Case Study: Ithaca Energy achieves higher production and successful injector drilling with SLB 3D geomechanics

Ithaca Energy Exceeds Production Expectations with 3D Geomechanics, North Sea

Ithaca Energy partnered with SLB to plan a water injection well in the North Sea Cook Field, where reservoir depletion, fault sealing, and pressure uncertainty made the target “undrillable” in practice. To reduce risk and improve well design, the team needed better understanding of subsurface stresses, mud weight windows, and completion requirements before drilling.

SLB used Petrel Geomechanics and the VISAGE finite-element geomechanics simulator, along with lab tests and OPTI-STRESS wellbore stability software, to build a detailed 3D geomechanics model and optimize drilling fluid, injection target, and completion design. The result was a successfully drilled and hooked-up injector that achieved the planned maximum injection rate and sustained injection from October 2019 onward, helping Ithaca Energy exceed expected production results while minimizing operational risk.

Ithaca Energy

Jay Kelly

Wells Manager