Pore Pressure Prediction While Drilling

Pore Pressure While
Drilling
Ademola Sorungbe/ Howard August
November 5th, 2019
Source: The Nguyen Dac et al., 2016. OTC-26443-MS

OUTLINE
Introduction and theory Applications
• Pore pressure • Pore Pressure Prediction While Drilling

• Normal, abnormal and subnormal pressures Using Fuzzy Logic: A Case Study in Onshore
• Causes of overpressure Saudi Arabia
• Transition zone
• Caprock • Combining Sonic While Drilling and
• Pore pressure while drilling (PPWD) Formation Pressure While Drilling for Pore
• Objectives of PPWD Pressure Analysis to Reduce Drilling Risk: A
• PPWD detection techniques Case Study in Offshore Vietnam
• Drilling parameters (ROP, RPM, WOB, D exp)

• Formation data (Mudlog, Cuttings, etc.)
Methods for estimating Drilling Performance
Pore Pressure Transition Zone Caprock Formation Data Case Study 1 Case Study 2
Pore Pressure data
Introduction
Pore pressure is the fluid pressure in the pore space of the

formation
In normally compacting sediments, water escapes through

permeable sands or along fractures as overburden sediments
build up, and fluid or pore pressure remains close to hydrostatic
pressure.
if formation fluids cannot escape, then they bear part of the

overburden load and hence become overpressured. These
formations are called undercompacted.
In overpressured shales, which contain pressured water,

density is lower, porosity is higher, and compressional velocity
is lower than normal.
Formation pressure can be the major factor affecting the

success of drilling operations. If pressure is not properly
Source: Jingzhou Zhao et al., 2017.
evaluated, it can lead to drilling problems such as lost
circulation, kick, stuck pipe, hole instability, and excessive
costs.
Pore Pressure data
The causes of overpressure are divided into five categories,

- Disequilibrium compaction,
- Fluid expansion,
- Diagenesis,
- Tectonic compression and
- Pressure transfer.
The fluid expansion involves hydrocarbon generation, oil cracking to gas and hydrothermal expansion.
The diagenesis includes smectite-to-illite transformation.
With more and more application of empirical methods, almost all of the overpressure cases that are traditionally
thought to be caused by disequilibrium compaction are denied totally or partly. Instead, the hydrocarbon
generation is demonstrated to be the most significant mechanism for overpressure formation.
Causes of overpressuring differ in lithology.
overpressure in many basins is believed to be caused by a combination of two or more overpressuring

mechanisms.
Pore Pressure data
When formation pore pressure is approximately equal to

theoretical hydrostatic pressure for the given vertical depth
formation pressure is said to be normal.
The term abnormal formation pressure is used to describe

formation pressures that are greater than normal.
Abnormally low formation pressures also are encountered

and the term subnormal formation pressure is used to
describe these pressures.
Source: drillingformulas.com.
For abnormal or subnormal pressures to exist an overlying
pressure seal must be present.
Pore Pressure data
Transition Zone
The zone between the normally pressured zone and the
overpressured zone is known as the transition zone.
The pressures in both the transition and overpressured

zones are quite clearly above the hydrostatic pressure
gradient line. The transition zone is therefore the seal or
caprock on the overpressured formation.
The caprock of a reservoir is not necessarily a totally

impermeable formation, but is generally simply a very low
permeability formation.
If the seal is a thick shale, the increase in pressure will be

gradual, however, if the seal is a hard, crystalline rock (with
no permeability at all) the transition will be abrupt.
Despite the pressure in the transition zone may be quite high,

the fluid in the pore space cannot flow into the well-bore.
Source: kingpetroleum.co.uk
Pore Pressure data
Common log response in the transition zone
Source: Jingzhou Zhao et al., 2017.

Pore Pressure data
Precipitation of minerals from solution causes formation of permeability barriers in rock types other than shale.
if the saline water is abnormally pressured the shale can be forced to accept water from solution of lower
activity (saline water).
Ions that cannot enter the shale interlayers are left behind and become more concentrated forming precipitates.
The precipitation of silica and carbonates would cause the upper part of the high-pressure zone to become
relatively dense and impermeable.
Source: Bourgoyne et al 1986.

Methods for estimating
Pore Pressure Transition Zone Caprock Pore Pressure Drilling Performance data Formation Data Case Study 1 Case Study 2
Methods for estimating the pore pressure
Source: kingpetroleum.co.uk
Pore Pressure While Drilling (PPWD)
Drilling Performance Data Formation Property Data

▪ Rate of Penetration (ROP) ▪ Mud log data
▪ Hook Load ▪ Cuttings analysis
▪ Rotary Speed (RPM) ➢ Shale density
▪ Torque ➢ Moisture content
▪ Drag ➢ Formation water salinity
▪ Weight on bit ➢ Volume of water
▪ Circulation rate ▪ Measurement while drilling (MWD)
▪ Logging while drilling (LWD)
Objectives of PPWD
▪ To reduce high uncertainty associated with
predrill pore pressure predictions
➢ Mud Weight
➢ Casing seat depth
▪ To monitor indicators of abnormal pressure

towards the provision of timely feedback to
the drilling personnel on abnormal pressure
situations for real-time pressure
management
Drilling Parameters
▪ Drilling performance depends on the following:
➢ Formation pressure ➢ WOB

➢ ROP ➢ RPM
➢ Rock type/Rock Strength ➢ Rock abrasion
➢ Compaction/porosity ➢ Mud property
➢ Differential pressure ➢ Pump rate
➢ Bit type ➢ Pump pressure
➢ Bit diameter
➢ Bit wear
D-Exponent
▪ Empirical models have been developed to account for the effect of some of the
more important factors affecting drilling performance
Bingham 1964
d - D-Exponent
dc - Modified D-Exponent
Jorden and Shirley 1966 R - Rate of penetration
N - Rotary speed
W - Weight on bit
B - Bit diameter
MWn - Mud density Normal
Rehm and McCledon 1971 MWe - Actual mud density
Source: www.kingpertroleum.co.uk
Source: www.kingpertroleum.co.uk
Formation Data
Mudlog Analysis
▪ Mudlogs are graphical presentations of information collected by monitoring
the drilling fluid
▪ Rock fragments and formation fluids in the drilling fluid provide valuable
information about subsurface formations in-spite of the lag time
▪ Mudlogs can help verify the occurrence of abnormally pressured zones

already being inferred by drilling performance data
▪ Mudlogs can predict the presence of an abnormally pressured zones ahead of

drilling data
Direct indicators of pore pressure

▪ Mud gains
▪ Mud losses
▪ Mud density
Indirect indicators
▪ Gas cut mud
➢ Total gas
➢ Connection gas
➢ Trip gas
➢ Liberated/background gas
➢ Produced gas
➢ Recycled gas
Differential pressure and gas shows

Total gas and ECD
▪ If the gas influx is large, the

gas cut mud can cause a
marked reduction of the
downhole mud weight, and
this could result in a gas kick
or blowout
Source: Zhang and Yin, 2017

Measurement while drilling (Temperature)

▪ Undercompacted shales with high
fluid content tend to have higher
thermal retention capability,
because water retains heat better
than rock matrix
▪ During drilling through an

overpressured zone, the MWD
temperature and temperature at the
mud flowline tends to increase
▪ Circulation rate could also cause an

increase in flowline temperature
Source: www.kingpetroleum.co.uk
Measurement while drilling (Pressure)

▪ Pressure While Drilling (PWD) tools utilize a combined annulus and drillpipe
sensor to provide accurate measure of downhole ECD
Source: Zhang and Yin, 2017

Cuttings Analysis Spalling shales
• Mineral identification Pm > Pp

• Microfossil analysis
Lithology • Grain-size analysis
identification and
correlation
Pm < Pp
• Spalling shales
• Shale porosity
• Moisture content
Shale cuttings • Cation Exchange
analysis Capacity
Spalling
shales
Pore Pressure Verification with LWD
▪ LWD logs should be used as they are acquired in predicting pore pressure
▪ This should be compared with the pre-drill pore pressure model
▪ Pre-drill model should be calibrated to LWD model in real-time
▪ The choice of the planned casing seat depth must be verified with actual LWD
pore pressure model
Pore Pressure Prediction While Drilling Using

Fuzzy Logic: A Case Study Onshore Saudi Arabia
Real-time sensor
✓ WOB STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
✓ ROP (Correlation Coefficient R)
✓ RPM
✓ Torque
✓ Temperature
✓ Mud weight Main contributors (Highest R)
✓ Conductivity ✓ WOB
✓ GR ✓ ROP
246
✓ RHOB ✓ RPM
✓ DT ✓ Mud weight
✓ PHIT ✓ RHOB
✓ DT
R: -1 ≤ R ≥ 1 ✓ PHIT
Total data points (246 points) = Training: 70% Testing: 30%
Fuzzy Logic Results (R): 0.998 0.998

Conclusions
Combined result
▪ Fuzzy logic outperformed other
empirical models
▪ FL does not require data across

normal and abnormal trends
▪ Combines both drilling and well log

data
▪ Considers rock strength by using

RHOB
Pore Pressure Transition Zone Caprock Formation Properties Case Study 1 Case Study 2
Pore Pressure data
Case study 1
An offshore exploration well was being drilled in offshore

Vietnam with drilling challenges of abnormally high-
temperature/high-pressure (HP/HT).
In this study, pore pressure was estimated from the sonic

data using Eaton’s method (Eaton 1975), and it compared
well to pore pressure obtained from interval velocity and
resistivity. This estimated pore pressure was calibrated by
the direct formation pressure measurement from offset
wells.
The predrill pore pressure model was planned based on

the available offset well log data along with assuming similar
lithology and little structural complexity.
This HP/HT well, there was an extremely challenging narrow

mud weight window and hence, low tolerance for MW
uncertainty.

Pore Pressure data
To determine the minimum mud

weight for drilling operations, this
workflow was used for the pore
pressure analysis and real-time
monitoring.
Monitoring and updating pore

pressure in real time are the keys to
success when there is high risk of
wellbore instability

Pore Pressure data
LWD logging data, LWD sonic measurement, and FPWD were acquired for three hole sections (16.5-in.,
12.25-in., and 8.5-in.) for pore pressure monitoring in real time.
The pore pressure was updated to total depth (TD) of the well to reduce the prediction uncertainties.
The following steps were used to monitor and update the pore pressure in real time.
Monitoring and quality check (QC) of the LWD data compressional slowness (DTCO), density, and
resistivity were done to make sure the acquired data were good quality.
The formation lithology was correlated between the acquired LWD data and the offset well data, and the
predrill PPP was adjusted immediately based on the changes of formation lithology.
The pore pressure was calculated in real time from LWD sonic and well calibrated by FPWD, and then
used to calibrate the predrill PPP.
Pore Pressure data
LWD sonic real-time (left) and recorded-mode (right) data in 12.25-in. section
Pore Pressure data
RT pore pressure using LWD sonic and FPWD data (left) and updated predrill model (right) in 12.25-in. hole
Pore Pressure data
By using this technique, this well was successfully

completed; drilling to TD of the well was
accomplished without any pore pressure related
incident.
The Post-Drilling Model was updated with the real-

time LWD sonic data with recorded-mode, FPWD
and pumpoff measurements for all three sections.
As the result of this integration, the well was drilled

successfully without major pore pressure related
issues.
The calibrated model will be used for modeling and

planning future wells in the same area.
REFERENCES
˗ Jingzhou Zhao, Jun Li, Zeyang Xu. Advances in the origin of overpressures in sedimentary basins.
Petroleum Research Vol. 3. 2018.
˗ Adam T. Bourgoyne Jr., Martin E. Chenevert., Keith K. Millheim, F.S. Young Jr. Applied Drilling
Engineering. SPE Textbook Series, Vol. 2, 1986.
˗ The Nguyen Dac, Dung Doan Thi My, Aqil Ahmed, Ha Phung Thai, and Sadu-ur Rehman, Son Nguyen
Truong, and Giang Khuc Hong, Bien Dong. Combining Sonic While Drilling and Formation Pressure
While Drilling for Pore Pressure Analysis to Reduce Drilling Risk: A Case Study in Offshore Vietnam.
OTC-26443-MS, 2016.
˗ Abdulmalek Ahmed S, Salaheldin Elkatatny, Abdulazeez Abdulraheem, Mohammed Mahmoud and
Abdulwahab Z. Ali, King Fahd. Mohamed, I. M. Pore Pressure Prediction While Drilling Using Fuzzy
Logic. SPE-192318-MS, 2018.
˗ Irwan Rubianto, Andi Eka Prasetia, Pasquale Detrizio, Kerati Charnvit, and Wanchana Srisai, Schlumberger;
Meth Follett, Warapong Dejdamrongpreecha, Rapee Kudisri, Manoj Meghnani, Fabrice Loux, Visarut
Phonpuntin, and Somphop Eawprasert, PTTEP. An Effective Method in Determining Pore Pressure by
Controlling Bottomhole Pressure While Drilling Narrow Window Wells in the Gulf of Thailand. SPE-
186877-MS, 2017.
˗ Fausto Mosca, Obren Djordjevic, Thomas Hantschel, Jim McCarthy, Ana Krueger, Dave Phelps, Tayo
Akintokunbo, Thorsten Joppen, Klaas Koster, Michael Schupbach, Kenneth Hampshire, and Andy
MacGregor. Pore pressure prediction while drilling: 3D Earth model in the Gulf of Mexico. AAPG
Bulletin published online June 15, 2017.

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What are normal, abnormal and subnormal pore pressures?

What are normal, abnormal and subnormal pore pressures?

What is the transition zone?

What is the transition zone?

Pore Pressure While

Source: The Nguyen Dac et al., 2016. OTC-26443-MS

Introduction and theory Applications

• Pore pressure • Pore Pressure Prediction While Drilling

• Drilling parameters (ROP, RPM, WOB, D exp)

Pore pressure is the fluid pressure in the pore space of the

In normally compacting sediments, water escapes through

if formation fluids cannot escape, then they bear part of the

In overpressured shales, which contain pressured water,

Formation pressure can be the major factor affecting the

The causes of overpressure are divided into five categories,

The diagenesis includes smectite-to-illite transformation.

Causes of overpressuring differ in lithology.

overpressure in many basins is believed to be caused by a combination of two or more overpressuring

When formation pore pressure is approximately equal to

The term abnormal formation pressure is used to describe

Abnormally low formation pressures also are encountered

The pressures in both the transition and overpressured

The caprock of a reservoir is not necessarily a totally

If the seal is a thick shale, the increase in pressure will be

Despite the pressure in the transition zone may be quite high,

Common log response in the transition zone

Source: Jingzhou Zhao et al., 2017.

Source: Bourgoyne et al 1986.

Methods for estimating the pore pressure

Pore Pressure While Drilling (PPWD)

Drilling Performance Data Formation Property Data

▪ To monitor indicators of abnormal pressure

▪ Drilling performance depends on the following:

➢ Formation pressure ➢ WOB

▪ Mudlogs can help verify the occurrence of abnormally pressured zones

▪ Mudlogs can predict the presence of an abnormally pressured zones ahead of

Direct indicators of pore pressure

Differential pressure and gas shows

Total gas and ECD

▪ If the gas influx is large, the

Source: Zhang and Yin, 2017

Measurement while drilling (Temperature)

▪ During drilling through an

▪ Circulation rate could also cause an

Measurement while drilling (Pressure)

Source: Zhang and Yin, 2017

Cuttings Analysis Spalling shales

• Mineral identification Pm > Pp

Pore Pressure Verification with LWD

▪ This should be compared with the pre-drill pore pressure model

▪ Pre-drill model should be calibrated to LWD model in real-time

Pore Pressure Prediction While Drilling Using

Total data points (246 points) = Training: 70% Testing: 30%

Fuzzy Logic Results (R): 0.998 0.998

▪ FL does not require data across

▪ Combines both drilling and well log

▪ Considers rock strength by using

An offshore exploration well was being drilled in offshore

In this study, pore pressure was estimated from the sonic