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Well Technology Group

Our well technology team is comprised of leading experts in their fields, leveraging analytical methods, advanced 3D modelling, computational fluid dynamics, and finite element analysis to deliver geomechanical, formation damage, and advanced numerical modelling solutions to the global energy industry.
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We believe in creating valuable insights that empower better decisions, ensuring the integrity of both reservoirs and wells. We transform complex field and well data into clarity, so that energy can be produced safely, responsibly and sustainably

Our team combine advances modelling, field data and technical expertise to translate technical complexity into actionable knowledge. Through collaboration and innovation, we reduce uncertainty and enhance the decision-making process.
Geomechanics for Exploration & Appraisal
Our specialist geomechanics team develops geomechanical models to support exploration and appraisal well planning, including pore pressure and fracture gradient analysis, horizontal stress evaluation, and wellbore stability modelling. The team works closely with drilling teams to optimise well trajectories, casing design, and drilling windows, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
Wildcat well planning and drilling operations, often using limited offset and seismic data
Appraisal well planning and drilling operations
Advising on coring and testing in support of further Geomechanical modelling
Geomechanics Support for Field Development
Our specialist geomechanics team applies advanced geomechanical modelling to support field development and production planning and execution. This includes stimulation support, sand failure analysis and completion advisory services, compaction, subsidence and fault reactivation risk assessment, and injector modelling and assurance to manage out-of-zone injection risks.
Infill well planning and drilling operations
Injector assurance, including fracture modelling of out of zone injection (OOZI) risks and mitigations
Sand failure analysis in support of well completion and topsides design and planning
Advanced Well Completion Studies
We provide specialist support focused on well completions, including laboratory testing requirements and interpretation, formation damage advisory services, and integrated solutions for both open-hole and cased-hole gravel packs. Our capabilities also cover stimulation planning, AICD/ICD selection and evaluation, and sand control design, underpinned by analytical and advanced modelling techniques.
Planning, managing and interpreting laboratory testing for optimal drilling, completion and clean-up fluid selection
Advanced modelling capabilities for fluid dynamics and well completion performance
Near wellbore velocity and erosion studies
Hydraulic Fracture Studies
Our specialist, end-to-end hydraulic fracture studies begin with well architecture, completion design, and reservoir positioning assessments for wells planned for fracture-based completions. The workflow integrates geomechanics, fracture modelling, production forecasting, and completion integrity evaluation to define optimised fracture dimensions, fluid and proppant systems, and operational programmes that maximise well performance.
Integrated pre-frac assessment of well architecture, completion strategy, and reservoir positioning to ensure suitability and optimisation of fracture-based completions
Combining geomechanics and fracture inflow modelling to evaluate fracture geometry, propagation, pressures, injection rates, and expected production response, optimising HF
Full cycle implementation, incorporating completion integrity analysis, including treatment programs, post-frac clean up, performance evaluation and monitoring/diagnostics
Related Case Studies
Formation Damage
Our Head of Well Technology, Mike Byrne, is a three-time SPE Distinguished Lecturer and a globally recognised authority in formation damage laboratory testing and interpretation.
Promoting advanced, reservoir-condition core flood tests and using geological interpretation to minimise formation damage
Well performance optimisation
Laboratory testing design, peer review and interpretation
Advanced Numerical Modelling
Our team are pioneers and industry-leading innovators in the application of computational fluid dynamics for well inflow modelling.
Finite volume methods and finite element analysis
Discrete element method
Modelling process coupling
Well Technology for Carbon Capture & Storage Studies
We support our clients through planning and development of CO2 stores with geomechanical and advanced FEM-CFD analysis.
Full field 3D geomechanical models for CO2 injection assurance
Legacy wells leak rates estimation, and near well thermal / cement integrity models for CO2 storage reservoirs, e.g. debonding casing-cement using FEM or FEM-CFD
Completion components fatigue analysis using FEM and well injectivity modelling using CFD
Geomechanics for Decommissioning
We support decommissioning activities through analytical and advanced modelling techniques, working in close collaboration with wells and subsurface teams to assess minimum plug setting depth, potential fracture growth, and geoseal barriers.
Modelling well pressures and fracture gradient as input to determine the minimum safe plug depth
Models of fracture growth for cases of long-term abandonment pressures reaching or surpassing the minimum horizontal stress of the rock
Assessment and modelling of potential creep in salt and claystones that could act as a geoseal
A SELECTION OF OUR TECHNICAL EXPERTS
Maria Chavez
Principal Production Technologist
,
Elemental Energies
Specialist in CFD fluid flow, heat transfer and geomechanics, enabling high fidelity analysis of cement de-bonding and shale creep using FEA, solving legacy wells leak rates estimation. With production optimisation being a key area alongside the selection and evaluation of AICD/ICD devices
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Juan Carlos Chavez
Principal Production Technologist
,
Elemental Energies
Fracture analysis SME specialising in hydraulic fracturing, subsurface integration and advanced modelling, including CFD and FEA, to optimize well performance and integrity and deliver safe, efficient and resilient solutions to the energy industry
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Yelitza Sorrentino
Senior Geomechanics Engineer
,
Elemental Energies
Experienced in pore pressure, stress analysis and rock property analysis for Geomechanical modelling, including operational support to drilling operations, sand failure analysis and sand management advice
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Ken Watson
Principal CAD Modeller
,
Elemental Energies
Specialist in using CAD techniques for input to CFD modelling by creating complex 3D geometry, including mm scale details within km scale reservoir blocks. Key to investigating efficient production, or injection, of fluids from, or into, a reservoir
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Dr Lesmana Djayapertapa
Principal CFD Engineer
,
Elemental Energies
Specialist in simulating complex problems and optimising well completions and hydrocarbon recovery covering Reservoir and Completion Engineering, Production Technology and Flow Assurance, focussing on well clean-up, intervention and erosion analysis
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Edgar Castillo
Principal Geomechanics Engineer
,
Elemental Energies
Specialist in Reservoir Geomechanics techniques, such as 3D coupled reservoir flow and analysis of water, CO2 and cuttings-waste injection fracturing risk. Also specialized in near wellbore FEA modelling of well integrity and sand failure
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Chris Reed
Senior Geomechanics Engineer
,
Elemental Energies
Experienced in pore pressure, stress analysis and rock property analysis for Geomechanical modelling. Expert in wellbore stability analysis and sand failure analysis, including history matching models to well and production events
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Phil McCurdy
Principal Geomechanics Engineer
,
Elemental Energies
Leads geomechanics at Elemental Energies, with 25+ years’ experience. He’s an industry presenter and mentor, advancing safe, innovative project delivery and technical expertise across teams.
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