Rock mechanics and wellbore stability in Dongfang 1-1 Gas Field in South China Sea

Thermal effect has great influence on wellbore stability in Dongfang 1-1 (DF 1-1) gas field, a reservoir with high-temperature and high-pressure. In order to analyze the wellbore stability in DF1-1 gas field, the variation of temperature field after drilling was analyzed. In addition, the effect of temperature changing on formation strength and the thermal expansion coefficients of formation were tested. On this basis, a wellbore stability model considering thermal effect was developed and the thermal effect on fracture pressure and collapse pressure was analyzed. One of the main challenges in this gas field is the decreasing temperature of the wellbore will reduce fracture pressure substantially, resulting in the drilling fluid leakage. If the drilling fluid density was reduced, kick or blowout may happen. Therefore, the key of safe drilling in DF1-1 gas field is to predict the fracture pressure accurately.