Pore Pressure in Drilling

Engineering
07/10/2014
Kanad Kulkarni

Pore Pressure
Pore Pressure is present in various forms
It is important as it governs the overall pressure
throughout the reservoir.
Helps in developing a safe drilling environment
Can prepare charts for mud density and weights
development.
All formations penetrated will contain pressure in
different formats

The magnitude of pressure exerted will depend on

Depth
Formation
Proximity to the structures

Hydrostatic & Overburden Pressure

Formation
Pressure

Hydrostatic
Pressure

Overburden
Pressure

Hydrostatic Pressure
Pressure exerted by a column of fluid.
Function of
Fluid Density
Vertical Height (depth of the fluid column)

Mathematically expressed as
HP=g*f*D
HP= Hydrostatic Pressure
f =Fluid density
D= True/ Vertical Depth
g= gravitational acceleration
For Imperial units it is calculated as HP(psi)=0.052* f
(ppg)*D(ft)
For interpretation all wellbore pressures are measured in
terms of hydrostatic pressure

Pressure Gradient
For interpretation all wellbore pressures are measured in
terms of hydrostatic pressure

Formation pressure
Fracture Pressure
Fluid Density
Overburden Pressure

Pressure Gradients are used while planning a well.

HG=HP/D ( psi/ft)

Pressures are generally converted to a relative fixed datum

( mean sea level, ground level)
When used to express magnitudes of wellbore pressure, it is
usual to record these as Equivalent Mud Weight ( EMW) in
ppg.

Example
1. Mud weight =9ppg
Home Depth= 10100ft MD , 9900 ft
TVD
2. Mud Gradient=0.468 psi/ft
Hole depth= 10100 ft MD , 9900 ft
TVD

Overburden Pressure
Pressure exerted by the total weight of overlying
formations above the point of interest
Combined weight of formation soilds ( rock
matrix)
Formation fluids in pore spaces
Combined density is known as bulk density
Mathematically it can be calculated as
ov=0.052*b*D
ov= Overburden pressure(psi)
b= Formation Bulk density (ppg)
D= true vertical depth(ft)
As gradient (EMW) in ppg: ov=0.433*b/0.052
0.433 converts bulk density from gm/cc to psi/ft.

Overburden gradient not

constant
Overburden gradient is not constant throughout due
to the contributing factors such as
Lithology
Pore and fluid density
Degree of compaction
Overburden under field conditions
ovg= 0.433[(1 )ma + (xf)]
ovg= overburden gradient, psi/ft
= porosity expressed as a fraction
f= formation fluid density, gm/cc
ma= matrix density, gm/cc

Some Important densities

Substance

Density (gm/cc)

Sandstone

2.65

Limestone

2.71

Dolomite

2.87

Anhydrite

2.98

Halite

2.03

Gypsum

2.35

Clay

2.7-2.8

Freshwater

1.0

Seawater

1.03-1.06

Oil

06-0.7

Gas

0.15

How would you convert gradient to psi/ft & how from psi/ft to ppg

Example 2
Calculate the overburden gradient for
following Formation
Rock Sandstone
Porosity values
7%, 10% & 15%

Overburden gradient graph

Well Engineering : Rabia

Hussain

Effect of water Depth on

Overburden Gradient
Sea water reduces overall density
and in-turn over all pressure gradient
Loosely compacted sedimentary
material further reduces the density
for offshore
On shore the near surface density is
determined by the compaction of
sedimentary material

Example 3
Determine overburden gradient and overburden
pressure based on the provided data
Water depth = 500 ft
RKB/MSL= 65 ft
SP.GR sea water = 1.03 gm/cc
Rock density = 1.9 gm/cc for 1000ft.
2.1 gm/cc between 1000-3000ft
Calculate gradient and pressure at
200 ft, 500 ft, 1000ft & 3000ft.

Derick
65ft
500 ft

Sea Water

Formation 1
1000f
t
Formation
2
3000f
t

Matrix stress
The stress under which the rock material is confined
at a particular position in the earths crust.
This acts in all directions and
Relation between vertical component and matrix
stress

ov=Pf + mat

Pore Pressure
Defined as Pressure acting on the
fluids in the pore spaces of the rock.
( formation (pore) Pressure)
Based on Magnitude
1. Normal Pore pressure
2. Abnormal pore pressure
3. Subnormal pore pressure

Normal Pore pressure

Pore =Hydrostatic pressure
This pressure is not constant
Magnitude varies with
dissolved salts
Types of fluid
Gases
Temperature gradient

Abnormal pressure
Pore Pressure > Hydrostatic Pressure
It can occur at any depth
Magnitude is contributed to
Geological
Geochemical
Geothermal
Mechanical

There needs to be a disturbance or

interruptions

Subnormal Pressure

Pore Pressure < Hydrostatic pressure

Less frequent than Abnormal
Developed long after deposition
Reasons for pressure reduction
Stratigraphical
Geological
Geochemical
Reservoir prduction

Causes of Abnormal
Pressure

Depositional Effect
Diagenetic Effect
Tectonic Effects
Structural causes
Thermodynamics Effects

Depositional process

Well Engineering : Rabia

Hussain

Well Engineering : Rabia

Hussain

Diagenetic Process
Process of chemical and physical
changes to the sediments
Alter the chemical constituents of
material
Process includes formation of new
minerals
Recrystallisation and lithification.
Smectite to Illite

Tectonic Acivity

Well Engineering : Rabia

Hussain

Structural Causes

Well Engineering : Rabia

Hussain