Numerical modelling of wellbore instability: a review

Some of the progress made on wellbore instability modelling during the last two decades is introduced and reviewed in this paper. First we introduce two types of wellbore instability, chemically induced instability and mechanically induced instability, then factors influencing wellbore instability are discussed. Numerical modelling of wellbore instability from elastic models to elastoplastic models based on a generalized plane strain formulation are demonstrated and discussed in this paper, followed by a prediction of future developments.