Application of MODFLOW for oil reservoir simulation during the Deepwater Horizon Crisis

Paul A. Hsieh

doi:10.1111/j.1745-6584.2011.00813.x

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Application of MODFLOW for oil reservoir simulation during the Deepwater Horizon Crisis

Paul A. Hsieh

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Abstract

When the Macondo well was shut in on July 15, 2010, the shut-in pressure recovered to a level that indicated the possibility of oil leakage out of the well casing into the surrounding formation. Such a leak could initiate a hydraulic fracture that might eventually breach the seafloor, resulting in renewed and uncontrolled oil flow into the Gulf of Mexico. To help evaluate whether or not to reopen the well, a MODFLOW model was constructed within 24 h after shut in to analyze the shut-in pressure. The model showed that the shut-in pressure can be explained by a reasonable scenario in which the well did not leak after shut in. The rapid response provided a scientific analysis for the decision to keep the well shut, thus ending the oil spill resulting from the Deepwater Horizon blow out.

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Ground Water Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 25.284437746983055° to 31.541089879585808° latitude; -98.1298828125° to -80.947265625° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeX RIS

Paul A. Hsieh. 2011-03-16. Application of MODFLOW for oil reservoir simulation during the Deepwater Horizon Crisis. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2011.00813.x

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