FES Pressure Prediction Workflow Coupling Velocities with Geomechanical Modeling

Abstract

We evaluate the FES pressure prediction workflow using results from an evolutionary transient geomechanical model. The FES workflow couples velocities with geomechanical modeling to incorporate the effects of both mean and shear stress to pressure generation. The FES method predicts pore pressure and the full stress tensor. Because the FES workflow is iterative and requires data available on different grids (e.g., velocity vs. geomechanical results), we have developed a new tool in Horizon/Elfen to streamline the prediction process. In order to evaluate the workflow, we consider the end stage of the evolutionary model as the real basin. We use the geometry to build a static model. We use the evolutionary porosity field to calculate our real velocity field. We apply the VES method using this velocity field and the FES method using the velocity field and the static model. We find that the FES method predicts pressure values closer to the real basin pressures and performs better near a source-layer weld, where both mean and shear are non-uniaxial.