A shut-in pressure calculation method for high-temperature high-pressure wells in deepwater fractured formations based on thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling

Abstract

By comprehensively considering the influences of temperature and pressure on fluid density in high temperature and high pressure (HTHP) wells in deepwater fractured formations and the effects of formation fracture deformation on well shut-in afterflow, this study couples the shut-in temperature field model, fracture deformation model, and gas flow model to establish a wellbore pressure calculation model incorporating thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling effects. The research analyzes the governing patterns of geothermal gradient, bottomhole pressure difference, drilling fluid pit gain, and kick index on casing head pressure, and establishes a shut-in pressure determination chart for HPHT wells based on coupled model calculation results. The study results show: geothermal gradient, bottomhole pressure difference, and drilling fluid pit gain exhibit positive correlations with casing head pressure; higher kick indices accelerate pressure rising rates while maintaining a constant maximum casing pressure; validation against field case data demonstrates over 95% accuracy in predicting wellbore pressure recovery after shut-in, with the pressure determination chart achieving 97.2% accuracy in target casing head pressure prediction and 98.3% accuracy in target shut-in time. This method enables accurate acquisition of formation pressure after HPHT well shut-in, providing reliable technical support for subsequent well control measures and ensuring safe and efficient development of deepwater and deep hydrocarbon reservoirs.