Field-Scale and Wellbore Modeling of Compootion-induoed Cosing Failures

Presented in this paper are the results and verification of field- and wellbore-scale large deformation, elasto-plastic, geonnechanical finite element models of reservoir compaction and associated casing damage. The models were developed as part of a multidisciplinary team project to reduce the number of costly well failures in the diatomite reservoir of the South Belridge Field near Bakersfield, California. Reservoir compaction of high porosity diatomite rock induces localized shearing deformations on horizontal weakrock layers and geologic unconformities. The localized shearing deformations result in casing damage or failure. Twodimensional, field-scale finite element models were used to develop relationships between field operations, surface subsidence, and shear-induced casing damage. Pore pressures were computed for eighteen years of simulated production and water injection, using a three-dimensional reservoir simulator. The pore pressures were input to the two-dimensional geomechanical field-scale model. Frictional contact surfaces were used to model localized shear deformations. To capture the complex casing-cement-rock interaction that governs casing damage and failure, threedimensional models of a wellbore were constructed, including a frictional sliding surface to model localized shear deformation, Calculations were compared to field data for verification of the models.