SECTION 1

Introduction

1.1 Wellbore Stability Mission

1.2 Drilling Handbook Objectives

- Wellbore Stability -
Maintaining the Balance of
Rock Stress and Rock Strength
STABLE

UNSTABLE

Formation
Pore
Tensile Shear Pressure
Failure Failure Active
Mud Tectonics
Rock Strength
Rock Stress

MW MW Trip Tensile
Reaming Speed Sand
High Low Failure

Time Hole Mobile Strike Reverse

ECD Shale
Exposed Cleaning Salt Slip Fault

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 Wellbore Stability

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Wellbore stability is the prevention of brittle failure or plastic deformation
of the rock surrounding the wellbore due to mechanical stress or chemical
imbalance.
Prior to drilling, the mechanical stresses in the formation are less than the
strength of the rock. The chemical action is also balanced, or occurring at a
rate relative to geologic time (millions of years). Rocks under this balanced
or near-balanced state are stable.
After drilling, the rock surrounding the wellbore undergoes changes in
tension, compression, and shear loads as the rock forming the core of the
hole is removed. Chemical reactions also occur with exposure to the
drilling fluid.
Under these conditions, the rock surrounding the wellbore can become
unstable, begin to deform, fracture, and cave into the wellbore or dissolve
into the drilling fluid.
Excessive rock stress can collapse the hole resulting in stuck pipe. Hole-
squeezing mobile formations produce tight hole problems and stuck pipe.
Cavings from failing formation makes hole cleaning more difficult and
increases mud and cementing costs.
Estimated cost to the drilling industry for hole stability problems range
from 600 million to 1 billion dollars annually.
Stuck
Pipe

Hole
Problems

Loss Of
Circulation
Well
Control

Relative Costs Of Unscheduled Events

Caused By Wellbore Stability Problems

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 Wellbore Stability

1.1 Wellbore Stability Mission

The mission of the Wellbore Stability Team is twofold.

Minimize the "learning Identify potential drilling

curve" when developing
new reservoirs so that
optimal well costs are
obtained early on.
problems during the well
planning stage so that
prevention and operational
planning can be developed
to minimize costs associated
with wellbore stability
problems.

Wellbore Stability Problems

Chemical Instability Mechanical Instability

Reactive Shale Overburden Stressed
Geopressured
Failure Mechanisms Hydro-Pressured
Unconsolidated
Fractured
Tectonics

Tensile Shear
Fractures Cavings
Loss of Circulation Tight Hole
Stuck Pipe

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 Wellbore Stability

1.2 Handbook Objectives

! Identify and define wellbore stability problems.

! Suggest consistent terminology.
! Associate warning signs with stability problem.
! Suggest corrective actions.
! Provide the background for preventive planning.

g
Incorrec Po Drillin
Mud
t or Poor ices
Pl We
an ll Pract

Incorr
GENERAL CAUSES OF Well Tr ect
ajecto
ry
STABILITY PROBLEMS
Ex Reactive
We cessiv shale
Pre llbor e
ssu e xcessive ss
STABILITY PROLEMS
re E Stre
ck Ro
Hole

ing
Enla

Clean

RESULTING CONDITIONS
rgem

Hole
ent
Hole Collapse

COST TO OPERATION

Cementi lation
Stuck Pipe ng Prob
lems Lost Circu
Drill String Fatigue gs
Well Control Poor lo

Understanding the conditions that cause stability problems provides for:

! More effective planning.

! Earlier and easier detection of warning signs.
! Contingency plans to avoid the progression of the problem.

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