Application of Stratigraphy Specific Shale Compaction Curves in Pore Pressure Prediction: A Basin Modeling Approach

Nishikanta Kundu* and Sudipta Basu
Reliance Industries Ltd., India
*[email protected]

Basin modeling, apart from its primary use in source rock maturity and hydrocarbon migration modeling, is also commonly used as a complimentary tool for the prediction of pore pressure. Although each pressure-prediction methodology has its pros and cons, an integrated workflow using various relevant parameters can give better solutions. The present study discusses the control of compaction disequilibrium in pore-pressure development in the offshore Krishna-Godavari Basin, India. Assigning stratigraphy-specific shale compaction curves (derived from a density log) in the PetroMod^TM 1-D and 3-D (IES, Germany) model gives a better match to the observed pore pressure than the widely used methods of single compaction curve. The application of a similar technique in the 3-D model enhances the understanding of the regional distribution pattern of pore pressure, both vertically and spatially. In addition to present-day pore pressure prediction, determination of paleo-pore pressure in conjunction with its relation to migration can also be achieved through this method. Hence, this method has been employed successfully in different parts of the Krishna-Godavari Basin where the observed and predicted pressures were found to be of close proximity.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90077©2008 GEO 2008 Middle East Conference and Exhibition, Manama, Bahrain