Hydrostatic Pressure Calculation

Hydrostatic pressure is created by fluid column. Two factors affecting hydrostatic

pressure are mud weight and True Vertical Depth. So this post will demonstrate how to
calculate hydrostatic pressure in different oilfield units.
1. Calculate hydrostatic pressure in psi by using mud weight in PPG and feet as the
units of True Vertical Depth.
Hydrostatic pressure equation:
HP = mud weight in ppg !.!"# True Vertical Depth $TVD% in ft
&ample: mud weight = '#.! ppg
True Vertical Depth = '!(!!! ft
HP = '#.! ppg !.!"# '!(!!! ft
HP = )(#*! psi
2. Calculate hydrostatic pressure in psi by using pressure gradient in psift and feet
as the units of True Vertical Depth.
Hydrostatic pressure equation:
HP = Pressure gradient in psi+ft True Vertical Depth $TVD% in ft
&ample: Pressure ,gradient = !." psi+ft
True Vertical Depth = '!(!!! ft
HP = !." psi+ft '!(!!! ft
HP = "(!!! psi
! Calculate hydrostatic pressure in psi by using mud weight in lbft
!
and feet as the
units of True Vertical Depth.
Hydrostatic pressure equation:
HP = !.!!)-** mud weight( lb+ft
.
TVD( ft
&ample: mud weight = /! lb+ft
.
true 0ertical depth = '!(!!! ft
HP = !.!!)-** /! lb+ft
.
'!(!!! ft
HP = "(""" psi
". Calculate hydrostatic pressure in psi by using mud weight in PPG and meters as
unit of True Vertical Depth.
Hydrostatic pressure equation:
HP = mud weight( ppg !.!"# TVD in meters ..#/'
&ample: 1ud weight = '#.! ppg true 0ertical depth = "!!! meters
HP = '#.! ppg !.!"# "!!! ..#/'
HP = '!(#.2 psi