Overview

Geomechanical Modeling
for Wellbore Stability
Optimize wellbore stability and reduce drilling risks
Baker Hughes combines geomechanics
expertise with proprietary software to
generate highly robust geomechanical
models that evaluate the potential risk of
wellbore instability. Our comprehensive
modeling approach will help you better
understand the link between wellbore
instability and geomechanics, while
providing recommendations on specific
operational practices that can reduce costs
and optimize drilling parameters.

Improve wellbore stability with

accurate geomechanical modeling
and detailed model calibration
Prior to constructing the geomechanical
model, Baker Hughes performs a
comprehensive review of available
data acquired in existing offset wells.
Each piece of data, from drilling reports
and well logs to surface and downhole
measurements, is extensively reviewed and
analyzed by expert consultants to extract
the most meaningful geomechanical
information. Mud weights, rates of
penetration (ROP), and intervals where
drilling problems occurred (kicks, lost
circulation, excessive caving) are combined
with log-derived rock properties and stress

Applications
Deepwater

drilling

Exploration

wells

HP/HT

and pressure data

to build a complete
understanding of
the geomechanical
properties of the field.
Baker Hughes uses
advanced proprietary software packages
such as GMISFIB, GMIWellCheck,
GMIImager, and GMICaliper to
analyze the parameters that control
wellbore instability and determine the
operational practices that mitigate risks.
We rigorously test the validity of our
geomechanical model by comparing it
against actual drilling experiences and
wellbore failures observed in previous
wells. Once the model is validated, the
derived, field-specific geomechanical
model is used to predict the mud weights
and casing-seat depths required to prevent

environments

Depleted

reservoirs

Extended

reach

Features and benefits

Accurate

geomechanical model

Minimize wellbore instability

avoid stuck pipe, tight hole, lost
circulation, sidetracks, and well
collapse
Improved

pore pressure prediction

Make better mud weight decisions

resulting in fewer kicks, less
formation damage
Improve prospect delineation:
sealing potential of reservoirs, size
of reserves, compartmentalization
Quantitative

risk analysis (QRA)

Target specific data for future

acquisition that will provide the
greatest benefit for improving the
geomechanical model
Chemical

and anisotropic wellbore

instability analysis
Avoid wellbore instability from
chemical interactions between the
mud and rock
Mitigate failure from anisotropic
rock strengths in deviated and
horizontal holes

Underbalanced

drilling feasibility

Assess the likelihood of maintaining

a stable wellbore while drilling
underbalanced

model is used to predict the mud weights

poro-elastic solution for stresses,

and casing seat depthsGMIWellCheck

required to prevent software to investigate
combined
with a brittle-elastic
borehole collapse and/or lost circulation
size and rock
properties,
includingfailure
grain
borehole collapse and/or lost circulation
model for instabilities that develop above
in the proposed wellbore trajectory. The
the impact of chemical effects. These
size. Outputs include the width of failed
in the proposed wellbore trajectory. The
the bit. The analysis allows prediction of
models
resulting safe mud window andresulting
optimal
zones in both
compression
safe mud window
(i.e.,assess
the mudthe importance of timethe degree
of instability(breakout
as a function of
dependent
formation weakening due to
casing-seat depths are represented
mode) and
tension
mode)
as a
weightinrequired to prevent
both borehole
hole
size and(spalling
rock properties
including
collapse
and
lost
circulation)
and
optimal
grain
size.
Outputs
include
the
width
of
chemical
mud-rock
interactions.
Baker
function
of
underbalance,
ROP,
and
rock
simple, yet highly informative colorcasing seat depths are represented in
failed zones in both compression (breakout
Hughes can also determine the impact
strength. mode)
The modeling
results allow you
contoured diagrams and log-type
displays.
simple, yet highly informative colorand tension (spalling mode) as a
of
weakly
bedded
or
fissile
shale
and
to
select
the
optimal
mud
pressure
These plots provide an easy waycontoured
to see diagrams and log-type displays.
function of underbalance,
ROP andand
rock
These plots provide the
client withrock
an easy
strength.
results
you toof
select
fractured
on wellbore stability. The
drilling design
toThe
limit
theallow
volume
failed
how changes in mud weights, drilling
way to see how changes in mud weights,
the optimal mud pressure and drilling
additional
failed
rock
caused
by
these
rock
for
your
planned
well.
directions, and casing set points will
drilling directions, and casing set points
Leverage the latest shale
design to limit the volume of failed rock
weaknesses
can techniques
result in the
affect stability and the potentialwillforaffect
lostthe stabilityunexpected
stability
and potential for
for your planned well.
lost wells.
circulation in any total
planned
wells. of horizontal
If water-based
have been usedEvaluate
or
collapse
and muds
highly
circulation in any of your planned
additional trajectories
are being considered, GMI can investigate
Evaluate
or modify
welladditional
design trajectories
deviated wells.
or modify well design
the impact of chemical effects through the
Profit through quantitative
Increase profit through risk analysis (QRA)
Baker Hughes
can
include
copy of
use of chemoporo-elastic models within
GMI can
include
a copya of

quantitative risk analysisGMI increases the value of our models

GMIWellCheckCD
software,
GMIWellCheck. These models assess
GMIWellCheckCD
the
softwarewhich
as an is a
WellCheckCD
by
performing
quantitative
risk
analysis
importance
of
time-dependent
formation
additional
deliverable.
GMI
Baker Hughes enhances the value of our
fully functional version of GMIWellCheck,
(QRA) to quantify the effects of
weakening due to chemical mud-rock
is a fully functional version of
models by performing quantitative
risk
tied to theGMI
geomechanical
model
WellCheck that is tied to the
uncertainties associated with the model
interactions. GMI can also determine the
analysis (QRA) to quantify the effects
developedgeomechanical
for the study
field.
Using input
on the predicted mud weights and to
impact of weakly bedded or fissile shale
model
specifically
define how different parameters in the
and fractured rock on wellbore stability.
developed
for the study
input
of model uncertainties on the predicted
files designed
specifically
forfield.
theUsing
study
geomechanical model (e.g., pore pressure,
The additional failed rock caused by
files designed specifically for the study
mud weights and to define how different
field, you will be able to evaluate any
rock strength) affect the predicted
these unexpected weaknesses can
field, you will be able to evaluate any
parameters in the geomechanical
model
trajectory
in terms
of mud
likelihood of drilling success. At the end
totally collapse horizontal and highlywellbore wellbore
trajectory
in terms
of mudweight
weight
of
the
QRA
analysis,
GMI
can
identify,
deviated
wells.
options
for
improving
wellbore
stability.
affect the predicted likelihood of drilling
options for improving wellbore stability.
recommend acquiring, specific data
success. At the end of the QRA and
analysis,
necessary to reduce the model uncertainty.
Underbalanced drilling
Baker Hughes can identify and recommend
GMI can predict whether a
acquiring specific data necessary to reduce
section of your well can be drilled
underbalanced by calculating the
the model uncertainty.
minimum mud weight required
to maintain a limited amount
Enhance underbalanced
of breakout. The analysis is
drilling plans focused at strategic depths and
formation intervals. The approach
Baker Hughes can predict
whether
uses a coupled, time-dependent

a section of your well can be drilled

underbalanced by calculating the
minimum mud weight required to
maintain a limited amount of breakout.
To find out how our geomechanical
The approach uses a coupled, timemodeling approach can reduce the risks
Leverage the latest
dependent poro-elastic solution for
of wellbore instability in your next well,
consultants are recognizedstresses,
as the most experienced
and well-trained
in the
field
of geomechanics in the oil and gas, and
shale stability techniquesGMIs
combined
with
a
brittle-elastic
contact your Baker Hughes representative
geothermal industries. Each consulting project uses our proprietary software, developed through 20 years of R&D and field-proven in
more than 10 years of practical application. A detailed workflow and model calibration process, including an uncertainty analysis, and
If water-based muds have beeninternal
usedpeer-reviews,
or ensure consistently
failure
model for instabilities that develop
or visit us online at www.bakerhughes.
high quality results.
are being considered, Baker Hughes
can
above
the
bit.
The
analysis
can
predict
the
com/geomechanics-consulting.
www.bakerhughes.com/rds

2010
Baker
Hughes
Incorporated.
All
rights
reserved.30570
use chemoporo-elastic models within our
degree of instability as a function of hole

www.bakerhughes.com
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2012 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. 36021 12/2012