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Pressures and Overpressure in the Subsurface - 3 Days Course

August 08 - 10, 2023

Course Outline:

Overpressure is found in most sedimentary basins, so understanding subsurface pressures and their effects on the hydrocarbon system is a key input into developing successful exploration strategies, efficient well planning and ensuring the safe and effective exploration and exploitation of petroleum reservoirs.

The main objective of this course is for attendees to learn how pressure data affects the safe and optimal exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs.

The course is designed for geologists, geophysicists, petrophysicists and reservoir/drilling engineers who have an interest in, or need to utilise pressure data in their workflows, and wish to gain a deeper understanding of the relationships between geology and overpressure.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Analyse pressure data
  • Calculate overburden and fracture gradients
  • Use industry standard techniques to predict pore pressures in the pre-drill environment

Plus this course also covers:

  • Well planning
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Seal breach risk

The course is presented as a combination of PowerPoint based lectures and practical exercises, and familiarity with oilfield practices will be an advantage.

This course has been officially endorsed by the Geological Society of London.

Course Location
Show Course Outline
DAY 1
Introduction
  • The importance of pressure data
  • Understanding the system
  • Worldwide application
  • Viewing pressure data
Fundamentals of Pressure
  • Definitions & Units
  • Hydrostatic pressures & gradients
  • Lithostatic pressures & gradients
  • Fracture pressure & gradients
  • Sources & types of pressure data
  • Subsurface pressure analysis
  • Fluid pressure gradients & fluid contact
DAY 2
Mechanisms for Generating Overpressure
  • Disequilibrium compaction
  • Terzaghi’s Equation and a “shared overburden”
Pore Pressure Prediction
  • Pressure prediction workflow
  • Normal compaction trend analysis
  • Terzaghi’s principle
  • Eaton’s Ratio method
  • Equivalent Depth method
  • Bowers method
  • Seismic velocity based pressure prediction (an outline)
  • Basin modelling (an outline)
Reservoir vs. Shale Pressure
  • Lateral Drainage
  • Lateral Transfer
Secondary Mechanisms
  • Fluid volume increase
  • Load transfer
  • Recognising secondary mechanisms
DAY 3
The Use of Drilling Data
  • Why use drilling data?
  • What to look for
Well Planning
  • What is a well plan?
  • Why do we need a well plan?
  • Elements of a well plan
  • Low, Expected & High cases
  • Pre-drill vs.Real-Time
Overpressure & the Hydrocarbon System
  • Seal breach mechanisms
  • Seal capacity, seal breach & column height
  • Protected traps
  • Reservoir quality
  • Migration
  • Hydrocarbon maturation
Mapping Overpressure
  • Compartmentalization
  • Vertical & lateral seals
Hydrodynamics
  • Variable hydrocarbon-water contacts
  • Tilted contacts
  • Gravity vs. drainage-driven hydrodynamics
  • Effect on reserves
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Terms & Conditions

1. Ikon Science shall provide, at its cost, comprehensive training course materials comprising PowerPoint slides, worksheets, trainer notes and case notes as required for the relevant Ikon Science training course described above (the “Course”) and in sufficient numbers for all attending participants (the “Materials”). Such Materials are to include exercises and case studies as well as a selection of relevant articles (where available) that may be of use to facilitate further understanding of the subject matter.

2. The individual attending the training course (the “Attendee”) acknowledges and agrees that all intellectual property in the Materials belongs exclusively to Ikon Science or third party providers thereof (where applicable) and the Individual shall not acquire any express of implied interest therein. The Attendee shall not (i) copy or otherwise reproduce the Materials, (ii) use the Materials for commercial purposes or otherwise than for the direct purpose of completing the Course, or (iii) sell, lease, transfer, publish or otherwise make available or disclose the Materials or any part thereof (whether orally, in writing or in electronic form) to any third party (including any other person, company or any employee, officer or agent of the Attendee.

3. Ikon Science shall provide one (1) suitably skilled and experienced trainer who shall deliver the Course in a professional manner and otherwise in accordance with the objectives, target audience and outline set out in this letter.

4. This Course booking form must be signed by: (i) an authorised signatory of the company being invoiced for the Course (“Company”); or (ii) by the Attendee if prior payment has been made on a personal basis and in advance.

5. This contract for the provision of training is governed by English law and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England & Wales.

6. In the event that the Company issues a purchase order to Ikon Science which relates to training for a specified number of Company personnel in the use of Ikon Science software as specified therein, Ikon Science hereby grants to Company a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence for each such personnel to use the relevant software (“Training Licence”) provided by Ikon Science in connection with the such training (“Training Licence”) solely for such training purposes and for no commercial or other purposes whatsoever. Training Licence shall be installed by Company on such equipment as Ikon Science shall specify and, unless otherwise agreed in writing, each Training Licence shall expire seven days after its date of issuance. Save as aforesaid, Ikon Science’s standard software licenceterms which are not inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph shall apply to all Training Licences granted hereunder.


1. All prices quoted are net of all relevant taxes (including VAT).

2. If full payment is not made on booking, it shall be required within thirty (30) days of the invoice date.

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