Integrative workflow of constructing mechanical earth model (mem) for wellbore drilling

Abstract

A method of constructing a mechanical earth model (MEM) includes integrating a density logging data set to compute vertical stress and applying correlation models or equations to estimate a pore pressure and mechanical properties. The method also includes calibrating the pore pressure with drill stem test data, calibrating the mechanical properties with laboratory tests on core plugs or on rock cuttings, estimating a minimum horizontal stress using correlation models, and calibrating the minimum horizontal stress with minifrac tests. The method further includes estimating a maximum horizontal stress using the correlation models while assuming one or more correlation parameters, calibrating the maximum horizontal stress with a global pattern of tectonic strains and a basin stress regime, evaluating one or more breakout regions using the MEM, a trajectory of a well, and a geometry of a pilot hole, and comparing the one or more breakout regions and a caliper logging data set.