Prediction of subsidence: Relationship between lowering of formation pressure and subsidence due to fluid withdrawal
Abnormally low formation pressures develop in petroleum reservoirs during intensive oil and gas production or in aquifers as a result of water extraction. A simple method is presented for calculating (predicting) the amount of compaction (and resulting subsidence) from the pressure drop in formation due to production, i.e., the increase in the effective pressure p{sub e} (p{sub e} = p{sub t} {minus} p{sub p}, where p{sub t} is the total overburden pressure and p{sub p} is the fluid or pore pressure). This work is based on extensive data collected in Russia. For example, large petroliferous areas in Western Siberia became marshlands as a result of fluid withdrawal. One should remember that sophisticated methods, such as FSMT (direct measurement of rock compaction by wireline tools in situ) and GPS (measurement of surface subsidence by satellite microwave Doppler techniques), are not yet available in many areas of the world.
- Research Organization:
- Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Los Angeles, CA (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20076052
- Journal Information:
- Energy Sources, Vol. 22, Issue 5; Other Information: PBD: Jun 2000; ISSN 0090-8312
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Subsidence due to geothermal fluid withdrawal
Geometric relationships between salt dome uplift and withdrawal basin subsidence in cross section