Number: TR-Gl-005 Rev 1

Technical Databook – Section 5 – Dated: 02-08-05

Fluid Data Supersedes:

Approved by:

1.0 Purpose
To acquaint user with Section 5 and it’s intended usage.

2.0 Scope
Applies to field and office personal.

3.0 Definitions
 Specific Gravity: the ratio of a density of a fluid to the density of water (SG = 1.0), it’s
important to note that SG has no units attached to it.
 Density: weight per volume, ie: kg/m³
 Fluid Pressure Gradient or Hydrostatic Gradient: the pressure exerted by a 1-meter
column of fluid at rest.
 Hydrostatic head or pressure: the pressure exerted by a column of fluid at rest.
 Differential pressure: the difference in pressure at the point of connection of two fluids
with different specific gravities.
 Buoyancy Factor: to determine weight of a steel object (SG = 7.85) when totally
immersed in a fluid: multiply the weight of the object (kgs) by the buoyancy factor.
 API Gravity: An arbitrary scale, it is the industry standard for expressing the SG or
density of crude oils devised jointly by the American Petroleum Institute and the
National Bureau of Standards. The measuring scale is calibrated in terms of degrees
API; so light oil with a low SG will have a high API gravity.
4.0 Procedure
 Work through a sample of examples that relate to calculations required for fieldwork.
 A calculator, pen or pencil and work sheet is required.
 This material will be used in conjunction with course material for training purposes.

4.1 Section 5 – Fluid Data

 The graph at the top of Page 5-1 will give you °C at a depth, if a more accurate
calculation is needed use: ((2.9°C/100m) x Depth in meters) + 4.4°C = °C
 The graph at the bottom of Page 5-1 contains the specific gravities of various oilfield
fluids and can be used to calculate the following.
 Density of a fluid = Specific gravity (SG) x Density of water (1000 kg/m³)
 Example: 3% KCL has a SG of 1.017 x 1000 kg/m³ = 1017 kg/m³

 Fluid Pressure Gradient = Specific gravity (SG) x 9.81 kPa/m

 Example: 3% KCL 1.017 x 9.81 = 9.977 kPa/m, which means that 1 meter of
3% KCL will have a 9.977 kPa Fluid Pressure (or Hydrostatic) Gradient

 Hydrostatic Head or pressure = SG x 9.81 x Depth

 Example: 1.017 x 9.81kPa/m x 1367 meters = 13638.24 kPa HH

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  To calculate Differential Pressure = Heavier HH – Lighter HH
 Example: KCL in tubing & Water in casing at 800 meters
 (1.017 x 9.81kPa/m x 800m) – (1.0 x 9.81kPa/m x 800m) =
 7981 kPa – 7848 kPa = 133.42 kPa differential pressure

7848 kPa
kPa
1.4
798
800m

 Pages 5-2 & 5-3 can be used to determine API Gravity, Fluid Pressure Gradients and
Buoyancy Factors based on SG’s between 0.5 and 2.5.
 Page 5-4 can be used to calculate the volume of fluid in a 33.4m³ or 64m³ vertical tank by
determining the height of the fluid and refer to the chart for corresponding volume.
 Page 5-5 is used in the same way as 5-4 for either a horizontal or vertical 208-liter drum
if the height of fluid in mm is known.
 Page 5-6 is utilized by taking the height or depth of a fluid and dividing it by the diameter
of the horizontal tank, once the ratio is established, find the corresponding percentage on
the chart and multiply the total capacity of the tank to give you the volume.
1. Depth/Diameter = Ratio → percentage from chart
2. Capacity of tank x percentage from chart = Volume
 Page 5-7 represents kW required for Pump Rate vs. Pressure based on:
Rate(m³/min) x Pressure(kPa) = kW
60
 Page 5-8 is used to estimate gas flow rates through a choke nipple.
 Page 5-9 is a graph reflecting 5-8
 Page 5-10 contains the Periodic table of Elements

5.0 Reference Documents

- Technical Databook – Section 5 – Worksheets

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Page 5-1

1. What would be the calculated temperature at 2200 meters? _________ °C

2. 1822 meters of Distillate #822 would exert _____________ kPa?

3. What is the fluid pressure gradient for SolMax-A? __________ kPa/m

4. Fluid with a SG of 1.5 will have a pressure gradient of __________ kPa/m?

Page 5-4 & 5-5

5. 2.4 meters fluid height in a 33.4 m³ tank =

6. 4.6 meters fluid height in a 64 m³ tank =

7. 200mm of fluid in a horizontal 208 litre drum =

8. What is the fluid volume in a 500 bbl horizontal flat bottom tank with a fluid height of
5’10”? =

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