Examples

1. 12 ppg Mud. Find pressure gradient?

2. 100 pcf Mud. Find pressure gradient?

3. 1.2 SG Mud. Find pressure gradient?

Examples
1. 0.499 psi/ft. Find mud density in ppg?

2. 0.65 psi/ft. Find mud density in pcf?

3. 0.465 psi/ft. Find mud SG?

Equivalent Circulating Density
 The effective density exerted by a circulating
fluid against the formation that takes into
account the pressure drop in the annulus
above the point being considered.
 The ECD is calculated as:

Density of mud + (PAnnulus /0.052*D)

Importance
 The ECD is an important parameter in
avoiding kicks and losses, particularly in wells
that have a narrow window between the
fracture gradient and pore-pressure gradient
Annular pressure loss = 200 psi
True vertical depth = 10,000 ft
Mud density = 9.6 ppg

ECD, ppg = 200 psi ÷ 0.052 ÷ 10,000 ft + 9.6 ppg

ECD = 10.0 ppg
Prediction of Pore Pressure
1. Seismic Data
2. Drilling Rate
3. Sloughing Shale
4. Shale Density
5. Gas Units in Mud
6. Mud Properties
7. Temperature measurement
8. Wireline Logs
Drilling Rate
It is affected by:

1. Lithology changes (Drilling Break)

2. Bottom-hole cleaning
3. Bit weight
4. Rotary speed
5. Fluid properties
6. Bit type
 It is also affected by differentials between
hydrostatic and pore pressures.

Sloughing Shale
Sloughing shale may be the result of the
following hole conditions:

1. Pore pressure in excess of mud

hydrostatic pressure
2. Hydration or swelling of shale
3. Erosion caused by fluid circulation, surge
pressure
4. Tectonic stresses
Shale Density
 Normally shale density increases with depth.
Gas in Mud
Gas may enter the mud as a result of the
following:

1. Gas in shales that form a base line

2. Gas from sands that may cause sudden
changes in the gas concentration level.
3. insufficient mud weight to control
formation pressure.