About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract

AAPG Bulletin, V. 109, No. 4 (April 2025), P. 415-438.

Copyright ©2025. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1306/02242523004

An enhanced method for evaluating the static connectivity of reservoirs using pressure coefficient–depth plots

Geng Qian,1 Haifeng Yang,2 Dayong Guan,3 Jinghan Wang,4 Junpei Yue,5 and Meng Zhao6

1China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), Tianjin, China; [email protected]
2CNOOC, Tianjin, China; [email protected]
3CNOOC, Tianjin, China; [email protected]
4CNOOC, Tianjin, China; [email protected]
5CNOOC, Tianjin, China; [email protected]
6CNOOC, Tianjin, China; [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Pressure–depth profiles have been a cornerstone in investigating static reservoir connectivity and compartmentalization since the advent of repeated formation testing tools in the 1970s. The method operates by comparing fluid densities across reservoirs, as indicated by differences in fluid pressure gradients. Discerning pressure shifts requires that the fluids be in the same phase. However, traditional profiles falter in situations with diverse pore fluids due to unpredictable pressure barriers between intersecting trends. Moreover, in normal hydrostatic settings, pore pressure trends often cluster closely, making it challenging to detect minor pressure differences. These limitations introduce uncertainties, thereby reducing the accuracy of connectivity assessments.

This paper presents an enhanced method of plotting pressure coefficients against depth. For a given fluid unit, the pressure coefficients show an inversely proportional relationship with depth. The graph depicts a hyperbolic curve that represents fluid pressure variations as a function of fluid density. Differences between the function curves, described by four geometric properties—coincidence, monotonicity, asymptotics, and symmetry—are closely linked to the variable pressure characteristics of compartments. This study provides a detailed analysis of pore pressure data from the Bohai Bay Basin and introduces several case studies. The results show that comparing the geometric properties of functional relationships in pressure coefficient–depth plots significantly reduces uncertainties when assessing static reservoir connectivity, especially in normal pressure conditions and with diverse fluids.

Pay-Per-View Purchase Options

The article is available through a document delivery service. Explain these Purchase Options.

Watermarked PDF Document: $16
Open PDF Document: $28

AAPG Member?

Please login with your Member username and password.

Members of AAPG receive access to the full AAPG Bulletin Archives as part of their membership. For more information, contact the AAPG Membership Department at [email protected].