Changes

  | part    = Critical elements of the petroleum system

  | part    = Critical elements of the petroleum system

  | chapter = Formation fluid pressure and its application

  | chapter = Formation fluid pressure and its application

  | frompg  = 5-1

  | frompg  = 5-12

  | topg    = 5-64

  | topg    = 5-12

  | author  = Edward A. Beaumont, Forrest Fiedler

  | author  = Edward A. Beaumont, Forrest Fiedler

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch05/ch05.htm

  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch05/ch05.htm

  | isbn    = 0-89181-602-X

  | isbn    = 0-89181-602-X

}}

}}

A critical element in detecting the presence of hydrocarbons using [[formation fluid pressure]]s is an accurate hydrostatic pressure gradient for zones of interest. We use the hydrostatic pressure gradient to determine the expected pressures for the zone of interest as if it had no hydrocarbons. Pressures exceeding hydrostatic pressures may be due to the presence of a hydrocarbon column. Most methods for determining hydrostatic pressures are not very precise. Other petrophysical data can help when the estimated hydrostatic pressure gradient is suspect.

A critical element in detecting the presence of hydrocarbons using [[formation fluid pressure]]s is an accurate hydrostatic pressure gradient for zones of interest. We use the hydrostatic pressure gradient to determine the expected pressures for the zone of interest as if it had no hydrocarbons. Pressures exceeding hydrostatic pressures may be due to the presence of a [[hydrocarbon column]]. Most methods for determining hydrostatic pressures are not very precise. Other petrophysical data can help when the estimated hydrostatic pressure gradient is suspect.

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Constructing a hydrostatic pressure-depth plot]]

* [[Hydrostatic pressure-depth plot construction]]

* [[Estimating formation water density]]

* [[Estimating formation water density]]

[[Category:Critical elements of the petroleum system]]  

[[Category:Critical elements of the petroleum system]]  

[[Category:Formation fluid pressure and its application]]

[[Category:Formation fluid pressure and its application]]