Application of MODFLOW for oil reservoir simulation during the Deepwater Horizon Crisis
Ground Water
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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.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Application of MODFLOW for oil reservoir simulation during the Deepwater Horizon Crisis |
| Series title | Ground Water |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2011.00813.x |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 2011 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Contributing office(s) | Branch of Regional Research-Western Region, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program |
| Description | 5 p. |
| First page | 319 |
| Last page | 323 |
| Country | United States |
| Other Geospatial | Gulf of Mexico |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |