Applying Mohr-Coulomb Cycle to Step-Rate Test: An Innovative Rock Mechanics Equation in Extreme Unconsolidated Formations

Abstract

There are sand formations that do not have a minimum contact pore space cemented. Typically, these sands have very low toughness, high permeability, and high porosity. Such factors allow fines and solids migration. The consequence of this scenario is the increase of workover interventions and equipment damage/erosion caused by sand flow, thus resulting in increasing cost, lost time, and insufficient production. Drilling these formations is challenging. Taking core samples to perform rock mechanic tests in a laboratory is also a difficult task. Additionally, there are cases where wells do not have sonic dipole surveys to help with evaluations. Usually, the samples are not uniform, have cracks, are broken, or completely dispersed, making their application in rock mechanic characterizations impossible. The presented methodology applies the Mohr-Coulomb cycling test for the first time to actually process step-rate, fracturing, and falloff tests. Field tests using this technique have shown good correlations and obtained reliable curves for hydraulic fracturing simulators. A package of rock mechanics equations described in the oil industry are evaluated and tested in field scale. Many times, engineering teams must have a source of equations which can easily calculate required parameters to be used for sieve analysis, gravel pack, and fracture pack projects. Basically, the methodology is reliable because of the equations of theoretical soil mechanics (Terzagui 1943), Mohr-Coulomb, and field practices of determinations of minimum in-situ stresses and overburdens. After field test confirmations, the objective of this matter is to present correlations of Terzagui (1943) and Mohr-Coulomb equations to be used during gravel, fracture pack, and hydraulic fracturing operations. The methodology has an important presence during the study to help minimize risk during these jobs and obtain good approach simulations because, as previously discussed, this type of sandstone makes obtaining formation samples challenging. Equations can provide a good number of useful calculations and help reduce operational risk when performing these types of well completions or treatments.