Rig Math Outline, Page 1

Chapter One Course Outline: RIG MATH

MEANING AND PURPOSE
A. Rig math is the arithmetic (or math) that is used everyday on a rig, service unit, or
well to determine:
1.
What is going on;
2.
What needs to be done;
3.
Volumes to use, etc.
B.

Used all the time by company foremen, service people & supervisors, tool
pusher, mud loggers, etc.

C.

Used to plan jobs to minimize cost, save time and operate safely.

D.

Nearly all the terms and factors involve some rig math.

E.

If you understand and learn to use rig math, your grade in this course will be
good; and your job in the field will be easier.

II.

THIS MAY SEEM BACKWARDS, BUT WE ARE STARTING AT THE END

OF EQUATION SHEET #1. Locate page 4 of the Equation Sheet.

III.

FRACTIONS, DECIMALS AND PER CENT. (Equation Sheet Section IV.)

A.
Doing Calculations: Do all calculations with a decimal. Never do
calculations with:
1.
A fraction; or

B.

C.

2.

A whole number per-cent value.

3.

Always change a fraction or whole number percentage to their

decimal equivalent.

Decimals: A decimal is a number less than one. It is written as: O.xxxx.

1.

A decimal may be the whole number, i.e. O.xxx; or

2.

A decimal may be part of a larger number, as NN.xxxx.

Fractions: Also a number less than one, just written a different way, as
a/b.
1.
For every fraction there is an exact decimal equivalent.
2.

EQ 28; is used to change a fraction into ifs decimal equivalent.

Rig Math Outline, Page 2

D.

Per Cent: (%) Is a way of using a number to say one thing is a specific part
of something else.
1.
You use Per Cent every day: every time you buy something, a specific %
2.
3.
4.
5.

sales tax is added onto the base cost of the purchase.

Per Cent is usually expressed as a whole number: e.g. 12% or7-1/4%.
A decimal and Per Cent can be changed back and forth using 100.
EQ 29: To change whole number % to the decimal equivalent.
EQ 30: To change a decimal to the equivalent whole number Per Cent.

IV.

FROM HERE ON, THE SESSION WILL FOLLOW EQUATION SHEET

NUMBER 1, IN ORDER. (Locate Page 1 of the Equation Sheet.)

V.

CAPACITIES AND VOLUMES: (Equation Section I.)

A.
Capacity = volume held by one foot of length of any section.
1.
To determine the volume in a well, or any part of a well, must first
calculate the capacities of each part of the well involved.
2.
Capacity is usually in bbl/ft; but can be in gal/fl or cf/ft (especially
with cement calculations).
a.
To convert bbl/ft to gal/ft: multiply bbl/ft x 42
b.
To convert bbl/ft to cf/ft: multiply bbl/ft x 5.615
3.
This must be done one section at a time, and for EACH section
individually, including:
B.
EQ 01: This is for Open Hole (OH) with no pipe of any kind inside.
C.

EQ 02; For the inside of each section of a sting of pipe, with no other
pipe of any kind inside. Is good for:
1. Drill Pipe
3. Casing
4.

D.

Look up the IDs from the pipe tables before starting.

EQ 03: For a section of any annulus with any Pipe inside of Open Hole
(OH). Is good for:
1. OHDC
3. OH/csg

E.

2. Drill Collars
4. Tubing

2.OHIDP
4.OH/tbg

EQ 04: For a section of any annulus with any Pipe inside of a larger size
pipe. Is good for:
1. csg/DC
2. csg/DP
3. csg/csg
4. csg/tbg
5. tbg/tbg
6.

Look up the IDs from the pipe tables before starting.

Rig Math Outline, Page 3

F.

A WELL DIAGRAM is important in picking out and understanding the different

sections of a well.

U.

EQ 05: Fill per Volume = how many feet of a section one bbl of volume will fill
up.
1.
Note this is the reciprocal of capacity
2.

Applies to any type of section or capacity.

3.

Also works for gallons or cubic feet, if capacity is gal/ft or cf/ft.

H.

Volumes: Volume = The actual amount of fluid (total bbl, or gal or cf) in a well,
or a section of a well.

I.

EQ 06: This general equation is for all sections of a well; is used, regardless of the
type of section, as long as a capacity is known.

J.

EQ 07: For Open Hole (OH) with no pipe of any kind inside; use with capacity
from EQ 01.

K.

EQ 08: For the Side of a section, or a string, of pipe, with no other pipe of any
kind inside; use with capacity from EQ 02

L.

EQ 09: For a section of any annulus, whether Pipe is inside of a larger pipe or
OH; use with capacities from either EQ 03 or EQ 04.

M.

EQ 10: For the total volume inside of a string pipe that is in a well; is good for:
1.
A drill string (including drill collars).
2.
A casing string.
3.
A tubing string.
4.
Calculate the separate volume for each section of the string; then add up
all the section volumes.
5.
A section changes any time the ID of the pipe (weight, lb/fl) changes.

N.

EQ 11: For the total volume in the annulus of a well, from the bottom of the
inside pipe to the surface.
1.
Note: Calculate separate volumes for each section of the annulus; then add
up all the section volumes.
2.
A section changes any time there is a change in EITHER:
a.
The Hole Diameter;
b.
The ID (weight, lb/ft) of the big (outside) pipe;
c.
The OD of any section of inside pipe.

0.

EQ 12: This gives the Total volume of the entire well. Add up the results from EQ
11 and EQ 12.

Rig Math Outline, Page 4

VI.

PUMP RATES. CIRCULATION AND CIRCULATING TIMES:

(Equation Sheet Section II)
A.
Pump Output = P0 = the volume, bbl, put out by one stroke (1 RPM) of a
positive displacement pump.
1.
EQ 13: To calculate the P0 of a Triplex pump.
a.
Has three pumping cylinders;
b.
Puts fluid out only when piston moves forward; i.e., is
single acting.
c.
Usually has a generally high fluid output efficiency.
2.
EQ 14: To calculate the P0 of a Duplex pump.
a.
Has only two pumping cylinders;
b.
Puts fluid out both when piston moves forward, and also
when the piston moves back-wards, or in both directions;
i.e., is usually double acting. Always assume it is, unless
told, or you know different.
c.
Usually has a generally low fluid output efficiency.
B.
EQ 15: For obtaining the total, true pump rate (the volume put out every
minute), including the fluid efficiency.
1.
Could easily combine EQs 13 & 14 with EQ 15 and get the rate in
one step.
2.
It is smarter, though, to calculate the P0, bbl/stk, and keep that
number. The pump speed will change frequently, and you dont
have to re-do the whole number if you already know the P0,
bbl/stk.
C.
Circulating time is how long, in minutes, it takes to pump fluid from place
to another place in a well. Three circulations are commonly used, but there
can be more than the following three.
1.
EQ 16: For Surface-to-Surface = Surf/Surf = the time to pump
drilling fluid from the pump suction down the drill pipe, back up
the annulus and out the flow line to the pits. Here, generally, the
fluid will go to TD and back.
2.
EQ 17: For Surface-to-Bit = Surf/Bit = the time to pump drilling
fluid from the pump suction down the drill pipe and out the bit at
bottom.
a.
This could be all the way to TD; and usually is.
b.
But it could be to someplace up the hole, shallower than
TD.
3.
EQ 18: For Bottoms Up = Bot/Up = the time to pump drilling fluid
from the bottom of the hole back up the annulus and out the flow
line to the pits.
a.
This probably will be all the way from TD to Surface.

VII. PRESSURE, STRING, WEIGHTS, AND, BUOYANCY

(Equation Sheet Section III.)
A. Pressures:
1.
EQ 19: To determine the pressure created, or imposed, by
ONE FOOT of vertical fluid. This is called the Pressure Gradient.
b.

But it could be from someplace up the hole, shallower than TD.

Rig Math Outline, Page 5

2.

EQ 20 & 20a: To determine the pressure created by all, or part of, the
vertical fluid column = Hydrostatic Pressure.
a.
Can be applied to get the Hydrostatic at TD (the entire column of
fluid).
b.

3.

EQ 21: To determine if the hydrostatic of the mud column will hold

formation pressure in place.
a.
If well is Under-Balanced (Hydrostatic is less than Pore Pressure),
well is in danger of blowing out!
b.

B.

Most drilling is done Over-Balanced.

Strum Weights:
The following will apply to all strings that might be run in a well, including:
a.
A drill string, including both DP & DC.
b.
A casing string.
c.
A tubing string.
2.

3.

EQ 22: To get the total, real, weight of the entire string in air.
a.
This is what it would weigh if it were hung on a big scale from a
helicopter and weighed hanging from the sky.
b.

Calculate the separate weight, lbs, for each section of the string;
then add up all the section weights.

c.

A section changes any time the lb/ft weight changes.

d.

Different section lengths with the same lb/ft weight may be added
together to get one weight for all pipe with the same lb/ft value.

EQ 23: To determine the weight per foot, lb/ft, of Drill Collars.

a.
DC values not given in any of the furnished pipe table books.
b.

C.

Or at any other depth off bottom (e.g. the bottom of a string of

casing).

Must calculate this value to use in EQ 22 above if a drill string

with DC is being calculated.

Buoyancy: = the floating effect liquid has on a solid put into the liquid.
1. EQ 24: To get the Buoyancy Factor (BF) for any density fluid.
a.
Buoyancy is what makes your fishing boat float.
b.

When a steel string of pipe is run into a drilling fluid in the well, it
will try to float, also. This floating affect makes it appear that the
pipe has lost weight.

c.

Must get the BF before any estimate can be made of weight loss
due the pipe floating in the fluid.

Rig Math Outline, Page 6

2.

The BF will be the same for all fluids of exactly the same density,
regardless of the kind of fluid.

3.

BF is a dimensionless ratio, with no units.

D.
Buoyed Weight: The actual measured weight of a string floating in a liquid.
1. EQ 25: To calculate the buoyed weight of any suing run into a drilling fluid.
2. This calculated result is the real weight one sees on a rigs weight indicator.
E.

OverPull: = OP = The limit of amount of real pull, lbs. OVER buoyed weight, that
can safely be put on a string of pipe without parting the pipe.
1.
This is essentially the book value of tension strength of the pipe minus the
buoyed weight, or adjusted for the tension Safety Factor (SF).
2.

Is applied to the top joint of the string. Should also be applied to the top
joint of each section of the string.

3.

The full book value of tension is almost never used; occasionally, only
with brand new pipe, will full book value be used.

4.

The book value of the pipe rated tension is usually reduced by some
percentage value. This is almost always the case if the pipe is used.

5.

Must always check two tension values, and use the ONE THAT IS THE
LOWER VALUE:
a.
Pipe Body Tensile Strength; and
b.
Pipe Joint Strength.

6. EQ 26: Gives the OP when used pipe is derated by some percentage.

7. EQ 27: Gives the OP when pipe design SF is used to derate book value.