Drilling, Well Completions, and Rock Mechanics

K. E. Gray (ken_gray@mail.utexas.edu) is the Program Manager of the Drilling, Well Completions, and Rock Mechanics research program.

Elements of the Drilling, Well Completions, and Rock Mechanics research program include: well bore stability in highly deviated wells; high-temperature/high-pressure properties of drilling fluids; fracture gradient and pore pressure quantifications; MWD, LWD, and PWD technologies; wave propagation and mechanical behavior in weak, loosely cemented, granular materials; ocean floor acoustics and Biot parameters; FracPack process mechanics; well control and drilling optimization; formation compaction mechanics; formation damage; petrophysics; fluid flow in porous media ; well completions; hydraulic fracturing; rock mechanics; structural geology; formation evaluation; well logging; image and signal processing; 3-D seismic data analysis and interpretation; overbalance/underbalance drilling; completion operations; operations management; estimating and cost modeling; and value of information.

Research Initiatives

Development and Construction of a High Resolution Measurement While Drilling Tool

Mukul M. Sharma

Abstract

We propose to develop a revolutionary measurement while drilling (MWD) tool capable of measuring high resolution, real-time fluid saturations, and other parameters of oil and gas reservoirs. The prototype tool shall be built to meet requirements for high temperature, high pressure drilling service. The concept involves using a high rate of penetration anti-whirl drill bit designed to incorporate a ring of sensors coupled to a downhole data acquisition, storage and transmission system.

Development of a New Marsh Funnel Rheometer for non-Newtonian Oil-Field Fluids

Matt Balhoff, Larry Lake, Paul Bommer


Techniques for measurement of fluid rheological properties are important for field operations in the oil industry, but existing methods are relatively expensive and the results can be subjective. Marsh Funnels are popular quality-control tools used in the field. In the normal measurements, a single point is used to determine an average viscosity.
Development of Geomechanical Screening Tools to Identify Risk

DOE "DEVELOPMENT OF GEOMECHANICAL SCREENING TOOLS TO IDENTIFY RISK:  AN EXPERIMENTAL AND MODELING APPROACH FOR SECURE CO2 STORAGE"