UNCONVENTIONAL BOREHOLE BREAKOUT ROTATION ANALYSIS PROVIDES A QC TOOL FOR STRESS MODELS

Abstract

In distinct element (DEM) numerical stress modelling, the principal stress magnitudes and orientations are applied to the boundary of the 3D model. Due to data restrictions and typical depths of investigation, it is possible to have much uncertainty in the conventional methodologies used to constrain the regional principal stress magnitudes and orientations.

A case study from the Kupe field in the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand is presented where the uncertainty in the input data made it difficult to determine which stress regime—a transitional normal/strike-slip or reverse/thrust—is active at reservoir depth (approximately 3,000 m). The magnitudes and orientation of the principal stresses were constrained using published techniques. A sensitivity analysis was applied to account for the uncertainty in the input data. A model of the Kupe field incorporating 18 major faults was subsequently loaded under both derived stressed regimes, using the calculated magnitudes.

Borehole breakout analysis was used to acquire interpreted orientations of the maximum principal stress (Shmax). The work presented herein describes a different or unconventional approach to the general petroleum geomechanics methodology. Typically, the breakout data is averaged to get one data point per well location. Here, all breakout data is retained and displayed vertically. The data is actively used and the variations with depth can be seen to show how faults can generate local perturbations of the regional stress trajectory. These data are then used to compare the observed or field indications of the breakouts along the borehole with the modelled Shmax predicted by both end point DEM stress models. This comparison has provided additional confidence in the derived stress regime and the derived stress models for the Kupe field. The stress models are used to predict areas of enhanced hydrocarbon pooling and low seal integrity.