Abstract. High pore fluid pressures, approaching lithostatic, are observed in the deepest sections of the Uinta basin, Utah. Geologic observations and previous modeling studies suggest that the most likely cause of observed overpressures is hydrocarbon generation. We studied Uinta overpressures by developing and applying a three-dimensional, numerical model of the evolution of the basin. The model was developed from a public domain computer code, with addition of a new mesh generator that builds the basin through time, coupling the structural, thermal, and hydrodynamic evolution. Also included in the model are in situ hydrocarbon generation and multiphase migration. The. modeling study affirmed oil generation as an overpressure mechanism, but also elucidated the relative roles of multiphase fluid interaction, oil density and viscosity, and sedimentary compaction. An important result is that overpressures by oil generation create conditions for rock fracturing, and associated fracture permeability may regulate or control the propensity to maintain overpressures.
IntroductionThe condition whereby pore fluid pressure greatly exceeds hydrostatic pressure is known as overpressure and is prevalent in the deeper, low-permeability sections of sedimentary basins throughout the world. Economic interest in sedimentary basin overpressures exists because zones of overpressure may indicate the presence of oil or gas [Timko and Fertl, 1971;Spencer, 1987]. Another motivation for this study is that overpressures are often cited as a driving force for groundwater flow and are associated with many other hydrogeologic processes [Garven, 1995; Neuzit, 1995].Overpressures develop when fluids completely fill available pore space and fluid expulsion is not rapid enough to maintain normal or equilibrium pressure conditions. This situation may occur when pore space is compacted by sedimentary deposition [Bethke, 1986] problem, but to evaluate the problem in much more detail including (1) explicit treatment of the geologic history, including sedimentation and compaction, uplift, subsidence and erosion, and changes in rock properties associated with these processes, (2) the 3-D thermal and hydrodynamic history produced by such a model, and (3) in situ generation of hydrocarbons with multiphase flow of oil and water with appropriate relative permeability and capillarity effects. We evaluated the relative effects of these processes and associated parameters in creating and maintaining overpressures. In particular, we simulated end-member possibilities of the geologic history, and conducted a sensitivity analysis to elucidate the roles of other processes.
Geologic Setting and HistoryThe Uinta basin of northern Utah (Figure 1
Observed Fluid PressuresAmong the most interesting aspects of the Uinta basin are the significant overpressures observed in northern areas. Mapped in Figure 3 is an isometric projection of observed hydraulic head at the stratigraphic equivalent to the Flagstaff member of the Green River Formation (Figure 2), illustratin...