Chevron Well Control Formula Sheet

Rounding Rules
1. Kill Mud Density = Round up to one decimal place
- example: 12.21 ppg rounds up to 12.3 ppg, 11.67 ppg rounds up to 11.7 ppg
2. Leak Off Test (LOT) = Round down to one decimal place
- example: 12.21 ppg rounds down to 12.2 ppg, 11.67 ppg rounds down to 11.6 ppg
3. Once any of the above numbers have been calculated, the rounded value must be used in subsequent
calculations.
4. Additionally, submit final answers in the format below:

Measurement Units Rounding &

Answer Format
Depth ft X
Pressure psi X
Pressure Gradient psi / ft X.XXXX
Mud Weight ppg X.X
Volume bbls X.X
Accumulator System Volume Requirements gal X.X
Accumulator Useable Fluid gal / bottle X.X
Capacity / Displacement bbl / ft X.XXXXX
Pump Output bbl / stk X.XXXX
Pump Speed (strokes per minute) spm X
Strokes stk X
Gas Migration ft / hr X
Area in2 X.XX
Wait & Weight Pressure Schedule psi / stk X
Force lb X

Safety Factor / Safety Margin

A Safety Factor of no more than 50 – 100 psi is recommended.

 Well Control Equations

1. Bottom Hole Pressure BHP psi

BHPpsi = SPpsi + HPpsi

2. Hydrostatic Pressure HP psi

HPpsi = 0.052 x MWppg x TVDft

Pressurepsi
MWppg =
0.052 x TVDft

Pressurepsi
TVDft =
0.052 x MWppg

3. Pressure Gradient G psi/ft

Gradientpsi = 0.052 x MWppg
ft

4. Formation Pressure FP psi

FPpsi = HPpsi + SIDDPpsi
HP (Hydrostatic Pressure inside DP or Tubing), SIDPP (for drilling) = SITP (for workover and Completions);

5. Kill Mud Weight KMW ppg

SIDDPpsi
KMWppg = + CMWppg
0.052 x TVDwell(ft)
SIDPP (for drilling) = SITP (for workover and Completions)

6. Maximum Allowable Mud Weight (MAMW) or LOT-EMW ppg

Leak off Pressurepsi
MAMWppg or LOTEMW(ppg) = + Test MWppg
0.052 x TVDShoe(ft)

7. Maximum Initial Shut-In Casing Pressure MISICP psi

MISICPpsi = 0.052 x �LOTEMW(ppg) − CMW� x TVDShoe(ft)

8. Maximum Allowable Annular Surface Pressure MAASP psi

MAASPpsi = �0.052 x LOTEMW(ppg) x TVDShoe�ft�� − HPAbove Shoe(psi)

Version 2017 Chevron Well Control Formula Sheet 2

 Well Control Equations - Continued

9. Initial Circulating Pressure ICP psi

ICPpsi = SIDPPpsi + SCRpsi
SIDPP (for drilling) = SITP (for workover and Completions)

10. Slow Circulating Rate SCR psi

SCRpsi = ICPpsi − SIDPPpsi
SCR is a measure of the friction pressure the pump must overcome.

11. Final Circulating Pressure FCP psi

KMWppg
FCPpsi = SCR(psi) x � �
OMWppg

12. Equivalent Circulating Density ECD ppg

Friction Pressurepsi
ECDppg = + CMWppg
0.052 x TVDbit,ft
Friction Pressure: is the total of all friction downstream of the bottom hole and is different for reverse (Drill String press loss+) and forward circulation
(Annular Pressure loss+)

13. New Pump Pressure when changing pump speed psi

New Ratebbls/min 2
New Pressurepsi = Original Pressurepsi x � �
Old Ratebbls/min

14. New Pump Pressure when changing fluid density psi

New fluid weightppg

New Pressurepsi = Original Pressurepsi x � �
Old fluid weightppg

15. Boyle’s Law

P1 x V1 P1 x V1
P1 x V1 = P2 x V2 V2 = P2 =
P2 V2
Pressure is in psi and Volume is in bbls

16. Accumulator Bottle - Usable Fluid Usable Vol gal

Prechargepsi Prechargepsi
Usable Fluidgal = � − � x bottle Volgal
Min. Operating Pressure psi Accumulator Pressurepsi

17. Gas Migration rate ft/hr

Change in Casing Pressurepsi

Gas Migration Rateft/hr =
MWppg x 0.052 x Time for Changehr

Version 2017 Chevron Well Control Formula Sheet 3

 Well Control Equations - Continued

18. Temperature Correction for Brines ppg

FD to mix = desired effective FD𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 + (Avg Temp℉ − Surface Temp℉ )x Weight Lossppg/℉

Volume and Pump Calculations

19. Internal Capacity Factor CF bbl/ft

ID2 (in)
Internal Capacity Factorbbl/ft =
1029.4
This formula can find the bbls/ft of any circular cross section of the wellbore.
Examples could be finding the capacity of tubing or the displacement of a tubing string in the hole

20. Annulus Capacity Factor ACF bbls/ft

Casing ID2 (in)−Tubing OD2 (in)
Capacity Factorbbl/ft = ID = ID of Casing or Open Hole Diameter
1029.4

21. Height of Influx ft

Pit gain bbl

Height of Influxft = � �
ACFbbl/ft

22. Open Ended Pipe Displacement bbls/ft

�pipe OD2 in − pipe ID2 in �

Open Ended Pipe Displacement bbl/ft =
1029.4
23. Steel Displacement bbls/ft

Steel Displacement bbl/ft = 0.000357 x Pipe Weight lb/ft

24. Close Ended Pipe Displacement bbls/ft

�pipe OD2 in �
Close Ended Pipe Displacement bbl/ft =
1029.4
25. Volume Gain From Pumping Slug Vol-gain bbl

(Slug Weight ppg − CMWppg )

Volume Gain from Slug bbl = Slug Volbbl x
CMWppg

Version 2017 Chevron Well Control Formula Sheet 4

 Volume and Pump Calculations - continued

26. Level Drop After Pumping Slug Vol-drop ft

Slug Weight ppg Volslug (bbl)

Level Drop from Slug ft = � − 1� x
CMWppg DP cap(bbl/ft)

27. Triplex Pump Output (volume) bbl/stk

Pump Output bbl/stk = 0.000243 x Liner ID2in x Stroke Lengthin x Efficiency%

28. Strokes to Displace Volume stks

Volume to be pumpedbbls
Strokes =
Pump Output bbl/stk
This formula gives the strokes to pump any capacity. This capacity can be tubing volume, annulus volume, entire system volume, etc.

29. Time to Circulate Volume min

Volumebbl Volumebbl
Timemin = =
Pump Output bbl/stk x Pump Speedstk/min Pump Output bbl/min

Volumetric Method

30. Volume to Bleed for Volumetric Vol bbl

Pressure Increment psi/ft x ACFbbl/ft

Volume to Bleed(bbl) =
0.052 x MWppg
Volume to be bleed = mud to be bled after gas migration or surface Pressure increment (PI), which is psi converted into bbl.

Lube and Bleed Method

31. Hydrostatic Pressure per bbl Lubed HP psi/bbl

Lube Mud Gradientpsi/ft
HP per bbl psi =
( )
bbl ACFbbl/ft

32. Hydrostatic Pressure Increase psi

Hydrostatic Pressure Increase = HP per bblpsi/bbl x Volume lubricated for cyclebbl

33. Overbalance using Lube and Bleed psi

New Overbalancepsi = HP lubed inpsi + �Pressure after Lubepsi − Pressure before Lubepsi � + Current SFpsi
This calculation is done after the mud is lubed in the well but before gas is bled off the well.

Version 2017 Chevron Well Control Formula Sheet 5

 Lube and Bleed Method - Continued

34. Volume of Gas Vgas bbl

CPFinal(psi) x Volume lubricated for cycle(bbl)
Vgas =
CPFinal(psi) − CPInitial(psi)
Where: V gas = Volume of Gas Prior to Lube; CP Initial = Casing Pressure Prior to Lube; CP Final = Casing Pressure after Lube cycle

35. Barite Requirement (100lb/Sack) Sacks sx

15 × MWincrease(ppg)
Baritesx = Volumemud(bbl) ×
�35 − KMWppg �

36. Cutting Back Mud Weight or Weighting Up Vol bbl

MWInitial(ppg) − MWFinal(ppg)
VMixing fluid to add(bbl) = VInitial fluid(bbl) ×
MWFinal(ppg) − MWMixing Fluid(ppg)

37. Final Density of a mix of fluids MW ppg

𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝟏𝟏(𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩) ×𝐕𝐕𝟏𝟏(𝐛𝐛𝐛𝐛𝐛𝐛) + 𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝟐𝟐(𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩) ×𝐕𝐕𝟐𝟐(𝐛𝐛𝐛𝐛𝐛𝐛)

𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐅𝐅𝐅𝐅𝐅𝐅𝐅𝐅𝐅𝐅(𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩) =
𝐕𝐕𝟏𝟏(𝐛𝐛𝐛𝐛𝐛𝐛) + 𝐕𝐕𝟐𝟐(𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩)

Bullheading Formulas
38. Formation Fracture Pressure psi

Formation Frac Pressurepsi = Formation Frac Gradient psi/ft x Top Perf TVDft

39. Initial Hydrostatic Pressure psi

Initial HPpsi = Formation Pressurepsi − SITPpsi

40. Initial Average fluid density ppg

Initial HPpsi
Initial Average fluid densityppg =
0.052 x Top Perf TVDft

41. Max Initial Surface Pressure psi

𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌 𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢 𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒 𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩 = 𝐅𝐅𝐅𝐅𝐅𝐅𝐅𝐅 𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐏𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩 − 𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐈𝐈 𝐇𝐇𝐇𝐇𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩

42. Max EOT Surface Pressure (KWM @ EOT) psi

Max EOT Surface Pressurepsi = Frac Pressurepsi − (KMWppg x 0.052 x EOT TVDft)
–[Initial Avg Fluid Densityppg x 0.052 x (Top Perf TVDft − EOT TVDft)]

Version 2017 Chevron Well Control Formula Sheet 6

 Bullheading Formulas - Continued
43. Max Final Surface Tubing Pressure (KWM @ perfs) psi

Max EOT Surface Pressurepsi = Frac Pressurepsi − �KWMppg x 0.052 x Top Perf TVDft �

44. Volume to Bullhead bbls

Volume to Bullheadbbls = Tubing Volumebbls + EOT to MD of bottom perf Volumebbl

Surface volume needs to be known for you to calculate when your killing fluid is at RKB.
For this equation, bbls or strokes can be used. The equation then becomes “Strokes to Bullhead”

45. Bullheading Pressure Reduction in Tubing (Pressure schedule) psi/#stks

�Max Initial SPpsi − Max EOT SPpsi �

Pressure Drop per Increment psi = x Stroke Increment stks
#stks Surface to EOTstks
This equation as shown is solved in psi/#stks, but it can be solved for psi/bbl by changing the highlighted portions to bbls instead of strokes

46. Bullheading Pressure Reduction in Casing (Pressure schedule) psi/#stks

�Max EOT SPpsi − Max Final SPpsi �

Pressure Drop per Increment psi = x Stroke Increment stks
#stks EOT to Top Perfstks
This equation as shown is solved in psi/#stks, but it can be solved for psi/bbl by changing the highlighted portions to bbls instead of strokes

Snubbing Formulas

47. Area A in2

Ain2 = 0.7854 x (Diameter(in) )2

48. Force F lbs

Flbs = Pressurepsi x Areain2 or F =P x A

49. Buoyancy Factor 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵

65.5 − MWppg
BF =
65.5
50. Pressure x Area Force 𝐹𝐹 lbs

Force Pushing Pipe Out (lbs) = (0.7854× (ODin )2 ×Pressure on Wellbore(psi)

Version 2017 Chevron Well Control Formula Sheet 7

 Snubbing Formulas - Continued

51. Pipe Weight Buoyed - Open ended pipe 𝑊𝑊𝑏𝑏 lbs/ft

10 ppg
lbs 65.5 − MWppg
Weight buoyed ( ) = Weight lbs x � �
ft air,( )
ft 65.5 10 ppg

52. Buoyed Weight of Tubulars (closed ended & no fluid in pipe) 𝑊𝑊𝑏𝑏 lbs/ft

lbs Pipe OD2in x MWppg Air

Weight buoyed � � = Weight air,�lbs� − � �
ft ft
24.5
10 ppg

53. Buoyed Weight of Tubulars (different fluid in pipe and annulus) 𝑊𝑊𝑏𝑏 lbs/ft
lbs Pipe ID2
in x MW𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 Pipe OD2
in x MW 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴
8.3 ppg
Weight buoyed � � = Weight air,�lbs� + � �− � �
ft ft
24.5 24.5

10 ppg

54. Snub force / Generic Snubbing Equation lbs

Force Req. to Snublbs = Pressure x Area Forcelbs + Friction−Buoyed Pipe Weight lbs

55. Balance Point ft

Pressure x Area Forcelbs
Length of pipe in wellft =
Weight Buoyedlbs/ft
Pressure x Area Force: Snubbing ram to ram – use tubing OD
Snubbing through annular – use collar OD
For the Weight Buoyed, calculate buoyed pipe weight using the correct equation based on well condition.

56. Effective Area of Snubbing Jacks in 2

Effective Areain2 = Number of Jacks x 0.7854 x (Cylinder ID2 in2 − Rod OD2 in2 )

57. Maximum Allowable Down Force on Jacks lbs

Maximum Down Forcelbs = 0.7 x Critical Buckling Loadlbs

58. Maximum Allowable Hydraulic Pressure to Snub w/o Buckling Pipe psi
Maximum Down Forcelbs
Hydraulic Pressure to Snubpsi =
Effective Areain2

Version 2017 Chevron Well Control Formula Sheet 8

Conversion Factors

Multiply By To Get
Length
Feet 0.3048 Meters
Meters 3.2808 Feet
Volume
Gallons (US) 0.003785 Cubic Meters
Barrels (US) 0.15897 Cubic Meters
Cubic Meters 6.2905 Barrels (US)
Cubic Meters 264.2 Gallons (US)
Pressure
Psi 6.895 kPa
Pa 0.14503 psi
kg/cm3 98.1 kPa
Bar 100 kPa
Mud Weight (Density)
ppg 119.8 kg/m3
ppg 0.12 SG
o
API 1178.7 / (oAPI + 131.5) ppg
kg/m3 0.00835 ppg
Pressure Gradient
psi/ft 22.62 kPa/m
kPa/m 0.04421 psi/ft
Temperature
o
C 1.8 x oC + 32 o
F
o
F 0.556 x oF + 255 o
K (Kelvin)

Version 2017 Chevron Well Control Formula Sheet 9

 Abbreviations and Acronyms

API Std. American Petroleum Institute Standard

API RP API Recommended Practice FP/PP Formation Pressure / Pore Pressure
ACF Annular Capacity Factor FrP Friction Pressure
AS Annular Stripping H₂S Hydrogen Sulfide
AWBT Average Wellbore Temperature PI Pressure Increment
BCP Blowout Contingency Plan PPG Pounds Per Gallon
BH Bullhead PSI Pounds Per Square Inch
BHA Bottom Hole Assembly ROP Rate of Penetration
BHP Bottom Hole Pressure ROV Remote Operated Vehicle
BLEVE Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion RPM Revolutions per Minute
BOPE Blowout Preventer Equipment RWP Rated Working Pressure
BPM Barrels per Minute SCR Slow Circulating Rate
BPTO Bring Pump To Off (SCRP) (Slow Circulating Rate Pressure)
BPUTS Bring Pump Up To Speed (SPR) (Slow Pump Rate)
BPV Back Pressure Valve SF / SM Safety Factor (or Margin)
BR Blind Ram SG Specific Gravity
BTF Bump The Float SICP Shut-In Casing Pressure
BU Business Unit SIDPP Shut-In Drill Pipe Pressure
CLF Choke Line Friction SIKLP Shut-In Kill Line Pressure
CMW/OMW Current or Original Mud Weight SITP Shut-In Tubing Pressure
CO₂ Carbon Dioxide SOP Standard Operating Procedure
CP Casing Pressure SP Surface Pressure
DM Driller’s Method SPM Strokes per Minute
DP Drill Pipe SPM Sub-Plate Mounted
DPP Drill Pipe Pressure SSSV Sub Surface Safety Valve
DSM Drill Site Manager STKs Strokes
ECD Equivalent Circulating Density TDS Top Drive System
EDS Emergency Disconnect Sequence TPC Trapped Pressure Check
EOB End Of Build TOC Top Of Cement
EOT End of Tubing TOL Top Of Liner
FCP Final Circulating Pressure TVD Total Vertical Depth
FD/MW Fluid Density / Mud Weight UBD Underbalanced Drilling
FIT Formation Integrity Test VBR Variable Bore Ram
FOSV Full Opening Safety Valve VM Volumetric Method
WOB Weight on Bit
W&W Wait and Weight

Version 2017 Chevron Well Control Formula Sheet 10