Optimizing Cased Wellbore Stability and Cementing Parameters Using a Coupled Hydrodynamic-Thermo-Elastic Model

Abstract Throughout the lifecycle of a well, the geomechanical stability can be affected by various factors. These can include tectonic activity, pore pressure variations, chemical changes, and thermal phenomena. To assess the impact of these factors and predict the stability of wells under changing conditions, 1D geomechanical analytical solutions are limited. This work presents a solution to overcome these limitations. We formulate a 3D finite element geomechanical model of the complex near-wellbore zone, which includes irregular well geometry, breakouts, and the eccentered position of the casing string. An elastic model is coupled with thermo-hydrodynamic flows to compute the stress-strain state in the rock. The developed tool includes a convenient graphical user interface with 3D geometry configurator for the well cemented section.