These formulas below are used for complex calculation for annular pressure loss and equivalent circulating

density. I think this calculation will give you more accurate result than a simple equation. Please follow steps how to calculate annular pressure loss and ECD.

1. Determine n: 2. Determine K: 3. Determine annular velocity (v) in ft/min: v = (24.5 x Q) (Dh2 Dp2) 4. Determine critical velocity (Vc) in ft/min:

5. Pressure loss for laminar flow (Ps), psi:

6. Pressure loss for turbulent flow (Ps), psi:

7. Determine equivalent circulating density (ECD), ppg: ECD in ppg = Ps 0.052 TVD in ft + MW in ppg Abbreviation meaning ?300: viscometer dial reading at 300 rpm ?600: ?viscometer dial reading at 600 rpm Q: Flow rate in gpm Dh: Diameter of hole Dp: Diameter of drill pipe, drill collar or BHA in ft v: annular velocity in ft/min L: length of drill pipe, drill collar or BHA in ft MW: Mud Weight PV: Plastic viscosity Example: Equivalent circulating density (ECD) in ppg by using following data: Mud weight = 9.5 ppg ?300? = 30 ?600 = 60 Plastic viscosity = 22 cps

Circulation rate = 320 gpm Hole diameter = 8.5 in. Drill collar OD = 6.5 in. Drill pipe OD = 5.0 in Drill collar length = 650 ft Drill pipe length = 11,500 ft True vertical depth = 12,150 ft

1. Determine n:

2. Determine K: 3. Determine annular velocity (v) in ft/min around drill pipe: v = (24.5 x 320) (8.52 52 ) = 165.9 ft/min 4. Determine critical velocity (Vc) in ft/min around drill pipe:

The annular velocity around drill pipe is more than the critical velocity around drill pipe so this is turbulent flow. The equation #6 (for turbulent flow) must be applied in this case. Pressure loss for turbulent flow (Ps), psi:

5. Determine annular velocity (v) in ft/min around drill collar: v = (24.5 x 320) (8.52 6.52) = 261.3 ft/min 6. Determine critical velocity (Vc) in ft/min around drill collar:

The annular velocity around drill collar is less than the critical velocity around drill collar so this is laminar flow. The equation #5 (for laminar flow) must be applied in this case. Pressure loss for laminar flow (Ps), psi:

Total annular pressure loss = annular pressure loss around drill pipe + annular pressure loss around drill collar

Ps=69.2+12.7 = 81.9 psi 7. Determine equivalent circulating density (ECD), ppg: ECD in ppg = (81.9 0.052 12,150) + 9.5 = 9.63 ppg