Regional Modeling of Geopressure Gradient Surfaces and Seismic Interpretation Reveal the Mechanisms of Overpressure Development in Southern Louisiana and Adjacent Areas of the Gulf of Mexico Basin, USA

Abstract

A geopressure-gradient model developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) characterizes the subsurface pressure system of the onshore and offshore Gulf of Mexico basin, USA. More than 300,000 mud weight measurements from over 860,000 wells were examined, and 200,000 mud weight measurements from over 70,000 wells were incorporated into the model. The stratigraphic section of investigation ranges from the surface downward to approximately 30,000 ft in depth. This study is a quantitative investigation of the regional, subsurface pressure system of one of the most important petroleum provinces in the United States. Fifteen maps generated from the USGS geopressure-gradient model include: (1) five contour maps that characterize the subsurface pressure system on a regional scale, (2) five supporting maps that provide the data distribution used to construct the regional maps, and (3) five detailed contour maps that describe the subsurface pressure system of southern Louisiana and adjacent areas. The detailed maps, which encompass one of the most densely drilled regions of southern Louisiana and adjacent areas, show contours that represent the depths to surfaces defined by the first occurrence of isopressure gradients at magnitudes of 0.60, 0.70, 0.80, 0.90, and 1.00 pounds force per square inch per foot (psi/ft), respectively. The maps reveal the presence of two, east-west trending pressure-gradient anomalies located subparallel to the present-day coastline of southern Louisiana. These anomalies represent depth depressions of the isopressure-gradient surfaces which indicate that the pressure transition zone is located deeper in the stratigraphic section. These anomalous depressions coincide with Cretaceous and Miocene stratigraphic sequences that prograded over the underlying, basinward-stepping shelf margins, as demonstrated by previously published seismic cross sections. The mechanism of overpressure development in these locations can be attributed, in part, to disequilibrium compaction of alternating shale and sand deposits which created barriers to pore-water dissipation.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90189 © 2014 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA, April 6–9, 2014