Integrated Pore-Pressure Prediction Workflow and Influence on Seal Capacity Using Well-logs and Seismic Velocity, West Offshore Nile-Delta, Egypt

Ismail, Mohamed; Din, M.Y. Zein El; Sabry, Ahmed; Raslan, Samir

doi:https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6667-4371

Integrated Pore-Pressure Prediction Workflow and Influence on Seal Capacity Using Well-logs and Seismic Velocity, West Offshore Nile-Delta, Egypt

Authors

¹ Drilling Fluids Engineer, M-I SWACO

² Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, P.O 11884, Egypt

³ Technical Support Group, Kuwait Oil Company, P.O 61008, Kuwait

⁴ Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company, EGAS, Cairo, Egypt

https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6667-4371

Abstract

This study focuses on developing an integrated pore-pressure prediction workflow and designing the mud-weight window (MWW) using well logging, Interval velocities (Vin) and drilling data for Scarab wells in the West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) area of the Nile Delta. Estimated pore pressure and fracture gradient using Eaton’s and Bower’s with a particular emphasis on their effect on seal capacity and hydrocarbon column. The Pore Pressure Fracture Gradient (PPFG) model estimated using the predict software and calibrated with Leak–off Test (LOT), Modular Formation Dynamics Tester (MDT) points, and Mud Weight data. The post-drill pore-pressure prediction showed a higher trend than the real-time calculated pore-pressure from the dxc method in Scarab-Ds wells, and a lower trend in Scarab-1. A good match between the predicted pore-pressure from Eaton's resistivity, sonic methods and the MDT points. The pressure regime in the studies area was found to be normally pressured within El-Wastani Pleistocene, an overpressure regime determined within the Pliocene Kafr El-Sheikh formation starting from depth 1950m MD in Scarab-1 well. The Kafr El-Sheikh formation remained unpenetrated by other wells. This study highlights the significance of pore-pressure prediction in safe and cost-effective drilling and well planning and provides insights into the integration of different methods, this helps to generate a highly accurate Pre-drill prediction with minimized uncertainty within the Pleistocene El-Wastani and Pliocene Kafr El Sheikh Formations in the study area.

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