Heat Flow Analysis and Overpressure Mechanism in a Field of Malay Basin

Heat flow analysis is very important for reconnaissance as well as for pre-drill pore pressure prediction to reduce drilling hazards. This paper describes the technique to analyze the heat flow and its relation with pore pressure development. On the basis of structural interpretation, the study area comprises of four clearly defined fault blocks. In Malay Basin geothermal gradient is very high and pore pressure problem is very common at shallow depth. Temperature data obtained from Drill Stem Tests (DSTs), Modular Formation Dynamics Tests (MDTs), Repeat Formation Tests (RFTs) and production test is used for ۱D basin modeling to evaluate terrestrial heat flow in all the fault blocks. Heat flow values vary from well to well within a fault block but do not show significant variation across the fault blocks. Pressure data of all the wells obtained from well tests is plotted fault block-wise to confirm the results obtained from heat flow analysis. It is inferred that high temperature and high heat flow in all the fault blocks contributes in high overpressure generation.