Abstract

3-D finite element reservoir model has been generated covering a horizontal area of 1 sq. km of an oilfield from Nagapattinam sub-basin, Cauvery basin. The anticlinal reservoir model including three drilled wells has been created with a 20 m thick pay sand layer bounded by 20 m thick overlying shale layer. The underlying shale is varying its thickness from 20 m below extreme ends of sand layer to 120 m below its crest. We have assigned same rock properties for sand and shale layers. The model is constrained at the bottom. Due to application of application of horizontal pressure gradient around the sand/shale layers of 3-D model, principal stress magnitudes change. There is a change in stress direction around wells. Finite element derived stress pattern clearly respond to compressive stress gradient as well as to the model geometry.