After learning about U-tube concept, let’s get a example in order to understand clearly about physical meaning of U-tube. This is very important concept so you need to clear about it.
Mud weight inside drill pipe is 9.8 PPG is all the way to bit and mud weight in the annulus is 9.2 PPG all the way to surface. Hole depth is 10,000’MD/8500’TVD. The well is shut in and drill pipe pressure is equal to 0 psi. Determine casing pressure.
According to U-tube concept, both sides (casing and drill pipe) have the same bottom hole pressure so we can write the equation to describe the U-tube concept as shown below;
SP (casing) + HP (casing) = BHP = SP (drill pipe) + HP (drill pipe)
At drill pipe side: BHP = 0 psi (Drill pipe Pressure) + 0.052×9.8×8,500 (Hydrostatic Pressure at drill pipe side) = 4,331 psi
At casing side: BHP = 4,331 psi = (Casing Pressure) + 0.052×9.2×8,500 (Hydrostatic Pressure at casing)
With this relationship (SP (casing) + HP (casing) = BHP = SP (drill pipe) + HP (drill pipe) ),we can solve casing pressure.
4331 = Casing Pressure + 4066
Casing Pressure = 4331 – 4066 = 265 psi
Ref books:
Lapeyrouse, N.J., 2002. Formulas and calculations for drilling, production and workover, Boston: Gulf Professional publishing.
Bourgoyne, A.J.T., Chenevert , M.E. & Millheim, K.K., 1986. SPE Textbook Series, Volume 2: Applied Drilling Engineering, Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Mitchell, R.F., Miska, S. & Aadny, B.S., 2011. Fundamentals of drilling engineering, Richardson, TX: Society of Petroleum Engineers.
