A modified Terzaghi consolidation factor for first-order estimation of overpressure resulting from sedimentation: Review and synthesis (Q812944)

Compaction disequilibrium due to rapid sedimentation is considered as a major cause of nonhydrostatic pore pressures in low permeability layers. Fluid overpressures that develop when expulsion of fluid cannot keep pace with compaction can lead to significant hazards during drilling. In this paper, the authors analyze the one-dimensional response of a compacting system using a modified Terzaghi consolidation factor, which includes the rate of sedimentation. The modified Terzaghi factor allows to obtain a first-order estimate of the degree of overpressure during the sedimentation.