PetroMod

PETROLEUM SYSTEMS MODELING SOFTWARE

PetroMod 2016
Version 2016.2

Geomechanics
Reference Guide
*Mark of Schlumberger
Copyright © 2016 Schlumberger All rights reserved. 16-IS-147746
Copyright © 2016 Schlumberger. All rights reserved.
This work contains the confidential and proprietary trade secrets of
Schlumberger and may not be copied or stored in an information retrieval
system, transferred, used, distributed, translated or retransmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, in whole or in part, without
the express written permission of the copyright owner.

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to identify the products and services described herein are either
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prior written permission of Schlumberger. In addition, covers, page
headers, custom graphics, icons, and other design elements may be service
marks, trademarks, and/or trade dress of Schlumberger, and may not be
copied, imitated, or used, in whole or in part, without the express prior
written permission of Schlumberger. Other company, product, and service
names are the properties of their respective owners.

PetroMod ®, Petrel ®, and Eclipse ® are marks of Schlumberger.

An asterisk (*) is used throughout this document to designate a mark of
Schlumberger.

Security Notice
The software described herein is configured to operate with at least the
minimum specifications set out by Schlumberger. You are advised that such
minimum specifications are merely recommendations and not intended to
be limiting to configurations that may be used to operate the software.
Similarly, you are advised that the software should be operated in a secure
environment whether such software is operated across a network, on a
single system and/or on a plurality of systems. It is up to you to configure
and maintain your networks and/or system(s) in a secure manner. If you
have further questions as to recommendations regarding recommended
specifications or security, please feel free to contact your local
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4 PetroMod Geomechanics, Version 2016
Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

1.1. Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Who should use this software? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2. Geomechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2.1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.2. Step 1: Set Stress Boundary Conditions with Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.3. Step 2: Set Rock Stress Parameters in the Lithology Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.4. Step 3: Set Displacement Boundary Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.5. Step 4: Set Rock Stress Options in the Simulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.6. View the Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Rock Stress overlays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Tensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Cell stress/strain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Mohr’s circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
P/q diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Appendix: Help and Support Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Submit a support request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Additional help information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Contents
6 PetroMod Geomechanics, Version 2016
 1. Introduction

In this chapter

1.1. Software ................................................................................................ 8

Who should use this software?............................................................. 8

Introduction 7
Software

1.1. Software
PetroMod petroleum systems modeling software combines seismic, well, and
geological information to model the evolution of a sedimentary basin. PetroMod
software will predict if, and how, a reservoir has been charged with hydrocarbons,
including the source and timing of hydrocarbon generation, migration routes,
quantities, and hydrocarbon type in the subsurface or at surface conditions.
The Geomechanics add-on enables you to calculate a basin-wide multidimensional
stress field for optimal modeling of fracturing, salt movement, faults and lateral
compaction caused by tectonics.
Linear elasticity is used to calculate multidimensional stresses for estimating:
• Lateral tectonic influence on compaction
• Lateral and shear stresses at faults and fractures
• Shear stresses at surfaces of salt bodies.

• • • • • •
Note: A Geomechanics license is required. Please contact the PetroMod support
team to obtain a license (see “Appendix: Help and Support Information” for
contact details).

Who should use Specialist basin and petroleum system modelers whose responsibilities range from
this software? petroleum resource assessments on a regional scale, to petroleum charge risk
assessments on a play or prospect scale.

8 PetroMod Geomechanics, Version 2016

 2. Geomechanics

In this chapter

2.1. Introduction ..........................................................................................10

2.2. Step 1: Set Stress Boundary Conditions with Direction..............................11
2.3. Step 2: Set Rock Stress Parameters in the Lithology Editor........................13
2.4. Step 3: Set Displacement Boundary Conditions ........................................16
2.5. Step 4: Set Rock Stress Options in the Simulator......................................17
2.6. View the Results ....................................................................................20
Rock Stress overlays ..........................................................................20
Tensors .............................................................................................20
Cell stress/strain ................................................................................20
Mohr’s circle ......................................................................................21
P/q diagram ......................................................................................22

Geomechanics 9
Introduction

2.1. Introduction
The general workflow for incorporating geomechanics consists of these main steps:
Step 1: Set Stress Boundary Conditions with Direction
Step 2: Set Rock Stress Parameters in the Lithology Editor
Step 3: Set Displacement Boundary Conditions
Step 4: Set Rock Stress Options in the Simulator

10 PetroMod Geomechanics, Version 2016

 Step 1: Set Stress Boundary Conditions with Direction

2.2. Step 1: Set Stress Boundary Conditions with Direction

Enter the maximum possible elastic displacement of the model before you simulate
it and the modeled displacement will show the spatial distribution of that elastic
displacement across the entire model. The fixed point of that calculation is the origin
of the model, which is the lower left or south-western corner for a PetroMod model.
To define the elastic displacement in PetroBuilder go to Boundary Conditions,
then Advanced, and click Geomechanical boundary conditions.

Fig. 2-1 Geomechanical boundary conditions table

The main geomechanical parameter is the possible elastic displacement of a

lithology before it will fail due to increasing stress. To define this elastic
displacement in PetroMod, you have to set the direction and the absolute value of
the maximum displacement. Additionally, the strain distribution factor defines the
order of the calculation. Enter different values for the model’s top and base. The
entire set of parameters can be varied through time too.
To calculate the elastic displacement within the PetroMod model, fill in the table:
• Age: Set the age at which the displacement occurs.
• Upper Direction Azimuth Angle: Measured clockwise, set values from 0° to
180°. The input is for the model’s top, unit is ° [degrees], default is 0° (pointing
north);
• Upper Direction Displacement: Set the maximum possible elastic
displacement in [km]. The displacement is expressed versus the model’s origin
(lower left or south-western corner of the model) and is valid for the top of the
model. Default value is “0”;
• Lower Direction Azimuth Angle: Measured clockwise, set values from 0° to
180. The input is for the model’s base, unit is ° [degrees], default is 0° (pointing
north);
• Lower Direction Displacement: Set the maximum possible elastic
displacement in [km]. The displacement is expressed versus the model’s origin
(lower left or south-western corner of the model) and is valid for the base of the
model. Default value is “0”;
• Strain Distribution Factor: Unitless, defines the order of calculating the
displacement: e.g. “1” results in a linear distribution of the displacement:
displacement changes in equidistant intervals; “2” results in a square distribution
of the displacement: the intervals of decreasing displacement change by square-
root (see Fig. 2-2and Fig. 2-3).

Geomechanics 11
Step 1: Set Stress Boundary Conditions with Direction

Fig. 2-2 Examples of input values for the material model. Please note the differing
directions of the displacement as defined by the displacements sign (+/-) and the
changing distance of the iso-lines defined by the strain distribution factor.

The simulation results are displayed in Viewer3D via three Displacement overlays
in the Rock Stress group. They display the spatial variation of the elastic
displacement in the three model directions X(I), Y(J), and Z(K) – see Fig. 2-3. The
overlays are not preselected per default when you start a simulation run.

Fig. 2-3 Displacement X(I) overlay for a 3D layer cake model set up as shown in Fig. 2-2.

12 PetroMod Geomechanics, Version 2016

 Step 2: Set Rock Stress Parameters in the Lithology Editor

2.3. Step 2: Set Rock Stress Parameters in the Lithology Editor

Use the Lithology Editor to enter the rock stress parameters for lithologies. For salt-
like and sediment-like lithologies, the settings shown in Table 2-1 are recommended.
Table 2-1 Recommended rock-stress settings

Parameter Salt Sediment

Material model Isotropic poro-elasticity Isotropic poro-elasticity
Poisson’s ratio model Constant Linear from porosity
Bulk modulus of elasticity Constant Linear from porosity
model
Grain modulus of elasticity 600 GPa 200 GPa
Poisson’s ratio At initial porosity: 0.49 At initial porosity: 0.4
At minimum porosity: 0.20/
0.30 (Sand / Shale)
Bulk modulus of elasticity At initial porosity: 0.5 GPa At initial porosity: 1 GPa
At minimum porosity: 30 GPa

1 Open the Lithology Editor from the PetroMod Command Menu.

2 Select a lithology on the Lithology Browser:

Fig. 2-4 Select the target lithology

• • • • • •
Note: You can only select the material model for user-defined lithologies, not to the
standard lithologies that are supplied with PetroMod software. In order to
apply rock stress parameters to one of the supplied lithologies, first copy the
lithology and apply the parameters to the copy. Please refer to the Lithology
Editor User Guide for information on how to copy lithologies.

3 Open the Rock stress tab and configure the behavior of the rock.
Material model: The material model is used to relate the tensors which
describe stress σ and strain ε and the scalar pore pressure p. The material
model thereby determines how the material responds to strain.
• Isotropic poro-elasticity: Stress, strain and pore pressure are related by the
4th grade stiffness tensor C and Biot’s factor α: σ=C:ε+αp.
C only depends on the isotropic bulk modulus of elasticity E and Poisson’s
ratio . Biot’s factor is determined by the bulk modulus of elasticity E and the
grain modulus of elasticity EG: α=1-E/EG.

Geomechanics 13
Step 2: Set Rock Stress Parameters in the Lithology Editor

• Anisotropic poro-elasticity: This model describes a transverse isotropic

material.

Stress, strain and pore pressure are related by the 4th grade stiffness tensor C
and Biot’s factor α: σ=C:ε+αp. C depends on the bulk moduli of elasticity in the
vertical and lateral directions Ev and Eh, the vertical-lateral shear modulus
Gvh, the vertical-lateral Poisson’s ratio vh and the lateral Poisson’s ratio h.
The plane of isotropy is given by the layer geometry.
• Non-poros elasticity: Stress and strain are related by the stiffness tensor C:
σ=C:ε. C only depends on the isotropic bulk modulus of elasticity E and
Poisson’s ratio .
• Isotropic poro-plasticity: The stress, strain, and pore pressure relation is
analogous to isotropic poro-elasticity up to the failure criterion. Exceeding the
failure criterion will lead to the accumulation of plastic strain according to a
non-associated flow law.

Poisson’s ratio model: The Poisson’s ratio model defines how the Poisson’s
ratio  is determined as a function of porosity.
• Constant: Poisson’s ratio is assumed to be independent of porosity and equal
to the value given for initial porosity.
• Linear from porosity: Poisson’s ratio is interpolated between the values of the
initial and minimal porosity.

Bulk modulus of elasticity model: The bulk modulus of elasticity model

defines how the bulk modulus of elasticity E is determined as a function of
porosity.
• Constant: In this model, the bulk modulus of elasticity is fixed at the given
value for initial porosity.
• Linear from porosity: In the range between the initial and minimal porosity, the
bulk modulus of elasticity is determined by interpolation.
• From compaction curve: In this model, the bulk modulus of elasticity is
derived from the Terzaghi compressibility CT used for mechanical compaction.
Grain modulus of elasticity: The grain modulus of elasticity describes the
elasticity of the solid rock grains only. It is used to compute Biot’s factor. It also
acts as an upper limit for the bulk modulus of elasticity.

Anisotropy: The parameters for anisotropy are only needed if Anisotropic

poro-elasticity is selected as the material model. The shear modulus Gvh is
defined as the ratio of shear stress to the shear strain parallel to the plane of
isotropy as given by the layer structure.
If Anisotropic poro-elasticity is selected:
• the bulk modulus of elasticity is interpreted as the vertical bulk modulus Ev.
Eh/Ev describes the ratio of the lateral to vertical bulk modulus and thus
defines the lateral bulk modulus Eh.

14 PetroMod Geomechanics, Version 2016

 Step 2: Set Rock Stress Parameters in the Lithology Editor

• Poisson’s ratio is interpreted as the vertical-lateral Poisson’s ratio vh. hvh

describes the ratio of the lateral Poisson’s ratio h to the vertical-lateral
Poisson’s ratiovh, and thus defines the lateral Poisson’s ratio.
Failure criteria: The failure criteria (Fig. 2-5) are represented by a straight
line in the mean effective / deviator stress plane, where the effective mean
stress is defined as σ’=σ-αp and the deviator stress is defined as

q= 1/(2)1/2*((σ1 - σ2) 2+ (σ1 - σ3) 2+ (σ2 - σ3) 2) 1/2

A rock whose stress state exceeds the failure line is considered to be fracture
prone.
The friction angle describes the slope in degrees, and the cohesion describes
the q-intercept of the failure criteria line.

Fig. 2-5 Failure criteria

Geomechanics 15
Step 3: Set Displacement Boundary Conditions

2.4. Step 3: Set Displacement Boundary Conditions

The displacement boundary conditions are set in PetroBuilder 2D and
PetroBuilder 3D.
For 3D models you can specify the east-west and north-south displacements
perpendicular to the model boundaries as well as shearing values in the east-west
and north-south directions. For 2D models you can only specify displacements along
the model plane.
If you do not set the boundary conditions, no boundary displacement or shearing
will be applied to your model.
1 Open PetroBuilder 2D or PetroBuilder 3D.
2 On the Model pane, expand the Boundary Conditions > Advanced folder
and double-click on Geomechanical boundary conditions.

3 Enter the geomechanical boundary conditions into the table (for 2D models you
can only enter the age and displacement x).
• Age: Values are linearly interpolated between ages and are constantly
extrapolated before the youngest age and after the oldest age.
• Displacement X: Displacement at the west border of the model, acting
perpendicular to it. Positive values are directed eastwards, negative values
westwards.
• Shear X: Displacement at the north border of the model, acting parallel to it.
Positive values are directed eastwards, negative values westwards.
• Displacement Y: Displacement at the east border of the model, acting
perpendicular to it. Positive values are directed northwards, negative values
southwards.
• Shear Y: Displacement at the west border of the model, acting parallel to it.
Positive values are directed northwards, negative values southwards.

16 PetroMod Geomechanics, Version 2016

 Step 4: Set Rock Stress Options in the Simulator

2.5. Step 4: Set Rock Stress Options in the Simulator

Before simulating the model, select the Rock Stress option in the Simulator to
ensure the parameters you set in Step 1 are included in the simulation.
1 Open the Simulator from the PetroMod Command Menu and select the
model.
2 To activate rock stress, select the Rock Stress checkbox on the Simulation
Options pane.

Fig. 2-6 Activating Rock Stress

3 Set the options in the Rock Stress folder and the Rock Stress Options
dialog.
• Write Abaqus input files for all events: Enable this option to write an
Abaquas .inp file for each event. The files are written to the model_name/out
folder.
• Write Abaqus input files for last event only: Enable this option to write
an Abaqus .inp file for the last event only. The files are written to the folder
model_name/out. 
• Write Visage Files: Enable this option to generate output files that can be
read into the Visage software system. The files are written to the
model_name/out folder.

Geomechanics 17
Step 4: Set Rock Stress Options in the Simulator

• Mode:
- Poroelasticity - If this option is enabled, the bulk modulus of elasticity is 
calculated according to the settings in the Lithology Editor.
- Poroelasticity derived from compaction - Enable this option to use a 
compaction curve based bulk modulus of elasticity for all lithologies. This 
option overwrites the settings for bulk modulus of elasticity defined in the 
Lithology Editor.
- Use mean stress for pressure formation - Enable this option to use
the stress results for pressure computation. This is only available when the
stress computation is performed for all events in the model, i.e. when
Calculate for present day only is not selected.
- Calculate for present day only - Enable this option to compute the
stress for the last event only.
• Boundary Conditions:
- Use displacement boundary conditions: Select this checkbox to
override the settings you entered in Step 3: Set Displacement Boundary
Conditions. The Displacement X and Displacement Y settings
described below will be used instead and will be held constant for all
events. For 2D models only the displacement in the X direction is applied.
Negative values compress the model in the respective direction; positive
values stretch the model.
· Displacement X [m]: Lateral displacement perpendicular to model
boundary in X direction.
· Displacement Y [m]: Lateral displacement perpendicular to model
boundary in Y direction. This is irrelevant for 2D models.
4 Select/deselect the Output overlays for Rock Stress:
a. Click Output on the Simulation Options pane.
b. The Output: Overlays dialog will open. Expand the Rock Stress group and
select the respective checkboxes to select/deselect the overlays (Fig. 2-7).

18 PetroMod Geomechanics, Version 2016

 Step 4: Set Rock Stress Options in the Simulator

Fig. 2-7 Activate the rock stress overlays

Geomechanics 19
View the Results

2.6. View the Results

Viewer 3D offers functions for viewing the results of models simulated with the
Rock Stress option in the Simulator.

Rock Stress PetroMod offers a number of rock stress overlays (Fig. 2-8). Select an overlay from
overlays the group for viewing in 3D View or Map View.

Fig. 2-8 Rock Stress overlays

Tensors For each layer the directions of the principal stresses can be displayed by switching
on the respective layer in the Tensors folder on the Organizer (Fig. 2-9).

Fig. 2-9 Viewing the directions of principal stresses.

Cell stress/strain Use this function to view the Mohr circles and P/q diagram for cells.

1 Click the Cell Stress/Strain button on the Toolbar

20 PetroMod Geomechanics, Version 2016

 Cell stress/strain

2 The Cell Stress/Strain dialog will open. Move the cursor over the model. The
graph automatically updates as you pass over each cell.

Fig. 2-10 Viewing cell stress/strain

Mohr’s circle The Mohr’s circles are drawn for either effective stress σ I, total stress σ, or strain ε.
Use the radio buttons at the top of the dialog to switch between the three options.
When strain ε is selected the circles are based on the strain tensor and are not
strictly Mohr circles in the narrow sense. The strain is represented as a percentage.
• Fixed Range: Select this checkbox and enter values into the corresponding fields
to fix the range of the axes for each cell. When the checkbox is not selected, the
axes adjust according to the values in each cell.

• When σ I or σ are selected the lower table displays the principle stresses σ1, σ2,
σ3, the mean stress p, the stress deviator q, the Lode angle δ and the principle
tensor variants I1, I2, I3 that are based either on total stress or effective stress
(primed).
The Lode angle is defined as:

The principle tensor variants are defined as:

Geomechanics 21
Cell stress/strain

• current - choose this radio button to show the stress/strain for the cell that you
are currently pointing to with the mouse.
• selected: use this radio button to show the values for the currently selected cell
(left-click on a cell to select it).

P/q diagram The P/q diagram is only available when σ I or σ are selected. It shows the stress in a
cell in the form of a mean stress/stress deviator diagram (either total or effective
stress), marked by an X.
Both the Mohr’s circle diagram and the P/q diagram show a straight line called the
fracturing line. A Mohr’s circle, or X marker in the P/q diagram, on the line indicates
fracturing. The location of the fracturing line is determined by the tensile strength
p0, critical state pressure, and pc and qc from the Rock Stress tab in the Lithology
Editor.

22 PetroMod Geomechanics, Version 2016

 Submit a support request

Appendix: Help and Support

Information
PetroMod is provided by © Schlumberger. The software has been designed by the
Schlumberger Aachen Technology Center (AaTC).

Submit a support 1 Visit the Schlumberger Software website at http://www.software.slb.com

request
2 Click Support on the menu bar.
3 Login or Register.
The Support page offers these services:

4 Submit your request in one of these ways:

• Create a ticket: Click Support Services first, then Tickets, to create a
ticket that will be sent to the Customer Care Center. In the ticket, you must
specify the software product, version, and platform.
• Data Exchange: Use this service to attach files to a ticket or upload files via
Secure File Transfer.
1. Click Support Services.
2. Click Start Exchange.
3. Enter the Ticket Incident Number and your E-Mail address.
4. Select the HTML or Java Applet UI upload method: HTML has a default file
size limit of 2GB. Java has no file size limit.
• Telephone: Click Support Services, then click Call or Email us to find
the telephone numbers of support personnel in your region.
• Email: Send an email to [email protected].
Subject: Software product (e.g. PetroMod)
Email content: Product version, module (e.g. PetroBuilder 3D), description of
the issue, how you tried to solve the issue, screenshots, your phone number
and email address.
Appendix: Help and Support Information 23
Additional help information

Additional help PetroMod provides the following help information:

information
• The PDFs of the user guides, installation guide, and release notes are included in
the installer and can be downloaded from the Documentation page of the
Schlumberger Software website.

• Task and process-specific information is available via these buttons in

PetroMod.
• The PetroMod Help Center provides online access to the user guides and links to
the Schlumberger Software website. Open the Help Center from the Help menu
in any PetroMod module.

24 PetroMod Geomechanics, Version 2016