Generating and Calibrating 3D Geomechanical Reservoir Models

Abstract

The optimal exploitation of conventional and unconventional reservoirs is strongly dependent on the local tectonic stress field. Amongst others, wellbore stability, orientation of hydraulically induced fractures and - especially in fractured reservoirs - permeability anisotropies depend on the recent in situ stress. The workflow presented here can be used to build 3D geomechanical models for various types of reservoirs and ranging from field-scale models to smaller, highly detailed submodels of specific fault blocks. Such a geomechanical reservoir model calibrated against well data can be used for stress predictions in the inter-well space and undrilled parts of the reservoir. In addition, the tendency of the existing fault network to slip or dilate in the present-day stress regime can be addressed. Best practices are elucidated concerning the transfer of the reservoir geometry from the geological to the numerical model, as well as the calibration of the geomechanical model using field measurements. Both steps are crucial for efficient geomechanical modeling and a robust prediction of the present-day stresses in the reservoir.