Numerical modeling of the stability of horizontal multidrain oil wells

Abstract

The stability of the horizontal multidrain wells is a crucial issue and several factors are involved in this matter, including in-situ stresses, magnitude and distribution as well as the mainbore trajectories. In this paper, this issue is evaluated by assuming different circumstances for the above mentioned factors, based on finite difference threedimensional modeling by using the finite difference numerical software, FLAC3D. The stability of the mainbore and lateral branches is analyzed based on the Normalized Yielded Zone Area (NYZA) criterion, i.e. the ratio of the surrounding yielded cross-sectional area to the initial area of the well. Optimum mud pressures are obtained in the mainbore and lateral branches in different mainbore trajectories under three in-situ stress regimes. In addition, the stability of the junction where the lateral branches are bifurcated from the mainbore is assessed in those situations. The optimum trajectory of the mainbore, in which the junction has obtained the most stable condition, is selected in each stress regime. It was concluded that in the Normal Faulting (NF) stress regime, the mainbore and junction stability varies in relation to the mainbore trajectories, inversely. However, in the other two stress regimes, i.e. Strike Slip (SS) and Reverse Faulting (RF), the variations of the mainbore and junction stability are in the same trend with respect to the mainbore trajectory deviations.