Relationship of pressure, force and cross sectional area is one of the most commonly used concepts in oilfield and we will review this concept and its application. Pressure is force divided by cross section area (see an image below).
Pressure = Force ÷ Area
We normally use pressure in many units such as psi (pound per square inch), Pascal, kg/m3, etc.
In drilling operation, we mostly use circular area so area can be calculated by this formula;
Area = π x (radius)2 or π x (diameter)2÷ 4
Where π= 22/7 = 3.143, so we can write a formula above in easy way
Area = 3.143 x (radius)2 or 0.7857 x (diameter)2
Pressure calculation based on the relationship above is shown below;
Pressure = force ÷ (3.143 x (radius)2) or force ÷ (0.7857 x (diameter)2)
Example : For this example, we will use the oilfield unit so force is in lb, diameter is in square inch (in2), and diameter is in inch.
Let’s try to apply pressure and force relationship in drilling operation. We plan to bullhead well and we still have drill string in the hole.
Drill string weight in the air = 45,000 lb
Mud weight in hole = 12.0 ppg
Bit size = 8.5”
Drill pipe size = 5″
What is the maximum pressure at surface you can apply before drilling string will be hydraulically pushed out due to bull heading pressure?
Solution
Buoyancy factor = (65.5 – 12.0) ÷ 65.5 = 0.817
Buoyed weight of drill string = 45,000 x 0.817 = 36,765 lb
Area = 0.7857 x (diameter)2= 0.7857 x (8.5)2= 56.77 square inch
Pressure = 36,765 lb ÷ 56.77 square inch= 647 psi.
In order to perform safe bullheading operation with drill string in hole, you need to apply bullheading pressure less than 647 psi on surface.
Bull Heading
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.
It’s very effortless to find out any topic on net as compared to textbooks, as I found this piece of writing at
this site.
Good information about pressure & Force