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.
Twenty-five groundwater samples from the Al-Zubair area, southern Iraq, were analyzed for physical and chemical variables. The study showed that the groundwater is of acidic type and in it tends towards light alkalinity. Both electrical conductivity and the total dissolved solids showed increased concentrations of sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulfate, chloride, bicarbonate, and nitrate. The hydrochemical formula for most groundwater wells are (Ca-Cl), (Ca-SO4), (Mg-SO4), and (Na-Cl) type due to the high concentrations of these ions in the water., it was found that this water is not suitable for human drinking. Due to its high salinity compared to the requirements of international standard and Iraqi standa
... Show MoreThe current study included interpretations of the three-dimensional seismic survey data of the Najaf-Karbala region, which was recently implemented by the Fifth Amphibious Seismic crew of the Oil Exploration Company for the period from 30/1/2016 to 13/10/2017. The total area planned to be covered by the three-dimensional survey program was about (3340 km ²). The Zubair reflector was picked, interpreted, and tracked within the region. The faults affecting this reflector were captured. The reflector's temporal, velocity, and depth maps showed the presence of structural closure features in the southeast of the region and extensions to the structural noses to the northwest of the study area. The structural maps showed a general ten
... Show MoreReservoir unit classifications can be used in reservoir characterization of carbonate reservoirs where there is variability in the distribution of petrophysical properties. This requires the integration of geological and petrophysical data at different scales. In this study, cores and thin sections from Yamama Formation (Lower Cretaceous) at Gharaf oilfield, southern Iraq, were studiedto identify reservoir units.
Ninereservoir units (units Y1 to Y9) were identified based on petrophysical evaluation by using interactive Petrophysics program (IP) software and depositional environments and related microfacies.The unit Y2 have the highest reservoir quality, which consists of grain-supported facies(packstone a
... Show MoreAbstract: Israel formulated its security theory, which it established on the "pretext of war", meaning converting any Arab action that Israel deems a threat to its security, into a pretext to ignite the fuse of war, considering this a violation of an existing situation, and then it initiates preventive and pre-emptive attacks, then immediately turns into transfer the war to the enemy's land, to achieve a quick solution by (destroying the enemy), occupying its lands, and benefiting of the advantage of working on (internal lines against an enemy) working on external lines, and ending the war quickly, before the major powers intervene to impose a ceasefire
In this study, different oil fields in Mesopotamian basin, southern Iraq (Siba, Zubair, Nahr - Umr, Majnoon, Halfaya, Kumait, and Amara) were selected for studying burial history. PetroMod software 1D was used for basin constructing and to evaluate burial history of the basin. Results showed that in the upper Jurassic to the Recent, Mesopotamian Basin exhibited a complex subsidence history over a period of about 152 Ma.There are different periods of subsidence: high, moderate, and slow. High subsidence occurred at upper Jurassic- mid Cretaceous and at Miocene due to Tectonic subsidence. Slow subsidence occurred at upper Cretaceous and moderate subsidence at Paleogene. In the upper Jurassic, rapid subsidence is driven under the effect of
... Show MoreThe calculation of the oil density is more complex due to a wide range of pressuresand temperatures, which are always determined by specific conditions, pressure andtemperature. Therefore, the calculations that depend on oil components are moreaccurate and easier in finding such kind of requirements. The analyses of twenty liveoil samples are utilized. The three parameters Peng Robinson equation of state istuned to get match between measured and calculated oil viscosity. The Lohrenz-Bray-Clark (LBC) viscosity calculation technique is adopted to calculate the viscosity of oilfrom the given composition, pressure and temperature for 20 samples. The tunedequation of state is used to generate oil viscosity values for a range of temperatu
... Show MoreSetting-up a 3D geological model both from field and subsurface data is a typical task in geological studies involving natural resource evaluation and hazard assessment. In this study a 3D geological model for Mishrif Formation in Garraf oil field has been set-up using Petrel software. Mishrif Formation represents the most important reservoir in Garraf oil field. Four vertical oil wells (GA-4, GA-A1P, GA-3 and GA-5) and one directional well (GA-B8P) were selected in Garraf Oil Field in order to set-up structural and petrophysical (porosity and water saturation) models represented by a 3D static geological model in three dimensions. Structural model shows that Garraf oil field represents a domal structure that shows continuous growth as i
... Show MoreThis study aims to set up a 3D static model to characterize and evaluate Mishrif Formation which represents the main reservoir in Buzurgan Oilfield, southern Iraq. Six wells have been selected to set up structural, facies and petrophysical models of Mishrif reservoir by using Petrel Software. The structural model has been built based on the structural contour map of the top of Mishrif Formation, which derived from seismic interpretation, and by using different static algorithms in Petrel Software. The structural model showed that the Buzurgan Oilfield represents an anticlinal fold with two domes north and south separated by a depression. The petrophysical model included the porosity model and water saturation model. Th
... Show MoreA 3D geological model for Mishrif Reservoir in Nasiriyah oil field had been invented "designed" "built". Twenty Five wells namely have been selected lying in Nasiriyah Governorate in order to build Structural and petrophysical (porosity and water saturation) models represented by a 3D static geological model in three directions .Structural model showed that Nasiriyah oil field represents anticlinal fold its length about 30 km and the width about 10 km, its axis extends toward NW–SE with structural closure about 65 km . After making zones for Mishrif reservoir, which was divided into 5 zones i.e. (MA zone, UmB 1zone,MmB1 zone ,L.mB1 zone and mB2zone) .Layers were built for each zone depending on petrophysical propertie
... Show MoreWell log analysis of selected sections in southern Iraq revealed that primary porosity is the most effective parameters. Secondary porosity seems to be related mainly to dissolution and dolomatization. The Hartha Formation has good water saturation and low production except in the eastern and central part of the study area. Two reservoir units were recognized in Mj-2 whereas only one in Ga-1.
The values of velocity deviation in most wells show high positive deviation, this may indicate relatively high velocity in regard to porosity where pores are commonly not connected such as in interaparticle or moldic porosity. A positive deviation also may indicate low permeability. Negative deviation zone (Only in Ak-1) may represent caving or i