IADC/SPE 59220
PROBLEMS IN DRILLING THROUGH ABNORMAL / SUBNORMAL PORE
PRESSURES OF POST EOCENE FORMATIONS IN THE POTWAR BASIN OF
PAKISTAN WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ADHI FIELD
M. AFZAL / S. ANISUR RASOOL - PAKISTAN PETROLEUM LIMITED
Copyright 2000, IADC/SPE Drilling Conference
This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2000 IADC/SPE Drilling Conference held in
New Orleans, Louisiana, 23–25 February 2000.
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Abstract
The drilling conditions in the Potwar basin, the traditional
oil producing region of Pakistan, are extremely tough,
hazardous and challenging due to sudden reversal of
pressure regimes from near geostatic to near
hydrostatic. Pressures close to geostatic have been
encountered at shallow depths because of the uplifting of
the Himalayan foreland, resultant of collision between
the Eurasian plate and the Indian plate. The orogenic
movements in the presence of huge salt thickness
created these ‘pop up’ structures which brought
associated pressures to shallower depth. These sudden
pressure reversals have resulted in the inflow of high
pressure formation water and severe losses of
circulation simultaneously, causing internal and surface
blowouts. The other related problems which have
resulted in the premature abandonment of wells are
casing collapse, bridging and tightness of hole, caving
and heaving of shale and stuck pipe due to differential
pressure.
A number of wells have been drilled in Potwar basin by
different oil companies including Pakistan Petroleum
Limited (PPL). In this paper we first discuss the origin of
these high pressures and the pressure reversals. Then
we will discuss the experiences gained during the drilling
of 12 wells in the Adhi field and how it has led to the
development of a methodology by PPL for predicting and
handling these abnormal/subnormal pore pressures. Out
of the 12 wells, 6 wells were prematurely abandoned
because of these high pressure problems. Normal
Drilling Exponent (Dxc) pore and fracture pressure
gradient prediction/detection technique has limited
effectiveness in this area. The water inflows were
controlled by raising mud weight and placing barite
plugs. The losses of circulation were cured with LCM
pills and cement plugs. The loss and gain situation was
very well negotiated with LCM pill or cement plug against
the thief zones and the barite plug against the inflow
zones. The casing design was changed and the trouble
string was introduced to isolate high and low pressure
zones. The cement design was also changed and new
methodology was introduced to control the water flow
through the annulus after casing cementation.
INTRODUCTION
Over pressures are experienced in U.S.Gulf Coast basin,
Gulf Coast of Mexico, California, Iran, Oman, Pakistan,
U.S.S.R and many parts of the world. The drilling activity
in the area which now constitute Pakistan, started in
1866, just 7 years after the world’s pioneer well in
Pennsylvania (USA) drilled by Col. Drake. An
exploratory well, namely Kundal was drilled near an oil
seepage in 1866. However, oil in commercial quantity
was discovered in 1915 at Khaur well in the carbonate of
the Eocene and sandstone of the Miocene age. The
Potwar basin remained the only source of oil in Pakistan
until 1981, when an American oil company, Union Texas
Pakistan discovered oil in lower Indus basin at Khaskheli.
So far 147 exploratory wells have been drilled in the
Potwar basin and 24 fields have been discovered. The
proven recoverable reserves of Potwar basin are
estimated to be 340 million barrels oil (MMBO) and 1.537
trillion cubic feet (TCF) gas and till 1998 229 MMBO and
0.792 TCF gas has been produced. The Potwar basin is
considered to have a potential to meet the future
demand of hydrocarbons of the country. The source,
reservoir and cap rocks are very well defined and
wherever any suitable structure exist the chances for the
success are fair, therefore, this area falls in the low risk
and high cost operational zone. The discoveries in
2 M. AFZAL, S. ANISUR RASOOL
Potwar basin are shown in Fig.1
The Drilling in the Potwar basin is characterized by high
drilling cost and with poor drilling success rate as a result
of the difficulties in drilling through the Miocene and
Pliocene fresh water molasse sediments. High pressure
water, in some cases close to geostatic, have been
encountered and require excessive mud weights as high
as 2.4 gm/cc. These excessive mud weights invariably
resulted in the fracturing of the formations and caused
severe loss of circulation. The unpredictable nature of
alternating high and low pressure zones significantly add
to the risk of the drilling in the Potwar basin.
Over the period of time, the advancement in drilling
technology, better understanding and improvement in
drilling fluid, cementation and well control technologies
along with the additional knowledge of abnormal /
subnormal pore pressures has made it possible to
overcome these drilling problems. Therefore, the
success ratio has considerably improved.
BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM
The over pressured sand bodies of the post - Eocene
Siwalik and Murree formations in the Potwar basin (Fig.
1&2) particularly in the eastern Potwar, are well known
for their notorious nature for abnormally high pressures
and reversal of pressure regimes. These sands contain
fresh water with salinity from 1000 to 1500 ppm.
The first evidence of high pressure formation water was
reported in 1915, during drilling at Khaur Oil field. Since
then, Drilling through these sands has presented severe
drilling problems and has resulted in premature
abandonment of several wells. In Khaur oil field, in
central Potwar basin, pressures exceeding geostatic
were encountered below 1200m, which gave rise to
serious drilling problems and complications like incursion
& flow of water, caving and bridging of hole, losses of
circulation, sticky hole conditions and pipe sticking
resulted in abandonment of several wells.
In Dhulian Oil field high pressure water sands were
encountered at the shallow depths of 610m to 915m in
the Chinji formation. Mud weight of 2.00 gm/cc was used
to control these wells. In fact first 4 wells were
abandoned due to problems related to these high
pressure sands similar to Khaur. In the oil field of Meyal,
Ratana, Dakhni, Toot and to the further southwest in Kot
Sarang, Karsal, Balkassar, Minwal, and Joya Mair,
pressures close to geostatic were found in the Murree
and Kamlial formations. Mud weights of 2.24 gm/cc was
used to control the wells in some of these fields. Several
wells were abandoned due to high pressure and
pressure reversal problems.
In the eastern Potwar basin, which contains several
tightly folded and faulted structures, extremely high
pressure water inflows were encountered at very shallow
depths. In Chak Beli Khan structure, first two wells were
abandoned at 322m and 256m depth due to high
pressure water inflows. High pressure water sands were
IADC/SPE 59220
also encountered in Chak Naurang, Bains, Turkwal, Kal,
Rajian and Adhi structure. Mud weight as high as 2.40
gm/cc was used to control the wells. These extremely
high mud weights were required to control the inflows,
which resulted in fracturing of formation and severe
losses of circulation and led to abandonment of several
wells.
GENERAL GEOLOGY
Pakistan is located along part of the vast convergence
zone between the Indo-Pakistani sub continent and
Eurasian land mass and partly over a portion of
northward subducting Arabian Plate in the area of the
Makran coastline. These two convergence boundaries
are connected by a very large lateral strike slip Chaman
fault. This sub continent remained the part of
Gondwanaland till Triassic time. The Potwar basin is a
part of the upper Indus basin and the deposition in this
basin started in the late Pre-Cambrian and continued to
Pleistocene time. This basin is part of the central fold belt
of Pakistan, the northern portion of which forms part of
the Himalayan foreland fold and thrust belt, as a result of
ongoing collision between Eurasian and Indian plate.
The Potwar basin is bounded by the foldbelt of Kalachitta
Range and Main Boundary Thrust to the north, the Salt
Range on the south, the Indus River & Mianwali Re-
entrant to the west and the Jhelum River on the east
(Fig. 1&2). This basin is divided into Northern Folded
Zone to the north and Platform Zone to the south. A
number of north-east, south-west trending anticlines
occur over the basin although the intensity of the
deformation diminishes southward (Fig. 2). In the
Northern Folded Zone the anticlines are isoclinal and
overturned to the south, whilst in the Platform Zone the
folding is broader and gentler. These structures were
formed as a result of fault propagation and salt
movement, activated by southward thrusting of
sedimentary wedge. In a number of the folds salt flow
has added to the structural complexities. The popped up
structures are the product of salt flow. Adhi Field lies
within the Platform Zone and was discovered in one of
the salt cored structures. The main phase of Himalayan
uplift began in the middle Miocene and produced the
main phase of Himalayan mountain building. This uplift is
still continuing and gave rise to rapid erosion and the
large volumes of molassic material were derived from
the southward advancing Himalayan thrust sheet and
were deposited as a thick sequence of fluvial and fluvio-
deltaic clastics. In Siwalik time a great river systems was
present, which played a major role for rapid deposition
over flood plains and the Indus deltaic apron / submarine
fan complex.
The Stratigraphy of the area is that of Pre - Cambrian
salts and evaporites on metamorphic basement of
Gondwanaland followed by Cambrian age clastics, then
Permian sands, shales and silt. Unconformably on these
lie Paleocene carbonates, which are overlain by Eocene
IADC/SPE 59220 PROBLEMS IN DRILLING THROUGH ABNORMAL/SUBNORMAL PORE PRESSURES OF POST EOCENE
FORMATIONS IN THE POTWAR AREA OF PAKISTAN WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ADHI FIELD
age carbonates. Following another unconformity the
greater part of the Stratigraphy comprises of Miocene to
Recent age molasse sediments which are highly
overpressured and resulted in severe drilling hazards.
These post Eocene clastic rock sequence composed of
the Rawalpindi Group (Murree and Kamlial formations),
the Siwalik Group (Chinji, Nagri, Dhok Pathan, and the
various Upper Siwalik formations) are generally non
marine facies. These molasse sediments are
interbedded “multi-storied” sandstone beds and shale
sequence. These sediments thus represent complex
stream system which developed during the Siwaliks
period in the Himalayan molasse basin. The maximum
thickness in the northern part is about 7 to 8 kilometers
and the age of these molasse ranges from Oligocene to
Recent. The generalized stratigraphic succession of
Potwar basin is shown in Fig. 3&4.
ORIGIN AND PREDICTION OF ABNORMAL
PRESSURES
The Tertiary section in Potwar basin, is geologically
highly complex and is geopressured. These high
pressures are a result of rapid rate of sedimentation and
quick burial / over burden followed by uplifting and
pressurizing. The subsequent tectonic activity squeezed
the connate water from the clays and entrapped in the
sand bodies. The under compacted shales in Chinji,
Kamlial and Murree formations, due to rapid deposition
and quick burial is the main reason for these high
pressures. The sands bodies perhaps were at slightly
higher pressure than hydrostatic due to rapid rate of
deposition and quick burial prior to uplifting. The faulting
and folding had isolated the permeable sediments from
surrounding impermeable one. Diastrophism, together
with the weight of the overlying sediments, increased the
pressure and squeezed the soft sediments into the
smaller volumes and reduced the porosity. This resulted
in permanently sealing these high pressures in the tight
sand bodies. The plastic compaction of the clay particles
through geostatic pressures further enhanced the sealing
effect. The pre Cambrian salt and evaporites intruded
into the Cambrian and Permian sedimentary assemblage
created the popped - up structures. A typical popped - up
structure of the eastern Potwar basin is shown in seismic
section as Fig. 5. This up lift brought the paleopressures
to higher altitude. Subsequent surface erosion, indicated
by absence of Nagri and Dhok Pathan formations in
south of the basin, further increased the severity of the
problem by exposing pressurized sand bodies to even
shallower depths. Presence of biogenic or thermocatalic
gas has also not been reported in shales and siltstone,
thus excluding the possibility of aquathermal pressuring
being a mechanism responsible for existing high
pressures.
The sudden reversal of pressure regime, resulting in
severe losses of circulation, could be the “fossil”
3
pressure sealed in sand bodies when there was still a
thin overburden. These subnormal pressures could also
be attributed to upward movement of fluid through the
deep seated faults, or to depletion of these sands
through earlier abandoned wells. Possibly water from the
sands have migrated laterally through the sand bodies
themselves or obliquely through faults / fractures to other
sand bodies that were initially at low fluid pressure
potential. These partially depleted sandstone lenses /
beds are the potential zones of loss of circulation.
The presence of fresh water could be explained by the
fact that the lateral compression due to tectonic activity
squeezed the claystone and forcefully extruded the
already entrapped water and charged the overlying sand
bodies. The claystone / shale, behaving like semi-
permeable only allowed relatively fresh water to extrude
and move upward, thereby reducing salinity of water in
the sand bodies.
It is extremely difficult to predict the depths of over-
pressured zone in Potwar from the experience of already
drilled wells. The sand bodies are lenticular and
discontinuous in shape due to unknown magnitude of
faults displacement, which makes the correlation &
prediction of over - pressure zones extremely difficult.
The study of regional variation of mud weights used in
the Potwar basin indicates, that the severity of the
problem increases towards the eastern part of the basin.
Conventional pore pressure detection techniques,
including measurement of shale density, bulk density,
drilling exponent (Dxc), drilling rate, torque, drag, mud
resistivity and flow line temperatures were extensively
used for early detection of high pressures world wide.
These techniques though considered useful but were not
found reliable in the Potwar basin. The use of seismic
data for identification of geopressure zones, was also not
found possible due to difficulties in establishing normal
trend line in absence of continuous thick sand or shale
beds required for correlation. However, depths of high
pressure water inflows, when correlated with the seismic
interpretation, revealed that high pressures were
generally encountered in the sands that are in proximity
of a nearby deep seated fault.
DRILLING PROBLEMS OF ADHI FIELD
The drilling problems including high pressure water
inflows, loss of circulation, caving and bridging of hole,
collapsed casings, internal and surface blowouts have
been experienced through out the Potwar area and has
resulted in abandonment of several wells.
High pressure water inflows and losses of
circulation
High pressure water inflows and losses of circulation
problem is very common in Potwar basin. The high
pressure water sands themselves do not present such a
4 M. AFZAL, S. ANISUR RASOOL
formidable problem, as improved drilling technology and
superior quality mud can gain effective control over
formation pressures equivalent to, or even higher than
geostatic. Difficulties, however, start while controlling
high pressures with heavy mud, the formation gets
fractured and results in severe losses of circulation and
create internal blow out conditions. The situation usually
deteriorates rapidly and becomes critical when the
simultaneous problems of water inflows and lost
circulation are even further complicated by caving of
shale, bridging and hole tightness. This tightness is
caused by swelling of shale, due to their inherent
tendency, on coming in contact with the fresh water of
the inflows. In such situation sticking of pipes and
casings also become a frequent problem. Fortunately,
little or no gas has been found associated with the water
inflows, otherwise this problem would have been
multifold.
In Adhi field this problem was common and resulted in
abandonment of 6 wells out of 12 (Fig.6). Adhi well 1 was
drilled on the crest of the Adhi anticline. The first water
inflow was encountered in the sand body of Chinji
formation at 288m, which was controlled with 1.70 gm/cc
mud. At 638.80m the well started flowing water, and
subsequently the mud weight was raised to 2.255 gm/cc
whereupon the severe losses of circulation @ 180 bbl/hr
were noted. Finally another high pressure water inflow
from Chinji formation at 639.44m led to the
abandonment of the well. The pressure gradient of 0.98
psi/ft was established at this depth (Table 1). The Adhi
well -2 was also near the crest of the anticline and posed
serious water inflows problem. The high pressure water
inflow in Chinji formation was encountered at 353m
which was controlled with 2.34 gm/cc mud after
considerable difficulties. The severe losses of circulation
were encountered at 599m. A water influx at 798m from
Kamlial formation was controlled with 2.23 gm/cc mud.
Drilling conditions were extremely difficult because of
various losses of circulation alternating with water inflows
and the thief zones had to be cemented off on a great
number of occasions. However the water inflow from
Murree sand at 1146m became very difficult to control
due to complete losses of circulation simultaneously.
Numerous cement plugs were placed to ‘seal off’ the
‘thief zones’ but all in vain and this internal blow out
conditions led to the abandonment of the well. Adhi well -
3 was drilled off structure and the well was eventually
abandoned at 3273m in Murree formation. This well was
very much less pronounced and drilling was relatively
uneventful. Adhi and trouble free due to absence of loss
and gain problem. well -4, was drilled near to the crest of
the anticline. The first water inflow was encountered at
670m in Chinji sands which was controlled with 2.13
gm/cc mud. Complete loss of circulation occurred at
763m resulting in immediate deterioration of hole
conditions because of caving and hole collapse. The
hole was rehabilitated with great difficulty. The inflows
encountered in Murree formation were very well
IADC/SPE 59220
negotiated with 2.25 gm/cc to 2.36 gm/cc mud and the
well was drilled down to 2039.60m. The bit got stuck at
1602m and the water inflow led to the abandonment of
the well. Adhi well 5, 7, 9, 10 and 12 were drilled
comparatively away from the crest of the Adhi anticline,
therefore the intensity of the inflow was not so severe as
compared to the wells, which were drilled very near to
the crest of the anticline. Several inflow and losses of
circulation zones were encountered in Chinji, Kamlial and
Murree formations on these wells at various depths,
which necessitated to raise the mud weight. The mud
weight used on these wells were 1.92 gm/cc, 2.00 gm/cc,
2.08 gm/cc, 1.92 gm/cc and 1.96 gm/cc respectively.
The losses of circulation were cured with LCM pills and
cement plugs. Barite plugs were also used for curing the
inflow / loss zones and borrowing the breathing spell for
making trip to place cement plug. However at Adhi well -
9 the losses in range 1519m to 1835m and inflow zone
at 1380m, was dealt simultaneously, gave serious
problem to overcome this situation. More than 3 months
were lost to overcome this problem. All of these wells
were successfully completed in Khewra / Tobra
formations as gas / condensate producer. The Adhi well
6 was located on fair distance from the crest of the
anticline. The inflows from Kamlial and Murree
formations at 944m and 1415m respectively
necessitated to raise the mud weight to 2.16 gm/cc. At
1535m the 13 3/8” casing was run in, which got stuck at
967.53m and eventually was cemented at this depth.
The well started flowing water after 30 hours of waiting
on cement. The situation became more complicated
when complete loss of circulation was encountered after
drilling out shoe. All attempts were failed to resume
normal circulation. The well was killed with 2.48 gm/cc
mud, exceeding geostatic pressure but remained unable
to resume circulation. This typical internal blow out
conditions led to collapse of 13 3/8” casing and also
number of vents appeared around the well vicinity.
Finally the well was abandoned. Adhi well -8 was drilled
on the crest of the anticline. The water inflows were
encountered in Chinji, Kamlial and Murree formations on
various depths which were controlled with maximum 2.12
gm/cc mud. The inflow at 1548m in Murree formation
was very strong and the formation pressure was found
equivalent to the geostatic pressure. All attempts were
failed to kill well upto 2.30 gm/cc mud. The cement bond
has broken at 13 3/8” casing shoe. The pressure in 24
½”x13 3/8” casing annulus build up to 560 psi. Finally the
well was killed with 2.45 gm/cc mud but found 13 3/8”
casing collapsed, which resulted in abandonment of the
well. Adhi well - 11 was drilled on the southern plunge of
the Adhi anticline. Several inflow and loss of circulation
zones were encountered in Chinji, Kamlial and Murree
formations which were very well negotiated and delicate
balance between the loss and gain situation was kept.
The well was successfully completed in Khewra / Tobra
sandstone as gas / condensate producer. Barite plugs
were found very useful for curing the inflow / loss zones
IADC/SPE 59220 PROBLEMS IN DRILLING THROUGH ABNORMAL/SUBNORMAL PORE PRESSURES OF POST EOCENE
FORMATIONS IN THE POTWAR AREA OF PAKISTAN WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ADHI FIELD
and borrowing the breathing spell to make trip for placing
cement plugs.
The water flows of the abandoned wells have
considerably reduced over the period of time. Adhi well -
1 flowed at about 350 bbl/hr at the time of abandonment,
which is reduced to 83 bbl/hr in 43 years. The Adhi well -
2 flowed at about 350 bbl/hr at the time of abandonment,
but during the span of 42 years the flow is almost ceased
and is flowing only 0.5 bbl/hr. Adhi well - 6 flowed water
through vents and 13 3/8” x 20” annulus at 660 bbl/hr
initially, which is reduced to 40 bbl/hr in 20 years.
The Geological map of the Adhi structure is shown in
Fig.6. The pressures encountered in different Adhi wells
are tabulated in Table 1 and graphically illustrated in
Fig.7.
Casing collapse
In two of the Adhi wells 6 & 8 the 13 3/8” casing
collapsed due to abnormally high pressures. The casing
in both of the wells collapsed due to insurmountable high
pressures, creating the internal blow out conditions as
discussed in previous section.
Caving and bridging of the hole
The caving and bridging of the hole can be dealt in
normal circumstances by adjusting the mud properties
and applying the desired mud weight. In the Potwar basin
this problem is compounded, when the simultaneous
problems of water inflows and lost circulation occurred.
The situation usually deteriorates rapidly and becomes
critical when shale start to cave in and the hole is
bridged. This tightness is caused by swelling of shale,
due to their inherent tendency, on coming in contact with
the fresh water of the inflows. In such situation sticking of
pipes and casings also becomes a frequent problem. In
Adhi field this problem was found in number of well. At
Adhi well -6 the 13 3/8” casing was stuck in way due to
sticky hole and finally the well was abandoned.
Internal blowouts and surface vents
The internal blowout conditions were reported in number
of wells in Potwar basin. At Adhi field this situation was
faced frequently. The Adhi well 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 were
abandoned due to primarily, for this reason. However in
other wells this situation was very well dealt. In Adhi well
- 12, after setting 13 3/8” casing at 2103m in Murree
formation, the well was drilled down to 2122m, where
complete loss of circulation was encountered, when this
loss was cured, the well started flowing through casing
shoe due to poor cement bond around shoe. This loss /
gain situation was controlled by curing the loss with
cement plug and squeezing cement through casing shoe
with great difficulty. These type of events were handled
on number of occasions in different wells. The surface
5
vents were appeared at Adhi well 1 & 6 due to high
pressures water inflows. At Adhi well -1, the high
pressure water, equivalent to geostatic at 639m,
produced surface vents when the well was shut in. The
vents appeared at Adhi well - 6, when the 13 3/8” x 20”
casing annulus was shut in and the pressure was
allowed to build up to geostatic . Fortunately, little or no
gas is associated with this water, otherwise these vents
would have created very hazardous situation.
REMEDIAL MEASURES
The experience of encountering strong water inflows at
very shallow depths, reversal of pressure regimes, and
inability to establish the depths of high pressure sands
with certainty, warranted several remedial measures. It
was realized that chances of overcoming these problems
could only be improved if efficient techniques, capable of
sealing off the thief zones expeditiously and effectively ,
are available. Moreover, the zones requiring different
treatment for controlling pressures are isolated and dealt
with separately.
In view of the experience gained by abandonment of six
wells, out of the first eight wells drilled on Adhi structure,
and over viewing the drilling failure in Potwar basin a new
operational methodology was adopted. The results were
extremely successful and next four wells in sequence on
the same structure were drilled successfully, despite
encountering the similar drilling conditions.
The salient features of this new methodology are
discussed below.
Casing Design
In view of the varying depths of high pressure water
inflows in various wells, it was decided not to standardize
the casing design and vary them as per requirement of
each well. Depths of casing shoe and grades of each
casing string were decided in light of the expected
depths of high pressure formation. The provision for an
additional string (trouble string) was made in the planning
stage and this trouble string was run, when required. It is
concluded that a proper casing design is most crucial for
successful drilling in such hazardous conditions. The
casing design initially used in Adhi wells is shown in Fig.
3 and revised casing design for Adhi wells is shown in
Fig. 4 for comparison.
Drilling Fluids and Barite Plugs
Very high mud weights are required to control the
inflows, therefore design of drilling fluids was given
special consideration. The solid control system was
effectively used and mud was designed to give low ECD.
Vigilant check was kept to detect slightest possible inflow
on every connection and on drilling break. During pulling
out of drill pipes accurate record of hole fill-ups and
6 M. AFZAL, S. ANISUR RASOOL
metal displacements were maintained. Fortunately the
fluid influx is water (not the gas) and also the
temperatures are not high, otherwise the problem would
have been more complex. losses of circulation,
depending upon their intensity and severity, were cured
by loading the system with loss of circulation material. In
case of complete loss of circulation, the cement plugs
were placed to cure the loss.
The barite plugs were effectively used to seal off inflow /
thief zones. They provided very good breathing spell to
pull out drill string for cement jobs.
Cementation
The slurry design for casing cementation was reviewed
and attempts were made to isolate and seal off inflow
zones. At Adhi well 12 the right angle set latex slurries
were found more appropriate to prevent the water inflows
and provide the better zonal isolation.
Shoe Integrity Test
In view of heterogeneous lithologies and unpredictable
nature of sand bodies pertaining high and low pressure
waters, only casing shoe integrity test was conducted
keeping in view the maximum mud weight desired for
next phase of drilling.
Monitoring and Kick Control
The mud logging services equipped with alarm and
recording devices , were extensively used for early
detection of kick and loss of circulation. The sensors for
monitoring all drilling parameters including flow rates and
mud volumes, or any other variation in any drilling
parameters were used. Mud weights were continuously
and critically monitored and recorded.
Procedures and techniques for killing the well in different
situations were discussed and clearly outlined before
commencement of drilling.
CONCLUSIONS
1. Abnormally high pressures exceeding even geostatic
have been experienced in the post - Eocene sand /
shale sedimentary sequence in Potwar basin.
2. Rapid rate of deposition and quick burial, followed by
uplifting and pressurizing due to tectonic activity,
appear to be the primary mechanisms responsible
for these high pressures in the lenticular sand
bodies.
3. Huge thickness of pre Cambrian salt and evaporites,
in presence of tectonic activity resulted in popped up
structures, which brought paleopressures to
shallower depth.
4. High pressure sands were found, in general, in
proximity of deep seated faults.
IADC/SPE 59220
5. All the wells near the crest of Adhi anticline and near
the major longitudinal faults (except well - 11)
encountered insurmountable formation (water)
pressures resulting in their abandonment.
6. Reversal of pressure regimes was mainly attributed
to depletion of sands through faults or due to flow
from the earlier drilled wells.
7. Conventional pore pressure techniques, though were
useful in early detection of high pressures world
wide, were not found reliable in Potwar basin.
8. Proper casing and mud design were found most
crucial for handling those difficult drilling conditions.
9. Careful planning of wells, adoption of state of the art
drilling techniques to combat the problem of water
inflows and lost circulation and close coordination
and understanding between various disciplines have
resulted in successful drilling and hence is the
prerequisite for the future success in this extremely
difficult drilling environment.
10. Possibility of discovering more hydrocarbons in the
sediments of Eocene to Cambrian age are very fair .
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Recently 3 D seismic survey is conducted at Adhi
field, the data is being processed and it is
recommended a detailed study should be
undertaken for the evaluation of high / low pressure
zones utilizing the well data. If high and low pressure
zones are delineated, they can be dealt on merit in
future wells. This exercise is also recommended for
other part of the Potwar basin.
2. Proper leak off tests to the point of leak off should be
performed after casing cementation and in open hole
intervals to determine the fracture gradient of the
formation. In the event of kick, extreme caution
should be exercised to ensure that shut-in casing
pressure does not exceed the allowable calculated
limit of casing seat pressure.
3. The use of cement inflatable external casing packers
can be used for better zonal isolation. It will help to
isolate the multiple pressure regimes.
4. The provision for trouble string in the design and
planning stage should be continued and this should
be run, when required. The proposed casing design
for east Potwar wells is shown in Fig. 8.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors thanks to the management of the Pakistan
Petroleum Limited for granting permission to publish this
paper. Our special thanks are for Mr. S.Munsif Raza the
Managing Director, Mr. Rao Altaf Hussain the General
Manager Production & Mr. Siraj ur Rehman Khan the
Senior Drilling Manager for their cooperation.
Acknowledgment is also due to M/S Nusrat Kamal
Siddiqui, Dr. Fareed I. Siddiqui, and S.Kaleem Akhtar for
editing the text and giving valuable suggestions for
IADC/SPE 59220 PROBLEMS IN DRILLING THROUGH ABNORMAL/SUBNORMAL PORE PRESSURES OF POST EOCENE
7
FORMATIONS IN THE POTWAR AREA OF PAKISTAN WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ADHI FIELD

improvement of manuscript.
The authors are also thankful to Mr. Jameel Ahmed and
Humair Idrees for their help in preparation of the
illustrations.

REFERENCE

1. Fatmi, A.N: “Lithostratigraphic Units of the Kohat-

Potwar Province, Indus Basin Pakistan, “ Memo.
GSP (1973) vol. 10 79.
2. Fertl, W.H.: Abnormal Formation Pressures Elsevier
Scientific Publishing Co. Amsterds (1976).
3. Johnson . G.D. et. Al , “ Magnetic Reverse
Stratigraphy and Sedimentary Tectonic History of
the Upper Siwalik Group, Eastern Salt Range and
Southwestern Kashmir, Geodynamics of Pakistan,
Quetta (1979) P. 149 - 165.
4. Kadri B. Iqbal “Petroleum Geology of Pakistan” P. 1-
45 & 205 - 227.
5. Malick, A.M. “Problems of Drilling through High -
Pressure Water Bearing Post Eocene Sediments of
the Potwar, “ Paper E.C.A.F.E. Petroleum
Symposium , Canberra (1969).
6. Malick. A.M.: Pressure Plagues Pakistan Potwar,
Petroleum Engineering International (1979) p. 26 -
36.
7. Obsorne, M.J, and R.E.Swarbrick,
1977,”Mechanisims for Generating Overpressure in
Sedimentary Basins: a reevaluation ; AAPG Bulletin,
volume 81, P. 1023-1041.
8. Pakistan Energy Year BOOK - 1998.
9. Pakistan Petroleum Limited “Well Completion
Reports of Adhi Wells” Unpublished Reports.
10. Rana A. Latif, et. Al “Addressing the Potwar Basin
Cementation Challenges” Proceedings SPE - PAPG
Annual Technical Conference, October 1999.P.195-
205.
11. Sillito H. Richard, “ Speculation on Himalayan
Metallogeny Based on Evidence from Pakistan,
Geodynamics of Pakistan, Quetta (1979) P. 167 -
179.
 TABLE 1
PRESSURE PROFILE AT ADHI WELLS

Formation PRESSURE GRADIENT (psi/ft)

ADHI-1 ADHI-2 ADHI-3 ADHI-4 ADHI-5 ADHI-6 ADHI-7 ADHI-8 ADHI-9 ADHI-10 ADHI-11 ADHI-12
Chinji -0.683 at - 1.015 at N.A -0.923 at -0.538 at N.A -0.716 at -0.798 at N.A N.A -0.845 at 0.8364 at
300m. 300m. 670.5m. 365.7m 305m. 539.77m. 396.4m 704.60
-0.924 at -0.793 at -0.638 at
M 350m. 765m. 574.5
I -0.962 at
625m.
O Kamlial N.A -0.945 at N.A -806 at -0.632 at -0.936 at -0.815 at -0897 at -0.896 at N.A -0.845 at N.A
805m. 925m. 787m. 914m. 947.9m. 712m. 1001m. 781m. -
C -0.902 at 0.926 at
949.7m. 929m.
E Murree N.A N.A -0.850 at -0.832 at -0.819 at -0.971 at -0.867 at -0.928 at -0.930 at -0.832 at -0.937 at 0.8052 at
1075m.. 975m. 1506m. 1415.2m 1173m. 1020m. 1302m. 1254.8m. 1093m. 1946m.
N -0.893 at -0.936 at -0.784 at -0.901 at -0.993 at -0.736 at -0.741 at -0.922 at 0.8364 at
E 1480m. 1267m. 228m. 1970m. 1547.7m. 1519m. 2161m. 1156m. - 2051.30m
-0.023 at -0.902 at -0.753 at 0.822 at . 0.8156
1327m. 2202m. 2337.4m. 2075m. at 2108m.
-0.042 at 0.8260 at
2039.6m. 2122m.

REMARKS
1. Well - 1 abandoned in top Kamlial (high pressures).
2. Well - 2, 6 and 8 abandoned in top Murrees ( high pressures).
3. Well - 4 abandoned in Lower Murrees (pressure reversal).
4. Well - 3 abandoned in Lower Murrees (wrongly located).
 Fig. - 1

M A P O F PA K I S TA N NORTHERN
AREAS
SHOWING DISCOVERIES IN
P O T WA R B A S I N
(October 1999)

N
N . W . F. P. JAMMU

A
PESHAWAR KASHMIR
ISLAMABAD

T
N (Disputed Area)

S
I
0 100 200

N
KILOMETERS

A BHAL SYEDAN-1
SADKAL-1
H

LAHORE
G

RATANA-1
F

DAKHNI-1 DHURNAL-1
PARIWALI-1 (ST) BHANGALI-1
PUNJAB
A

QUETTA PINDORI-1
MEYAL-1P
KHAUR-1
MISSA KESWAL-1

DHULIAN-2 TURKWAL-1 ADHI-5

A
TOOT-1
FIMKASSAR-1X
MINWAL X-1

I
CHAK NAURANG-1A RAJIAN-1
SUI-1 JOYA MAIR-1 KAL-1
KARSAL-1

D
N

KILOMETERS AMIRPUR-1
BALKASSAR 1A

BA L O C H I S TA N N
A

27°
R

SINDH
I

KHASKHELI-1 Gas
KARACHI
A R A B I A N Oil
Gas/Condensate

62° 64° 66° 68° 70° 72°

Potwar Discoveries.FH8
 Fig- 3

GENERALISED STRATIGRAPHIC SUCCESSION

OF POTWAR BASIN WITH INITIAL CASING DESIGN
(ADHI WELL-5)

AGE FORMATION/THICKNESS DEPTH LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION

METERS

Clyst: Interbdd w SS
SS : Lt gy-whsh gy, trans, occ rd, fri, f-m gr, sub rnd-sub
CHINJI
ang, mod srtd, loose qtz gns. 20” Csg
Clyst : Rdsh brn-brn, lt brn, sft, occ frm, slty, calc, at 356m
rr mic.
817m
KAMLIAL
970m
SS: Interbd w Clyst.
SS : Drty wh-lt gy, lt brn, occ ylsh gn, f-m gr, at pl cr gr,
sub ang-sb rnd, w srtd, hi mic, calc, rr lst frags.
Clyst : Rdsh brn, lt gry, stky, calc. 13-3/8” Csg
at 1220m

MIOCENE SS: Interbd w Clyst.

SS : Drty wh-lt gy, lt brn, occ ylsh gn, f-m gr, at pl f gr,
occ m-c gr, sft-fri, occ mud consol, sub ang-sub rnd,
p-w srtd, occ calc, arg.
MURREE Clyst : Lt brn-rdsh brn, dk brn, sft, stky, sndy, mic, thin
band of detrital LS (base).
LS : Lt brn, hd, dline.

Predominantly Limestone (top) with frequent interbeds

of Marl/argillaceous limestone and shale at base.

Limestone with rare shale at base and Marl.

Marl and limestone overlying shale and

claystone.

Predominantly shale with occasional interbed 9-5/8” Lnr

of claystone. at 2062m

UNCONFORMITY Predominantly limestone, marly at places

2290m
with rare streaks of shale.
BHADRAR

2340m

EOCENE SAKESAR
UNCONFORMITY Top of Liner 2360m
2440m
Shale overlying marl, with thin shale
NAMMAL streaks.
2463m 7” Csg
PATALA
2475m Interbeded silty clay, siltstone AT 2460m.
PALEOCENE LOCKART and shale with very thin SS beds
2490m
DHAKPASS at top, at base predominantly SS
2505m with shale interbeds.
DANDOT / WARCHA
2550m
PERMIAN
TOBRA Conglomeratic SS with fragments of pink granite, at
2575m places shale partings and interclations of siltstone,
shale, clay at base.
JUTANA
2614m Predominantly dolomite with interbeds of SS and
CAMBRIAN KUSSAK shale at base.
2650m
Mainly SS with minor shale, siltstone and
KHEWRA occasional dolomite streaks.
2775m
PRE Predominantly SS with occasional thin beds of
CAMBRIAN
SALT RANGE 4-1/2” Liner
siltstone and shale.
AT 2800m.
Anhydrite / Gypsum, Dolomite with thin shale and
marl in top 25m and Halite (base)

Gen_Strat_Potwar_2 M.Afzal / Humair Idrees

 Fig 4

GENERALISED STRATIGRAPHIC SUCCESSION

OF POTWAR BASIN WITH REVISED CASING DESIGN
(ADHI WELL-12)

AGE FORMATION/THICKNESS DEPTH LITHOLOGY DESCRIPTION

METERS
MIOCENE-
PLIOCENE
NAGRI SS: Interbdd w Clyst
100m
SS : Whsh gr-brn, lt gy-brnsh gy, c-m
30” Csg
gr, occ pbly or gvly, mod-p srtd, tr mic.
at 152m
Clyst : Rdsh brn, lt mar-gnsh yel, gy, m hd-sft,
CHINJI thk-thin bdd, tr mic. 24-1/2” Csg
at 590m
Clyst: Interbdd w SS
SS : Lt gy-whsh gy, trans, occ rd, fri, f-m gr, sub rnd-sub
900m ang, mod srtd, loose qtz gns.
Clyst : Rdsh brn-brn, lt brn, sft, occ frm, slty, calc,
KAMLIAL
rr mic.
1098m 18-5/8” Csg
SS: Interbd w Clyst. at 1228m
SS : Drty wh-lt gy, lt brn, occ ylsh gn, f-m gr, at pl cr gr,
sub ang-sb rnd, w srtd, hi mic, calc, rr lst frags.
Clyst : Rdsh brn, lt gry, stky, calc.

MIOCENE SS: Interbd w Clyst.

SS : Drty wh-lt gy, lt brn, occ ylsh gn, f-m gr, at pl f gr,
occ m-c gr, sft-fri, occ mud consol, sub ang-sub rnd,
p-w srtd, occ calc, arg.
MURREE Clyst : Lt brn-rdsh brn, dk brn, sft, stky, sndy, mic, 13-3/8” Csg
thin band of detrital LS (base). at 2098m
LS : Lt brn, hd, dline.

Predominantly Limestone (top) with frequent interbeds

of Marl/argillaceous limestone and shale at base.

Limestone with rare shale at base and Marl.

Marl and limestone overlying shale and

claystone.

Predominantly shale with occasional interbed

of claystone.

UNCONFORMITY Predominantly limestone, marly at places

2700m
with rare streaks of shale.
BHADRAR

2760m

EOCENE SAKESAR
UNCONFORMITY
2864m
Shale overlying marl, with thin shale
NAMMAL streaks.
2890m
PATALA
2898m
PALEOCENE LOCKART
2901m
DHAKPASS
2916m
DANDOT / WARCHA Interbeded silty clay, siltstone and shale with 9-5/8” Csg
2955m very thin SS beds at top, at base at 2954m
PERMIAN
TOBRA predominantly SS with shale interbeds.
2978m Conglomeratic SS with fragments of pink granite, at
JUTANA places shale partings and interclations of siltstone,
3030m shale, clay at base.
CAMBRIAN KUSSAK
3072m
Predominantly dolomite with interbeds of SST and
KHEWRA shale at base.
PRE
CAMBRIAN
SALT RANGE Mainly SS with minor shale, siltstone and
occasional dolomite streaks. 7” Csg
AT 3140m.
Predominantly SS with occasional thin beds of
siltstone and shale.

Gen_Strat_Potwar M.Afzal / Humair Idrees

 PORE PRESSURE GRADIENT OF ADHI FIELD IN EAST POTWAR BASIN Fig 7
PRESSURE (PSI)
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000
0

500

1000
DEPTH (METERS)

1500

2000

2500
Geostatic
Pressure
(1.0 Psi/ft.)

Hydrostatic
Pressure
(0.433 Psi/ft.)
3000

Adhi-1 Adhi-4 Adhi-7 Adhi-10

Adhi-2 Adhi-5 Adhi-8 Adhi-11
Adhi-3 Adhi-6 Adhi-9 Adhi-12
 Fig-8

PROPOSED CASING DESIGN FOR

EAST POTWAR WELL

Inflow
24-1/2” Csg.
Loss
CHINJI K-55, 140 & 160 lb/ft.

Inflow 18-5/8” Csg.

K-55 & N-80,
KAMLIAL Loss 96.5 & 139 lb/ft.
1000 Inflow

Loss
Inflow
DEPTH IN METERS

MURREE Loss
9-5/8” Csg
Inflow P-110, 47 & 53.5 lb/ft.
2000
Loss
Loss

MIOCENE Loss

EOCENE
PALEOCENE
PERMIAN 7” Csg
USS - 95 & N-80,
32 & 29 lb/ft.
CAMBRIAN

3000
PRE- 5” Liner
CAMBRIAN FJ-P Hydril,
18 lb/ft.

MA/his
ADHI-12