FEA studies lead to better prediction

摘要

3-D numerical simulations provide realistic input for predictions of fracture gradient and wellbore stability for subsalt wells. Costs for deepwater exploration and appraisal wells often reach or even exceed USD100 million. Many of these expensive wells are drilled to subsalt targets such as in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Brazil and thus face mechanical challenges in the deep part of the salt, especially exiting the salt. Because of the extremely high cost of these wells, every effort must be made to avoid wellbore stability problems and to reduce non-productive time to an absolute minimum. Planning ahead for the mechanical stability of a well has become a standard for these sub-salt wells, and thus pore pressure, fracture gradient, and wellbore stability prediction are part of the well planning process.