Appendix A 633

Required data:
ρf = Formation gradient in ppg.
ρm = Old mud weight in ppg.
To calculate the formation gradient, first we need to estimate the kick length. The vol-
ume of the kick around the drill collars is equal to:

6.02 4.752
Vk _ dc Ldc Cann _ dc 800 10.4 bbls
1029.4 
The remaining volume of the kick was around the drill pipes. The length of the kick
around the drill pipe is equal to:

Vpit Vkdc 18 10.4

H i _ dp 329.5 ft
Canndp 6.02 3.52
1029.4 
So, the total length of the kick is equal to:

Hi Ldc H i _ dp 800 329.5 1,129.5 ft 

We know that the formation pressure can be calculated using Eq. (5.1):

Pbh Psidp Gm H vc 

So, the mud gradient is equal to:

Pbh Psidp
Gm
H vc 

Thus, formation pressure can be determined using Eq. (5.7) and substituting for the
mud gradient as follows:

Pann Pdp Pbh Psidp Pann Pdp

Gi Gm

Hi H vc Hi 
Pbh 500 1, 200 500
0.097
18, 000 1,129.5 

Pbh 13, 401 psi 

Now, formation gradient in ppg is equal to:

Pf 13, 401
f 14.32 ppg
0.052 H vc 0.052 18, 000