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Leak-off test
Limit Test
test
the
operation
is
Limit
Test
is
used
to
specific,
pressure.
This
Therefore, the change in pressure due to the change in the volume of drilling
fluid is
Pff min Pf
Based on the experimental data from the laboratory, they suggested that the minimum
principle stress in the shallow sediments is approximately one-third the matrix stress
resulting from weight of the overburden
ma
Pff
Pf
3
Pff
Pff
ob Pf
3
ob 2 Pf
3
Pf
ob g g DS
g g l o
K
1 e
ob 2660 psi
KDS
Pff
Pff
ob 2 Pf
3
2660 2 1395
1817 psi
3
min F ma
where the stress coefficient was determined empirically from field data taken in
normally pressured formations.
( ma ) n ob Pf D Pf
Di
0.535
0.535
0.535
Figure 1: Equivalent
normal pressure depth
vs. Matrix stress ratio
Di
D Pf
0.535
10,000 8,000
3,738 ft
0.535
1
min Pf 1 1,180 8,000 0.918 psig / ft
D
10,000
min F ma
Pennebaker called the coefficient F the effective stress ratio and correlated this
ratio with depth, regardless of pore pressure gradient. Thus, the actual depth of
the formation always is used in the Pennebaker correlation, which is shown in
Fig. 6.48.
F 0.8
min F ma F ob Pf 0.8 9,436 6,500 2,348 psig
Fracture pressure gradient
Pff
1
min Pf 1 2348 6500 0.88 psig / ft
D
10,000
When planning a well the formation pore pressures and fracture pressures can
be predicted from the following procedure:
1. Analyse and plot log data or d-exponent data from an offset (nearby) well.
2. Draw in the normal trend line, and extrapolate below the transition zone.
3. Calculate a typical overburden gradient using density logs from offset wells.
4. Calculate formation pore pressure gradients from equations.
5. Calculate the fracture gradient at any depth.