Simple Calculation of Compaction-Induced Casing Deformation Adjacent to Reservoir Boundaries
Authors: Guo Y. , Last N. , Blanford M. 
Published: February 2018

Compaction-induced casing damage, particularly adjacent to reservoir boundaries, has been observed in many fields. As part of mitigation planning for potential casing collapse due to reservoir compaction, expensive numerical models are often employed to quantitatively assess casing strain under simulated reservoir conditions. In order to simplify casing deformation analysis and reduce analysis time, the current study was initiated to quantify the effects of depletion magnitude, rock compressibility, borehole orientation, casing diameter-to-thickness ratio (D/t ratio) and grade on compaction-induced casing deformation using finite element modelling (FEM). The model results allowed an empirical equation to be derived to predict casing strain that is sufficiently accurate for engineering applications.

The objective of the study was achieved by building a series of 3D FEM models to systematically simulate the deformation of casings cemented perfectly within a horizontal reservoir that underwent up to 8.3% compaction due to depletion. To capture the pattern of casing strain variation adjacent to the reservoir boundaries, the simulations were run over a range of borehole deviations (0°, 22.5°, 50°,67.5° and 90°). For each borehole deviation, casing D/t ratios of 8.14, 19.17 and 32.67 and grades of 40 ksi, 90 ksi and 135 ksi were defined to evaluate their impact on casing strain variations.

The FEM models show that casing deformation adjacent to reservoir boundaries is accommodated by radial expansion and axial shortening in vertical wellbores, while the deformation is characterized by bending in deviated wellbores. The maximum strain adjacent to reservoir boundaries varies systematically, but nonlinearly with each variable evaluated. The maximum strain increases with reservoir compaction strain, i.e. increases with rock compressibility and depletion, but decreases with increasing hole deviation. Both casing D/t ratio and grade affect casing strain, but their effects are secondary. In general, the maximum strain is greater for casings with smaller D/t ratios and higher grades at any given borehole deviation and compaction strain. The variation of the maximum casing strain with compaction strain can be described by a power law. Both its constant and exponent are functions of borehole deviation, casing D/t ratio and grade.

Because of the complexity of borehole-reservoir geometry and casing plastic behavior, there is no analytical solution available to estimate compaction-induced casing strain adjacent to reservoir boundaries. Numerical models may be used to predict the casing strain, but the numerical analysis is time consuming and requires specialist knowledge. The equation proposed from this study is sufficiently accurate compared to numerical models in terms of casing strain prediction, but provides a much simpler and quicker analysis. In addition, the study provides insight on the variation of casing strain with the major controlling factors, leading to a more complete understanding of compaction-induced casing deformation.