Exercise: d and dc Exponent

a. Whilst drilling the 12 1/4" hole section of a well the mud loggers were recording the data
as shown in the table below. Plot the d and dc exponent and determine whether there are any
indications of an overpressured zone.
b. If an overpressured zone exists, what is the depth of the top of the transition zone?
c. Use the Eaton equation to estimate the formation pressure at 8600 ft.
Assume a normal formation pressure of 0.465 psi/ft. an overburden gradient of 1.0 psi/ft and
a normal mud weight for this area of 9.5 ppg.
DEPTH
(ft.)

ROP
(ft/hr)

RPM

WOB
(,000 lbs)

7500
7600
7700
7800
7900
8000
8100
8200
8300
8400
8500
8600
8700

125
103
77
66
45
37
40
42
41
44
34
33
32

120
120
110
110
110
110
110
110
100
100
100
100
110

38
38
38
38
35
37
35
33
33
38
38
40
42

Solution:

MUD WEIGHT
PPG
9.5
9.5
9.5
9.6
9.6
9.8
9.8
9.9
10.0
10.25
10.25
11
11

Whilst drilling this section of 12 1/4 hole the mudloggers were also recording data which
would allow them to plot the d and dc exponents for this shale section. This data is compiled
and the d and dc exponents calculated as shown in Table 2.1. A plot of the d and dc exponents
in Figure 2.1 and 2.2 confirms that the top of the overpressured zone is at 8000 ft.

Example
The following sonic log data were taken from a well in PED, NED. Plot the data on 3- cycle
semi log paper. Calculate the formation pressure at 11,900 ft. Overburden stress is 1.12 psi/ft
and normal pore pressure gradient is 0.465 psi/ft. (Ans. 17.5 ppg)
Travel Time
Sec/ft
190
160
140
120
122
105
110
99
99
98
100
100
110
100
110
101
101
105
100
110
100

Depth,
ft
3,400
5,000
6,600
7,300
7,900
8,200
8,600
9,000
9,200
9,400
9,600
9,800
10,000
10,200
10,400
10,600
10,800
11,100
11,400
11,600
11,900