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Overpressure and hydrocarbon distribution, Gulf Coast (view source)
Revision as of 22:55, 13 February 2014
, 22:55, 13 February 2014→Hydrocarbon distribution vs. overpressure
==[[Hydrocarbon distribution]] vs. overpressure==
==[[Hydrocarbon distribution]] vs. overpressure==
The distribution of hydrocarbons relative to the top of overpressure changes as reservoir depth changes is shown in the figure below. This pattern is consistent with loss of top seal integrity because of hydrofracturing rather than a simple loss of reservoir quality or other variable. Deeper reservoirs have the peak gas occurrence below the top of overpressure. This is consistent with the changing P<sub>f</sub> with depth. As depth increases, confining pressure increases and thus the amount of pressure required to fracture the top seal (P<sub>f</sub>) increases. As fracture pressure increases, the depth of the first intact top seal increases.
[[file:evaluating-top-and-fault-seal_fig10-46.png|thumb|{{figure number|1}}After .<ref name=ch10r47 /> Copyright: Oil & Gas Journal.]]
The distribution of hydrocarbons relative to the top of overpressure changes as reservoir depth changes is shown in [[:file:evaluating-top-and-fault-seal_fig10-46.png|Figure 2]]. This pattern is consistent with loss of top seal integrity because of hydrofracturing rather than a simple loss of reservoir quality or other variable. Deeper reservoirs have the peak gas occurrence below the top of overpressure. This is consistent with the changing P<sub>f</sub> with depth. As depth increases, confining pressure increases and thus the amount of pressure required to fracture the top seal (P<sub>f</sub>) increases. As fracture pressure increases, the depth of the first intact top seal increases.
The relationship between depth of reservoir and depth of maximum cumulative production below the top of overpressure is fundamental to seal risk. Further work is required to relate the distribution of hydrocarbons to actual fracture pressure rather than simply depth below top of overpressure.
The relationship between depth of reservoir and depth of maximum cumulative production below the top of overpressure is fundamental to seal risk. Further work is required to relate the distribution of hydrocarbons to actual fracture pressure rather than simply depth below top of overpressure.
==See also==
==See also==