Wellbore instability problems cause nonproductive time, especially during drilling operations in the shale formations. These problems include stuck pipe, caving, lost circulation, and the tight hole, requiring more time to treat and therefore additional costs. The extensive hole collapse problem is considered one of the main challenges experienced when drilling in the Zubair shale formation. In turn, it is caused by nonproductive time and increasing well drilling expenditure. In this study, geomechanical modeling was used to determine a suitable mud weight window to overpass these problems and improve drilling performance for well development. Three failure criteria, including Mohr–Coulomb, modified Lade, and Mogi–Coulomb, were used to predict a safe mud weight window. The geomechanical model was constructed using offset well log data, including formation micro-imager (FMI) logs, acoustic compressional wave, shear wave, gamma ray, bulk density, sonic porosity, and drilling events. The model was calibrated using image data interpretation, modular formation dynamics tester (MDT), leak-off test (LOT), and formation integrity test (FIT). Furthermore, a comparison between the predicted wellbore instability and the actual wellbore failure was performed to examine the model's accuracy. The results showed that the Mogi–Coulomb failure and modified Lade criterion were the most suitable for the Zubair formation. These criteria were given a good match with field observations. In contrast, the Mohr–Coulomb criterion was improper because it does not match shear failure from the caliper log. In addition, the obtained results showed that the inappropriate mud weight (10.6 ppg) was the main cause behind wellbore instability problems in this formation. The optimum mud weight window should apply in Zubair shale formation ranges from 11.5 to 14 ppg. Moreover, the inclination angle should be less than 25 degrees, and azimuth ranges from 115 to 120 degrees northwest-southeast (NE–SW) can be presented a less risk. The well azimuth of NE–SW direction, parallel to minimum horizontal stress (Shmin), will provide the best stability for drilling the Zubair shale formation. This study's findings can help understand the root causes of wellbore instability in the Zubair shale formation. Thus, the results of this research can be applied as expenditure effectiveness tools when designing for future neighboring directional wells to get high drilling performance by reducing the nonproductive time and well expenses.
Knowledge of the distribution of the rock mechanical properties along the depth of the wells is an important task for many applications related to reservoir geomechanics. Such these applications are wellbore stability analysis, hydraulic fracturing, reservoir compaction and subsidence, sand production, and fault reactivation. A major challenge with determining the rock mechanical properties is that they are not directly measured at the wellbore. They can be only sampled at well location using rock testing. Furthermore, the core analysis provides discrete data measurements for specific depth as well as it is often available only for a few wells in a field of interest. This study presents a methodology to generate synthetic-geomechani
... Show MoreThis study is concerned with the recent changes that occurred in the last three years (2017-2019) in the marshes region in southern Iraq as a result of the changes in the global climate, the study included all the water bodies in the five governorates that are located in the southern regions of Iraq (Wasit, Maysan, Dhi-Qar, Qadisiyah and Basrah), which represent the marshes lands in Iraq. Scenes of the Landsat 8 satellite are used to create a mosaic to cover the five governorates within a time window with the slightest difference between the date of the scene capture, not to exceed 8 days. The results of calculating the changes in water areas were obtained using the classifier support vector machine, where high accuracy ratios were recorded
... Show MoreAlien fish species have negative effects on the abundance, diversity and richness of native fish species in southern Iraq. The numbers of alien fish species are constantly increasing due to the entry of invasive species. This has resulted in shifts in the historical composition of fish community structure and scarcity of some native species which represent the keystone in the building of fish populations.
Fish samples were monthly collected from three sites in southern Iraq (Al-Chibyaish marsh, the lower parts of Euphrates River, and the northern part of Shatt Al-Arab River) from April 2017 to June 2018. A total of 14,853 individuals of fish were sampled, which represented 26 species, 24 genera and 13 families
... Show MoreFifteen samples were collected from recent sediments grouping at 80 km east Samawa City, southern Iraq. Three selected samples for grain size analysis and twelve samples for chemical and biofacies analysis. Grain size analysis indicated that the sediment is mainly composed of the silt and clay with a small amount of sand. Most of the samples considered to be as clayey silt. The dominated non clay minerals are Quartz, Calcite, and Dolomite, while the clay minerals are composed of mixed Montmorillonite- Chlorite, Palygorskite, Illite and Kaolinite. Chemical analysis showed that all samples have high concentrations of SiO2 and CaO in comparison with Al2O3, MgO, Fe2O3, K2O and N2O. The identified fauna
... Show MoreThis study analyzes how to make use of the resources in the marshlands of Iraq and how to utilize them, especially after the water returns to these areas and they are revitalized. We take an example of AL- Saheen Marsh and plan an ideal tourist resort there. This example can further expand to include other parts of the marshlands. The resort will utilize the local environment and tourist characteristics as it will have a feel and architectural resemblance to the houses and buildings that are currently built there. In addition the transportation methods will be the same as those used by the locals. Yet the resort will still posses all the facilities required by a modern tourist resort that includes all the services that will make
... Show MoreRatawi Field is a promising hydrocarbon bearing structure conforming several reservoirs, and lies northwest of the Basrah city and west of Northern Rumaila Field. Kinetic Analysis referred to that the type of Fold of Ratawi Structure similar to the types which are associated with Salt Structure activity.Geophysical Interpretation referred to the presence of Salt Structure beneath Ratawi Structure. The Isopach Maps shows that the crest thickness is less than the limbs, this characteristics is always due to those of salt structures beneath Ratawi field. Both of Tectonic Movement and Salt Structure play a great role in forming and development of Ratawi Structure.
The aim of this research is to measure the changes of Iraqi Marshland's area as well as the changes in the spectral reflectivity water quality, analyzing seasonal difference in AL-Hawizah marshes, South of Iraq using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing techniques. For this paper, the samples were taken at 10 sites along the study area. Satellite images of the 8 Landsat on 20/5/2017, 8/8/2017, 11/10/2017 and 14/12/2017 have been selected in order to study the seasonal changes on the marshes took place during 2017. The reflectance values of red, green, blue and near infrared bands showed that are significantly associated with a seasonal factor. All bands show that reflectivity of the marsh has been affected by locationa
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