Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Petroleum Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Petroleum Engineering, Khomeinishahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr/Isfahan, Iran; Stone Research Center, Khomeinishahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
10.22077/jgm.2025.8165.1033
Abstract
In this research, geomechanical modeling was used to determine the optimum inclination angle and route/trajectory of drilling and to maximize wellbore stability during a drilling operation. In this regard, different data, including wave transit time, rock mechanical parameters, and in-situ stresses, were utilized, and the optimal inclination angle and trajectory of drilling were investigated in different zones of a given oil field. The modeling results indicated that from low angles toward high angles, the maximum fracture pressure changes and this change is more noticeable with increasing depth. Moreover, the minimum collapse pressure does not change significantly with the depth, and this pressure usually occurs at low angles. Pressure changes in all zones of this oil field except for zones 14 and 15 have similar trends and their drilling inclination angle is smaller than 45 degrees, which is the optimum angle for safe drilling in these zones. In lower zones, a drilling inclination angle of less than 60 degrees covers the maximum collapse pressure and an angle of less than 45 degrees covers the minimum collapse pressure. Without taking into account the temperature, the range of optimum inclination angle and range of optimum azimuth were determined to be 10-15 degrees and 65-115 degrees, respectively, and collapse pressure and fracture pressure were estimated to be 6324 psi and 8085 psi, respectively. Increasing temperature increases the collapse pressure and decreases the fracture pressure and this, in turn, results in narrowing the safe drilling window. However, the temperature does not significantly affect the optimal drilling trajectory, and it mainly limits the safe drilling mud window in the formation.
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