Analysis and mitigation of wellbore instability in drilling operations, case study: Hassi MESSAOUD field

Abstract

The research investigates the causes of wellbore instability during drilling operations by using a geomechanical-based method focusing on the Hassi Messaoud Field as a case study. This study's primary aims to develop a 1D Mechanical Earth Model (MEM) that can assist to analyse and mitigate of drilling hazards like mud losses, stuck pipe, and non-productive time by integrating drilling reports, well logs, core test data, and laboratory results. Estimated in-situ stresses, pore pressures, rock mechanical properties, and safe mud weight window (MW) will be derived by utilizing a fully integrated database of previously collected data from both drilled offset wells and analysis of those wells in conjunction with either a pilot or a horizontal wellbore to predict wellbore stability and optimize overall drilling performance. The findings of this study demonstrate that advanced geomechanics modelling significantly enhances safe drilling process and wellbore design. Some limitations may arise from rock property assumptions as well as not considering all aspects of full anisotropic properties. overal, this study will prove that geo-mechanics play an important role in enhancing both the safety and effectiveness of drilling activities.