Enlarged

Well bore

Wellbore
Collapse

Tensile failure along the wellbore

circumference caused when shale
pore pressure exceeds hydrostatic
pressure of drilling fluid colum n.

UlOt(fOR

PUJIoE

STRIJCIIIRE ON
CAV1IIG8

Splintered shale
'--._,,,, cuttings exhibit
/ong, concave
shape.

Shear failure, occurring when

wellbore stresses receive insufficient
support from the mud weight. Can
be aggravated by changes in
well bore azimuth and inclination.

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..

WeI/bore
covings exhibit
non-paral/e1,
angular edges;
may appear
gouged,

Decrease ROP
Increase flow rate
Increase mud weight gradually until
cavings are sparse

Happy dril/er,
reduced risk
and costs.

Maintain clean well bore

Avoid swab and surge pressures
Use real-time modeling to derive
optimum mud weight for borehole
stability

WeI/bore cavings
are tabular with
paral/el surfaces.

Minimize changes in mud weight and

swab/surge pressures
Avoid reaming and mechanical agitation
of rubble zone
Monitor trips through destabilized zones
Watch for avalanches and stuck pipe
until zone is cased

Drilling fluid
losses are
indicative of a
bal/ooning
weI/bore.

Manage fracture growth by reducing

ECD and mud weight
Locate fracture using time-lapse logging
Minimize surge pressures on fracture
Monitor and reduce the volume and time
trend of flow back
Apply polymer or LCM to damaged interval

~~

Stable
Wellbore

Stop drilling and increase mud weight

If cavings cannot be controlled, set
casing to avoid influx and/or stuck pipe

Well bore pressure prevents

formation fluid influx or well bore
collapse, and does not exceed
fracture pressure.

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Rubble
Zones

Stress-related failure of brittle rocks.

Often natural earth stress fields,
especially near salt bodies and
active fau Its.

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Fracturing and
Ballooning

Fractures open due to increased

pressure when circulating mud.
Fractures close when circulation
stops.

For more information:

Call: 281.243.4300

Email: info@knowsys.com

Visit: www.knowsys.com

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