Abstract
ABSTRACT Hole problems during the drilling phase of operations are often the consequence of mechanical wellbore instability. This leads to higher than necessary drilling costs. A linear-elastic analysis is frequently proposed for the prediction of the onset of failure, and consequently the mud weights required to prevent hole instability. However, there is no clear choice of which compressive failure criterion to use in the analysis. This paper assesses the influence of two commonly proposed failure criteria on mud weight selection. The failure criteria selected is shown to have an extremely significant effect on the computed 'safe’ mud weights. Examples related to field situations are presented which highlight the anomalies and contrary evidence relating to the suitability of failure criteria.
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