Downhole Hydraulics I

Kellyville Training Center

MP # 231M124
 Downhole Hydraulics
Course Outline

 Quick Review
– Hydrostatic
– Applied pressure
– Differential pressure
 Buoyancy
 Hook load and buoyancy factor
 Free Point
 Changes in tubing length
– Due to temperature
– Due to stress
– Due to ballooning/reverse ballooning

2 Downhole Hydraulics
 Quick Review
Force
Pressure  Force = Pressure x Area
Area

 Hydrostatic pressure:
– The pressure caused by a column of fluid.
Phyd (psi) = Density (ppg) x Length (ft) x 0.052

 Applied pressure
– Usually associated with a pump, or pressure from
the formation
 Differential pressure
– The difference between pressures acting on
different sides of a body (a pipe, a piston, etc.).
3 Downhole Hydraulics
 Example
Calculate the differential pressure acting on the
tubing just above the packer:
3,000 psi

Brine 9 PPG
Applied Pressure
Brine 9 PPG

16 PPG 6,000 ft
CMT

10,000 ft

4 Downhole Hydraulics
 Example
PTBG = PHYD (Brine) TBG + PHYD (CMT) + 3000 psi

PTBG = (6000’ x 9 ppg x 0.052) + (4000’ x 16 ppg x 0.052) + 3000 psi

PTBG = 2808 psi + 3328 psi + 3000 psi

PTBG = 9136 psi

PANN = hydrostatic pressure due to brine in annulus

PANN = 10,000’ x 9 ppg x 0.052

PANN = 4680 psi

PDIFFERENTIAL = PTBG - PANN PDIFF = 9136 psi - 4680 psi

PDIFF = 4456 psi

5 Downhole Hydraulics
 Buoyancy
When a body is immersed in a fluid, the
hydrostatic pressure of the fluid applies a force
trying to push the body upwards. This force is
called buoyant force.

F = PHYD x area
6 Downhole Hydraulics
 Hook Load

The actual weight supported by the hook when a

string is in the well. It combines the weight of the
pipe with buoyancy due to fluid hydrostatic
pressure

Hook Load = Weight in Air - Buoyant Force

7 Downhole Hydraulics
 Hook Load
ex: Calculate the hook load
5 1/2” 17 #/ft

10 PPG MUD

A x 5.5  A  23.76 in 2
2

4
5000’

Hyd. Pressure = 5000’ x 10 ppg x 0.052 PHYD = 2600 psi

Buoyant Force = 2600 psi x 23.76 in2  B.F. = 61776#
Weight in Air = 5000’ x 17#/ft WAIR = 85000#
Hook Load = 85000#  - 61776#
Hook Load = 23224# 
8 Downhole Hydraulics
 Hook Load
ex: 1000’ of casing 30” with 5/8” wall thickness (196#/ft) using a float
shoe are cemented with a slurry 15.8#/gal. and displaced with
sea water 8.5#/gal down to 950 ft. What is the hook load at the
end of the job?

950’

1000’

9 Downhole Hydraulics
 Hook Load

O. A  x  30  O. A  706.85 in 2
2

4

I. A  x ( 28.75) 2  I . A  649.18 in 2
4

O.P = 1000’ x 15.8#/gal x 0.052 O.P = 822 psi

I.P = (950’ x 8.5#/gal. x 0.052) + (50’ x 15.8#/gal x 0.052)  I.P = 461 psi

HYD FORCE (Inside)  = 461 psi x 649.18 in2 HYD FORCE = 299272#

Buoyant Force = 822 psi x 706.85 in2  Buoyant Force = 581031#

Weight in the Air  1000’ x 196#/ft  Weight in Air = 196000#

Hook Load = 196000# + 299272# - 581031#

Hook Load = -85759# The Casing will float

10 Downhole Hydraulics
 Open Ended Pipe
Calculate the Hook Load

5 1/2” 17#/ft.

10#/GAL MUD

5000’

11 Downhole Hydraulics
 Open Ended Pipe
1"
OD  5
2
ID  4.892"

A
4
 OD 2  ID 2 

A
4
 . 2  4.892 2   A  4.962
55 IN 2

HYD Pr essure  5000' x 10 ppg x 0.052  HYD Pr essure  2600 psi

Buoyant Force = 2600 psi x 4.962 in2 Buoyant Force = 12901#

Weight in air = 5000’ x 17#/ft Weight in Air = 85000#
Hook Load = 85000# - 12901#
Hook Load = 72099# 

12 Downhole Hydraulics
 Buoyancy Factor

Mud Weight ( ppg )

Buoyance Factor  1 
231 x Density of Pipe  lb / cu in 

Density of Steel = 0.2833 lb/cu in

 Buoyance Factor = 1 - [0.01528 x Mud Weight (ppg)]

13 Downhole Hydraulics
 Buoyance Factor
Applying on Previous Example:
Mud 10 ppg  B.F. = 1 - [0.01528 X 10]
B.F. = 0.8472
Pipe Weight = 17#/ft
Pipe effective weight = pipe weight x B.F.
Pipe effective weight = 17#/ft x 0.8472  Pipe eff. weight = 14.4#/ft
Hook load = 5000’ x 14.4#/ft Hook Load = 72000#

Note #1: The buoyancy factor for different mud weights can be
found in the handbook, page 300.037.
Note #2: The buoyancy factor can only be applied when pipe is full
with the same fluid in the annular and there is no
differential pressure between annulus and
14 Downhole Hydraulics
tubing.
 String with Two Sizes of Pipe

EX: 5000’ of 4-1/2” DP 16.6#/ft

600’ of 6” O.D. x 2-1/2”

I.D. 79.4 #/ft DC

12 ppg Mud

15 Downhole Hydraulics
 String with Two Sizes of Pipe

Buoyancy Factor Method

Buoyancy Factor = 1 - [0.01528 x 12] = 0.8166

DP Weight in Fluid = 16.6 x 0.8166 = 13.556 #/ft
DC Weight in Fluid = 79.4 x 0.8166 = 64.838 #/ft
Total DP Weight in Fluid = 5000’ x 13.556 #/ft = 67780#
Total DC Weight in Fluid = 600’ x 64.838 #/ft = 38903#
Hook Load = 67780#  + 38903# 
Hook Load = 106683# 
16 Downhole Hydraulics
 String with Two Sides of Pipe

5,000’ of 4-1/2 DP 16.6 #/ft

HYD. Pressure at 5000’

600’ of 6” O.D. x 2-1/2”

I.D. 79.4 #/ft DC

HYD. Pressure at 5600’

12 ppg Mud

17 Downhole Hydraulics
 String with Two Sides of Pipe
HYD Press. on top of DC = 12 x 0.052 x 5000 = 3120 psi

HYD Press. on bottom of DC = 12 x 0.052 x 5600 = 3494 psi


DP O. D. Area  x 4.52  15.90 in 2
4

DP I . D. Area  x 38262
.  1150
. in 2
4

DC O. D. Area  x 62  28.27 in 2
4

DC I . D. Area  x 2.52  4.91 in 2
4

18 Downhole Hydraulics
 String with Two Sides of Pipe
Area on outside top of DC = 28.27 - 15.90 = 12.37
in2
Area on inside top of DC = 11.50 - 4.91 = 6.59 in2
Total area on top of DC = 12.37 + 6.59 = 18.96 in2
Area on bottom of DC = 28.27 - 4.91 = 23.36 in2

Force on top of DC = 3120 psi x 18.96 in2 =

59155#
Force on bottom of DC = 3494 psi x 23.36 in2 =
81620#
DP weight = 5000’ x 16.6#/ft = 83000#
DC weight = 600’ x 79.4 #/ft = 47640#
19 Downhole Hydraulics

Hook Load = 59155# - 81620# + 83000# +

 Changes While Displacing
Surface pressure acts on I.D. area, decreasing the
Hook Load.

20 Downhole Hydraulics
 Changes While Displacing

ex: Find Hook Load before and after displacing if

8000 ft. of 4-1/2” 16.6#/ft drill pipe is run open
ended in 14.2 ppg mud, then displaced
with 8.34 ppg water.

Buoyancy Factor = 1-[0.01528 x 14.2] = 0.7830

Weight/Foot in mud = 16.6 x 0.7830 = 13 #/ft
Hook Load before displacing = 8000’ x 13 #/ft =
104000# 

21 Downhole Hydraulics
 Changes While Displacing
After Displacing:
Ann. Hyd. Pressure = 14.2 x 8000 x 0.052 = 5907
psi
D.P. Hyd. Pressure = 8.34 x 8000 x 0.052 = 3469
psi 
D. P. I. D. Area  x  3.826  11.4969 in 2
2

4
D.P. Surface Pressure = 5907 psi - 3469 psi =
2438 psi

Force from Surface Pressure = 2438 psi x 11.4969

in2
= 28029#
22 Downhole Hydraulics
Hook Load after Displacing = 104000# - 28029#
 Free Point Calculations

Free Point: The point in a string which is not

under tension nor under
compression

23 Downhole Hydraulics
 Free Point Calculations
Tubing hanging in a well

Tension

Depth

24 Downhole Hydraulics
 Free Point Calculations
Packing set with 15000#
Tension

Depth
Free Point

15000#

Compression

25 Downhole Hydraulics
 To Calculate the Free Point
 Calculate the effective weight of the pipe(s),
including buoyancy.
 Calculate the Hook Load.
 Divide the Hook Load or the compression force
by the effective weight of the string.
 Find the Free Point.

26 Downhole Hydraulics
 To Calculate the Free Point
DP 5” 19.5#/ft

Mud 10#/gal

15000# 10000’

Buoyancy Factor = 1-[0.01528 x 10] = 0.8472

DP effective weight = 19.5 x 0.8472 = 16.52#/ft
DP total weight in fluid = 10000’ x 16.52#/ft = 165200#
Hook Load = 165200# - 15000# (on packer) = 150200#
150200#
Free Point   Free Point  9092 ft.
16.52#/ft
27 Downhole Hydraulics
 To Calculate the Free Point

DP 5” 19.5#/ft
Mud
10#/gal DC 6” 79.4#/ft

3000’

3500’

15000#

28 Downhole Hydraulics
 To Calculate the Free Point
Buoyancy Factor = 0.8472
D.P. effective weight = 19.5 x 0.8472 = 16.52#/ft
D.C. effective weight = 79.4 x 0.8472 = 67.27#/ft

DP total weight = 3000’ x 16.52#/ft = 49560#

DC total weight = 500’ x 67.27#/ft = 33635#
Weight on Packer = 15000#

Hook Load = 49560# + 33635# - 15000# = 68195#

As the Hook Load is > than DP weight, the free point is on the drill collars:
68195#  49560#
F . P.   277 ft  FP  3500
0  277
67.27#/ ft
FP  3277 ft

or
15000#
F . P.  3500'   FP  3277 ft
29 Downhole Hydraulics 67.27 #/ ft
 Graphic Forces Versus Depth
Tension
0’ 68195#
Depth

3000’

3277’
Free Point
3500’ 15000#

30 Downhole Hydraulics
 Changes in Tubing Length
 Factors than can affect tubing length:
– Temperature
– Stress
– Ballooning / reverse ballooning

31 Downhole Hydraulics
 Temperature
 Temperature increases pipe expands
 Temperature decreases pipe contracts
 Temperature will change:
– production
– injection

32 Downhole Hydraulics
 Temperature
Temperature effect: L  Lo x  x  T

where:
Lo = original length of pipe
 = temperature elongation factor (0.0000069

oF-1)

= change in average temperature

If the tubing is fixed and not allowed to elongate /

 will be transmitted in form of
shrink this effect
force.
F = 207 x A x
33 Downhole Hydraulics

where: A = cross section area of pipe (in2).

 Temperature

Ex 1: 1000’ of 3-1/2” tubing

was run into a well with BHST = 150oF. The
surface temperature is 70oF. What will be
the actual length of this pipe in hole?

34 Downhole Hydraulics
 Temperature
150 F  70 o o

Temp. average   110 F

o
2

  110 F  70  40 F o o o

L  Lo x  x 
1
L  1000' x 0.0000069 F o
x 40
L  2.76 ft .
35 Downhole Hydraulics
 Temperature
Ex. 2: How much force will you have on the
packer below if after pumping in a frac job, the
string is cooled down to 70o F (worst
case)? 70o F

3-1/2” 12.8#/ft.

15000#
150o F

36 Downhole Hydraulics
 Temperature

A . 2  2.764 2   A  3.62 in 2
x  35
4
150o F  70o F
Temp. average   Temp. average  110o F
2

  110o F  70o F    40o F

F  207 x A x 
F  207 x 3.62 x 40  F  29974#.

The packer will be unset and the pipe will shrink.

37 Downhole Hydraulics
 Stress
The stretch caused by stress can be calculated by
the Hooke’s law.
F xL
S 
ExA

Where:
S = Stretch of tubing length (ft.)
F = Average force pulling on tubing (lb).
L = Length of tubing (ft.)
E = Young’s Module (30 x 106 psi)
A = Cross Section area (in2)
38 Downhole Hydraulics
 Stress
Ex. 1: Calculate the change in length caused by
stress of 10000’ of 3-1/2” 12.8#/ft. tubing
hanging in a well with 10#/gal. mud.
108400#

Average Stress

39 Downhole Hydraulics
 Stress
Buoyancy Factor = 0.8472
Pipe weight in mud = 12.8#/ft x 0.8472 = 10.84#/ft.

Hook Load = 10.84#/ft x 10000’ = 108400#

Hook Load
Average Stress =  54200#
2

A = 3.62 in2

54200# x 10000'
S =  S  4.99 ft.
30 x 106 psi x 3.62 in2

40 Downhole Hydraulics
 Piston Effect
After the packer is set and pressure is applied
(pumping), the following stress will act on the
A
string:

41 Downhole Hydraulics Ap
 Piston Effect
F  Pi x (Ai  Ap)   Po (Ao  Ap)  Psup x Ai 

Where:

 Psup = Change in the pressure at surface

 Pi = Change in inside pressure at packer
 Po = Change in outside pressure at packer
Ai = Inside area of tubing
Ao = Outside area of tubing
Ap = Area of Packer by-pass

42 Downhole Hydraulics
 Ballooning / Reverse Ballooning
 Pressure inside the tubing tends to balloon it.
As it happens, it shortens the tubing.
 Pressure in the annulus contracts the diameter
of the tubing. As it happens, it elongates the
tubing.

P1
P1
P2
P2
P2
P1

Ballooning Reverse
Ballooning
P1 > P 2 P1 < P 2
P1 = P 2
43 Downhole Hydraulics
 Ballooning / Reverse Ballooning

Ballooning Stretch:
2L   Pia  R 2  Poa 
L  8  
10  R 2
 1 

Ballooning Force:
F  0.6 x   Pia x Ai   Poa x Ao 

Where:
 Pia = change in average tubing pressure
 Poa = change in average annulus pressure
R = ratio of tubing OD to ID
44 Downhole Hydraulics