Constraint strategies for estimating in-situ stress from borehole measurements

In this study, we describe strategies to reduce uncertainties in the estimation of in-situ stresses. The strategies are based on the commonly used poro-elastic model with strain corrections for in-situ stress estimation. In addition to the calibration of the minimum horizontal stress magnitudes from measurement data, we further constrain the magnitude of maximum horizontal stress quantitatively with (i) a critical stress state model, (ii) (non)-occurrences of breakout and/or drilling-induced fracture observed from image logs, and (iii) qualitatively with elliptical borehole shapes observed from multi-arm caliper logging data. The methodology is demonstrated using wells near Dawson Creek, Northeast British Columbia and Northwest Alberta, in Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). The uncertainty of the estimated maximum horizontal stress magnitude was reduced and the range of the maximum horizontal stress was narrowed after the application of these constraint strategies. It is also observed that in the east of the study area, the in-situ stress regime is a normal fault stress regime. The presence of a normal fault stress regime is unexpected since a strike–slip fault stress regime is typically considered for the entire region. Yet, analysis of caliper data in two horizontal wells has confirmed its presence.