Heriot-Watt University

DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

Reservoir Pressures
Adrian C Todd

Reservoir Pressures

Magnitude and variation of pressures in a

reservoir are an important aspect of reservoir
understanding during exploration and
production phase

Reservoir Pressures

Oil and gas occur at a range of sub-surface

depths.
At these depths pressure exists as a result of:
the depositional process
the fluids contained.

Lithostatic Pressures & Fluid Pressures

Lithostatic pressure
grain to grain transmission of weight of rock
sometimes termed geostatic or overburden
pressure.

Function of depth, density

1 psi./ ft

Pov at depth D = 1.0 x D psi.

Lithostatic Pressures & Fluid Pressures

Lithostatic pressure is balanced in part by the

pressure of fluids within pores, pore pressure and by
grains of rock under compaction.
Unconsolidated sands, overburden totally supported
by fluid pressure.
In deposited rocks, like reservoirs, fluid pressure is not
supporting the rocks but arises from the continuity of
the aqueous phase from surface to the depth.
Termed hydrostatic pressure.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Imposed by a column of fluid at rest.

Value depends on the density of fluid.

Water - salinity

0.433 psi/ft - fresh water

0.45 psi/ft for saline water 55,000ppm.

0.465 psi for 88,000ppm

Pfluid = fluidDg

g=acceleration due to gravity

Lithostatic Pressures & Fluid Pressures

Hydrostatic pressure
Lithostatic pressure

Hydrodynamic Pressure

Arises as a result of fluid movement.

This is the fluid potential pressure gradient
which is caused by fluid flow

Fluid Pressure
dP
PW

dD
water

D 14.7 psia

Dictated by prevailing water pressure in vicinity of reservoir.

Normal situation
dP/dD is the hydrostatic gradient

Assumes continuity of water pressure from surface

and constant salinity
If pressure extrapoloted to zero depth is atmospheric
pressure
- normal pressured reservoir

Fluid Pressure-Normal Pressure

Atmos. Pressure
0 psig.
14.7psia.

Normal pressured
reservoir

Fluid Pressure-Abnormal Pressure

Under certain conditions fluid pressures are not

normal.
Overpressured reservoirs.
Hydrostatic pressure greater than normal
pressure

Underpressured reservoirs

Hydrostatic pressure below normal pressure

Abnormal Pressure

Overpressured
reservoir

Underpressured
reservoir

Abnormal Pressure
Pressure
Overpressured

Depth

0.45psi/ft.
Water-normal
0.45psift.

1000-2000psi
N. Viking Graben-N.Sea

Abnormal Pressure
dP
PW

dD water

D 14.7 Cpsia

C - constant positive - overpressured

C - constant negative - underpressured

Causes of Abnormal Pressure

Thermal effects-expansion or contraction of

water

Rapid burial of sediments

Geological changes.

Osmotic effects via salinity differences

Causes of Abnormal Pressure

Geological changes

Abnormal Pressure Regional Trends

North Sea
Examples

Fluid Pressures-Hydrocarbon Systems

Hydrocarbon pressure regimes different since

densities of oil and gas are less than water.

dP
0.45 psi / ft

dD water

Depth

Pressure

dP

0.35 psi / ft
dD oil
dP

gas 0.08 psi / ft

dD

Pressure distribution for an oil reservoir with a

gas-cap and oil water contact.
Pressure
Path of well

Impermeable
bed

Gradient in gas
column
Gradient in oil
column

Gradient in
aquifer
Over pressured
reservoir

Pressure distribution for an oil reservoir with a

gas-cap and oil water contact.

Hydrocarbon Pressure Regimes

Nature and magnitude of pressures and the position of fluid contacts

important to the reservoir engineer.
Data for fluid contacts from:

Pressure surveys

Equilibrium pressures from well tests

Fluid flow from minimum and maximum depth

Fluid densities from samples

Saturation data from logs

Capillary pressure from cores

Fluid saturation from cores.

Techniques for Pressure Measurement

Earlier tests for pressure logging have been replaced by open-hole

testing devices which measure vertical pressure distribution in a well.

Examples of Pressure Measurement

Pressure
distributions before
and after production
provide important
reservoir description
information.
Pressure survey after
production
Production from here
Original pressure
profile

Examples of Pressure Measurement

After subsequent
production

Evidence of layering

Examples of
Pressure
Can also be
Measurement
used to indicate

lack of
hydrodynamic
continuity.

Examples of
Pressure
Measurement

As an interference
test can indicate
flow behaviour
between wells.

Reservoir Temperature

Earth temperature increases from surface to centre

Heatflow outwards generates a geothermal gradient.

Conforms to local and regional gradients as influenced by

lithology, and more massive phenomena.
Obtained from wellbore temperature surveys.
Reservoir geothermal gradients around 1.6oF/100ft
( 0.029K/m).
Because of large thermal capacity and surface area of porous
reservoir, flow processes in a reservoir occur at constant
temperature.
Local conditions , eg around the well can be influenced by
transient cooling or heating effects of injected fluids.