Title: The Geomechanics of Drilling Weakly Bedded Shale in Conventional & Unconventional Wells
Speaker: Julie Kowan
Time: October 6, 2022,11:00AM-12:00PM followed by lunch
Location: In-person at Schlumberger-Doll Research (1 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139) Registration: Registration is required. Please RSVP below using the "RSVP" button and arrive 15 minutes early. If you would like to attend virtually, please register below and email mjensen10@slb.com.
Covid-19 Measures: Basic COVID-19 related questions will be asked upon arrival and face masks are highly encouraged when possible.
Abstract:
The energy industry has a responsibility to drill wells as safely and efficiently as possible. We have made enormous progress toward this goal in recent decades, yet geomechanics-related incidents still account for significant non-productive time (NPT) and cost. In order to do even better, there must be a concerted effort to de-risk drilling programs. A geomechanical model comprises a thorough understanding of the local stress field and geology and is a means to diagnose the root cause of previous drilling problems. A geomechanical model should be considered an essential tool in challenging drilling environments because we must first understand the mechanism for failure before we can determine appropriate de-risking and mitigation measures.
One example of a challenging drilling environment is when bedding planes lack the strength to remain intact during drilling, sometimes resulting in severe borehole instability. This phenomenon is called weak bedding and has been observed in conventional and unconventional wells drilled all over the globe. The geomechanics and rock mechanics communities have studied weak bedding planes for decades and have developed several effective mitigation techniques that vary somewhat depending on the local environment. The key takeaways of this presentation are an understanding of what comprises a geomechanical model, what weak bedding planes are, where they have been observed and how geomechanical models have been employed to reduce wellbore instability while drilling through these weak planes, thus driving an increase in drilling safety and efficiency.
Presenter Biography:
As a Geomechanics Advisor at Baker Hughes, Julie Kowan enables operators to drill safer, more cost-effective wells by reducing non-productive time (NPT) from wellbore instability. Julie earned a BS in Geology from Rutgers University and a MS in Geology from Brown University, after which she joined GeoMechanics International (GMI) in 2005. Since then Julie has performed over 125 geomechanics studies worldwide, and has held various positions at both GMI and Baker Hughes as well as operated her own consulting company for two years. Julie has volunteered for SPE and SPWLA and served as a SPWLA Distinguished Speaker for 2020-2021.
TCC Restrictions:
This presentation should not contain any material related or intended to US Embargoed Countries or US Sanctions to Russia or any other country.
Still if anyone inadvertently or intentionally has connected and is working with a project or people related to these groups we ask you to do not participate in this event.