Geomechanical Modeling to Predict Wellbore Stresses and Strains for the Design of Wellbore Seal Repair Materials

A critical aspect of designing effective wellbore seal repair materials is predicting thermo-mechanical perturbations in local stress that can compromise seal integrity. For the DOE-NETL project 'Wellbore Seal Repair Using Nanocomposite Materials,' we are especially interested in the stress-strain history of abandoned wells, as well as changes in local pressure, stress, and temperature conditions that accompany carbon dioxide injection or brine extraction. Building on existing thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) finite element modeling of wellbore casings subject to significant tensile and shear loads, we advance a conceptual and numerical methodology to assess responses of annulus cement and casing. Bench-scale models complement bench-top experiments of an integrated seal system in an idealized scaled wellbore mock-up being used to test candidate seal repair materials. Field scale models use the stratigraphy from a pilot CO2 injection operation to estimate the necessary mechanical properties needed for a successful repair material. We report on approaches used for adapting existing wellbore models and share preliminary results of field scale models. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000. SAND Number: 2013-6241A.