Exploring seismic dynamics using 3D mechanical earth model (MEM) in the Digboi Oil Field, Upper Assam

This study presents the development of seismic stress profile maps for the northern Himalayas, leveraging a three-dimensional (3D) Mechanical Earth Model (MEM). A detailed analysis was performed on conventional wellbore log data from the Digboi oil field, located in the Upper Assam region, with a focus on the anisotropic nature of the geological formations. The influence of water content on the stress profiles was evaluated, revealing a significant reduction in stress values across various spatial regions, including those near the wellbore. The results provide novel insights into the stress distribution under dry and saturated conditions, contributing to more accurate drilling mud weight design. The stress maps clearly demonstrate peak values at beta = 90 degrees, with the lowest values found between beta = 30 degrees and 45 degrees, with dry conditions exhibiting higher stress values than saturated conditions. The maps are categorized into two distinct conditions, offering enhanced understanding of stress dynamics in this tectonically complex region, and presenting a novel approach to stress profile analysis in the context of the Himalayan geology.