Wellbore Stability in the Bazhenov Formation Considering the Anisotropy of Elastic Properties of Composing Strata

Abstract

This paper offers a general approach to the modelling of the wellbore stress state in the Bazhenov formation. In modelling, strata are presented as transversely isotropic objects with a set direction of the anisotropy axis that does not coincide with the vertical line. The paper also presents results of the laboratory Bazhenov formation core analysis. The analysis of core materials yielded correlation dependences for reconstructing stress-strain parameters of a transversely isotropic medium in selected wells. Parameters of the rock anisotropy were analyzed on the basis of standard and non-standard laboratory tests. The solution of the stress state problem in a deformation bounded medium was used to suggest an algorithm of calculating the components of the regional stress state along the well path. RN-SIGMA software tools were used to construct borehole stability models for wells penetrating anisotropic rocks. The effect of the anisotropy of elasticity on a safe drilling mud density window is demonstrated. The results of the calculations show that the anisotropy effects are crucial for calculating a safe drilling window. Examples are given to demonstrate potential effects of the anisotropy in image interpretation as well as in selecting horizontal wellbore drilling directions.