Detecting overpressure using porosity-based techniques in the Carnarvon Basin, Australia

Abstract

<jats:p>Overpressure has been encountered in many wells drilled in the Carnarvon Basin. Sonic logs are used to estimate pore pressure in shales in the Carnarvon Basin using the Eaton and equivalent depth methods of estimating pore pressure from velocity data with reference to a normal compaction trend. The crux of pore pressure estimation from the sonic log lies in the determination of the normal compaction trend, i.e. the acoustic travel time (Δt)/depth (z) trend for normally pressured sediments. The normal compaction trend for shales in the Carnarvon Basin was established by fitting an Athy-type exponential relationship to edited sonic log data, and is: Δt = 225 + 391exp(-0.00103z) Vertical stress estimates are also needed for the Eaton and equivalent depth methods used herein. A vertical stress (σv) relationship was obtained by fitting a regression line to vertical stress estimates from the density log, and is: σv = 0.0131 z1.0642 The Eaton and equivalent depth methods yield similar pressure estimates. However, the equivalent depth method can only be applied over a limited range of acoustic travel times, a limitation that does not apply to the Eaton method. The pressure estimates from the Eaton method were compared to pressures measured by direct pressure tests in adjacent permeable units. There is a good correlation between Eaton and test pressures in normally pressured intervals in three wells and overpressured intervals in two wells. Eaton pressure estimates underestimate overpressured direct pressure measurements in four wells by up to 13 MPa. This is consistent with overpressure being generated (at least in part) by a fluid expansion mechanism or lateral transfer of overpressure. The Eaton pressures in one well are, on average, 11 MPa lower than hydrostatic pore pressure recorded in direct pressure measurements below the Muderong Shale. The sediments in this well appear to be overcompacted due to exhumation. Mud weights can be used as a proxy for pore pressure in shales where direct pressure measurements are not available in the adjacent sandstones. The Eaton pressure estimates are consistent with mud weight in the Gearle Siltstone and Muderong Shale in 4 of the 8 wells studied. The Eaton pressures are on average 10 Mpa in excess of mud weight in the Muderong Shale and Gearle Siltstone in three wells. It is unclear whether the predicted Eaton pressures in these three wells accurately reflect pore pressure (i.e. the mud weights do not accurately reflect pore pressure), or whether they are influenced by changes in shale mineralogy (because the gamma ray filter does not differentiate between shale mineralogy).</jats:p>