The effect of near-wellbore yield on elastic wave velocities in sandstones

Colin M. Sayers, José Adachi, Arash Dahi Taleghani

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

During oilfield drilling operations, the rock originally in the volume occupied by the wellbore is replaced by drilling fluid that exerts pressure on the borehole wall. This leads to a redistribution of stress in the vicinity of the wellbore, and may lead to yield of rock close to the borehole. This results in a decrease in stress near the borehole wall. This redistribution in stress is studied in this paper for a vertical well using a computational model that accounts for rock deformation and plastic strain in the near-wellbore region. The stress changes around the borehole lead to changes in elastic wave velocities that may be used to monitor the changes in stress that occur. The change in elastic wave velocities are sensitive to the mechanical properties of the rock, and may therefore be used to calibrate mechanical earth models used to predict rock failure due to production.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication78th Society of Exploration Geophysicists International Exposition and Annual Meeting, SEG 2008
PublisherSociety of Exploration Geophysicists
Pages339-343
Number of pages5
ISBN (Print)9781605607856
StatePublished - 2018
Event78th Society of Exploration Geophysicists International Exposition and Annual Meeting, SEG 2008 - Las Vegas, United States
Duration: Nov 9 2008Nov 14 2008

Publication series

Name78th Society of Exploration Geophysicists International Exposition and Annual Meeting, SEG 2008

Other

Other78th Society of Exploration Geophysicists International Exposition and Annual Meeting, SEG 2008
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLas Vegas
Period11/9/0811/14/08

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Geophysics

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