3D Numerical Simulation on Failure of Cement Sheath of Macondo Well-#1 in Deep Water Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Aim of this work is to provide a quantitative solution which clarifies the integrity of cement sheath under given underground environmental conditions at bottom section of Macondo well #1 in deep water Gulf of Mexico. With three-dimensional Finite Element Method, mechanical behavior of the model for Macondo #1 well has been investigated, with particular concerns on continuum damage variable and pore pressure distribution within interface element. Quantitative results are obtained for distribution of mechanical variables. Principal conclusions are: 1) With regular properties of cement material, it is shown that the integrity of cement ring is good, no damage could occur within interface elements, and consequently no oil could escape through cement ring. 2) With poor mechanical properties of weak cement, which could be true because of disturbance occurred in its setting process, there are two damage bands existing within interface elements. These two damage bands form two channels at where values of pore pressure are obviously higher than that its neighboring matrix. These phenomena indicate that oil could escape through these interface elements.