Earth`s Cryosphere», 2019, Vol. XXIII, № 2, p. 67-73
CONSTRAINING THAW BOUNDARY AROUND MULTIPLE WELLS
WITH REGARD TO THEIR JOINT THERMAL EFFECT
J.B. Gorelik, S.N. Romanyuk, A.H. Khabitov
Earth Cryosphere Institute, SB RAS, P/O box 1230, Tyumen, 625000, Russia; gorelik@ikz.ru
Calculated parameters of permafrost thawing around a group of petroleum wells are used to estimate the closest allowable wellhead spacing and to account for additional load on casing support in multi-well pad design to ensure prolonged safe operation. Modeling for different operation conditions shows that due regard for the joint thermal effect of multiple wells, unlike current operating practices, is required for appropriate estimation of thawing dynamics. This warming effect works in all permafrost regions but errors caused by its neglect increase progressively as permafrost becomes colder, i.e., in oil and gas fields located farther northward.
Frozen ground, thawing ground, thawing parameters, petroleum wells, axial load, wellhead spacing