Can High Resolution Seismic Data Improve Pore Pressure Estimation and Interpretation?

Deepwater exploration and production business faces many challenges from understanding the petroleum system including migration, reservoir, and seal in a basin to ultimately drill a well, make a discovery, and produce from a field. One of many critical components in the oil and gas production chain is the risk of encountering and mitigating abnormal pore pressure problem above normal hydrostatic pressure during the drilling phase without losing a well or damaging a reservoir formation. First we explain a holistic multi-dimensional (nD) high resolution imaging technique to improve the seismic image and seismic velocity resolution in time and depth. Then we describe a calibrated pressure model which transforms higher resolution seismic velocity into high resolution pore pressure and other pressure attributes. Finally we examine the impact and benefit of high resolution for pressure estimation and quantitative interpretation, well design and drilling plan, and uncertainty assessment. The case studies demonstrate that high resolution seismic and velocity data lead to high resolution pressure attributes, more reliable quantitative pressure interpretation, and better drilling risk management.