Systems and methods for notching a target wellbore in a subsurface formation

A method for notching a target wellbore in a subsurface formation utilizing a notching tool and a wellbore modelling system in communication with the notching tool, wherein:

• the wellbore modelling system comprises a simulated notch, a simulated wellbore, a computational mesh, and a data processor;
• the computational mesh comprises global in-situ stresses, an internal stress distribution and a rock tensile strength distribution that represent the subsurface formation;
• the simulated notch and the simulated wellbore are digitally positioned in the computational mesh of the wellbore modelling system;
• the simulated notch extends from the simulated wellbore;
• the data processor is communicatively coupled to the simulated notch, the simulated wellbore, and the computational mesh;
• and
• the method comprises executing an iterative process comprising:
• determining a minimum confining stress of the computational mesh based on the global in-situ stresses,
• redistributing the internal stress distribution of the computational mesh based on a digital positioning of the simulated notch,
• generating a fluid injection simulation for the computational mesh including the simulated notch and the simulated wellbore, the fluid injection simulation comprising a ramp-type pressure increase of wellbore pressure on a computational mesh-facing surface of the simulated wellbore and the simulated notch,
• monitoring a kinetic energy of the fluid injection simulation based on the ramp-type pressure increase,
• predicting a breakdown pressure inside the computational mesh by identifying a spike in the monitored kinetic energy, and
• adjusting a target notch shape of the simulated notch, a target cutting depth of the simulated notch, or both, to predict an adjusted breakdown pressure inside the computational mesh when a difference between the predicted breakdown pressure and the minimum confining stress plus the rock tensile strength is greater than a target pressure delta,
• continuing the iterative process to predict the adjusted breakdown pressure inside the computational mesh until the difference between the predicted breakdown pressure and the minimum confining stress plus the rock tensile strength is less than or equal to the target pressure delta,
• identifying the target notch shape, the target cutting depth, or both, associated with the iteratively adjusted breakdown pressure,
• communicating the target notch shape, the target cutting depth, or both, to the notching tool with the wellbore modelling system, and
• notching the target wellbore with the notching tool with the target notch shape based on the target notch shape received from the wellbore modelling system, with the target cutting depth based on the target cutting depth received from the wellbore modelling system, or both.

A system for notching a target wellbore in a subsurface formation, the system comprising a notching tool and a wellbore modelling system in communication with the notching tool, wherein:

• the wellbore modelling system comprises a simulated notch, a simulated wellbore, a computational mesh, and a data processor;
• the simulated notch and the simulated wellbore are digitally positioned in the computational mesh of the wellbore modelling system;
• the data processor is communicatively coupled to the simulated notch, the simulated wellbore, and the computational mesh, and is operable to execute an iterative process comprising
• redistributing the internal stress distribution of the computational mesh based on the simulated notch,
• generating a fluid injection simulation for the computational mesh including the simulated notch and the simulated wellbore,
• predicting a breakdown pressure inside the computational mesh by identifying a spike in a monitored kinetic energy of the fluid injection simulation,
• adjusting a target notch shape of the simulated notch, a target cutting depth of the simulated notch, or both, to predict an adjusted breakdown pressure inside the computational mesh,
• continuing the iterative process to predict the adjusted breakdown pressure inside the computational mesh until the difference between the predicted breakdown pressure and a minimum confining stress of the confining stress distribution plus rock tensile strength is less than or equal to a target pressure delta, and
• identifying the target notch shape, the target cutting depth, or both, associated with the iteratively adjusted breakdown pressure;
• and
• the wellbore modelling system is configured to communicate the target notch shape, the target cutting depth, or both, to the notching tool;
• and
• the notching tool is configured to notch the target wellbore based on the target notch shape, the target cutting depth, or both received from the wellbore modelling system.