Stress Path Analysis of the Depleted Middle Miocene Clastic Reservoirs in the Badri Field, Gulf of Suez Rift Basin, Egypt

Abstract

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the reservoir geomechanics and stress path values of the depleted Miocene sandstone reservoirs of the Badri field, Gulf of Suez Basin, in order to understand the production-induced normal faulting potential in these depleted reservoirs. We interpreted the magnitudes of pore pressure (PP), vertical stress (Sv), and minimum horizontal stress (Shmin) of the syn-rift and post-rift sedimentary sequences encountered in the studied field, as well as we validated the geomechanical characteristics with subsurface measurements (i.e. leak-off test (LOT), and modular dynamic tests) (MDT). Stress path (ΔPP/ΔShmin) was modeled considering a pore pressure-horizontal stress coupling in an uniaxial compaction environment. Due to prolonged production, The Middle Miocene Hammam Faraun (HF) and Kareem reservoirs have been depleted by 950-1000 PSI and 1070-1200 PSI, respectively, with current 0.27-0.30 PSI/feet PP gradients as interpreted from initial and latest downhole measurements. Following the poroelastic approach, reduction in Shmin is assessed and reservoir stress paths values of 0.54 and 0.59 are inferred in the HF and Kareem sandstones, respectively. As a result, the current rate of depletion for both Miocene reservoirs indicates that reservoir conditions are stable in terms of production-induced normal faulting. Although future production years should be paid more attention. Accelerated depletion rate could have compelled the reservoirs stress path values to the critical level, resulting in depletion-induced reservoir instability. The operator could benefit from stress path analysis in future planning of infill well drilling and production rate optimization without causing reservoir damage or instability.