journal article·2025-10-02Open access

Numerical Simulation and Empirical Validation of Casing Stability in Coalbed Methane Wells Under Mining-Induced Stress: A Case Study of Xiaobaodang Coal Mine in Yulin-Shenmu Mining Area

Zeke Gao, Wenping Li, Dongding Li, Yangmin Ye, Yuchu Liu

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 19

Abstract

This study addresses the issue of coordinated development of coal, oil, and gas resources in the Yulin-Shenmu Coalfield. Taking the 132,201 working face of the Xiaobaodang No. 1 Coal Mine as a case study, the study combines FLAC3D numerical simulation with on-site monitoring to analyze the impact of mining activities on the stability of gas well casings. Simulation results indicate that mining activities cause stress redistribution in the surrounding rock, with a maximum shear stress of 5.8 MPa, which is far below the shear strength of the casing. The maximum horizontal displacement of the wellbore is only 23 mm, with uniform overall deformation and no shear failure. On-site monitoring showed that the airtightness was intact, and the wellbore diameter test did not detect any destructive damage such as deformation or cracks. Concurrently, fiber optic strain monitoring of the inner and outer casings aligns with simulation results, confirming no significant instability caused by mining activities. The conclusion is that mining activities have a negligible impact on the stability of the gas well casing-concrete composite structure. The dual casing-cement ring structure effectively coordinates deformation to ensure safety. This finding provides a reliable technical basis for the coordinated exploitation of coal, oil and gas resources at the Xiaobaodang No. 1 Coal Mine and similar mines.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Coal Properties and Utilization · Rock Mechanics and Modeling · Geoscience and Mining Technology

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

References (30)

Show source-provided references
1. Study on the Disturbance Characteristics and Control Strategies of Coordinated Exploitation of Superimposed Resources of Coal and Oil-Type Gas in Ordos Basin10.1002/ese3.1558 ↗
2. Scientific problem and countermeasure for precision mining of coal and associated resources
3. Analysis of the Space–Time Synergy of Coal and Gas Co-Mining10.1021/acsomega.2c00034 ↗
4. Research Progress in Coal and Gas Co-mining Modes in China10.1002/ese3.739 ↗
5. Dong, M., and Wang, W. (2017). Research on coordinated exploitation for resources overlap area of oil-gas and coal in Ordos Basin. Chin. Energy Environ. Prot., 101–104.
6. Framework of the theory and technology for simultaneous mining of coal and its associated resources
7. Precise coordinated mining of coal and associated resources: A case of environmental coordinated mining of coal and associated rare metal in Ordos basin
8. Review on the Evaluation of Casing Damage Level in Oil and Gas Field10.1051/matecconf/201925602008 ↗
9. Zhang, Z., and Li, A. (2015, January 7). Research Overview of Casing Damage in China’s Oil Fields. Proceedings of the International Conference on Architectural Engineering and New Materials, Guangzhou, China.
10. Yu, X., Cen, X., Kan, C., Hu, Y., Yang, Y., Tao, S., Chen, X., Chen, X., and Hu, Z. (2023). Numerical Simulation Analysis of Wellbore Integrity and Casing Damage in High-Temperature Injection and Production of Shale Oil. Processes, 11.10.3390/pr11113053 ↗
11. Safety and Reliability Assessment of External Corrosion Defects Assessment of Buried Pipelines—Soil Interface: A Mechanisms and FE Study10.1016/j.jlp.2023.105006 ↗
12. A Study on Casing Deformation Failure during Multi-Stage Hydraulic Fracturing for the Stimulated Reservoir Volume of Horizontal Shale Wells
13. Wellbore Stability Analysis Based on Geomechanical Modeling Using Finite Element Method10.1007/s40808-020-00716-x ↗
14. Analysis of the Mechanism by Which High-Toughness Cement Rings Reduce Casing Loss in Oil and Gas Wells
15. Mechanical Performance of Casing in In-Situ Combustion Thermal Recovery10.1016/j.petrol.2018.04.068 ↗
16. Damage Causes and Solutions for Shale Gas Production Casing
17. Alsubaih, A.A.S., Sepehrnoori, K., Delshad, M., and Alsaedi, A. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of Well Integrity Challenges and Digital Twin Applications Across Conventional, Unconventional, and Storage Wells. Energies, 18.10.3390/en18174757 ↗
18. Shear Mechanical Behavior and Stress Transfer Characteristics of the Bilayer Casing of Gob Gas Ventholes10.1016/j.geoen.2023.211656 ↗
19. Key Strata Characteristics Controlling the Integrity of Deep Wells in Longwall Mining Areas10.1016/j.coal.2017.01.012 ↗
20. Topographic Influence on Stability for Gas Wells Penetrating Longwall Mining Areas10.1016/j.coal.2014.11.008 ↗
21. Influence of Longwall Mining on the Stability of Gas Wells in Chain Pillars10.1016/j.ijmst.2019.12.005 ↗
22. Overburden deformation characteristics and gas wellstability under influence of multiple mining
23. Effects of Longwall-Induced Stress and Deformation on the Stability and Mechanical Integrity of Shale Gas Wells Drilled through a Longwall Abutment Pillar10.1016/j.ijmst.2016.09.028 ↗
24. Sensitivity Analysis of Geomechanical Parameters Affecting a Wellbore Stability10.1007/s11771-019-4046-2 ↗
25. An Analysis of Reservoir Conditions and Responses in Longwall Panel Overburden during Mining and Its Effect on Gob Gas Well Performance10.1016/j.enggeo.2012.01.002 ↗
26. Xiao, J., Zhang, B., Wang, Y., Wang, T., Liu, Y., and Wang, Y. (2025). Anchoring Effect of Abandoned Oil Wells in Coal, Oil, and Gas Co-Production Areas and Its Influence on Overburden Stability. Appl. Sci., 15.10.3390/app15084223 ↗
27. Peng, W. (2007). FLAC3D Practical Tutorial, Machinery Industry Press.
28. Application of FLAC to Predict Ground Surface Displacements Due to Coal Extraction and Its Comparative Analysis
29. Study on the Mechanical Behavior and Collapse Resistance of Double-Casing under Gypsum-Salt Layer10.1088/1742-6596/2964/1/012006 ↗
30. Geomechanical and Numerical Studies of Casing Damages in a Reservoir with Solid Production10.1007/s00603-015-0828-5 ↗