Evaluation of Stress and Strain Induced by the Rock Compaction on a Hydrocarbon Well Completion Using Contact Interfaces with Abaqus

Abstract: The development plan of a hydrocarbon field includes the design of all the production/injection wells forecasted for the scenario considered. The pressure depletion occurring during the hydrocarbon reservoir exploitation induces rock compaction in the near wellbore area, which may result in mechanical actions transmitted to the well completions, that alter the stress regime in some of their sections. This phenomenon can possibly bring to the failure of the casing and of the cement, eventually leading to the well shutdown and to significant economic loss. By making reference to a case of industrial interest, the paper describes a procedure to evaluate stresses and strains in the completion structure induced by the rock deformation by using Abaqus.