Pore Pressure Prediction and Evaluation Training
From $5250 per attendee
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Houston
24 March, 2025 - 28 March, 2025
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12 May 2025 - 16 May, 2025
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2 June, 2025 - 6 June, 2025
Book CourseLondon
13 October 2025 - 17 October, 2025
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Course Information
- Course Content
- Course Description
- Course Objectives
- Who Should Attend
- CPD Unit
Course Content
Day 1
Basics of Wellsite Pressure Evaluation
Overview
What is Formation Pressure Evaluation?
Why pressure evaluation is important
Formation Pressure Fundamentals
Units of Measurement
Fluid, Hydrostatic and Pore Pressures
Pressure Gradients and Equivalent Mud Weights
Stress Definitions
Stress Theory
Expressions of Stress
Relationship between vertical and horizontal stresses
Effective or Matrix Stresses
Borehole Stresses
Manifestations of Stress Imbalance
Rock Strength and Stress
Stress Related Drilling Problems
Horizontal or High Angle Well Direction and Stress
Horizontal Stress Problems in the North Sea
Wellbore Stability Analysis
Overburden Pressures and Gradients
Overburden Pressure, S
Calculating Formation Densities
Overburden Pressure Gradients
Overburden Pressure Gradients and ERD
Day 2
Fracture Pressures and Gradients
Definition
Influences on Fracture Pressure
Estimation of Fracture Pressure and Gradient
Pressure Test Variants, FIT, XLOT
Calculating Fracture Pressure – Rest of Well
Fracture Pressure Gradient – Role in Well Planning
Life of Field
Summary for fracture pressure calculations
Plotting Formation Pressures
Pressure Plots
Equivalent Mud Weight Plot
Effect of Measurement Datum
Changing Measurement Datum
More Terminology
State of Balance
Static and Dynamic Densities
Safe Mud Densities
Abnormal Pressure Mechanisms
Classification Basis
Compaction Mechanisms
Undercompaction/Compaction Disequilibrium
Undercompaction Modelling
Parameter Relationships
Syntectonic (Lateral Compressive Stress)
Fluid Expansion Mechanisms
Hydrocarbon Generation and Cracking
Aquathermal
Chemical and Diagenetic Changes
Other Diagenetic Transformations
Load Transfer Mechanism
Parameter Relationships
Pressure Charging / Structural
Pressure Charging and Transfer
Structural/Tectonic
Salt and Shale Diapirs
Hydrocarbon Buoyancy
Mechanism and Evaluation
Impact of Mechanism on Prediction and Evaluation
Mechanism Identification
Impact on Well Planning
Seals, Cells and Compartments
Introduction
Seal Definition
Types of Seal
Cells and Compartments
Seal Breach
Seal Capacities
Day 3
Hydrodynamics
Overview
Buhrig’s Model
Potentiometric Surfaces
Tilted Hydrocarbon Contacts
Case Study: Kraka Field, Danish Sector
North Sea Palaeogene Hydrodynamics Case Study
Formation Pressure Evaluation
PART 1: Curve Trend Line Analysis Methods and Pre-Well Prediction
Pore Pressure Prediction and Evaluation Basics
Importance of `shale’
Normal Compaction Trend (NCT)
Data Used in Trend Analysis
Quantitative Analysis Methods
Ratio Methods
Equivalent Depth or Matrix Stress Method
Eaton Method
Overlays
Common Problems
What Method Should Be Used?
Curve Trend Analysis – Well Data
Introduction
Sonic log or ITT (Interval Transit Time)
Resistivity (Conductivity) log
Density logs
LWD Wireline Curve Summary
Predictive Methods
Seismic Predictive Methods
Basin Modelling
Offset Well Data
Combining the Predictions
Part 2: Direct Pressure Measurements
Direct Pressure Measurements
Overview
Influxes and Kicks
Wireline and LWD Pressure Measurements
Drill Stem Tests
Fracture Pressure Measurements
LOTs and FITs
LOT Plots and Diagnoses
Mud Losses/Lost circulation
Wellbore Strengthening – ‘Stress Cage’
Measurement After Drilling (MAD)
Geologist’s Roles in Lost Circulation
Day 4
Part 3: Indirect Pressure Indicators
Indirect Pressure Indicators
Introduction
Drilling Indicators
Drilling rate and Drilling Exponents.
Using Drill Rate in While-Drilling Evaluation
Drilling Exponents
Using the Dxc
Shale Characteristics
Shale Density
Shale factor
Hole Conditions
Drilling Terminology – Swab and Surge
Other Drilling Related Terminology
Typical Hole Conditions with increasing pressure
Trip Condition Log
Non Pore Pressure Related Hole Problems
Cuttings and Cavings
Cuttings Size and Appearance
Pressure Cavings
Other Types of Caving
Monitoring Cuttings and Cavings Sizes
Summary
Gas Relationships
Gas Terminology
Typical Gas Reactions
Underbalanced Drilling
Connection Gas uncertainty
Isolating gas events
Gas Ratios
Monitoring Gas Events
Summary
Geothermal Gradient and Temperature
Overview
Mud Temperature
Plotting the FLT data
Summary
Mud Resistivity/Conductivity (Chlorides)
Formation Pressure Prediction and Evaluation in Non-clastics
The Problem
Non-clastics and Pore Pressure Prediction
Effect of Uncertainty in Well Planning
Formation Pressure Evaluation in non-clastics
Non-clastics case study
Day 5
Part 4: Other Support Tools and Evaluation Process
Other Support Tools
LWD Tool Drilling Measurements and PWD
Hole conditioning monitoring
Mud Flow In and Out/Pit levels
Pump Pressure
Calcimetry
Evaluation Process
Pressure Evaluation Process
Pressure Evaluation Software
Basic Pressure Evaluation
Identification of Wellbore Breathing
Good Practices
Overview
Good Practices
Post Well Evaluation
Overview
End of Well Reporting
Course Description
Pore Pressure Prediction and Evaluation Training Course
Starting from the very basics this course describes how we predict, calculate and evaluate overburden, fracture and pore pressures as well as subsurface stresses and how they are related. Theories of how overpressures are generated will be discussed, how these pressures are subsequently modified and how they impact on hydrocarbon generation and migration, well planning and risk identification as well as evaluation techniques.
Course Objectives
Understanding of:
- Basics of subsurface pressures and stresses and their interrelationships.
- Overburden pressures.
- Fracture pressure calculation and measurement using leak-off tests.
- Leak-off tests, FITs and XLOTs and their interpretation.
- Earth stresses and how they can cause wellbore instability.
- How overpressures develop and change through time.
- The centroid concept and pressure transfer.
- Impact of formation pressures on well planning and risk management.
- Pore pressure prediction and real-time evaluation using trend analysis.
- Identification of wellbore instability mechanisms
- Use of indicators such as hole conditions, shale caving and gas in pressure evaluations
- Pressure evaluation in non-clastic environments (carbonates/evaporites etc.)
The objectives are supported by numerous exercises and case studies.
Who Should Attend
Wellsite and operations geologists, drilling engineers and subsurface geologists/geophysicists. This course assumes little or no prior knowledge of formation pressures but will require an understanding of geology, drilling activities and associated terminologies.
CPD Unit
Continuing Professional Development
35 HOURS CPD