Permeability controls on aquathermal pressuring

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6426618

Sharp, J M

Aquathermal pressuring refers to fluid pressures in excess of the hydrostatic which have been created by fluid thermal expansion against a less expansive sediment matrix. Two commonly stated objections to this mechanism are: hydraulic gradients and the finite, but very low, permeabilities now existing in the Gulf of Mexico are sufficient to dissipate aquathermal pressures, and the increasing temperatures decrease fluid viscosity at a rate so that hydraulic conductivity increases fast enough to dissipate these pressures. Evaluation of the momentum transport equations in the Eulerian frame of reference indicates the first objection is not applicable because it treats the problem as steady flow and not transient flow. Furthermore, existing data indicate that under normal diagenetic conditions the decrease in intrinsic permeability caused by consolidation is greater than the viscosity effect. Therefore, the two commonly stated objections to aquathermal pressuring do not by themselves prove the mechanism is ineffective in settings such as the Gulf of Mexico. Permeability increases by fracturing and faulting may, however, be sufficient to bleed off aquathermally produced excess pressures. The measured, very low permeabilities of Gulf Coast fine-grained sediments indicate that aquathermal pressuring is a potentially important mechanism if the fine-grained sediments do control the hydraulic response.

• Research Organization: Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
• OSTI ID: 6426618
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 67:11; ISSN AAPGB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN SEA
COMMINUTION
CONTROL
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
FRACTURING
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOPRESSURED SYSTEMS
GULF COAST
GULF OF MEXICO
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NORTH AMERICA
PERMEABILITY
PRESSURE CONTROL
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE
RESOURCES
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
SEAS
SEDIMENTS
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
USA
VISCOSITY