LWD Data for the Prediction and

Determination of Formation Pore

Pressure

PetroVietnam Technical Forum

Mike Dautel, Rick Russell, Jeremy Greenwood

Sperry Drilling
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Outline

• Introduction
• Pore Pressure Mechanisms
• Measurements in Argillaceous Formations
• Measurements in Permeable Formations
• Borehole Stability
• Future Developments
• Conclusions

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Introduction
• Pore pressure (PP) is of increasing
importance in deepwater environments
– Small margins between PP, fracture gradients and
wellbore stability
• Pre-drill modelling to predict PP regimes
– Seismic, structural and geologic data
• Traditional methods while drilling often
imprecise
– Drilling exponents, connection gas, cuttings shape
• LWD technology provides key measurements
to determine PP and wellbore stability

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Pore Pressure Mechanisms

• PP prediction depends on the generation
mechanisms which dictates
– Prediction methods
– Required information
• Different methods for argillaceous or
permeable formations

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Argillaceous Formations
STRESS CATEGORY MECHANISM
Mechanical Disequilibrium compaction
through vertical strain
Mechanical Disequilibrium compaction
through lateral strain
Mechanical Normal, reverse and listric faulting
Mechanical Salt Diapirism / Mud volcanoes
Thermal Unloading due to thermal stresses
Chemical Clay diagenesis
Chemical Differential precipitation
Chemical Hydrocarbon Cracking
Buoyancy / Hydrostatic Uplift / downthrow of formations

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Permeable Formations

STRESS CATEGORY MECHANISM

Mechanical Open conduits such faults and
fractures
Chemical Hydrocarbon Cracking
Buoyancy / Hydrostatic Artesian effects
Buoyancy / Hydrostatic Hydrocarbon buoyancy
Buoyancy / Hydrostatic Production
Buoyancy / Hydrostatic Centroid effect

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Measurements in Argillaceous
Formations
• Number of methods using resistivity, sonic,
density and drilling data
– Respond to relative differences in porosity and
compaction within overpressured or
undercompacted zones
– Normal compaction trend
– PP = SV – (SV-Pn) (Aobs/Anorm)x

• LWD Resistivity
– Mud type and salinity
– Water salinity, hydrocarbons, clay mineralogy, salt

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Measurements in Argillaceous
Formations
• LWD Density
– Generally limited to maximum 12 ¼” hole
– Washout, breakout
• Standoff compensation, statistical sampling
• LWD Sonic
– From 30” to 6” hole
• Establish compaction trend early in the well
– Multiple modes (monopole, dipole, quadrupole)
and frequencies
• High quality DTC & DTS over wide range of conditions
(esp. shallow unconsolidated formations)
– Real-time data
• Downhole STC processing
PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009
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LWD Sonic

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Real-time LWD Sonic in 30” Hole

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Real-Time LWD Pore Pressure

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Measurements in Permeable
Formations
• LWD Formation Pressure Testers (FPWD)
– Direct measurements of formation pressure
– Manage mud weight while drilling
– Update PP model while drilling
– Similar pressure accuracy to wireline
• Wide permeability range
– Pressure gradients and fluid density
• Fluid types, contacts, depletion, connectivity
– Pressure While Drilling (PWD)
• Manage static MW and ECD
– 17.8” to 5.75” hole sizes

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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LWD Formation Pressure Testers

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

FTWD Real-time Pressures &
Quality Factors
Phydr1 Phydr2
Pstart
t '
(t ' ) = Pf  E e D
PbuBuildup
Pstop

E - buildup psi
E D - buildup time
Drawdown Pdd

Pressure (psi)
V - std. dev. rpsi
D
Q t’ = t – tdd

Time (sec) tstop

t=0 tdd
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LWD Formation Pressures

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Borehole Stability
• Borehole stability depends on:
– Rock strength
– Stress field
– Pre-existing planes of weakness
– Chemical reaction with drilling fluid
– Drilling practices
– Mud weight
• LWD Imaging and Caliper tools can provide
insight into instability mechanisms
– Soon after rock is cut
– Subsequent time lapse logs

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Density Images

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Borehole Stability

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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LWD Resistivity Imagers

• Structural Information
– Formation dip
– Fault location and orientation
• Geological Information
– Bedding detail
– Reservoir quality
– Fracture characterization
• Geomechanics
– Borehole breakout
– Drilling induced fractures

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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LWD Resistivity Imagers

• Improved azimuthal and axial resolution

– No gaps
– Wireline replacement
• 6”, 8 ½” and 12 ¼” hole sizes
• Water based mud

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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LWD Resistivity Imagers

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009

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Future Developments
• Crossed Dipole LWD Sonic
– Sonic anisotropy
• LWD Sampling Tools
– Fluid ID, properties, PVT quality samples
• Oil Mud LWD Imaging
– Resistivity and Acoustic
• Wired Drill Pipe
– Ultra High Speed 2 way communications
– Distributed sensors
• Seismic While Drilling
– Checkshots
– Lookahead VSPs
PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009
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Conclusions
• Understanding of Pore Pressure mechanisms
has developed along with improvements in LWD
technology
– Deep water developments have been a key driver
• Real-time measurements are critical
– Advances in drilling technology
– Memory data for thorough analysis
• Wide range of LWD measurements for
real-time and wireline replacement applications
– Future advances will further enhance PP prediction
and measurement

PetroVietnam Technical Forum Sep 2009