To cite this article: M. Shajari & H. Najibi (2012): Application of the dc-Exponent Method for
Abnormal Pressure Detection in Ahwaz Oil Field: A Comparative Study, Petroleum Science and
Technology, 30:4, 339-349
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Petroleum Science and Technology, 30:339–349, 2012
Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 1091-6466 print/1532-2459 online
DOI: 10.1080/10916466.2010.483439
1
Tehran Faculty of Petroleum Engineering, Petroleum University of
Technology, Tehran, Iran
2
Petroleum Research center, Petroleum University of Technology, Ahwaz, Iran
Abstract There are different methods for detection of abnormal pressure during
drilling; one of these methods is the dc-exponent method. In this research, the ap-
plicability of the dc-exponent method is investigated for the detection of abnormal
pressure zones in Ahwaz oil field in Iran.
Two procedures exist to calculate the amount of abnormal pressure from dc-
exponent data: the Rehm-McClendon and Zamora methods. In some oil fields around
the world just one of these methods is applicable and the other one provides incorrect
results or is inaccurate. Therefore, in this work both methods are applied to six wells
in Ahwaz oil field and a comparison is made between the real pressure (detected on
the rig) and the results obtained.
1. Introduction
log R
60N
d D
log 12W
106 db
For R (ft/hr), N (rpm), W (lbf), and db (in.), the term 106 ensures that d is positive.
1.2. d-Exponent
The d-exponent normalizes R and N and changes in response to a change in the drilling
339
340 M. Shajari and H. Najibi
rate. With normal compaction, R should decrease with depth, which corresponds to an
increase in d. A decrease or flattening of the d-exponent indicates a transition into an
abnormal pore pressure region (if all other parameters, including drilling fluid density,
do not change in the interval).
1.3. dc-Exponent
Because differential pressure is dependent upon the mud density as well as formation pore
pressure, whenever there is any change in the mud density this will promote an unwanted
change in the d-exponent. Rehm and McClendon (1973) proposed this correction:
n
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dc D d
eq
This correction was empirically derived but has been applied worldwide with much
success. The use of actual mud density in place of equivalent circulating density (ECD)
Figure 1. dc-exponent vs. depth for well 1 using Rehm and McClendon’s method. (color figure
available online)
dc-Exponent Method for Abnormal Pressure Detection 341
has been found to be acceptable within normal limits of accuracy. The ECD should,
however, be used when available. The modified d-exponent is often used for a quantitative
estimate of formation pore pressure gradient as well as for the qualitative detection of
abnormal formation pressure. Numerous empirical correlations have been developed in
addition to the equivalent matrix stress concept; the two most important ones are the
Rehm-McClendon and Zamora methods.
that:
.dmod /n D .dmod /0 C mD
The value of m is fairly constant with changes in geologic age. The following empirical
relation was presented for observed departure from the d(mod) plot and the formation
Figure 2. dc-exponent vs. depth for well 1 using Zamora’s method. (color figure available online)
342 M. Shajari and H. Najibi
pressure gradient, gp :
.dmod /n D .dmod /0 e mD
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Zamora reported that the slope of the normal pressure trend line varied only slightly and
without apparent regard to location or geological age. The slope of the normal trend was
reported to be the slope of line connecting dc values of 1.4 and 1.7 that were 5,000
ft apart. This corresponds to an m value of 0.000039 ft 1 . Zamora used the following
Figure 3. dc-exponent vs. depth for well 2 using both methods. (color figure available online)
dc-Exponent Method for Abnormal Pressure Detection 343
empirical relation for the observed departure from the d(mod) plot and the formation
pressure gradient gp :
.d mod/n
gp D gn
d mod
Gachsaran formation (the fourth formation from the surface in Ahwaz oil field) and
second, lower abnormality was at the top of the reservoir.
Case 3: This case refers to a well with abnormally high pressure in its reservoir in the
Asmari Formation (fifth formation of Ahwaz oil field).
Figure 4. dc-exponent vs. depth for well 3 using both methods. (color figure available online)
344 M. Shajari and H. Najibi
Cases 4 and 5: These two cases are from two wells that suffered an abnormal pressure
in their shallow depths due to the existence of a gas pocket. In these two cases there
was another abnormal trend at the beginning of the Gachsaran Formation.
Case 6: This case refers to a well with a subnormal pressure situation; this means that
at some depths the pressure was less than normal pressure.
2.1. Case 1
Two abnormalities can be observed at depths of 4,700 and 6,500 ft, as shown in
Figures 1 and 2.
Method 1—Rehm and McClendon’s method: First the data should be plotted using
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Cartesian coordinates and then a normal trend line with a slope of 0.000038 is
drawn through the data available in the normal pressure region. In this method (gp :
pressure gradient),
Figure 5. dc-exponent vs. depth for well 4 using both methods. (color figure available online)
dc-Exponent Method for Abnormal Pressure Detection 345
By this formula, the pressure amounts at abnormally pressured depths are measured
and the results are shown in Table 2.
Method 2—Zamora’s method: First the data should be plotted using semi-logarithmic
coordinates and then a normal trend line with a slope of 0.000039 is drawn through
the data available in the normal pressure region. In this method,
.d mod/n
gp D gn
d mod
The results obtained by this method are shown in Table 3.
The same procedure has been used for the other cases and the following results were
obtained by using the information of anomaly depth and dc-exponent amounts from the
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Figure 6. dc-exponent vs. depth for well 5 using both methods. (color figure available online)
346 M. Shajari and H. Najibi
Table 1
Abnormal pressure amount in well 1 using the Rehm-McClendon method
Real pressure
Depth, Pressure, (detected on rig),
ft (dmod) .dmod /n gp , ppg psi psi
Figure 7. dc-exponent vs. depth for well 6 using both methods. (color figure available online)
dc-Exponent Method for Abnormal Pressure Detection 347
Table 2
Abnormal pressure amount in well 1 using Zamora’s method
Depth, Pressure,
ft (dmod) .dmod /n gp , ppg psi
Table 3
Results for six wells: Rehm and McClendon’s method, Zamora’s method,
and the actual pressure detected on the rig
Zamora graph is that the low amount of deviation—about one unit—cannot be considered
a source of anomaly, because these deviations result in less than 100 psi overpressure
and cannot be considered serious overpressure zones.
using Zamora’s method for future applications of the dc-exponent method in Ahwaz
oil field is recommended. However, we cannot determine the applicability of these two
methods in other oil fields, because same research similar to that performed in this article
must be conducted to ensure the accuracy of each method in each field.
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Nomenclature
D depth
d d-exponent method
dc-Exponent Method for Abnormal Pressure Detection 349
dc dc-exponent method
Gp formation pore pressure gradient
gn normal pressure gradient
N rotation per minute
P fluid pressure
P pore pressure
Pf formation pressure
P differential pressure
R penetration rate
Greek Letters
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