Comprehensive Determination of the Far-Field Earth Stresses for Rocks With Anisotropy in Tectonic Environment

Abstract

Abstract Geomechanics has become an important tool for engineers and geologists, with classical applications in wellbore stability, sand management, and hydraulic fracturing. However, unconventional shale reservoirs cannot be evaluated with traditional models or on the basis of simple relationships between isotropic elastic properties, far-field stresses, and reservoir and mechanical properties. These plays are geologically complex and the reservoirs are heterogeneous in nature. Wells need to be hydraulically fractured for stimulation and, in a complex tectonic environment, the rock fabric and in situ stress strongly influence this process. We discuss a new methodology developed for stress modeling, taking into account the tectonic environment. We present a case study for the Vaca Muerta formation in Argentina. The obtained results contribute to the understanding of stress distribution in unconventional reservoirs.