Pressure

• Pressure Gradient
• Hydrostatic Pressure
• Primary Well Control
• Formation Pressure
• System Pressure Losses
•SCR’s & Choke Line Friction Loss
• Formation Strength & Pressure
 Lesson 3

Pressure Gradient
One cubic foot holds If the fluid has a On the bottom of a
7.48 gallons of fluid. density of 1ppg cubic foot is 144 sq.in

1’ 1’
1’
7.48 7.48 7.48
galls/cu/ft lbs/cu/ft lbs/cu/ft

1’ 1’ 144 sq.ins 12”

1’ 1’ 12”

To calculate the pressure exerted

by this fluid on one sq.in 1’
7.48 = 0.052 psi
Divide 7.48 by 144 to get a
mathematical constant 144

12”

12”
 Lesson 3

Pressure Gradient
Pressure Gradient for mud is the pressure exerted by a column
fluid over one foot and is expressed in psi per foot - psi/ft

The formula for calculating pressure gradient for a drilling fluid is:

Pressure Gradient (psi/ft) = Mud Weight (ppg) x .052

Pressure Gradient is commonly used as an expression of mud weight

To convert a pressure gradient back into a mud weight use:

Mud Weight (ppg) = Pressure Gradient (psi/ft)

.052
 Lesson 3

Hydrostatic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a column of fluid at rest and
is calculated by multiplying the density gradient of the fluid by the true
vertical depth at which the pressure is being measured.

Measured
Depth = MD
True Vertical
Depth = TVD

Most well control calculation revolve around this basic equation.

 Lesson 3
Well Data:
TVD = 9500 ft Hydrostatic Pressure
Current Mud Weight = 10.5 ppg
Hydrostatic Pressure (psi) = Pressure Gradient (psi/ft) x TVD (ft)

Pressure Gradient (psi/ft) = Mud Weight (ppg) x .052

= 10.5 x .052 = .546 psi/ft

Hydrostatic Pressure (psi) = .546 x 9500= 5187 psi

The formula for Hydrostatic Pressure is:

Hydrostatic Pressure (psi) = Mud Weight (ppg) x .052 x TVD (ft)

Hydrostatic Pressure (psi) = 10.5 x .052 x 9500 = 5187 psi

 Lesson 3
Hydrostatic Pressure - Formula Variations
Pressure (psi) = Mud Weight (ppg) x .052 x Depth (ft)

This formula has three variables namely:

Pressure, Mud Weight & Depth

If you know two of the three then the third can be worked out by simply re-arranging the formula.

If you know Pressure and Depth then the formula can be arranged to get Mud Weight:

Mud Weight (ppg) = Pressure (psi) .

Depth (ft) x .052

OR

Mud Weight (ppg) = Pressure (psi)  Depth (ft)  .052

 Lesson 3

Hydrostatic Pressure - Formula Variations

Pressure (psi) = Mud Weight (ppg) x .052 x Depth (ft)

If you know Pressure and Mud Weight then the formula can be arranged to get Depth:

Depth (ft) = Pressure (psi) .

Mud Weight (ppg) x .052

OR

Depth (ft) = Pressure (psi)  Mud Weight (ppg)  .052

Given that Mud Weight x .052 is Pressure Gradient then Depth can also be worked out:

Depth (ft) = Pressure (psi)

Pressure Gradient (psi/ft)
Well Data: Lesson 3
TVD = 9500 ft
Current Mud Weight = 10.5 ppg Primary Well Control
Formation Pressure Gradient = .52 psi/ft

Primary Well Control is the use of wellbore fluid density to

provide sufficient hydrostatic pressure to prevent the influx of
formation fluid (i.e. a kick) into the wellbore.
It is of the utmost importance that
primary control is maintained at all times.

In this example Formation Pressure can be worked out using:

Formation Pressure (psi) = Pressure Gradient (psi/ft) x TVD (ft)

= .52 x 9500 = 4940 psi

Hydrostatic Pressure (psi) = 10.5 x .052 x 9500 =5187 psi

We have an overbalance of: 5187 - 4940 =247 psi

We have Primary Well Control

4940 psi
Well Data:
Formation Pressure
Lesson 3
Well TVD = 9500 ft
Current Mud Weight = 10.5 ppg
SIDPP = 600 psi When primary control is lost and an influx (kick) enters the well
the BOP is closed and we are now in secondary well control.
600 psi We need to calculate the formation pressure which has caused us to lose
Primary Control

The formula for calculating Formation Pressure is:

Formation Pressure = Hydrostatic Pressure in Drillstring + SIDPP

10.5 ppg Hydrostatic in Drillstring: 10.5 x .052 x 9500 = 5187 psi

Formation Pressure = 5187 + 600 = 5787 psi

5187 psi Hydrostatic Pressure is pushing down

5787 psi Formation Pressure is pushing up

The difference - 600 psi - can be seen on

the drill pipe pressure gauge at surface.
This indicates the well is now underbalanced by 600 psi.
9500 ft
 Lesson 3

Dynamic Pressure Losses

2500 psi
Surface Lines

100 spm

Surface lines = 100 psi

Drillpipe
Drillpipe = 600 psi

Collars = 300 psi

Annular Pressure
Nozzles = 1200 psi Loss (APL)
Annulus
Annulus = 300 psi
+
Total Pressure Loss = 2500 psi Collars

Nozzles
 Lesson 3

Bottom Hole Circulating Pressure

2500 psi BHCP = Hydrostatic Pressure + APL

= (10.5 x .052 x 9500) + 300

100 spm = 5187 + 300

= 5487 psi
Well Data:
TVD = 9500 ft
Current Mud Weight = 10.5 ppg

Annular Pressure
Loss (APL)
300psi

BHCP = 5487 psi

 •Slow
SCRP & CLFL Circulating Rate Pressure
• Choke Line Friction Loss
Dynamic Pressure Losses at a Slow Pump Rate
The slow circulating rate pressure is the pressure
required to circulate the current volume of mud
around the well at a reduced/slow pump rate.
This pressure is used to calculate Initial Circulating Pressure
for well control operations.
Transocean Reference: WCH Section 4 Subsection 3
12
 Slow Circulating Rates (SCR’s)

The slow circulating rate pressure is normally taken for each pump at
outputs between 1 and 5 bbls per minute. This is usually between 15 and
50 SPM depending on pump liner size.

The Driller pumps down the drill pipe and back up the annulus at the
specified reduced Strokes Per Minute (SPM)

The SCR Pressure must be recorded from the gauge that will be used
during the well kill operations -Remote Choke Panel Gauges)

13
 Slow Circulating Rates (SCR)

Slow circulating rate pressures for each pump must be taken:

• If practical, at the beginning of every tour

• Any time the mud properties are changed
• Any time the bit nozzle configuration or bottom hole assembly is changed
• As soon as possible after bottoms-up from any trip
• At least every 1000ft of new hole (500ft in hydrocarbon bearing hole sections)
• After major mud pump or surface equipment changes or repairs

Well control operations are conducted at reduced circulating rates in order to:

• Minimize annulus pressures

• Allow for more controlled choke adjustments
• Allow for weighting up and degassing of the mud and disposal of the influx
• Reduce the chance of choke erosion
• Reduce the risk of over pressuring system if plugging occurs

14
 Choke Line Friction Losses (CLFL)

Choke Line Friction Losses should be taken:

• Before drilling out first casing string after BOP installation

• After any significant change in mud weight or other mud properties

It is important that the CLFL is known for a wide range of circulating rates to
determine:

• The additional pressures on the well

• The most suitable circulating rate to choose to kill the well

15
 Choke Line Friction Losses (CLFL)

There are 4 recognized methods of recording CLFL at SCR’s:

1. Take the difference between:

• The drillpipe pressure circulating through the riser with the BOP
open
• The drillpipe pressure circulating through the full open choke line
with the BOP closed

2. Circulate the well through a full open choke with the BOP closed and
record the pressure on the static kill line.

3. Circulate down the choke line and up the riser with the BOP open and
record the pressure.

4. Circulate down the kill line taking returns through a full open choke with
the wellbore and riser isolated by closing the BOP’s. Pressure observed is
double the choke line pressure loss.

The pressure readings provided by the choke manifold pressure sensor must be
used.
 Procedures for Recording Choke Line Friction Losses - CLFL
SPM
500
30 & 40 400 700

900

xx xx

SPM Riser Choke CLFL

30 400 500 100 Method 1.

40 700 900 200

Take the difference between the drillpipe

pressure required to circulate the well
through a full open choke with the BOP
closed and the drillpipe pressure required
to circulate the well through the marine
riser with the BOP open.
 Procedures for Recording Choke Line Friction Losses - CLFL
SPM
30 & 40

200

100

Method 2.

Circulate the well through a full open

choke with the BOP closed and record the
pressure on the (static) kill line. The kill
line pressure will reflect the choke line
pressure loss.
 Procedures for Recording Choke Line Friction Losses - CLFL
SPM
30 & 40 200
100

xx

Method 3.

Circulate down the choke line and up the

marine riser with the BOP open. The
pressure required for circulation is a direct
reflection of the choke line pressure loss.
 Procedures for Recording Choke Line Friction Losses - CLFL
SPM
30 & 40 400

200

Method 4.

Circulate down the kill line taking returns

through a full open choke with the
wellbore and riser isolated by closing the
BOP’s. Pressure observed is double the
choke line pressure loss.
Formation - Pressure & Strength

• Leak Off Test Procedure

• Formation Fracture Pressure
• Maximum Allowable Mud Weight
• MAASP

Transocean Reference: WCH Section 10 Subsection 7 & Section 4 Subsection 3

 Lesson 3

Principle Behind A Leak Off Test

• A Leak Off Test (LOT) will determine the pressure at

which a formation will begin to take mud below any casing
string intended for pressure containment.

• It will establish the strength of the formation at the

casing shoe and also the integrity of the cement job around
the shoe.

• It will determine the maximum mud weight that the open

hole can withstand before the formation fractures.
 Lesson 3

Leak Off Test Procedure

Circulate and condition

mud until the mud
Drill out shoe and Line up on high pressure low
weight is the same going
10 - 15 ft of new volume pump. Close the BOP.
in and coming out of the
hole. Hang off on floating units
hole and pull bit inside
shoe.

1300 psi (SLOP)

1500
1400

Pump down drill

1300
1200

1100
pipe or annulus. 1000
psi

900
Plot the Volume vs 800
700
Pressure. 600 Stop Pumping
500
400
300
200
100

1 2 3 4

bbls
 Lesson 3

Formation Fracture Pressure

Formation fracture pressure is the maximum pressure
1300 psi (SLOP) the formation below the casing shoe can withstand before
fracturing.
It is the sum of the pressures applied during the leak off test:-
Hydrostatic Pressure of the test mud weight + SLOP

Hydrostatic Pressure of Test Mud to the Shoe:

10 x .052 x 5000 = 2600 psi

10 ppg Surface Leak Off Pressure = 1300 psi

Formation Fracture Pressure is equal to

Hydrostatic @ Shoe + SLOP
2600 + 1300 = 3900 psi
Csg. TVD.5000 ft
 Lesson 3

Maximum Allowable Mud Weight

1300 psi (SLOP) Well Data:
Shoe TVD = 5000 ft
Test Mud Weight = 10 ppg
Surface Leak Off Pressure = 1300 psi
(SLOP)

From the leak off test data we can calculate the maximum
mud weight the formation below the casing shoe could
withstand without fracturing the formation.
9.8 ppg
MAMW = (SLOP  .052  Shoe TVD) + Test Mud Wt

MAMW = (1300  .052  5000) + 10

= 15 ppg
Csg. TVD.5000 ft
Well Data: Lesson 3
Shoe TVD = 5000 ft
MAMW = 15 ppg MAASP
Current MW = 10.5 ppg
MAASP stands for Maximum Allowable Annular Surface Pressure

It is the maximum amount of pressure that can be applied on the

1170 1300 psi
psi annulus at surface in excess of the mud hydrostatic at the TVD of
the casing shoe.

MAASP (psi) = (MAMW (ppg) - Current MW (ppg)) x .052 x Shoe TVD (ft)

MAASP = (15 - 10) x .052 x 5000 = 1300 psi

MAASP needs to re-calculated every time you change mud weight

If the mud weight was increased from 10ppg to 10.5 ppg then:

MAASP = (15 - 10.5) x .052 x 5000 = 1170 psi

MAASP decreases when the mud weight is increased

5000 ft