Reservoir Pressures and
Temperatures
Reservoir Pressures
Determining the magnitude and variation of pressures in a
reservoir is an important aspect in understanding various
aspects of the reservoir during exploration and production
phase.
Oil and gas accumulations occur at a range of sub-surface
depths
At these depths pressure exists as a result of:
The depositional process
The fluids contained within the porous media
These pressures are called lithosatic pressures and fluid
pressures.
Lithostatic Pressures & fluid Pressure
Lithostatic Pressure
The lithostatic pressure is caused by the pressure of rock
which is transmitted though grain-to-grain contacts
This lithostatic pressure is sometimes termed geostatic or
overburden pressure and is of the order of 1 psi/ft
The lithostatic pressure gradient varies according to depth
For a geostatic pressure gradient of 1 psi/ft, then the
geostatic pressure Pov, at a depth D feet is:
Pov at Depth D = 1.0 x D psi
Lithostatic Pressures & Fluid Pressures
Lithostatic pressure is balanced in part by the pressure of
fluids within pores, pore pressure and by grains of rock under
compaction
In unconsolidated sands (loose sands), overburden totally
supported by fluid pressure. (Pf = Pov)
In deposited formations, like reservoirs, fluid pressure is
not supporting the rocks above but arises from the
continuity of the aqueous phase from surface to the depth
D in the reservoir.
This fluid pressure is termed the hydrostatic pressure.
Hydrostatic Pressure
The hydrostatic pressure is imposed by a column of fluid at
rest. Its value depends on the density of water water
which is affected by salinity.
In a sedimentary basin, where sediment has settled in a
region of water and HCs have been generated and trapped,
we expect a hydrostatic pressure.
For a column of fresh water the hydrostatic pressure
gradient is 0.433 psi/ft
For water with 55,000 ppm, the gradient is 0.45 psi/ft
For water with 88,000 ppm the gradient is 0.465 psi/ft
Its variation with depth is given by Pfluid = fluid Dg
Where g = acceleration due to gravity
Hydrodynamic Pressure
There is another fluid pressure which arises as a
result of fluid movement called the
hydrodynamic pressure.
This is the fluid potential pressure gradient which is
caused by fluid flow
This however does not contribute to in-situ
pressures at rest
Fluid Pressure
Fluid pressures in HC accumulations is dictated by prevailing
water pressure in vicinity of reservoir.
In a normal situation the water pressure at any depth is:
dP/dD is the hydrostatic gradient
This equation assumes continuity of water pressure from
surface and constant salinity
Reservoirs whose water pressure gradient when extrapolated
to zero depth give an absolute pressure equivalent to
atmospheric pressure are called Normal pressured reservoirs
Exercise 1
a) If the average pressure gradient of water in a
region is 0.47 psi/ft, calculate the pore pressure in
a normally pressurised formation at 7400 ft.
Abnormal pressure
Under certain conditions fluid pressures may depart from
normal pressure.
Overpressured reservoirs are those who hydrostatic
pressure is greater than normal pressure
Underpressured reservoirs whose hydrostatic pressure
is below normal pressure.
They are called abnormal pressured reservoirs
Causes of Abnormal Pressure
Conditions which cause Abnormal pressure:
Thermal effects: causing expansion or contraction of
water which is unable to escape. An increase in temperature
of 1oF can cause an increase of 125psi in a sealed fresh water
system
Rapid burial of sediments: consisting of sand and clay.
Speed of burial does not allow fluids to escape from pore
space
Geological changes: i.e. uplifting of the reservoir or
surface erosion can result in the water pressure being too
high for the depth of burial.
Osmosis effects: between waters having different salinity,
the sealing shale acting as a semi-permeable membrane.
Causes of Abnormal pressures
Fl
The pressure gradients are a
function of gas and oil composition.
The composition of the respective
fluids gives rise to different
pressure gradients
Hydrocarbon Pressure Regimes
Nature and magnitude of pressures and the position of fluid
contacts are important to the reservoir engineer in
evaluating reserves, and determining depletion policy
Data for fluid contacts can be obtained from:
Pressure surveys
Equilibrium pressures from well tests
Fluid flow from minimum and maximum depth
Fluid densities from samples
Saturation data from logs
Capillary pressure from cores
Fluid saturation from cores
Exercise 2
If the pressure in a reservoir at the OWC is 3625 psi,
calculate
a) the pressure at the top (seal) if there is a 600 ft
continuous oil
b) If a normal pressure gradient exists outside the
reservoir, calculate the pressure differential at the
top of the reservoir.
c) Calculate the pressure at the top (seal) if there is a
600 ft column of gas.
Exercise 3
The following results were
obtained from an Depth Pressure
TVDSS (ft) (psig)
appraisal well in a gas
field. 10000 4648
10100 4656
10200 4664
Plot the points and
10300 4672
determine 10500 4725
10550 4748
i) The nature of the fluid 10600 4770
ii) The contact between 10650 4792
any 2 different fluids 10700 4815
TVDSS- True Vertical
Depth Subsea
