f A Review of Mechanisms for Generating Overpressure in Sedimentary Basins

In geological literature, a wide variety of mechanisms have been credited with generating overpressure in sedimentary basins, including disequilibrium compaction; kerogen maturation; cracking of oil to gas; mineral dehydration; tectonic stress; hydraulic head; osmosis; hydrocarbon bouyancy and aquathermal pressuring. A review of the fundamental principale of these mechanisms is underway as part of an industry funded study directed at understanding overpressure in the HPHT reservoirs in the Central North Sea, This talk summarises our current state of knowledge about each mechanism.