Pore-Pressure-Prediction Model Investigates Hydrocarbon Generation

The authors introduce a physics-based method for explicit pore-pressure prediction in naturally fractured shale petroleum reservoirs. Failing to account for the actual cause of overpressure leads to underestimation of the pore pressure at depth. This is particularly important in shales that have not yet reached pressure equilibrium because of fluid expansion caused by currently active or recent-in-geologic-time hydrocarbon generation.

Background

The work flow is tested with data from the Powder River Basin, but it should be extendable to other shales worldwide. The approach should prove particularly useful in those undeveloped plays with limited or no regional experience, as in the case of the Cretaceous La Luna shale in Colombia.