Pressures and Overpressure in the Subsurface
The principal objective of the course is to teach participants how pressure data relate to the safe and efficient exploration and exploitation of petroleum reservoirs. Overpressure is experienced in most sedimentary basins where reservoirs are associated with fine-grained lithologies (such as shales), in particular at depths of 2.0km or greater below sea-bed. Recent advances in the understanding of overpressure, in particular the magnitude of overpressure resulting from each of the main mechanisms under realistic basin conditions, give improved confidence in estimating pore pressures.
The course teaches participants:
- Defining hydrostatic, lithostatic and fracture gradients
- Fluid gradients and contacts
- Pore pressure prediction - methods and limitations
- Recognition of abnormal pressures and principal causes
- Influences of abnormal pressures on trap integrity, sealing capacity, reservoir quality and maturation/migration efficiency in petroleum systems
Course content
- Determination of fluid gradients Overpressure: worldwide context, origins and mechanisms
- Pressure data and data display - use of pressure/mudweight vs. depth plots
- Pore pressure prediction - seismic, wireline, drilling and modelling methods, strengths and weaknesses, limitations and pitfalls
- Influence of overpressure on the petroleum system (trap integrity, reservoir quality, source rock maturation and petroleum migration)
- Relationship between overpressure, seals and column heights
- Compartmentalisation of overpressured reservoirs - fault and seal characteristics
- Overpressure in deep water, including well design issues
Case studies used in the course are mainly from the Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, and South East Asia basins plus other classic overpressured basins such as South Caspian Sea, West Africa, Trinidad and mid-Norway.
Who should attend?
This training course is designed for geologists, geophysicists, petrophysicists and reservoir/drilling engineers with an interest in overpressure and high-pressure reservoirs, i.e. anyone who wants to understand overpressure and to know about the tools to predict it ahead of the bit. A familiarity with oilfield practices will be an advantage.
Course duration
The Pressures and Overpressure in the Subsurface course can be presented as a 3 day or bespoke 4 day course, which allows for a less intense training schedule. The course content is the same as for the 3 day course.
If you are interested in attending this course, please complete our Training Enquiry Form.