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In-situ stress regime analysis and mechanical earth modeling of the southwestern sector of the Zagros folded belt, SW Iran: applications for acid fracturing in Ilam and Sarvak carbonate formations

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Abstract

The studied oilfield in the Zagros folded belt accommodates hydrocarbons in the Cretaceous carbonate rocks of the Ilam and Sarvak Formations. The compressional tectonic regime of the study area is reflected in the presence of the NW-SE trending active Ch.1 and Ch.2 thrust fault-related anticlines and associated NW-SE trending reverse faults. The NW-SE trending reverse faults have formed a pop-up structure in the crest of the Ch.2 anticline dividing it into 3 sectors (A, B, and C) with different geomechanical characteristics. Sector B as the high-strain central part of the pop-up structure despite Sectors A and B as the low-strain parts (in the footwall of the reverse faults forming the pop-up structure), is considered a high-risk region for performing acid fracturing stimulation of the reservoirs. In seismic time slices at the Gachsaran level, ChF.1 and ChF.2 faults with NE-SW trend display sinistral and dextral displacement respectively, representing tear faults related to the basal thrust of the Zagros Fore-dip Fault. Horizontal and vertical stress magnitudes for the study area were derived from well-log data. The horizontal stress orientations were established from the dominant directions of the induced fractures and breakouts observed from the FMI log data and are in ~ 030° (NE-SW) and ~ 120° (NW-SE), respectively. Based on these determined horizontal stress orientations, the expected induced fracture propagation direction is ~ 030° and their opening would likely occur in the direction ~ 120°. Based on this deduced stress information, the optimal azimuthal perforation would be from 000° to 060° for acid-fracture stimulation of Ilam and Sarvak reservoirs.

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Data availability

The authors do not have permission to disclose the data and materials from the studied wellbores.

Abbreviations

ChF.1:

Changuleh Fault.1

ChF.2:

Changuleh Fault.2

DTCO:

Compressional sonic well log

DTp:

P-wave sonic log

DTs:

S-wave sonic log

E :

Young’s modulus

FMI:

Fullbore Formation Micro-Imager

GPS:

Global positioning system

HZF:

High Zagros Fault

1D MEM:

One-dimensional Mechanical Earth Model

LOT:

Leak-off test

MDT:

Modular formation dynamics tester

MFF:

Mountain Front Fault

MZT:

Main Zagros Thrust

OBG:

Overburden gradient

Pp :

Pore pressure

Png :

hydrostatic gradient

Sv :

Vertical stress

SHmax :

maximum horizontal stress

Shmin :

Minimum horizontal principal stress

Δtml :

Travel time derived from mud line

Vs :

S wave velocity

Vp :

P wave velocity

XLOT:

Extended leak off test

Z:

Depth

ZFF :

Zagros Fore-dip Fault

α:

Biot’s constant

c:

Constant (0.0013)

Δt:

Travel time derived from the compressional sonic well log

Δt:

m travel time derived from shale

\({{\upepsilon }}_{y}\) :

Linear strain elongation components in “Y” axis direction

\({{\upepsilon }}_{x}\) :

Linear strain elongation components in “X” axis direction

g :

Acceleration due to gravity

ρ b :

Bulk density of the rocks

ρ sea :

Sea water density

ν :

Poisson’s ratio

z :

Depth

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Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely acknowledge the University of Tabriz for their support in conducting this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, PO Box 5166614776, Tabriz, Iran

    Fatemeh Mesbahi & Ali Kadkhodaie

  2. DWA Energy Limited, Lincoln, UK

    David A. Wood

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  1. Fatemeh Mesbahi
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Contributions

Fatemeh Mesbahi: Methodology, Software, Writing- Original draft preparation. Ali Kadkhodaie: Methodology, Reviewing David Wood: Methodology, Reviewing.

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Correspondence to Ali Kadkhodaie.

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Mesbahi, F., Kadkhodaie, A. & Wood, D.A. In-situ stress regime analysis and mechanical earth modeling of the southwestern sector of the Zagros folded belt, SW Iran: applications for acid fracturing in Ilam and Sarvak carbonate formations. Carbonates Evaporites 39, 70 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-024-00987-w

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