Pore pressure prediction from well logs: Methods, modifications, and new approaches

Pore pressures in most deep sedimentary formations are not hydrostatic; instead they are overpressured and elevated even to more than double of the hydrostatic pressure. If the abnormal pressures are not accurately predicted prior to drilling, catastrophic incidents, such as well blowouts and mud volcanoes, may take place. Pore pressure calculation in a hydraulically-connected formation is introduced. Fracture gradient prediction methods are reviewed, and the minimum and maximum fracture pressures are proposed. The commonly used empirical methods for abnormal pore pressure prediction from well logs are then reviewed in this paper. Eaton's resistivity and sonic methods are then adapted using depth-dependent normal compaction equations for pore pressure prediction in subsurface formations. The adapted methods provide a much easier way to handle normal compaction trendlines. In addition to the empirical methods, the theoretical pore pressure modeling is the fundamental to understand the mechanism of the abnormal pressure generation. A theoretical pore pressure-porosity model is proposed based on the primary overpressure generation mechanism - compaction disequilibrium and effective stress-porosity-compaction theory. Accordingly, pore pressure predictions from compressional velocity and sonic transit time are obtained using the new theoretical model. Case studies in deepwater oil wells illustrate how to improve pore pressure prediction in sedimentary formations. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.