Stress Path Analysis for Characterization of In Situ Stress State and Effect of Reservoir Depletion on Present-Day Stress Magnitudes: Reservoir Geomechanical Modeling in the Gulf of Suez Rift Basin, Egypt

Abstract

A reservoir geomechanical modeling has been attempted in the hydrocarbon-bearing Miocene formations in the offshore Badri field, Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Pore pressure established from the direct downhole measurements indicated sub-hydrostatic condition in the depleted mid-Miocene Hammam Faraun and Kareem reservoirs. Vertical stress (Sv) estimated using bulk density data yielded an average of 0.98 PSI/feet (22.17 MPa/km) gradient. Magnitudes of minimum (Shmin) and maximum (Shmax) horizontal stresses were deduced from the poro-elastic model. Relative stress magnitudes (Sv ≥ Shmax > Shmin) reflect a normal faulting tectonic stress in the Badri field. Pore pressure and stress perturbations (ΔPP and ΔSh) in the depleted reservoirs investigated from actual measurements recognized ‘stress path’ values of 0.54 and 0.59 against the Hammam Faraun and Kareem Formations, respectively. These stress path values are far away from the normal faulting limit (0.68), indicating induced normal faulting or fault reactivation to be unlikely at the present depletion rate.