Combining High Resolution Profiles of Properties Measured on Cores to Enhance the Geomechanical Assessment of Reservoirs

Reservoir studies for geomechanics starts with 1D Mechanical Earth Models built with wireline logs as primary inputs, calibrated against laboratory rock mechanical tests to derive continuous profiles of rock mechanical properties and ultimately, of in-situ stresses. Challenges arise, inherent to the reconciliation between core-based and wireline data for geomechanics and related to the nature of the rock mechanical tests run on plug samples

This paper introduces new technologies developed to tackle these challenges, providing high continuous profiles of rock properties measured directly on core samples. These technologies are integrated on one unique, compact and portable test bench enabling fast and efficient testing campaigns on site, requiring light logistical support and minimum sample preparation prior to testing.

Results are used to estimate geomechanical properties, map out distributions of geomechanical facies and inform about the nature and quantities of mineral constituants in these facies. These large sets of high quality data can be obtained from fresh cores, at the onset of core analysis programs, earlier and faster than conventional laboratory testing methods, thereby increasing the value of information of core analysis workflows. This should ultimately lead to a significant reduction of the uncertainty in many reservoir models, for geomechanics and other disciplines.