PETE 670 Reservoir Rock Mechanics (3-0-3)

Dr. A. Abdulraheem

Course description:
The course provides detailed coverage of the fundamentals of rock mechanics including the
theories of elasticity, and failure mechanics, borehole stresses and acoustic wave
propagation. Laboratory and field methods of acquiring rock mechanics data relevant to field
applications are discussed in detail. The course concludes with discussions of the application
of rock mechanics in studying borehole stability, sand control, reservoir compaction and
fracturing.

Course Objectives:
To help future engineering professionals in the field of oil and gas production to get a deeper
understanding of the mechanisms and processes involved in petroleum geomechanics
including the areas relevant to tight rocks.

COURSE OUTLINE
1. Introduction
2. Stresses and Strains
3. Rock Properties including anisotroy
3. Failure theories
3. Laboratory testing
4. In-situ stress and its calibration; pore pressure
5. Stresses around a borehole and failure of boreholes
6. Wellbore instability
7. Sand Production
8. Hydraulic Fracturing
9. Reservoir compaction and surface subsidence
10. Geomech for Unconventional reservoirs
Grading Policy:
 Home works: 20 %
 First Major Exam 20 %
 Second Major Exam 20 %
 Term project(s): 15 %
 Final Exam: 25 %

Attendance policy:
Enter the class within 3 min. (till I take the attendance) . After that, you will be
marked absent. The other policies are same as that of the Department.

Course Materials:
Textbook: Rock Mechanics for Petroleum Engineers by Fjaer et al. (2007). The
textbook contains a lot of information.
Special lectures will be arranged by guest speakers (experts in the field work) in this
course.

Prerequisite:
Graduate standing.