We studied the stability of multilateral junctions in a combined experimental and numerical modeling program. The experiments were carried out in a true triaxial machine on large size cubical blocks (40 cm) of weak triassic sandstone with two holes intersecting. Six tests have been performed with two different geometrical configurations and three different stress states. The experimental results are presented and compared with numerical modeling obtained with finite element software developed for assessing the integrity of rock surrounding a multilateral junction.

Keywords:
stability, maximum compressive stress, upstream oil & gas, insitu stress, reservoir characterization, perpendicular, spe isrm 78212, directional drilling, experiment, multilateral junction
Subjects:
Drilling Operations, Reservoir Characterization, Information Management and Systems, Directional drilling
Copyright 2002, Society of Petroleum Engineers
You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.