[[Buoyancy pressure]]s caused by hydrocarbon columns can be recognized by comparing hydrostatic pressure gradients with formation pressures. Pressures exceeding expected hydrostatic pressures could be due to the presence of hydrocarbon columns.
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[[Buoyancy pressure]]s caused by [[hydrocarbon column]]s can be recognized by comparing [[Normal hydrostatic pressure gradients|hydrostatic pressure gradients]] with formation pressures. Pressures exceeding expected hydrostatic pressures could be due to the presence of hydrocarbon columns.
Two items are critical for detecting buoyancy pressure in a well:
Two items are critical for detecting buoyancy pressure in a well:
* Accurate static water plot for the well
* Accurate static water plot for the well
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* Reliable formation fluid pressure measurements
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* Reliable formation fluid pressure measurements (See [[Methods for obtaining formation fluid pressures]])