A Multi-disciplinary, Multi-scale Approach to Geomechanical Model Building and Geoprediction

Creating a contemporary geomechanical model is a multi-disciplinary workflow underpinned by rock physics, geopressure and an understanding of operational activities. Data quality is a key contributor to the quality of any geomechanical model and therefore expertise in each of these areas is required to maintain the integrity of the result. In addition, when the ultimate aim of any model is the prediction of the geomechanical responses in offset locations, geographical proximity may give a poor representation. Regional context plays a significant role informing each of the contributing elements to any model. Examples demonstrate the requirement for multi-disciplinary expertise in the creation of any geomechanical model illustrating the impact on geomechanical applications such as wellbore stability and fracture permeability. Regional context is also fundamental to prediction at offset locations and should be encouraged over the use of "Rules of Thumb".