Optimizing Well Delivery in High-Stress, Narrow-Margin Environments: A Geomechanical Approach in the South Caspian Basin

Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive geomechanical modeling approach to optimize drilling operations and overall well delivery processes in the Umid field, located in the South Caspian Basin of eastern Azerbaijan. The field is characterized by high tectonic stress and complex geological settings, necessitating accurate pore pressure prediction and pressure management strategies to address drilling challenges in this overpressured region. The study presented in this paper employed a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating offset well data and laboratory measurements to characterize mechanical properties, predict pore pressure, and determine the magnitude and orientation of horizontal stresses. These geomechanical parameters were integrated into a 3D mechanical earth model to optimize drilling parameters such as mud weight, casing design, and cementing strategies. Additionally, the geomechanical model was coupled with a reservoir model to enhance pressure management decisions, ensuring both well integrity and drilling efficiency throughout the exploration and development phases. The application of this integrated geomechanical model significantly improved the well delivery performance in the Umid field within the South Caspian Basin. Results demonstrated enhanced operational efficiencies, reduced borehole instability risks, and substantial cost savings. The study found that geomechanical insights facilitated the safe drilling of wells with narrow pore pressure-fracture gradient windows, reducing the likelihood of events such as wellbore breakouts, mud losses, and kicks. Furthermore, the incorporation of stress characterization and real-time pressure monitoring allowed for effective management of drilling challenges related to high overpressures and tectonic stresses, which lead to safer and more cost-effective operations in this geologically complex basin. This paper demonstrates the successful integration of geomechanical and reservoir models to optimize drilling in a high-stress, high-pressure environment. The study advances the state of the art by illustrating the value of geomechanics in improving well integrity, reducing operational risks, and achieving cost efficiency in tectonically active overpressured basins.