Skip to main content

Formation pressures, abnormal

  • Reference work entry
Applied Geology

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS,volume 3))

  • 1938 Accesses

  • 3 Citations

Detection and quantitative evaluation of overpressured subsurface formations are critical to exploration, drilling, and production operations involving hydrocarbon and geothermal resources. Hence, an interdisciplinary technical team approach is required to optimize the safety, engineering, and financial aspects of operating in such hostile sub-surface environments (Fertl, 1976).

Worldwide experience indicates a significant correlation between the presence and magnitude of formation pressures and the shale/sand Ratio of sedimentary sections. The distribution of oil and gas is related to regional and local subsurface pressure and temperature environments. Knowledge of the expected pore Pressure and Fracture Gradients is the basis for (1) efficiently drilling wells with correct mud weights, (2) properly designing casing programs, and (3) completing wells effectively and safely, allowing for killing the well without excessive formation damage. In reservoir engineering,...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Althaus, V. E., 1975. A new model for fracture gradient, 5th CWLS Form. Eval. Symp., Paper M. Calgary, Alberta, 12p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, R. A.; Ingram, D. S.; and Zanier, A. M., 1973. Determining fracture pressure gradients from well logs, Jour. Petroleum Technology 25, 1259–1268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aud, B. W., and Fertl, W. H., 1976. Overpressure in the Twilight Zone, Petroleum Engineer, 48(5), 122–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourgoyne, A. T.; Hawkins, M. F., Jr.; Lavquial, F. P.; and Wickenhauser, T. L., 1972. Shale Water as a Pressure Support Mechanism in Superpressured Reservoirs. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University, SPE 3851, 3rd Symposium on Abnormal Subsurface Pore Pressure, May, 11p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burst, J. F., 1969. Diagenesis of Gulf Coast clayey sediments and its possible relation to petroleum migration, Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull. 53(1), 73–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christman, S. A., 1973. Offshore fracture gradients, Jour. Petroleum Technology 25, 910–914.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, B. A., 1970. How to drill offshore with maximum control, World Oil 171(5), 73–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fertl, W. H., 1976. Abnormal Formation Pressures: Implications to Exploration, Drilling and Production of Oil and Gas Resources. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 382p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fertl, W. H., and Chilingarian, G. V., 1976. Importance of Abnormal Formation Pressures to the Oil Industry. Paper presented to Spring Meeting of the European Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, Amsterdam, April, SPE 5946, 10p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fertl, W. H., and Chilingarian, G. V., 1981. Drilling through overpressured formation, in G. V. Chilingarian and P. Vorabutr (eds.), Drilling and Drilling Fluids. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 581–620.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fertl, W. H., and Timko, D. J., June 1972-Mar. 1973. How downshole temperatures, pressures affect drilling, World Oil (10-part series of articles).

    Google Scholar 

  • Harville, D. W., and Hawkins, M. F., Jr., 1969. Rock compressibility and failure as reservoir mechanisms in geopressured gas reservoirs, Jour. Petroleum Technology 21, 1528–1530.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hubbert, M. K., and Willis, D. G., 1957. Mechanics of hydraulic fracturing, Am. Inst. Mining Eng. Trans. 210, 153–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacPherson, L. A., and Berry, L. N., 1972. Prediction of fracture gradients from log-derived elastic moduli, Log Analyst 13(5), 12–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, W. R., and Kelly, J., 1967. How to predict formation pressure and fracture gradient, Oil Gas Jour. 65(8), 92–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, P. L., 1974. Drilling Practices Manual. Tulsa, Okla.: The Petroleum Publishing Co., 448p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, E. B., 1973. The Application of Seismic Techniques to Drilling Techniques. Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, 48th Annual Fall Meeting, Las Vegas, Nev., Sept. 30-Oct. 3, SPE 4643.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, D. B., and Smith, R. K., 1970. Improving fracture gradient estimates in offshore drilling, Oil Gas Jour. 68(15), 67–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Terzaghi, K. V., 1923. Die Berechnung der Durchlässigkeitsziffer des Tones aus dem Verlauf der Hydrodynamischen Spannungserscheinungen, K. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math. Naturwiss. Kl. Abts. 2A, 105–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Timko, D. J., and Fertl, W. H., 1971. Relationship between hydrocarbon accumulation and geopressure and its economic significance. Jour. Petroleum Technology, August, pp. 923–932.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, W. E., 1969. Water production from abnormally-pressured gas reservoirs in south Louisiana, Jour. Petroleum Technology 21, 969–983.

    Google Scholar 

Cross-references

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1984 Van Nostrand Reinhold Company Inc.

About this entry

Cite this entry

Chilingarian, G.V., Fertl, W.H. (1984). Formation pressures, abnormal . In: Finkl, C. (eds) Applied Geology. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series, vol 3. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30842-3_23

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30842-3_23

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-442-22537-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-30842-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Can't support this form
To protect your security while using Google Translate, please do not submit information in this type of form.
Got itGo to original URL