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.
The Yamama Formation was studied in three wells (Fh-1, Fh-2, and Fh-3) within Faihaa oil field, south Iraq. Thin sections were studied by using the polarizing microscope examination in order to determine microfossils and biozone. Thirty-five species of benthic foraminifera were recognized, including four index species. In addition, twelve species of calcareous green algae were recognized, including two index species. Other fossils that were recognized in Yamama Formation include Gastropoda, Bryozoa, Coral, Rudist, and Pelecypoda.
Six biozones were observed, which are Charentia cuvillieri sp. (Range Zone of Berriasian age), Psudochryalidina infracretacea
... Show MoreThis research involves the study of permeability declination as a result of kaolinite due to the changing in pH in the Zubair reservoir (Lower Cretaceous) during the secondary production by water injection method. Four wells and six core samples within the North Rumaila field are studied, Minerals have been diagnosed by XRD and this specific site of clay minerals was diagnosed within the core samples by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The core samples are also studied petrogrphically using the polarizing microscope and found that they mainly consist of quartz, while the predominant clay is kaolinite. The effect of pH on the values of permeability was examined through a series of laboratory experiments, as it has been tested in the ca
... Show MoreThe aim of this study is to determine and evaluate the units and subunits of Mishrif Formation in Garraf oil field 85 km north of Nasiriyah city depending mainly on the geophysical well logging data and other amiable geological information. The sets of the geophysical well logs data acquired from GA-4, GA- AIP, GA- B8P, GA-3 and GA-5 wells of Garraf oil field are used to determine the petrophysical and lithological properties for each zone in Mishrif Formation to locate, define and evaluate hydrocarbon production from each zone in the reservoir which is also known as formation evaluation. The digitization was done by using Didger software and the interpretations were made using Interactive Petrophysics Program v 3.5 and Petrel software.
... Show MoreThe EMERGE application from Hampsson-Russell suite programs was used in the present study. It is an interesting domain for seismic attributes that predict some of reservoir three dimensional or two dimensional properties, as well as their combination. The objective of this study is to differentiate reservoir/non reservoir units with well data in the Yamama Formation by using seismic tools. P-impedance volume (density x velocity of P-wave) was used in this research to perform a three dimensional seismic model on the oilfield of Nasiriya by using post-stack data of 5 wells. The data (training and application) were utilized in the EMERGE analysis for estimating the reservoir properties of P-wave ve
... Show MoreMauddud Formation (Albian stage-the Early Cretaceous) is an important oil reservoir in Ratawi field of southern Iraq. Four wells, R T-2, R T-3, R T-6, and R T-7, located 70 km northwest of Basra, were selected to study microfacies properties and petrophysical associations with the probability of oil production. Seventy-seven core samples are collected, and thin sections for petrographic analysis. The self-potential, Gamma-ray, resistivity, and porosity logs are used to determine the top and bottom of the Mauddud Formation. Water saturation of the invaded and uninvaded zones, shale volume, and porosity were calculated. The study area results showed that the quantity of shale is less than 15% for most of the wells, and the dominant po
... Show MoreThe Yamama Formation belongs to the late Berriasian-Aptian succession, which was deposited during the Lower Cretaceous period within the main shallow marine depositional environment.
Petrographic study and microfacies analysis enabled the recognition of six main microfacies for three association facies. These are the Semi-restricted, Shallow open marine and Shoal environments. The study succession represents deposition of three third order cycles, these cycles where deposited during successive episodes of relative sea level rises and still stand.
The presence of shoal association facies (oolitic packstone microfaces) between the Sulaiy and Yamama formations refer to continue the deposition during the same stage, and may s
... Show MoreYamama Formation is the most important and widespread Lower Cretaceous Formation in Iraq. Yamama Formation in the Luhais well-12 and Rifaee well-1 are composed of dolomitized in some places and foraminifera and algae bearing limestone, 19 genera and species of foraminifera, 10 genera and species of algae. Two biozones were distinguished Pseudochrysalidina arabica Range zone and Pseudocyclammina lituus Range zone. The age of the formation was determined as Berriasian – Valanginian according to these biozones of Foraminifera. In this study, bryozoa, Gastropoda and Pelecypoda are recorded but less than Foraminifera.
The reservoir units of Mishrif Formation in Majnoon oil field were studied by using available wireline logs (gamma ray, porosity and resistivity) and facies that derived from core and cutting samples for three wells including Mj-1, Mj-15, and Mj-20. The reservoir properties were determined and interpreted by using IP software. The results showed that unit D have the best reservoir properties due to high effective porosity, low water saturation and very low volume of shale. Furthermore, a large part of this unit was deposited in shoal environment. The other reservoir units are then graded in reservoir properties including units B, A, F & E respectively, except unit C, which is considered as a cap unit, because it consists of rest
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