpful in analyzing the
wellbore instabilities of the well
The mechanical earth model is a numerical representation of the state of stress and
rock mechanical properties for a specific stratigraphic section in a field or basin. The
model is linked to geologic structure through the local stratigraphy and a 3D seismic
cube. In its basic form, the MEM consists of depth profiles: of the elastic and/or
elasto-plastic parameters, rock strength and the earth stresses referenced to the
local stratigraphic section.
Engineers use MEMs to understand past experiences and identify the root causes of
unexpected events such as early water breakthrough or drilling fluid loss. Drilling
and completion engineers can take lessons learned from MEMs to plan future
operations that are more efficient and safer than they would be without this
information.
11) What are different methods to estimate the pore pressure from well
logs? (Mention only methods don’t explain them), Which logs are more reliable
for estimating the pore pressures and why?
 Direct method by Hottman and Johnson (1965)

 Foster and Whalen’s (1966) Equivalent Depth method
 Eaton’s method (Eaton1975)
 Pennebaker
 Miller’s method
Logs which are reliable are listed below and every method has its own limitations
 Sonic log: This method can’t be used in the complicated basins where uplifts
are present. It also doesn’t include unloading effects.
 Resistivity log: This is particularly for young sedimentary basins, if the normal
shale resistivity is properly determined
12) How do you define critical stress ratios, what is their importance in
understanding the wellbore stability?
According to frictional equilibrium, one can assume that the ratio between maximum
and minimum effective stresses cannot exceed the one required to cause slip on
preexisting faults that are optimally oriented to the principal stress field. Based on
this Jaeger and Cook (1979) calculated the ratio
Based on the type of fault, the S1 and S3 varies and the equations for those are
13) Imagine you are constructing 1D MEM model for a well with different
lithology from surface to basement. Is it advisable to go with single lithology
model from top to bottom of the well, why? If not, why? How well markers help
in this case? How do we mark these?
It is advised to not to go with single lithology model from top to bottom. Usage of
well markers helps seismic and interpretation data to be spatially correlated and
avoid the problem of losing positional reference when converting deviated wells
from measured depth to true vertical depth or onto vertical sections.

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PE5010 PETROLEUM GEOMECHANICS

1) A sandstone at a depth of 10,000 ft has a Poison’s ratio of 0.25 and a poro-

Vertical stress is calculated using

Pore pressure ( P p) at 10,000ft is 0.38 x 10000 = 3800 psi

σ h ,max =σ h , min + σ tectonic =¿ 5643.44 + 2000 = 7643.44 psi

Pbd =3 σ h ,min −σ h ,max + σ tensile −P p= 3(5643.44) – 7643.44 +1000-3800 = 6486 psi

From the Mohr circle construction,

Psurface = 14.7 psi

(a) Hubbert & Willis model:

Sh , min=0.3 (11000 x 0.96−11000 x 0.735 )+11000 x 0.735=8827.5 psi

The fracture gradient = 8827.5/ (0.052x11000) = 15.43 lb/gal

The fracture gradient = 10110 / (0.052x11000) = 17.67 lb/gal

Poissons Youngs Bulk Shear

 Direct method by Hottman and Johnson (1965)

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