Rock Strength and In Situ Stress Analysis for Wellbore Instability, Fault Stress Regime Prediction, 3D Structural and Geomechanical Modelling in H-field Offshore of Rio Del Rey Basin, Southwest Region, Cameroon

Abstract

The study involved the determination of strength parameters and in situ stresses in two wells pseudo-named H005 and H008 in a hydrocarbon field located offshore of Rio Del Rey basin. The work was aimed at revealing the stability of formation rocks and fault stress regimes associated with the study wells. The parameters determined employed only empirical correlations and tools since core samples were not available for laboratory experiments. The unconfined compressive strength for the two wells was relatively low varying from 1500 to 3300 psi in well H005 and from 1000 to 4000 psi in well H008. The friction angle varies from 21.0° to 23.0° in well H005 and from 21.0° to 27.0° in well H008. The results of the in situ stress analysis in well H005 indicate a reverse fault stress regime where maximum horizontal stress (SH) is greater than the minimum horizontal stress (Sh), which is in turn greater than the vertical stress (SV) in the shallow part of the well (1028.5–1249 m), while a normal fault stress regime where the vertical stress is greater than the two horizontal stresses was interpreted at a depth from 1250 to 1390 m. Unlike well H005, the entire depth of well H008 under interpretation revealed a normal fault stress regime. The outcome of the 3D geomechanical model closely agrees with the 1D model. It was concluded that the formation rocks are weak, and the wells are dominated by normal fault stress regimes.