Section 8

Fluid Calculations
Table of Contents
Fluid Calculations...................................................................................................................................... 8-3
Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 8-3
Learning Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 8-3
Unit A: Hydrostatic and Differential Pressure Calculations...................................................................... 8-3
Hydrostatic Pressure Calculations.......................................................................................................... 8-4
Dual Densities Pressure Calculations..................................................................................................... 8-5
Differential Pressure Calculations.......................................................................................................... 8-6
Unit A Quiz............................................................................................................................................ 8-7
Unit B: Force and Buoyancy Calculations ................................................................................................ 8-8
Force, Pressure and Area Calculation .................................................................................................... 8-8
Buoyancy Calculations ........................................................................................................................ 8-10
Interpolation......................................................................................................................................... 8-13
Unit B Quiz .......................................................................................................................................... 8-14
Self-Check Test for Section 8.................................................................................................................. 8-15
Answers Keys .......................................................................................................................................... 8-17

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Use for Section notes

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Fluid Calculations
psig). A pressure reading that combines
atmospheric pressure and gauge pressure is in
pounds per square inch (psi absolute).

Introduction

In your work in the oilfield, you will deal with

several forms of pressure. This section breaks
down this topic into the various types of
pressure. An understanding of pressure
calculations is necessary for cementing,
stimulation, special tools, drill stem testing and
nearly all other aspects of oilfield service.
Therefore, accuracy in pressure calculations is
critical.

Pressure is the exertion of force upon a body by

another body when in contact with it. The
standard measure of pressure is pounds per
square inch (abbreviated lb/in.2 or psi). This
expression means that the pressure being exerted
in the area or space concerned has the indicated
number of pounds of pressure on each square
inch. For instance, our atmosphere exerts a
pressure on each square inch of the earths
surface of 14.7 lb. It is common to have
pressures both higher and lower than this
atmospheric pressure. A vacuum pump may be
used to withdraw some of the air from a closed
container, leaving pressure well below
atmospheric pressure. Pumping more air into a
tire will result in pressure above atmospheric
pressure.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this section, you will be
able to:

A regular pressure gauge reads zero when the

pressure on it is normal atmospheric pressure.
When the pressure reading goes above zero, it is
actually showing the pressure beyond normal
atmospheric pressure, not the absolute total
pressure. As a result, such readings are said to be
in pounds per square inch gauge (abbreviated

calculate hydrostatic and differential

pressures

understand the relationships among force,

pressure, and area

find buoyancy factors

Unit A: Hydrostatic and Differential Pressure

Calculations
time. Differential pressure can only occur when
the two unequal density columns are connected
or related to each other so that the pressures can
work across a barrier.

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a

column of fluid. The size or the shape of the
container in which the fluid is stored makes no
difference. The vertical height of the fluid
column and the density of the fluid (lb/gal) are
the only factors involved in calculating
hydrostatic pressure.
Differential pressure occurs when two fluid
columns with different densities at the same
vertical height are present in a hole at the same

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Conversion Table as seen in Figure 8.3. The

extreme left-hand column of the table gives fluid
densities in lb/gal and the fourth column
provides pressure in psi for one foot of depth.
The formula for hydrostatic pressure is:

Hydrostatic Pressure
Calculations
All the figures in Figure 8.1 have the same
pressure at their base, 0.433 psi. They are all one
foot deep and filled with fresh water weighing
8.33 lb/gal at 68F.

Hydrostatic pressure = psi/ft depth

Sample Problem
You have a 500 ft column of water. What is the
hydrostatic pressure exerted at the bottom of the
column? (Water weighs 8.33 lb/gal)

1 ft

Solution
Figure 8.1

Look up the psi/ft for 8.33 lb/gal water in Figure

8.3. Then multiply by the depth of the fluid:

Figure 8.2 illustrates that the amount of fluid in

a container has nothing to do with hydrostatic
pressure. Even though all the figures have
different pressures at their bases, they have the
same volume.

1 ft

0.4330 psi/ft 500 ft = 216.5 psi

hydrostatic

1 gallon
0.433 psi

1 ft
0.433 psi

2 ft
3 ft

0.866 psi

1.299 psi

Figure 8.2

Hydrostatic pressure can be calculated at any

depth in a hole or a container. The best method
for calculating hydrostatic pressure is to use a
Hydrostatic Pressure and Fluid Weight
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Fluid
B

100 ft

100 ft

400 ft

Fluid
A

500 ft

Total Hydrostatic Pressure (HP) =

Fluid A HP + Fluid B HP

Figure 8.4

Do not add the fluid heights together because of

the differing densities. Do not add the psi/ft
together since this will give you a greater
density than you have in the hole.

Sample Problem
What is the hydrostatic pressure at 500 feet
under the conditions as shown in Figure 8.4?

The first 100 ft of the annulus is filled with

8.33 lb/gal water

From 100 to 500 ft there is 16 lb/gal

weighted fluid in the annulus.

Figure 8.3

Dual Densities Pressure

Calculations

Solution
Determine the psi exerted by each fluid
independently, and then sum the pressures.

What happens if you have two fluid densities in

the same hole? To determine hydrostatic
pressure, you must calculate each pressure
separately and then sum the pressures.

Hydrostatic pressure = psi/ft depth

Psi from 8.33 lb/gal water:
0.4330 psi/ft 100 ft = 43.3 psi
Psi from 16 lb/gal fluid: 0.8312 psi/ft 400
ft = 332.48 psi
Total hydrostatic pressure at 500 ft =
43.3 psi + 332.48 psi =
375.78 psi hydrostatic

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Differential Pressure
Calculations
A U-tube as compared to a hole condition can be
used to illustrate fluid flow from the effects of
differential pressure. This is illustrated in Figure
8.5. A fluid with a higher density will always try
to push one with a lighter density to an
equalization point.
Weighted
Fluid

Water

Figure 8.7

Weighted
Fluid

Water

Solution
Weighted fluid at 15.6 lb/gal
Water at 8.33 lb/gal

Figure 8.5

0.8104 psi/ft
0.4330 psi/ft
0.3744 psi/ft

0.3744 psi/ft 3 ft = 1.1322 psi differential

Figure 8.6 shows an example where no

differential pressure exists. There are equal
densities and equal vertical heights. There is
hydrostatic pressure at the base of this object,
but no differential pressure; therefore, the
system is balanced

The hydrostatic pressure at the base of the hole

is 2.4312 psi (0.8104 psi/ft 3 ft). The
differential pressure (1.1322 psi) plus the
hydrostatic pressure of the water column (0.4330
psi/ft 3 ft = 1.299 psi) is equal to the hydra
static pressure (1.1322 psi + 1.299 psi = 2.4312
psi) at the base of the hole.

Sample Problem
Figure 8.8 illustrates a typical situation. There is
weighted fluid in the annulus and in the bottom
part of the casing. The upper part of the casing is
filled with water. Note that the weighted fluid
column for one foot on each side of the barrier is
balanced. Therefore, this part of the fluid
column will not contribute to the differential
pressure. Determine the differential pressure in
the unbalanced part of the fluid column.

Figure 8.6

Sample Problem
The fluid columns in the cased hole in Figure
8.7 have unequal densities (8.33 lb/gal water in
the casing, 15.6 lb/gal fluid in annulus) and
equal vertical heights (3 ft). The pressure
exerted by a higher density fluid pushing against
a lower density fluid is recorded at the surface
on a gauge. What is the differential pressure in
this case?

Solution
Weighted fluid at 15.6 lb/gal
Water at 8.33 lb/gal

0.8104 psi/ft
- 0.4330 psi/ft
0.3774 psi/ft

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the vertical heights of the two fluid columns. To

keep the weighted fluid from pushing the water
out of the hole, it must be, closed off at the top
of the casing. This pressure (0.7548 psi) would
be recorded at the surface on a gauge.

0.7548 psi = Differential Pressure

Weighted
Fluid
2 ft
Water

1 ft

The differential pressure (0.7548 psi) plus the

hydrostatic pressure of the water column (0.4330
psi/ft 2 It = 0.8660 psi) plus the fluid column
across the barrier (0.8104 psi/ft 1 ft = 0.8104
psi) is equal to the hydrostatic pressure at the
base of the hole.

2.4312 psi = Hydrostatic

Pressure (0.8104 psi/ft x 3 ft

Figure 8.8

0.7848 psi + 0.866 psi + 0.8104 psi = 2.4312 psi

Because a two-foot portion of the column is
unbalanced:

Differential pressure occurs in one form or

another in many service jobs and will govern
many things that can or cannot be done in
oilfield operations.

2 ft 0.3774 psi/ft = 0.7548 psi differential

This hole is not balanced because of the
difference in fluid densities and the difference in

Unit A Quiz
For items 1 through 4, fill in the blanks. The remaining items should be calculated, check the
answer to check your progress in Unit A.
1. Hydrostatic pressure is the_____________ exerted by a column of________________.
2. Different-shaped figures may have the same volume, but a_____________ hydrostatic pressure at the
base.
3. For differential pressure to exist, it must work across a _______________.
4. Fluid with a heavier density will always try to push a lighter fluid to an
_____________________________ _______________.
5. What is the hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of a 10,000 ft column of 7.3 lb/gal fluid? Use Figure
8.3 as a reference.
You have pipe in a hole that is 600 ft deep. If there is 15.6 lb/gal cement in the annulus and 9 lb/gal
mud in the pipe, what is the differential pressure?

6. Inside 2000 ft of casing there is 30 ft of 16 lb/gal fluid and 1970 ft of 9.5 lb/gal mud. Outside the
casing, there is 2000 ft of 16 lb/gal fluid. What is the differential pressure?

Now, look up the suggested answers in the Answer Key.

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Unit B: Force and Buoyancy Calculations

Force is the effect of pressure (psi) applied to an
area (sq in.). Force can also be defined as power
that tends to cause motion. Force is expressed in
pounds and has a direction (indicated by
arrows).

100 lb
100 lb
100 lb
100 lb
100 lb

Buoyancy is the upward force exerted by a fluid.

The buoyant force is equal to the weight of fluid
displaced when the pipe is run in the hole.

100 lb
100 lb

This unit will define and discuss the

relationships among force, pressure, and area
and give examples to help you understand how
they are used. In the last part of this unit,
buoyancy calculations will be shown.

100 lb
100 lb
900 lb of
Force

3 in.

Force, Pressure and Area

Calculation

1i

n.

Force is equal to the pressure multiplied by the

area:
1 in.

Force (lb) = Pressure (psi) Area (sq in.)

3 in.

or

Pressure = 100 lb/sq in.

Area = 9 sq in.

F=PA

Force = 900 lb

Note that if any two of these quantities are

known, the third can be calculated by
transposing this formula. Therefore, the formula
for pressure is:

Each square inch has 100 lb exerted

against it; therefore, the total force is
900 lb working over 9 sq in.

Figure 8.9

P=FA
and the formula for area is:

Sample Problem

A=FP
Figure 8.9 illustrates the relationships among
force, pressure, and area.

What is the upward force created by the

hydraulic cylinders piston in Figure 8.10?

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Solution

W e igh t

Pressure = 5000 psi

Area = 5.12 in. 5.12 in. 0.7854 =
20.588789 sq in.

3 in .

F=PA

30 00 p s i

F = 5000 psi 20.588789 sq in. =

102,943.94 lb

Figure 8.10

If there were no threads to hold the cap on the

head, it would take the physical weight of two
pump trucks to hold the cap down since the
force created is over 102,000 lb.

Solution

Sample Problem

P = 3000 psi
A = 3 in. 3 in. 0.7854 = 7.0686 sq in.

What is the force created on the cap in the 103/4 in. plug container head pictured in Figure
8.12?

F=PA
F = 3000 psi 7.0686 sq in. = 21,205.8 1b
If this were a hydraulic jack, the piston would be
capable of lifting 21,205.8 lb of physical weight
when 3000 psi was applied to the area of this
piston.

Sample Problem
What is the force created on the cap of the 5-1/2
in. plug container head illustrated in Figure
8.11?

5000 psi
10.31 in.

Figure 8.12

Solution
Pressure = 5000 psi
5000 psi

Area = 10.31 in. 10.31 in. 0.7854 =

83.484956 sq in.

5.12 in.

F = 5000 psi 83.484956 sq in. =

417,424.78 lb

Figure 8.11

Compare the force in this sample problem and

the problem immediately preceding it. The force
on the 10-3/4 in. cap (417,424.78 lb) is
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approximately four times greater than the force

on the 5-1/2 in. cap (102,943.94 lb). Double
the diameter and the force will be four times
greater. This change in force is due to the
change in area, even the applied pressure (5000
psi) remained the same.

Sample Problem

Solution

What is the pressure created with 2000 lb of

force on the hydraulic cylinders piston rod in
Figure 8.13?

6-in. plunger:
180,000 lb 28.2744 sq in.= 6366.18 psi

6 in. plunger
5 in. plunger
4-1/2 in. plunger
4 in. plunger
3-3/8 in. plunger

5-in. plunger:
180,000 lb 19.635 sq in. = 9173.3 psi

2000 lb

4-1/2 in. plunger:

180,000 lb 15.90435 sq in.= 11,317.658 psi
4-in. plunger:
180,000 lb 12.5664 sq in. = 14,323.91 psi
3-3/8 in. plunger:
180,000 lb 8.9462 sq in. = 20,120.27 psi

2 in.

The pressures calculated above are the

maximum pressures to reach the maximum force
limitations on an HT-400 pump power end. The
recommended working pressure for each plunger
size as listed in the HT-400 pump manual is:

636.618 psi

Figure 8.13

Solution

6 in. - 6250 psi

5 in. - 9000 psi
4-1/2 in. - 11,200 psi
4 in. - 14,000 psi
3-3/8 in. - 20,000 psi

The concepts of force, pressure and area cover

most downhole situations as well as surface
conditions. Short strings of pipe or large
diameter pipes can be pumped out of the hole
easily. Therefore, it is important to know where
the forces are created. Other factors to be
considered with the pipe suspended in a hole full
of fluid are the direction of the force created and
the buoyancy of the pipe.

Force = 2000 lb
Area = 2 in. 2 in. 0.7854 = 3.1416 sq in.
P=F+A
P = 2000 lb 3.1416 sq in. = 636.618 psi

Sample Problem
An HT-400 pump can withstand a maximum
force of 180,000 lb against its power end. The
force that is transmitted to the power end is
created by the plungers working against the fluid
pressure that the pump is pumping. Find the
maximum pressure that can be applied with the
following plunger sizes:
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Buoyancy Calculations
As stated earlier in this unit, buoyancy is the
upward force exerted by a fluid. In other words,
the fluid is trying to float whatever is placed in
it. In oilfield applications, this means that even
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Fluid Calculations

Df = Density of the fluid

very heavy items such as drill pipe and drill

collars will be lighter in fluid than in air.

BF = Buoyancy factor of the liquid

Calculating the weight of steel tubular goods in

a liquid is easy when you use your Red Book.
Figure 8.14 shows the appropriate table used in
identifying the buoyancy factor of a given fluid.
It supplies you with the first critical piece of
information you need to know in finding the
weight of tubular goods in a liquid.

Note: This formula will not work for material

other than normal steel.

Buoyancy factor can be calculated if the density

and weight per unit volume of the fluid and pipe
are known.
We use pounds per gallon (ppg or lb/gal) as the
weight per unit volume to arrive at the buoyancy
factor of a liquid because we are using a volume
standard that says 1 gal of steel will weigh
65.447 lb/gal and the weight of the steel will be
affected by the buoyant tendencies of the liquid.
The following example illustrates how you
would use your Red Book to identify the
buoyancy factor of a liquid on 1 gal of steel (we
say 1 gallon of steel instead of 1 pound because
we are dealing with liquid and our answer must
reflect this). The steel pipe we are using will be
submerged in 2 % KCL water, which weighs
8.43 lb/gal.
By looking up 8.43 lb/gal on Table 132 (See
right) of your Red Book, you will find that the
pipe is expected to be buoyed, resulting in a
factor of 0.8716 lb/gal (the number to the right
of the lb/gal fluid).
Thus, 1 lb steel, submerged in an 8.43 lb/gal
fluid, will weigh 0.8716 lb/gal, i.e., 1 lb of steel
in liquid will weigh 0.8716 lb/gal.
You could then use this information to calculate
the weight of an entire string of pipe submerged
in a fluid.
But what if your Red Book is not available? You
would then be expected to calculate the
buoyancy factor of a liquid on your own.
Here is a formula for calculating the weight of
open-ended steel pipe suspended in a fluid of a
known density:

Figure 8.14 - Section 130, Table 132, Page

3 of the Halliburton Cementing Tables (Red
Book) shows you the Buoyancy Factor
connected with a fluids density expressed
in lb/gal.

(Ds - Df) Ds = BF
Where:

To use this formula, lets say that we are running

into a hole using 1 in. O.D. Coiled Tubing

Ds = Density of steel

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that weighs 2.169 lb/ft., The hole is full of 8.6

lb/gal fluid and the tubing will be run to a depth
of 9,500 ft. How much will the tubing string
weigh, top to bottom, when it is run to this
depth?

Sample Problem
How much does 1400 ft of 5-1/2 in., 17 lb/ft
casing weigh if it is suspended in 10.3 lb/gal
fluid?

First you need to calculate what the weight of

the string would be in air:

Solution

2.169 lb/ft 9,500 ft = 20,605 lb

17 lb/ft 0.8426 BF = 14.3242 lb/ft

Now, using the previous formula, you would

calculate the buoyancy factor of the 8.6 lb/gal
fluid:

To find the string's total weight, multiply by its

length:
14.3242 lb/ft 1400 ft = 20,053.88 lb

(Density of Steel Fluid Weight)

y Density of Steel = Buoyancy Factor

The total weight is 20,053.88 lb. This weight

represents the Weight Indicator Reading. Since
this is the weight of the casing in fluid, and this
weight would have to be overcome by pressure
to pump the pipe up or out of the hole, some
distance, this weight becomes a downward
force (lb ).

(65.447 lb/gal 8.6 lb/gal) y 65.447 lb/gal

= 0.8686 (rounded)
You can double check this answer by looking up
buoyancy factor of the 8.6 lb/gal fluid in your on
the chart in Figure 8.14 or in your Red Book.
So, with a tubing weight of 2.169 lb/ft, times
9,500 ft, the pipe would weigh 20,605 lb in air.
To calculate the weight of the string in the 8.6
lb/gal fluid, you would calculate the additional
factor of the effect of the liquids buoyancy
would have on the string:

Sample Problem
Calculate the pressure to overcome the
20,053.88 lb downward force created in the
above sample problem.

20,605 lb 0.8686 (BF) = 17,897 lb

Solution
Sample Problem

P=FA

Find the weight of 5-1/2 in., 17 lb/ft casing

suspended in 10.3 lb/gal fluid. Use Figure 8.14
as a reference.

The formula for area is based on the OD of the

casing.
Area = 5.5 in. 5.5 in. 0.7854 =
23.75835 sq in.

Solution

P = 20,053.88 lb 23.75835 sq in. =

844.08 psi

17 lb/ft 0.8426 BF =
14.3242 lb/ft in fluid
Buoyancy is the force acting upward on the pipe.
It is equal to the hydrostatic pressure at the end
of the pipe acting on the area of the wall of the
pipe (pipe OD area - pipe ID area). As you can
see, buoyancy can be calculated in several ways.
For simplicity, use the table in the Red Book.

Therefore, the pressure required to overcome the

downward force is 844.08 psi. This pressure will
bring the downward force to zero pounds. Any
pressure above this 844 psi will lift the casing.

Sample Problem
Calculate the upward and downward forces at
the completion of the job illustrated in Figure
8.15. Give the amount of force and direction.

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OD of the casing because the pressure works

over the area of the casing end (wall thickness).
The difference in pressure between the fresh
water and cement is transmitted to the head or
swage in the top of the casing.

Pump Truck
G auge

20-in., 94 lb/ft Casing

Water
8.33
lb/gal

26-in. Hol e

Area:
20 in. 20 in. 0.7854 = 314.16 sq in.

15. 6 l b/ gal Cement

Upward force:
150.96 psi 314.16 sq in. =
47,425.593 1b

400-ft. Pipe Depth

Figure 8.15

For the resulting force, compare the forces and

their directions. The upward force is 47,425.593
lb. The downward force is 32,813.52 lb.
Therefore, the resulting force is:

Given information:

The hole was full of fresh water when the

casing was run (844.08 psi).

Displace the cementing plug with fresh

water.

Cement back to ground level.

47,425.593 lb - 32,813.52 lb =
14,612.073 lb
The force against the chain is 14,612.073 lb.
The chain must be of sufficient strength to hold
this upward force. The chain anchor point must
also have enough physical strength and weight
to hold this force.

Solution
BF for 8.33 lb/gal water = 0.8727

Interpolation

94 1b 0.8727 BE =
82.0338 lb/ft 400 ft = 32,813.52 lb

Let's say you wanted to look up the buoyancy

factor for a fluid that weighs 8.36 lb/gal. You'll
notice in the table for buoyancy factors, the
densities are listed in tenths (e.g., 8.3, 8.4, etc.).
Do you say that the BF for 8.3 or 8.4 pounds per
gallon fluids is "close enough"? For accurate
calculations, you need to interpolate.

The downward force (weight indicator reading)

is 32,813.52 lb. This force has to be overcome
with pressure acting over the area of the OD of
the casing to move the pipe up the hole.
Pressure acting over the area of the OD of the
casing must now be considered. The hydrostatic
pressure of the water working over the area of
the casing was taken into account through the
buoyancy factor. However, pressure has been
added to the system by placing cement in the
annulus. The added pressure is the difference
between the pressure exerted by the cement and
fresh water.

Interpolation between two numbers or two of

any quantitative values is possible when you
know two end points from which to calculate. In
making an interpolation calculation, assume that
the relationship is straight between the end
points, and that any value can be found between
the points.

Differential pressure:
15.6 lb/gal cement:
8.33 lb/gal water:

Sample Problem

0.8104 psi/ft
0.4330 psi/ft
0.3774 psi/ft

If an 8.3 lb/gal fluid has a BF of 0.8732, and an

8.4 lb/gal fluid has a BF of 0.8716, what is the
BF for an 8.36 lb/gal fluid?

0.3774 psi/ft 400 ft = 150.96 psi

The pressure acting over the casing end is
150.96 psi. The area to be used is based on the

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Fluid Calculations

from 0.8732 to 0.8716, or 6/10 of 0.0016

subtracted from 0.8732:

Solution
0.8732
0.0016
0.8716
8.36 is 6/l0ths of the distance between 8.3 and
8.4. Therefore, BF should be 6/l0ths of the way

0.8732 (0.6 0.0016) = 0.87224

The BF for 8.36 lb/gal fluid is 0.87224.

Unit B Quiz
Fill in the Blanks to check your progress in Unit B
1. Force can be defined as _______________ which tends to cause ________________.
2. Buoyancy is an_________________ force exerted by a fluid.
3. To calculate the pressure to overcome a downward force, use the formula: P = ______ divided by
_________________.
4. Interpolation between two numbers is possible when you know the two _________ _________ from
which to calculate.
5. If you run 7 in., 32 lb/ft casing to a total depth of 5100 ft in a 9 lb/gal fluid, what does the casing
weigh?

6. What is the pressure required to bring the downward force to zero if the casing in item #5 is run in
8.95 lb/gal fluid?

7. If you cement 200 ft of 16 in., 84 lb/ft casing with 16.4 lb/gal cement and displace the entire casing
with water, what is the amount and direction of the resulting force.

Now, look up the answers in the Answer Key.

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Self-Check Test for Section 8

Find the solutions to these problems.
1. What is the hydrostatic pressure of a 300 ft column of 9.0 lb/gal brine water?

2. What is the differential pressure of a 3000 ft column of 9.0 lb/gal mud and a 3000 ft column of 16.4
lb/gal cement?

3. What will the recorded pressure be at the pump truck when the fresh water is in the tubing in this
situation?
Tubing is
2-3/8 in., 4.7 lb/ft, EUE J-55 to 8000 ft
Casing is
5-1/2 in., 17 lb/ft J-55 to 8500 ft
Well fluid is 10 lb/gal
Tubing will be filled with fresh water
(8.33 lb/gal)

4. What is the pressure required to lift a 70,000 lb block on a hydraulic cylinder if the cylinder diameter
is 1 ft?

5. What size hydraulic cylinder would you need to lift 50,000 lb with a pressure of 250 psi?

6. With open-ended tubing suspended in well fluid, what is the required pressure to bring the tubing
weight to zero?
Tubing is 3-1/2 in., 9.3 lb/ft EUE J-55 to
3500 ft
Casing is 7 in., 20 lb/ft J-55 to 4000 ft
Perforations are 3500 ft to 3510 ft
Well fluid is 2% KC1 water

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Fluid Calculations

7. Interpolate the buoyancy factor for 15.55 lb/gal mud.

8. What is the hydrostatic pressure in the annulus at 1000 ft under these circumstances?
The top 300 ft of the annulus is filled with 8.33 lb/gal water.
From 300 ft to 1000 ft, there is 15.2 lb/gal well fluid in the annulus.

9. What is the differential pressure under these conditions?

Well
Fluid
8.33
lb/gal

15. 4 l b/ gal Cement

800 ft

10. Calculate the upward and downward forces at the completion of this job (see figure above, right) and
the resulting force.
Give the amount of force and direction.
The hole was full of 9 lb/gal fluid when casing was run.
Displace the cementing plug with 8.33 lb/gal fluid.
Cement back to ground level.

Mud 9 lbs/ gal

Water
8.33
lb/gal

15. 2-lb/gal Cement

7-in., 20 lb/ft Casing

1,000 ft

11. What is the accurate buoyancy factor for a fluid that weighs 12.46 lb/gal?

Now, look up the suggested answers in the Answer Key.

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Essential Math

Fluid Calculations

Answers Keys
Refer to the pages provided as references if you answered any of these items incorrectly, or if you were
unsure of your answers.

Refer to
Page

Items from Unit A Quiz

1. pressure/fluid

8-2

2. different

8-2

1. barrier

8-5

2. equalization point

8-4

3. 3.792 psi

8-3

4. 205.74 differential

8-4, 5

5. 771.649 psi differential

8-4, 5
Refer to
Page

Items from Unit B Quiz

1. power/motion

8-7

2. upward pressure

8-7

3. F/A

8-7

1. end points

8-13

2. 140,760 lbs

8-11

3. 3550.7474 psi

8-9

4. 2183.647 lbs

8-12, 13
Refer to
Page

Self-Check Test

1. 258.75 psi
8-11
2. 1153.2 psi
8-6
3. 692 psi
8-6
4. 618.93444 psi
8-10
5. 200 sq in.
8-10
6. 2949.1247 psi
8-10
7. 0.76235 BF
8-11
8. 6892.62 psi
9. 293.6 psi
10. 3750.4 lb
11. 0.8096 BF for 12.46 lb/gal fluid
Refer to the page numbers provided as references if you answered any of these items incorrectly, or
if you were unsure of your answers. Now review to prepare for the final test.

8 17

Essential Math