Pre-drill pore pressure modelling and post-well analysis using seismic interval velocity and seismic frequency-based methodologies: A deepwater well case study from Mississippi Canyon, Gulf of Mexico

Managing and identifying risk and uncertainly involved in drilling operations in unconventional geologic settings starts with improving and correctly applying pore pressure modelling. A relatively new approach, which predicts pore pressure by way of seismic frequencies, has addressed some of the short-comings seen in seismic interval velocity applications. With the overall goal of reducing operational drilling risk by utilizing multiple pore pressure modelling strategies, a case study will be presented for a near-salt field in deepwater Gulf of Mexico. This study will outline the pre-drill pore pressure modeling, which includes petrophysical, seismic interval velocity, and seismic frequency based approaches. The accuracy of these three approaches will be analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively for currently existing wells, and from a pre-drill and post-drill standpoint for one prospect well.