Suitability of 3D Rock Failure Criteria for Wellbore Stability in the Niger Delta

Nwonodi, Roland Ifeanyi and Ayuba, Solomon and Yusuf, Titus Jibatswen and Adali, Francis Eromosele and Chukwu, Glory and Tswenma, Tsokwa (2018) Suitability of 3D Rock Failure Criteria for Wellbore Stability in the Niger Delta. American Journal of Earth Science and Engineering. pp. 174-180.

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Abstract

In order to predict wellbore instability in the Niger Delta basin, there are several important rock failure criteria available in 3D, which produce different results as they were developed on the basis of different hypotheses. The geomechanical data used to develop these criteria were obtained from the Gulf Coast, the North Sea, and the Asia Pacific, but none from Africa, yet engineers apply these models in wellbore stability analysis in the region. Thus, this study was carried out to compare quantitatively the level of discrepancy among the commonly applied 3D rock failure criteria using data from the region. The justification for selecting 3D criteria is the evident significant influence of the intermediate principal stress on rock strength. The alternatives selected for this study are the commonly applied modified Lade, circumscribed Drucker-Prager, middle circumscribed Drucker-Prager, inscribed Drucker-Prager, and Mogi-Coulomb criteria. The authors computed the values of the safe mud weight required to prevent wellbore collapse for the various alternatives and considered their fitness with respect to the mean squared error. Bar charts and discrepancy table displayed the results in the study. From the results, the modified Lade criterion was the most accurate for a vertical wellbore orientation while the Mogi-Coulomb criterion gave the most accurate result for the horizontal wellbore orientation. In addition, the circumscribed Drucker-Prager criterion gave the least accurate result. The closest discrepancy existed between the Mogi-Coulomb criterion and the middle circumscribed Drucker-Prager criterion, while the widest discrepancy existed between the circumscribed Drucker –Prager and the inscribed Drucker-Prager. Thus, the modified Lade and Mogi-Coulomb criteria are more suitable for drilling vertical well and horizontal well respectively.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Geomechanical Data, 3D Failure Criteria, Wellbore Instability, Discrepancy Table
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General) T Technology > TP Chemical technology
Divisions:	Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Engineering Sciences
Depositing User:	Patricia Nwokealisi
Date Deposited:	13 Feb 2025 12:56
Last Modified:	13 Feb 2025 12:56
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/18791

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