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GP208 Spring 2020 Homework 1 Edx Solutions

This document provides instructions for a homework assignment on analyzing the state of stress in unconventional reservoirs. It involves: 1) Plotting density and stress profiles with depth, calculating vertical stress and pore pressure gradients. 2) Calculating stress constraints for different faulting regimes, constructing a stress polygon on a SHmax vs Shmin plot using an instantaneous shut-in pressure of 28 MPa. 3) Reconstructing the stress polygon using a higher pore pressure gradient of 0.7 psi/ft to analyze the effect of overpressure on allowable stress states.

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260 views6 pages

GP208 Spring 2020 Homework 1 Edx Solutions

This document provides instructions for a homework assignment on analyzing the state of stress in unconventional reservoirs. It involves: 1) Plotting density and stress profiles with depth, calculating vertical stress and pore pressure gradients. 2) Calculating stress constraints for different faulting regimes, constructing a stress polygon on a SHmax vs Shmin plot using an instantaneous shut-in pressure of 28 MPa. 3) Reconstructing the stress polygon using a higher pore pressure gradient of 0.7 psi/ft to analyze the effect of overpressure on allowable stress states.

Uploaded by

deivy ardila
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Unconventional Reservoir Geomechanics

Spring 2020

Homework 1: State of Stress in Unconventional Reservoirs

Part 1: Vertical stress and vertical stress gradient


a) Plot density as a function of depth. Put density on the x-axis and depth on an inverted y-axis.

b) Divide the density profile into 5 blocks. Compute the average density in each block and plot
blocked density on the same axes as (a).

c) Calculate the vertical stress. Calculate a hydrostatic pore pressure gradient.

d) Calculate the vertical stress gradient.

Figure 1: (a)Blocked density log. (b) Vertical stress and pore pressure. (c) Vertical stress gradient.
Part 2: Stress polygon
a) Calculate stress magnitude constraints for each faulting regime.

Reverse faulting (SHmax > Shmin > SV )

SHmax − Pp p
= ( µ2 + 1 + µ)2
S V − Pp

S V at 5500 ft is 42.52 MPa, Pp at 5500 ft is 18.96 MPa. The upper bound for SHmax in the
reverse faulting regime is 92.00 MPa.

Strike-slip faulting (SHmax > SV > Shmin )

SHmax − Pp p
= ( µ2 + 1 + µ)2
Shmin − Pp

SHmax = 3.1(Shmin − 18.96 MPa) + 18.96 MPa

Normal faulting (SV > SHmax > Shmin )

S V − Pp p
= ( µ2 + 1 + µ)2
Shmin − Pp

The lower bound for Shmin in the normal faulting regime is 26.56 MPa.

The instantaneous shut-in pressure (ISIP) approximates the minimum principal stress, S3 .

S1 − Pp p
= ( µ2 + 1 + µ)2
S3 − Pp

S1 can range from 38 MPa to 77.98 MPa. Given that SV > S3 , this area of the reservoir is
likely in a strike-slip or normal faulting stress state.
b) Repeat (a) for an ISIP of 28 MPa. If the reservoir is in frictional equilibrium and has both
active normal and strike-slip faults, what are the range of allowable values of S Hmax and S hmin ?

For S3 = 28 MPa, the upper bound on S1 is:

S1 = 3.1(28 − 18.96) + 18.96 = 46.98 MPa

For SS/NF, SHmax ≈ SV = 42.52. This represents a lower bound.

c) Construct the stress polygon. Plot your results from (a) on S Hmax vs. S hmin axes in units of
MPa. Plot S v on the same axes and draw in the boundaries between the faulting regimes as
illustrated in Unit 3.

Figure 2: Stress polygon for Part 2a.


d) Repeat (a) and (c) using a pore pressure gradient of 0.7 psi/ft. What is the effect of overpressure
on the stress polygon and the range of allowable stress states?

Reverse faulting (SHmax > Shmin > SV )

SHmax − Pp p
= ( µ2 + 1 + µ)2
S V − Pp

S V at 5500 ft is 42.52 MPa, Pp at 5500 ft is 26.56 MPa. The upper bound for SHmax in the
reverse faulting regime is 76.08 MPa.

Strike-slip faulting (SHmax > SV > Shmin )

SHmax − Pp p
= ( µ2 + 1 + µ)2
Shmin − Pp

SHmax = 3.1(Shmin − 26.54 MPa) + 26.54 MPa

Normal faulting (SV > SHmax > Shmin )

S V − Pp p
= ( µ2 + 1 + µ)2
Shmin − Pp

The lower bound for Shmin in the normal faulting regime is 31.67 MPa.

The instantaneous shut-in pressure (ISIP) approximates the minimum principal stress, S3 .

S1 − Pp p
= ( µ2 + 1 + µ)2
S3 − Pp

S1 can range from 38 MPa to 62.06 MPa. Given that SV > S3 , this area of the reservoir is
likely in a strike-slip or normal faulting stress state. Increasing the pore pressure decreases the
size of the stress polygon (reduces the range of allowable stress states).
Figure 3: Stress polygon for Part 2d.
Part 3: Answer the questions in edX
See edX for answers to numerical entry and multiple choice questions

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