Application of displacement and stress analysis methods in hydrocarbon reservoirs

Evaluation and analysis of stress is a key factor for understanding the geomechanical behavior of hydrocarbon operational fields. In this article, analytical and numerical for predicting and analyzing of hydrocarbon reservoir behavior are introduced. Analytical and semi-analytical solutions can be proposed for different forms of hydrocarbon reservoirs. Fundamental relationships for determining displacements, strains and stresses can be expressed using elasticity, thermoporoelasticity or thermoporoplasticity equations. Various analytical and numerical methods (such as the finite element method, extended finite element method, etc.) or a combination of these methods can be employed in the geomechanics of reservoir engineering. Beside the relationships of thermoproelasticity or thermoproplasticity, finite element software such as ANSYS or ABAQUS can be used for the reservoirs with different shapes to predict the displacement, strain, stress, failure, etc. One of the applications of the finite element method is the analysis of coupled problems such as fluid-structure interaction, thermomechanical, thermochemical, thermochemical, geomechanical, ferroelectric and electromagnetic problems. By evaluation the multi-phase geomechanical behavior based on the analysis of displacement, strains and stresses inside and outside the reservoir, it is possible to reduce the cost related to engineering problems of hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Keywords:

Hydrocarbon reservoirs , Geomechanics , Displacement field , Stress analysis , Elasticity , Thermoporoelasticity , Thermoporoplasticity , Finite element method , ANSYS , ABAQUS.