Difference between revisions of "Underpressure causes"

From AAPG Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(8 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
{{Merge|Normal hydrostatic pressure}}
 
{{publication  
 
{{publication  
 
  | image  = exploring-for-oil-and-gas-traps.png
 
  | image  = exploring-for-oil-and-gas-traps.png
Line 6: Line 7:
 
  | 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  = 5-10
  | topg    = 5-64
+
  | topg    = 5-10
 
  | 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
Line 14: Line 15:
 
  | isbn    = 0-89181-602-X
 
  | isbn    = 0-89181-602-X
 
}}
 
}}
Underpressure exists when a fluid pressure is lower than estimated from the normal hydrostatic fluid gradient for that depth at which it occurs. For this situation to exist, the fluid must be trapped within a rock unit.
+
Underpressure exists when a [[Normal hydrostatic pressure#Fluid pressure|fluid pressure]] is lower than estimated from the [[Normal hydrostatic pressure gradients|normal hydrostatic fluid gradient]] for that depth at which it occurs. For this situation to exist, the fluid must be trapped within a rock unit.
  
Underpressure can be caused by burial or heat decrease.
+
Underpressure can be caused by [[burial]] or [[heat]] decrease.
  
[[file:formation-fluid-pressure-and-its-application_fig5-3.png|thumb|{{figure number|1}}Underpressure caused by burial.]]
+
==Burial==
 +
 
 +
[[file:formation-fluid-pressure-and-its-application_fig5-3.png|thumb|500px|{{figure number|1}}Underpressure caused by burial.]]
  
==Burial==
 
 
if the encapsulated unit is buried deeper, its original pressure is carried to a higher pressure environment. If the rock cannot compact, the trapped pressure is abnormally low for the new depth.
 
if the encapsulated unit is buried deeper, its original pressure is carried to a higher pressure environment. If the rock cannot compact, the trapped pressure is abnormally low for the new depth.
  
As long as a rock unit remains encapsulated by impermeable rocks, it becomes underpressured by burial as faulting or as downwarp occurs.
+
As long as a rock unit remains encapsulated by [[impermeable]] rocks, it becomes underpressured by burial when faulting or downwarping occurs.
  
 
The diagrams in [[:file:formation-fluid-pressure-and-its-application_fig5-3.png|Figure 1]] illustrate this phenomenon.
 
The diagrams in [[:file:formation-fluid-pressure-and-its-application_fig5-3.png|Figure 1]] illustrate this phenomenon.
  
 
==Heat decrease==
 
==Heat decrease==
The major factor causing underpressure is the cooling of pore fluids as they are uplifted and the overburden erodes. For example, drain a bottle filled with hot water and immediately seal the bottle back up by screwing on the cap. The bottle will be underpressured as it cools to room temperature.
+
The major factor causing underpressure is the cooling of [[Petroleum reservoir fluid properties|pore fluids]] as they are uplifted and the [[overburden]] erodes. For example, drain a bottle filled with hot water and immediately seal the bottle back up by screwing on the cap. The bottle will be underpressured as it cools to room temperature.
  
 
This same phenomenon occurs when an encapsulated rock unit is uplifted into a region of lower temperature. However, predicting pressure in uplifted rock units is difficult. Because uplift brings a rock unit from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure, the uplifted unit may be at a higher-than-expected pressure, a lower-than-expected pressure, or normal pressure, depending on the state of equilibration.
 
This same phenomenon occurs when an encapsulated rock unit is uplifted into a region of lower temperature. However, predicting pressure in uplifted rock units is difficult. Because uplift brings a rock unit from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure, the uplifted unit may be at a higher-than-expected pressure, a lower-than-expected pressure, or normal pressure, depending on the state of equilibration.
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
* [[Pressure regimes]]
 
 
* [[Normal hydrostatic pressure]]
 
* [[Normal hydrostatic pressure]]
 
* [[Geostatic and lithostatic pressure]]
 
* [[Geostatic and lithostatic pressure]]

Latest revision as of 16:23, 16 February 2022

Exploring for Oil and Gas Traps
Series Treatise in Petroleum Geology
Part Critical elements of the petroleum system
Chapter Formation fluid pressure and its application
Author Edward A. Beaumont, Forrest Fiedler
Link Web page
Store AAPG Store

Underpressure exists when a fluid pressure is lower than estimated from the normal hydrostatic fluid gradient for that depth at which it occurs. For this situation to exist, the fluid must be trapped within a rock unit.

Underpressure can be caused by burial or heat decrease.

Burial

Figure 1 Underpressure caused by burial.

if the encapsulated unit is buried deeper, its original pressure is carried to a higher pressure environment. If the rock cannot compact, the trapped pressure is abnormally low for the new depth.

As long as a rock unit remains encapsulated by impermeable rocks, it becomes underpressured by burial when faulting or downwarping occurs.

The diagrams in Figure 1 illustrate this phenomenon.

Heat decrease

The major factor causing underpressure is the cooling of pore fluids as they are uplifted and the overburden erodes. For example, drain a bottle filled with hot water and immediately seal the bottle back up by screwing on the cap. The bottle will be underpressured as it cools to room temperature.

This same phenomenon occurs when an encapsulated rock unit is uplifted into a region of lower temperature. However, predicting pressure in uplifted rock units is difficult. Because uplift brings a rock unit from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure, the uplifted unit may be at a higher-than-expected pressure, a lower-than-expected pressure, or normal pressure, depending on the state of equilibration.

See also

External links

find literature about
Underpressure causes
Datapages button.png GeoScienceWorld button.png OnePetro button.png Google button.png