Pressure

6.2.3 Formation Pressure

Formation pressure (or pore pressure) is the fl uid pressure found within the pore spaces of the
formation. It can be expressed as an average vertical pressure or equivalent mud weight. Th e
unit of pore pressure is psi, ppg, g/cc etc. It is an essential parameter in drilling activities of
porous, fl uid-fi lled rock systems. Th e pore fl uid carries part of the total stresses of the
formation and thus relieves the rock matrix from part of the load. Knowledge of formation
pressure is important in drilling engineering since it aff ects the casing design, mud weight, rate
of penetration, problems with stuck pipe, and well control. In addition, knowledge of the pore
pressure in the various formations is extremely important while studying borehole stability during
drilling, rock stability during production, and compaction/subsidence. It is very important
because of the necessities of the prediction and detection of high pressure zones where there is
a risk of blowout. Such zones are usually associated with the thick shale sequences which have
trapped the connate water and normally released during deposition.

Pore Pressure Estimation

Th e estimation of formation pore pressure is an important task in drilling activities. Th e
formation pore pressure must be estimated during well planning because it aff ects directly the
mud and casing programs. Th e accuracy of pore-pressure estimation is critical to the success
of a drilling operation. Th is pressure is one of the most critical parameters needed by the
drilling engineer in planning and drilling a well. In well planning, the engineer must fi rst
determine whether there is a presence of abnormal pressures or not (Figure 6.24). If there is an
existence of abnormal pressure, it is important to know the depth at which the fl uid pressure
deviates from its normal pressure or gradient. Finally the magnitude of the pressures must be
estimated. However, porepressure prediction and estimation are still an active research area;
many diff erent techniques have been proposed to improve the accuracy.

Fracture Pressure
In the planning of the mud program, it is useful to know the maximum mud weight which can be
used at any particular depth. Th is maximum weight is defi ned by the fracture gradient which
can be defi ned as the minimum total in situ stress divided by the depth. Th e mud weight used
in the well must lie between the formation pressure gradient and the fracture gradient.
Knowledge of the fracture gradient is vital when drilling through an overpressured zone. Th e
fracture pressure can be defi ned as the pressure required inducing fractures in rock at a given
depth. It is the pressure above which injection of fl uids will cause the rock formation to fracture
hydraulically. Th e factor used to determine formation fracturing pressure as a function of well
depth is in units of psi/ft . Th e orientation of the produced fracture depends on the orientation of
the principal stress of the fracture point.

6.2.7 Methods for Estimating Fracture Pressure

Th ere are two methods that are available for determining fracture pressure gradient. Th ese
include i) direct method, and ii) indirect method. Th e direct method depends on the
determination of the pressure required for fracturing the rock and the pressure required to
propagate the resulting fracture. Th e indirect method is based on theoretical background and
uses stress analysis to predict fracture gradient.
6.2.7.1 Direct Method