Geomechanical Measurements and Machine Learning Help Predict Trouble Stages

Unexpected problems during completion create costs that can cause a well to be outside its planned authorization for expenditure, even uneconomic. These problems range from experiencing abnormally high pressures during treatment to casing failures. The authors of the complete paper use machine-learning methods combined with geomechanical, wellbore-trajectory, and completion data sets to develop models that predict which stages will experience difficulties during completion.

Field Modeling and Well Planning

The operator’s acreage is in the southeastern portion of the Midland Basin. In this area of the basin, the Wolfcamp B and C intervals often contain a significant amount of slope sediments and carbonate debris flows because of the proximity of the eastern shelf.