Quantitative models of very high fluid pressure: the possible role of lateral stresses

Because of the occurrence of very large observed overpressure in a well located in SE Asia, numerical modelling has been undertaken to evaluate evolution of the sediments. The intensity of the excess pressure, close to lithostatic pressure, and the likely relation to induced, open-fracture anomalies, as well as evidence of large fluid transfers, all lead to the suggestion that the tectonic regime is related to the generation of high excess pressure. To verify this hypothesis, a 2D fluid-flow/compaction model (GEOPETTI) was used to test whether high excess pressure could be obtained without considering the effect of lateral stresses. While high excess pressures are possible, even if undercompaction is the only process considered, the distribution of fluid pressure with depth does not correspond to that observed, and the migration of fluids cannot be reproduced because of the extremely low permeability of the sediments. Accordingly, the model has been modified so that the effect of lateral stresses can be investigated through: (1) the value of the fracturing coefficient which controls the maximum overpressure that it is possible to generate; (2) the sensitivity of the system to a possible compressive event, which could squeeze the sediments laterally so that the rate of fluid expulsion would be greater than if the fluids were driven only by the mechanical load of sediments. Finally, the role of faulting or fracturing is discussed as a possible mechanism responsible for the upward transfer of fluid which can lead to an increase of excess pressure at depths shallower than the depth where excess pressure was first generated, a mechanism also leading to high excess pressure. Moreover, this mechanism allows for a good reproduction of observed excess pressure distributions.