Abstract: Subsurface Geotechnical Hazards in Petroleum Development

R. C. Erickson

Subsurface geotechnical hazards encountered during the exploration for and development of hydrocarbon accumulations or geothermal areas can be identified and controlled during the exploitation of the resource. Most of the hazards encountered are associated with earth movements that result from either natural forces and/or the actions of man after the resource has been developed. However, during exploration drilling certain other hazards such as shallow high-pressure gas, deep high-pressure fluids, incompetent shale, and shallow active faults must be considered. The technological and scientific ability for identifying these hazards and their potential magnitude has reached an advanced state owing to the efforts of numerous earth scientists and professional engineers. Metho s of identifying the various geotechnical hazards, estimating their potential magnitude, and controlling those that are man-made are feasible. To identify most subsurface geotechnical hazards, it is essential that a suite of sophisticated instruments be used. To establish the magnitude of the hazard it is also essential that basic data covering the rock matrix, the stress field, and the reservoir pore pressure be obtained. A model comprised of the parameters that control both the magnitude of earth movements and in-situ hazards is proposed for the purpose of assisting in their identification. This model can be utilized during the exploratory effort, development drilling, resource development, and may possibly assist recovery or fluid-waste disposal.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90962©1978 AAPG 2nd Circum-Pacific Energy and Minerals Resource Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii