Abu Dhabi Stress Map, UAE

Abstract As drilling of horizontal wells is increasing in Abu Dhabi, so is the need for a stress map. In this paper, such a map, composed of the in-situ stress field of Abu Dhabi, is determined by the analysis of borehole breakouts and drilling-induced tensile fractures along with the results of 1-D Mechanical Earth Models. Stress orientations are variable across the Abu Dhabi fields as a whole; however, within 3 of 5 individual stress provinces defined in Abu Dhabi, mean stress orientations are statistically significant. The stress provinces and stress trajectory mapping reveal that they are systematic continental-scale rotations of stress orientations within Abu Dhabi. The stress orientations are not parallel to the direction of absolute plate motion of the Arabian plate, nonetheless; the regional pattern of stress orientation is consistent with plate boundary forces controlled by the complex nature of the subduction in the northeastern boundary of the Eurasian-Arabian plates. To date, 130 1-D MEM's were generated, 98 of them expose the in-situ stress orientations, which have been compiled as the cornerstone of Abu Dhabi Stress Map. Of these, over 57 are considered reliable tectonic stress indicators, recording horizontal stress orientations to within ±15°. Remarkably, a good correlation was observed among stress orientations deduced from in-situ stress measurements and geologic observations made in the upper 1–2 km and in well bore breakouts extending to 2–3 km depth. The stress fields are believed to be largely the result of compressional forces associated with the subduction of the Arabian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate and possibly from the divergent movement of the Red Sea along with the sinistral movement of the Aqaba-Levant fault boundaries. Knowledge of the contemporary crustal in-situ stress is of great importance for several applications, such as, borehole stability, hydraulic stimulation and understanding of the structural evolution of the terrain.