ICE 2022

Summary

The estimation and understanding of pore pressure is an important and critical process that should be carried out from the early stages once the opportunity is identified and well planning begins. We are proposing a new methodology focused on predicting this parameter in exploratory areas with high structural complexity and limited geological information. This modeling consists of 1D and 2D/3D pore pressure and stresses estimation from well data, basin modeling and seismic information. This work is focused on understanding the pore pressure and state of stresses evolution and distribution over time, identifying the mechanisms generating overpressure; the impact of pore pressure on the physical properties of fluids and supporting well planning and execution processes, identifying and minimizing both risks and operational problems during drilling allowing the operation assurance. By the integration of these methodologies, it is possible to identify and to evaluate different pressure-generating mechanisms (stress mechanical, dynamical transfers, thermal stresses etc) and to get a more complete understanding in a local scale around the well and in a regional framework. The geopressure models represent an input data in the modeling of petroleum systems with a focus on the prediction of the physical properties of fluids, reducing uncertainty as well as in the development of the geomechanical and wellbore stability models that support the well mechanical design and the mud window, among others. Currently, the methodology has been applied in four prospects in the Llanos foothills and we can share a significant knowledge of the studied areas, based on pore pressure distribution scenarios for the prospects analyzed, as well as detailed information on offset wells, logs, stresses, geomechanical properties, supporting the reduction of prospect maturity times, accelerating the first oil and the competitiveness of the project. The added value of this methodology is materialized in a substantial improvement within the exploratory process; reducing uncertainty, risks and costs in the execution of exploratory wells, with the expectation of increasing operational viability, allowing a better planning of surface facilities and being extrapolated to any basin of interest to the business group.