A numerical simulator for the study of wellbore stability using the finite element method

摘要

The study of proous medium deformation, as well as the knowledge of stress distribution affected by hydraulic unbalance due to drilling or throught its productions operations, is fundamental for oil industry. The instability of the unconsolidated productive formations may result in production of sand grains and fines together with oil or gas production. This causes an increase in the production costs due to erosion of the equipments and reduction of formation permeability, which can lead to a premature abandonment of the well, in the most several cases. The analytical solutions to these problems, in its closed form, is possible only when a series of hypothesis and considerations, which not aloays correspond to reality, are assumed.