8

Pore Pressure

Contents
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overburden Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mudline, SS Depths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pore Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Paradigm Rock & Fluid Canvas 2009 | Epos 4.0

2
3
4
5
8

Pore Pressure 8-1

Overview
The "Overburden Pressure" on page 8-3 and "Pore Pressure" on page 8-5 modules allow the user to estimate
pore pressure from shale sonic values. Compute mudline and subsea depths using the "Mudline, SS Depths"
on page 8-4 module.

Paradigm Rock & Fluid Canvas 2009 | Epos 4.0

Pore Pressure 8-2

Overburden Pressure
The obpress module computes overburden pressure from the hydrostatic water gradient and density log.
Mudline depth is computed from the water depth and KB elevation. Above the water bottom, the user can
vary the pressure gradient with the input parameter WPGRAD (defaulted to 0.450 psi/ft).
Below water bottom the density is integrated and converted to pressure. If the data set being used has
missing values for the density log at the top of the set, then RHO_MISS_VAL is used from DEPTH_WATER
to the first non-missing density value in the set. If there is density data at the top of the set, then the user
has the option (OPT_RHO_MISS) of using RHO_MISS_VAL or the top-most value of the density log in the
data set.

Select Geophysics > Pore Pressure > Overburden Pressure to display the obpress module.

Paradigm Rock & Fluid Canvas 2009 | Epos 4.0

Pore Pressure 8-3

Mudline, SS Depths
Select Geophysics > Pore Pressure > Mudline, SS Depths to compute depth below mudline and subsea
depth from measured depth.
See Also
mudline

Paradigm Rock & Fluid Canvas 2009 | Epos 4.0

Pore Pressure 8-4

Pore Pressure
This program was designed by Dr. Ed Clerke to compute pore pressure from an input shale sonic log.
Given an input DT_SH log, the user must adjust the DT_MW9_PRESS and SLOPE_PRESS parameters to
fit the normal pressure trend. Several high pressure trends are computed from the normal pressure trend
using offsets from Hottmann-Johnson.
Once the vertical normal pressure trend is fixed, the magnitude of the family of pressure trends is adjusted
to match pressure tests or mud weights by changing DELTA_DELTA_FAC.
The input sonic is converted to mud weights and then to formation pressure. A simple overburden pressure
estimate is computed and then fracture pressure estimated as PRESS_OB less 700 psi.
If mud weight is input, it is converted to pressure. A Geolog Chart function is output (to the local project
functions directory) so the pressure relationship can be applied to other wells. Note that the input depths
should be relative to mud line or the water bottom, if offshore.
1. Select Geophysics > Pore Pressure > Pore Pressure to display the porepress module.
2. Set the parameters for the porepress module as described in Table 8-1, "The porepress Module
Parameters" on page 8-6.
The porepress Module

Paradigm Rock & Fluid Canvas 2009 | Epos 4.0

Pore Pressure 8-5

Table 8-1: The porepress Module Parameters

Parameter Name

Default

Description

CHART_NAME

pore_pressure

A Geolog Chart function is output (to the local project functions

directory) so the pressure relationship can be applied to other
wells.

DEPTH_WATER

no default

Water depth.

DT_MW9_PRESS

140

Sonic log under normal pressure.

SLOPE_PRESS

1.36

Normal deep slope.

DELTA_DELTA_FA
C

1.6

Multiple factor for delta-delta-t.

DELTA_DELTA_T1
0

Offset values for mudweights.

DELTA_DELTA_T1
2

DELTA_DELTA_T1
4

15

DELTA_DELTA_T1
6

23

DELTA_DELTA_T1
8

40

DEPTH_BML

depth_bml

Depth below mudline log; if required, create using Utilities >

Mudline, SS Depths.

DEPTH_SS

depth_ss

Subsea depth log; if required, create using Utilities > Mudline, SS

Depths.

DT_SH

dt_sh

Shale sonic log.

DFD

mw

Mud weights.

DT_MW9 DT_MW18

dt_mw9 - dt_mw18

Computed pore pressure trend.

DFD_CORR

mw-corr

Corrected mud weight.

DFD_FROM_DT

mw_from_dt

Mud weight computed from sonic shale (DT_SH).

DFD_OB

mw_ob

Overburden pressure in ppg.

DFD_FRAC

mw_frac

Fracture pressure in ppg.

PRESS_NP

press_np

Normal pressure.

PRESS_OB

press_ob

Overburden pressure.

PRESS_FRAC

press_frac

Fracture pressure.

PRESS_FMT

press_fmt

Formation pressure.

PRESS_DFD

press_dfd

Mud weight converted to pressure.

See Fig. 1 for an example of estimated pore pressure from an input shale sonic log.

Paradigm Rock & Fluid Canvas 2009 | Epos 4.0

Pore Pressure 8-6

Fig. 1: Estimating pore pressure

Paradigm Rock & Fluid Canvas 2009 | Epos 4.0

Pore Pressure 8-7

Index
E
estimate
pore pressure from shale sonic 2

P
pore pressure from shale sonic, estimate 2

Paradigm Rock & Fluid Canvas 2009 | Epos 4.0

Pore Pressure 8-8