Pore Pressure Prediction

Predict pore pressure to avoid problems drilling in depleted, deep, or overpressured zones

Predrill pore pressure can be predicted using fit-for-purpose seismic velocities with a velocity-to-pore-pressure transform calibrated to offset wells.

Gulf of Mexico pore pressure cube

Pore pressure studies typically take 1 to 2 months to perform, whereas drillers often require a faster result. To reduce the time required, a pore pressure model was built covering the entire northern Gulf of Mexico, using data released by the Minerals Management Service (MMS). All checkshots released by the MMS in the Gulf of Mexico were inverted to obtain compressional velocity versus depth below mudline. These velocity functions were then kriged to populate a 3D mechanical earth model (MEM), with both velocity and expected uncertainty.

The 3D velocity model obtained is used to infer the regional variation in overpressure and undercompaction of shallow sediments. The 3D velocity model provides a fit-for-purpose starting model, enabling rapid response to requests for pore pressure prediction—days before drilling, or even after the well has encountered problems. Inclusion of client data enhances the predictive power of the velocity model, yielding a customized well-specific solution anywhere in the model.