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Drilling engineers require estimates of the fluid pressures that they are likely to encounter in any given well to anticipate mud weights required to maintain optimal drilling rates and safety. In addition, the locations of anomalous pore-pressure regions are of interest in exploration because they often:
Drilling engineers require estimates of the fluid pressures that they are likely to encounter in any given well to anticipate mud weights required to maintain optimal drilling rates and safety. In addition, the locations of anomalous pore-pressure regions are of interest in exploration because they often:


* Correlate with highly productive “sweet” spots in otherwise tight gas sands;<ref name="r1" />
*Correlate with highly productive “sweet” spots in otherwise tight gas sands;<ref name="r1">Surdam, R.C., Iverson, W., and Jiao, Z. 1996. Natural Gas Resource Characterization Study of the Mesaverde Group in the Greater Green River Basin, Wyoming: A Strategic Plan for the Exploitation of Tight Gas Sands. Final report, Contract No. GRI 96/0220, Gas Research Inst., Chicago.</ref>
* Provide constraints on basin evolution;<ref name="r2" /><ref name="r3" />
*Provide constraints on basin evolution;<ref name="r2">Osborne, M.J. and Swarbrick, M.E. 1997. Mechanisms for Generating Overpressure in Sedimentary Basins: A Re-evaluation. AAPG Bull. 81 (6): 1023.</ref><ref name="r3">Japsen, P. 1998. Regional Velocity-Depth Anomalies, North Sea Chalk: A Record of Overpressure and Neogene Uplift and Erosion. AAPG Bull. 82 (11): 2031.</ref>
* May correspond to density of open fractures, including bedding-plane fractures.<ref name="r4" />
*May correspond to density of open fractures, including bedding-plane fractures.<ref name="r4">Pisetski, V.B. 1999. The Dynamic Fluid Method: Extracting Stress Data from the Seismic Signal Adds a New Dimension to Our Search. The Leading Edge 18 (9): 1084.</ref>


==Seismic velocities for pore pressure prediction==
== Seismic velocities for pore pressure prediction ==
Because seismic velocities correlate with effective pressure in the formation, sufficiently precise estimates of velocity obtained from seismic observations can be used to determine pore pressure. In the absence of dense well control, interval velocities derived from stacking velocities are used to estimate pore pressure. These interval velocities are compared with a general trend of velocities in the region ('''Fig. 1'''), and a pore pressure volume is developed for use by drilling engineers,<ref name="r5" /><ref name="r6" /><ref name="r7" /><ref name="r8" /> as shown in '''Fig. 2'''. Acoustic impedance volumes obtained from seismic trace inversion can also be used to identify and detect anomalous pore pressure regions. In any case, calibration to local velocity-pressure profiles is required. Without this calibration, the pore-pressure indicator is relative rather than absolute, although some empirical relationships exist.<ref name="r9" /> The resolution of pore-pressure volumes obtained from seismic interval velocities is fairly coarse, compared to velocities used in detailed migration or tomography, which are somewhat more detailed, as shown by the example in '''Fig. 3'''. To meet the need for fine-scale predictions of pore-pressure ahead of the bit, new or improved methods for obtaining reverse VSP data, using the drill bit as a seismic source, and VSP data that uses logging-while-drilling techniques are being developed.<ref name="r10" /><ref name="r11" /><ref name="r12" />


<gallery widths=240px heights=200px>
Because seismic velocities correlate with effective pressure in the formation, sufficiently precise estimates of velocity obtained from seismic observations can be used to determine pore pressure. In the absence of dense well control, interval velocities derived from stacking velocities are used to estimate pore pressure. These interval velocities are compared with a general trend of velocities in the region ('''Fig. 1'''), and a pore pressure volume is developed for use by drilling engineers,<ref name="r5">Kan, T-K., Kilsdonk, B., and West, C.L. 1999. 3D Geopressure Analysis in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The Leading Edge 18 (4): 502.</ref><ref name="r6">Sayers, C.M., Johnson, G.M., and Denyer, G. 2000. Predrill Pore Pressure Prediction Using Seismic Data. Presented at the IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, 23-25 February 2000. SPE-59122-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/59122-MS.</ref><ref name="r7">Dutta, N., Gelinsky, S., Reese, M. et al. 2001. A New Petrophysically Constrained Predrill Pore Pressure Prediction Method for the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico: A Real-Time Case Study. Presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, Louisiana, 30 September–3 October. SPE-71347-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/71347-MS.</ref><ref name="r8">Huffman, A.R. 2001. The Future of Pore-Pressure Prediction Using Geophysical Methods. Presented at the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, 30 April-3 May. OTC-13041-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/13041-MS.</ref> as shown in '''Fig. 2'''. Acoustic impedance volumes obtained from seismic trace inversion can also be used to identify and detect anomalous pore pressure regions. In any case, calibration to local velocity-pressure profiles is required. Without this calibration, the pore-pressure indicator is relative rather than absolute, although some empirical relationships exist.<ref name="r9">Eaton, B.A. 1975. The Equation for Geopressure Prediction from Well Logs. Presented at the Fall Meeting of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, Dallas, 28 September–1 October. SPE 5544. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/5544-MS.</ref> The resolution of pore-pressure volumes obtained from seismic interval velocities is fairly coarse, compared to velocities used in detailed migration or tomography, which are somewhat more detailed, as shown by the example in '''Fig. 3'''. To meet the need for fine-scale predictions of pore-pressure ahead of the bit, new or improved methods for obtaining reverse VSP data, using the drill bit as a seismic source, and VSP data that uses logging-while-drilling techniques are being developed.<ref name="r10">Miranda, F. et al. 1996. Impact of Seismic ‘While Drilling’ Technique on Exploration Wells. First Break 14 (2): 55.</ref><ref name="r11">Kulkarni, R., Meyer, J.H., and Sixta, D. 1999. Are Pore-Pressure Related Drilling Problems Predictable? The Value of Using Seismic Before and while Drilling. Paper presented at the 1999 Society of Exploration Geophysicists Intl. Exposition and Annual Meeting, Houston, 31 October–5 November.</ref><ref name="r12">Underhill, W., Esmersoy, C., Hawthorn, A. et al. 2001. Demonstrations of Real-Time Borehole Seismic From an LWD Tool. Presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, Louisiana, 30 September-3 October. SPE-71365-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/71365-MS.</ref>
 
<gallery widths="240px" heights="200px">
File:Vol6 Page 035 Image 0001.png|'''Fig. 1—Geopressure trend curve schematic examples. The left side shows a plot of the seismic interval velocity, determined from stacking velocities, as a function of depth and a smooth monotonically increasing trend line; the right side shows the pore-pressure interpretation from these data. Notice the overpressured zone where the velocity departs from the trend.<ref name="r6" />'''
File:Vol6 Page 035 Image 0001.png|'''Fig. 1—Geopressure trend curve schematic examples. The left side shows a plot of the seismic interval velocity, determined from stacking velocities, as a function of depth and a smooth monotonically increasing trend line; the right side shows the pore-pressure interpretation from these data. Notice the overpressured zone where the velocity departs from the trend.<ref name="r6" />'''
File:Vol4prt Page 328 Image 0001.png|'''Fig. 2—Seismic data and pore pressure predictions. The top diagram shows an interpreted seismic line with faults and specific horizons indicated. The same faults and horizons are also shown on the bottom diagram with predicted pore pressure displayed in color. Notice that the major faults seem to act as pressure barriers in this case.<ref name="r8" />'''
File:Vol4prt Page 328 Image 0001.png|'''Fig. 2—Seismic data and pore pressure predictions. The top diagram shows an interpreted seismic line with faults and specific horizons indicated. The same faults and horizons are also shown on the bottom diagram with predicted pore pressure displayed in color. Notice that the major faults seem to act as pressure barriers in this case.<ref name="r8" />'''
Line 14: Line 15:
</gallery>
</gallery>


==References==
== References ==
<references>
 
<ref name="r1">Surdam, R.C., Iverson, W., and Jiao, Z. 1996. Natural Gas Resource Characterization Study of the Mesaverde Group in the Greater Green River Basin, Wyoming: A Strategic Plan for the Exploitation of Tight Gas Sands. Final report, Contract No. GRI 96/0220, Gas Research Inst., Chicago.</ref>
<references />
<ref name="r2">Osborne, M.J. and Swarbrick, M.E. 1997. Mechanisms for Generating Overpressure in Sedimentary Basins: A Re-evaluation. ''AAPG Bull.'' '''81''' (6): 1023.</ref>
 
<ref name="r3">Japsen, P. 1998. Regional Velocity-Depth Anomalies, North Sea Chalk: A Record of Overpressure and Neogene Uplift and Erosion. ''AAPG Bull.'' '''82''' (11): 2031.</ref>
== Noteworthy papers in OnePetro ==
<ref name="r4">Pisetski, V.B. 1999. The Dynamic Fluid Method: Extracting Stress Data from the Seismic Signal Adds a New Dimension to Our Search. ''The Leading Edge'' '''18''' (9): 1084.</ref>
 
<ref name="r5">Kan, T-K., Kilsdonk, B., and West, C.L. 1999. 3D Geopressure Analysis in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico. ''The Leading Edge'' '''18''' (4): 502.</ref>
Brunel, C., Dunand, J.P., Rappin, D. et al. 3D Anisotropy Corrections For Pore Pressure Prediction. Presented at the 2004/1/1/.
<ref name="r6">Sayers, C.M., Johnson, G.M., and  Denyer, G. 2000. Predrill Pore Pressure Prediction Using Seismic Data. Presented at the IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, 23-25 February 2000. SPE-59122-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/59122-MS. </ref>
<ref name="r7">Dutta, N., Gelinsky, S., Reese, M. et al. 2001. A New Petrophysically Constrained Predrill Pore Pressure Prediction Method for the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico: A Real-Time Case Study. Presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, Louisiana, 30 September–3 October. SPE-71347-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/71347-MS. </ref>
<ref name="r8">Huffman, A.R. 2001. The Future of Pore-Pressure Prediction Using Geophysical Methods. Presented at the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, 30 April-3 May. OTC-13041-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/13041-MS. </ref>
<ref name="r9">Eaton, B.A. 1975. The Equation for Geopressure Prediction from Well Logs. Presented at the Fall Meeting of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, Dallas, 28 September–1 October. SPE 5544. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/5544-MS. </ref>
<ref name="r10">Miranda, F. et al. 1996. Impact of Seismic ‘While Drilling’ Technique on Exploration Wells. ''First Break'' '''14''' (2): 55.</ref>
<ref name="r11">Kulkarni, R., Meyer, J.H., and Sixta, D. 1999. Are Pore-Pressure Related Drilling Problems Predictable? The Value of Using Seismic Before and while Drilling. Paper presented at the 1999 Society of Exploration Geophysicists Intl. Exposition and Annual Meeting, Houston, 31 October–5 November.</ref>
<ref name="r12">Underhill, W., Esmersoy, C., Hawthorn, A. et al. 2001. Demonstrations of Real-Time Borehole Seismic From an LWD Tool. Presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, Louisiana, 30 September-3 October. SPE-71365-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/71365-MS. </ref>
</references>


==Noteworthy papers in OnePetro==
Lindsay, R.O. and Ratcliff, D.W. Pore Pressure Prediction From 3-D Seismics. Presented at the 1997/1/1/. [http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/8337-MS http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/8337-MS].
Use this section to list papers in OnePetro that a reader who wants to learn more should definitely read
 
Sayers, C.M., Johnson, G.M., and Denyer, G. Pore Pressure Prediction From Seismic Tomography. Presented at the 2000/1/1/. [http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/11984-MS http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/11984-MS].
 
Sayers, C.M., Johnson, G.M., and Denyer, G. Predrill Pore Pressure Prediction Using Seismic Data. Presented at the 2000/1/1/. [http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/59122-MS http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/59122-MS].
 
Sayers, C.M. and Woodward, M.J. Enhanced Seismic Pore-Pressure Prediction. Presented at the 2001/1/1/. [http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/13044-MS http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/13044-MS].
 
Sayers, C.M. and Woodward, M.J. Predrill Pore Pressure Prediction Using 4C Seismic Data. Presented at the 2001/1/1/.
 
== External links ==


==External links==
Use this section to provide links to relevant material on websites other than PetroWiki and OnePetro
Use this section to provide links to relevant material on websites other than PetroWiki and OnePetro


==See also==
== See also ==
[[Subsurface stress and pore pressure]]
 
[[Subsurface_stress_and_pore_pressure|Subsurface stress and pore pressure]]
 
[[Methods_to_determine_pore_pressure|Methods to determine pore pressure]]


[[Methods to determine pore pressure]]
[[Pore_pressure_prediction_using_acoustic_logging|Pore pressure prediction using acoustic logging]]


[[Pore pressure prediction using acoustic logging]]
[[Pore_fluid_effects_on_rock_mechanics|Pore fluid effects on rock mechanics]]


[[Pore fluid effects on rock mechanics]]
[[PEH:Geomechanics_Applied_to_Drilling_Engineering]]


[[PEH: Geomechanics Applied to Drilling Engineering]]
[[PEH:Reservoir_Geophysics]]


[[PEH:Reservoir Geophysics]]
== Category ==
[[Category:1.7.6 Wellbore pressure management]] [[Category:YR]]

Latest revision as of 10:50, 29 June 2015

Drilling engineers require estimates of the fluid pressures that they are likely to encounter in any given well to anticipate mud weights required to maintain optimal drilling rates and safety. In addition, the locations of anomalous pore-pressure regions are of interest in exploration because they often:

  • Correlate with highly productive “sweet” spots in otherwise tight gas sands;[1]
  • Provide constraints on basin evolution;[2][3]
  • May correspond to density of open fractures, including bedding-plane fractures.[4]

Seismic velocities for pore pressure prediction

Because seismic velocities correlate with effective pressure in the formation, sufficiently precise estimates of velocity obtained from seismic observations can be used to determine pore pressure. In the absence of dense well control, interval velocities derived from stacking velocities are used to estimate pore pressure. These interval velocities are compared with a general trend of velocities in the region (Fig. 1), and a pore pressure volume is developed for use by drilling engineers,[5][6][7][8] as shown in Fig. 2. Acoustic impedance volumes obtained from seismic trace inversion can also be used to identify and detect anomalous pore pressure regions. In any case, calibration to local velocity-pressure profiles is required. Without this calibration, the pore-pressure indicator is relative rather than absolute, although some empirical relationships exist.[9] The resolution of pore-pressure volumes obtained from seismic interval velocities is fairly coarse, compared to velocities used in detailed migration or tomography, which are somewhat more detailed, as shown by the example in Fig. 3. To meet the need for fine-scale predictions of pore-pressure ahead of the bit, new or improved methods for obtaining reverse VSP data, using the drill bit as a seismic source, and VSP data that uses logging-while-drilling techniques are being developed.[10][11][12]

References

  1. Surdam, R.C., Iverson, W., and Jiao, Z. 1996. Natural Gas Resource Characterization Study of the Mesaverde Group in the Greater Green River Basin, Wyoming: A Strategic Plan for the Exploitation of Tight Gas Sands. Final report, Contract No. GRI 96/0220, Gas Research Inst., Chicago.
  2. Osborne, M.J. and Swarbrick, M.E. 1997. Mechanisms for Generating Overpressure in Sedimentary Basins: A Re-evaluation. AAPG Bull. 81 (6): 1023.
  3. Japsen, P. 1998. Regional Velocity-Depth Anomalies, North Sea Chalk: A Record of Overpressure and Neogene Uplift and Erosion. AAPG Bull. 82 (11): 2031.
  4. Pisetski, V.B. 1999. The Dynamic Fluid Method: Extracting Stress Data from the Seismic Signal Adds a New Dimension to Our Search. The Leading Edge 18 (9): 1084.
  5. Kan, T-K., Kilsdonk, B., and West, C.L. 1999. 3D Geopressure Analysis in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The Leading Edge 18 (4): 502.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Sayers, C.M., Johnson, G.M., and Denyer, G. 2000. Predrill Pore Pressure Prediction Using Seismic Data. Presented at the IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, 23-25 February 2000. SPE-59122-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/59122-MS.
  7. Dutta, N., Gelinsky, S., Reese, M. et al. 2001. A New Petrophysically Constrained Predrill Pore Pressure Prediction Method for the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico: A Real-Time Case Study. Presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, Louisiana, 30 September–3 October. SPE-71347-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/71347-MS.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Huffman, A.R. 2001. The Future of Pore-Pressure Prediction Using Geophysical Methods. Presented at the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, 30 April-3 May. OTC-13041-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/13041-MS.
  9. Eaton, B.A. 1975. The Equation for Geopressure Prediction from Well Logs. Presented at the Fall Meeting of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, Dallas, 28 September–1 October. SPE 5544. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/5544-MS.
  10. Miranda, F. et al. 1996. Impact of Seismic ‘While Drilling’ Technique on Exploration Wells. First Break 14 (2): 55.
  11. Kulkarni, R., Meyer, J.H., and Sixta, D. 1999. Are Pore-Pressure Related Drilling Problems Predictable? The Value of Using Seismic Before and while Drilling. Paper presented at the 1999 Society of Exploration Geophysicists Intl. Exposition and Annual Meeting, Houston, 31 October–5 November.
  12. Underhill, W., Esmersoy, C., Hawthorn, A. et al. 2001. Demonstrations of Real-Time Borehole Seismic From an LWD Tool. Presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, Louisiana, 30 September-3 October. SPE-71365-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/71365-MS.

Noteworthy papers in OnePetro

Brunel, C., Dunand, J.P., Rappin, D. et al. 3D Anisotropy Corrections For Pore Pressure Prediction. Presented at the 2004/1/1/.

Lindsay, R.O. and Ratcliff, D.W. Pore Pressure Prediction From 3-D Seismics. Presented at the 1997/1/1/. http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/8337-MS.

Sayers, C.M., Johnson, G.M., and Denyer, G. Pore Pressure Prediction From Seismic Tomography. Presented at the 2000/1/1/. http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/11984-MS.

Sayers, C.M., Johnson, G.M., and Denyer, G. Predrill Pore Pressure Prediction Using Seismic Data. Presented at the 2000/1/1/. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/59122-MS.

Sayers, C.M. and Woodward, M.J. Enhanced Seismic Pore-Pressure Prediction. Presented at the 2001/1/1/. http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/13044-MS.

Sayers, C.M. and Woodward, M.J. Predrill Pore Pressure Prediction Using 4C Seismic Data. Presented at the 2001/1/1/.

External links

Use this section to provide links to relevant material on websites other than PetroWiki and OnePetro

See also

Subsurface stress and pore pressure

Methods to determine pore pressure

Pore pressure prediction using acoustic logging

Pore fluid effects on rock mechanics

PEH:Geomechanics_Applied_to_Drilling_Engineering

PEH:Reservoir_Geophysics

Category