Geology To Geomechanics Integrated Workflow For Better Production Risk Management

Comprehensive geomechanical studies are key to mitigate risks from in-situ stress changes due to oilfield drilling, completions and production operations. Today however, most geomechanical models used in these studies lack the geological integrity required to derive reliable decisions. One major contributor to this limitation is the alterations to data and assumptions as they get passed from one discipline to another; very often a symptom of a poor cross-domain collaboration. A geomechanical specialist for example gets his input 3D model from the reservoir engineer, but operates usually independently from the geophysicist or the geologist who interpreted the initial data. This disconnect between disciplines is seen as both a work culture problem and a technology problem. This paper will address the technology aspect by introducing new advancements to geomechanical workflow integration through the use of a shared structural model. This model is constructed by honouring available data without unwarranted simplifications. It is then used by geoscientists across the board including geophysicists, geologists, reservoir engineers and geomechanical specialists to derive fit-for-purpose and consistent numerical models. For the geomechanical workflow, structured and unstructured grids are created directly from the shared structural model honouring all interpreted structural and stratigraphic features critical for a proper assessment of stress changes in the Reservoir.