DETERMINATION OF GEOMECHANICAL ROCK PROPERTY IN THE ESTIMATION OF SANDING IN FIELD “A” IN CENTRAL NIGER DELTA

Abstract

Well logs data from four wells were analysed for determining the petrophysical and geomechanical properties of two reservoirs in the study area. The parameters derived from these properties were used to predict the likelihood of the occurrence of sanding in the reservoirs of interest. Five sand production methods were used in predicting sanding in the reservoirs of interest. The results obtained from these sand prediction methods all showed that the reservoirs were not likely to produce sanding during drilling exploration and production. Reservoir geomechanical study has a significant role that cannot be neglected in the development of various hydrocarbon exploitation procedures, such as in the exploration and production, drilling and field development phase. The role of geomechanical properties have great impact on the drill bit selection, optimization of well trajectory placement, casing design, wellbore stability analysis, safe mud weight window (SMWW) prediction and sand production. Sand production is a serious problem widely existing in oil/gas production. The problems resulting from sand influx include abrasion of downhole tubular/casing, subsurface safety valve and surface equipment, casing/tubing buckling, failure of casing or liners from removal of surrounding formation, compaction and erosion; and loss of production caused by sand bridging in tubing and/or flow lines.