Top Seal Membrane Capacity Prediction: A Practical Workflow for Exploration

Summary An empirical approach to estimate capillary pressure in conventional mud rock seals is proposed based on estimates of compaction state, porosity or effective stress of shales / mud rock sealing formations. This workflow covers how to infer or estimate shale porosity from different sources of data, the relationships to calculate the capillary entry pressure and maximum hydrocarbon columns. The equations and empirical relationships are based on published work and exploration industry software.