Volume Calculations

Introduction
- During drilling, hole sections have a tendency to “washout”
or become enlarged, also, due to hydrating/swelling
formations and/or extreme filter cake build-up, the theoretical
hole size may become reduced

- To ensure that samples are collected as close

to the correct depth as possible, periodic “tracers” should be
dropped

- This is to check for the actual open-hole volume, so that

correct lags for the samples can be corrected if necessary

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Volume Calculations
Running a Carbide Tracer
- Dropping a carbide serves to check on the lag time and on
the efficiency of the gas equipment

- In order to compare different carbide checks, it is important

that they be run consistently, using the same amount of
calcium carbide each time

The carbide is wrapped in an “envelope” of paper towels or

toilet paper, held together with scotch tape

- When a downhole motor or MWD tool is in use, confirm

with the drilling supervisor and/or directional driller whether
they will allow tracers to be run
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Volume Calculations
Cont. Running a Carbide Tracer
- The best place to insert this “Carbide Bomb” is at the pin end of the next
joint (or stand) of pipe going in the hole

- The carbide should be pushed inside the pin just before the kelly is put
back on

- If oil-base mud is being used, you can pour some water into the end of the
pipe in the slips, and the bomb in the pin of the next joint prior to the
connection

- Once the “Carbide Bomb” is in place, the number of strokes on the

counters should be noted

- The carbide and its by-product, acetylene, will travel down the drillpipe,
through the bit and up the annulus before reaching surface
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Volume Calculations
Cont. Running a Carbide Tracer

- The number of strokes required for the tracer to travel to the bit from
the surface must be taken into account

- This value must be subtracted from the total strokes when the acetylene
peak from the tracer is detected

-The frequency at which carbides are run is difficult to determine

- Under normal circumstances, a check should be made every twenty-

four hours or 400 ft, whichever comes first

- Carbide results are recorded in the appropriate part of the worksheet

and under the “Remarks” column on the Formation Evaluation Log

4
Volume Calculations
Correcting Lags for Carbide Results
- Open hole sections may be either smaller or larger than the bit size

- If the carbide confirms that the actual lag is significantly different

compared to the theoretical lag, then a correction to the lag figures must be
made to ensure that future samples are collected at the right time, and from
the correct depth

- Once a carbide check has been performed and if a significant difference is

noted, then the lag from the carbide must be used as a new starting point for
future lag calculations

- Theoretical calculations for each depth increment must be added to the

most recent actual lag figure from the carbide results
5
Volume Calculations
Alternative Tracers
- A common tracer is to make up a packet of rice/lens in the same way
as a “Carbide Bomb” is made

- They are acceptable substitute as it is small grained, does not block

the jets, and is soft enough not to damage the downhole motors

- The logger must wait at the shakers before the tracers are
theoretically due at surface, and note the time they appear

-Any difference between theoretical and actual time can be easily

calculated back into strokes

Comparison of the theoretical and actual lag data can provide useful
information about downhole conditions (effective hole diameter)
6
Volume Calculations
Example (1):

The effective hole diameter can be calculated as follows:

Theoretical Lag : 5000 strokes
Carbide Lag : 5980 strokes
Pump Output : 0.069 bbl/stroke
Open Hole Section : 1350 ft
Theoretical Hole Size : 12.25 inch
Open Hole Volume : 1350 x 0.1458 = 196.83 bbl
Actual open hole volume = 196.83 + (980 x 0.069) = 264.45 bbl
Using d2 x L x 0.000971 = Volume
d2 x 1350 x 0.000971 = 264.45 bbl
d2 = 201.74
d = 14.20 inches
7
Volume Calculations
Example (2):
The effective hole diameter can be calculated as follows:
Theoretical Lag : 5000 strokes
Carbide Lag : 4500 strokes
Pump Output : 0.069 bbl/stroke
Open Hole Section : 1350 ft
Theoretical Hole Size : 12.25 inches
Open Hole Volume : 1350 x 0.1458 = 196.83 bbl
Actual Open Hole Volume = 196.83 - (500 x 0.069)
= 162.33 bbl
Using d2 x L x 0.000971 = Volume
d2 x 1350 x 0.000971 = 162.33 bbl
d2 = 123.84
d = 11.13 inches
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Volume Calculations
Pipe Washout
- If a carbide is run, two acetylene peaks occur, a hole or “washout” in the drill
string can be assumed

- This situation can also be noted on the pump pressure over a period of time
and If the latter case is noted, the drill crew must be notified

- A check of the surface system will verify if the pressure drop is due to a
surface leak, or washout in the pump, but in the event that nothing is found at
surface and no other reason for the drop can be determined, a washout
downhole can be assumed

- Reporting this situation is extremely important, because with pipe rotation,

drilling torque and other pipe movements, a small hole in the pipe can lead
to a twist-off and expensive fishing operations
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Volume Calculations
Cont. Pipe Washout
- An approximate location of the hole can be calculated by using the
carbide data:
Arrival of first peak : 8 minutes after dropping carbide
Drill pipe I.D. : 4.276 inches
Drill pipe O.D. : 5 inches
Casing I.D. : 9 inches
Pump output : 16.6 bbl/minute

1844.6 = L (ft)
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Volume Calculations
Wet and dry trips
- In the case of a “dry” trip, the amount of mud that is to be pumped
into the hole is equivalent to the volume of steel in the drill string

-If a slug cannot be used, for example with certain downhole tools not
allowing mud to fall through, or if insufficient slug volume or density
was used, then the pipe at surface will be “wet,” with mud falling out
of the pipe onto the rig floor

(Dry) Metal displacement of 5" (19.5 lb/ft) drill pipe = 0.00652 bbl/ft
Average length of 1 stand = 93 ft.
Displacement of 1 stand = 93 x 0.00652 = 0.6067 bbl
Displacement of 5 stands = 5 x 0.60670 = 3.03 bbl
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Volume Calculations
Cont.wet and dry trips
(Dry) Metal displacement of 5" Heavy-weight drill pipe with 3" I.D.
(52 - 32) x 93 x 0.000971 = 1.4448 bbl

5 stands of Heavy-weight = 5 x 1.4448 = 7.224 bbl

Metal displacement of 8" (OD) x 2.875" (ID) drill collars

(82 - 2.8752) x 93 x 0.000971 = 5.032 bbl

These calculated volumes should agree closely with the volume of

mud used to fill the hole as this amount of pipe is removed

12
Volume Calculations
Cont.wet and dry trips
During a “wet” trip, the maximum amount of mud to be pumped into
the hole is equivalent to the steel displacement plus the internal
capacity of the pipe, using the above formula:

5" drill pipe: 52 x 93 x 0.000971 = 2.2575 bbl/stand

5 stands drill pipe = 5 x 2.2575 = 11.2875 bbl

5" Heavy-weight
This will not be the same as 5" drill pipe as the total volume removed
is the same

8" drill collars: 82 x 93 x 0.000971 = 5.779 bbl/stand

13
Volume Calculations
Types and procedures of “Pills”
- There are many cases when special “pills” are pumped into the hole, the
most common are LCM pills and pills of pipe-freeing agents, in case of
stuck pipe

- A pill is usually mixed in a separate pit prior to pumping, and it is useful to

know, as closely as possible, the capacity of the pipes between the pits and
the rotary table

- This can vary between rigs from 5-15 bbl, or more, depending on the type
of rig where the pits or the pit room is situated with respect to the rig floor

- The pill is pumped from the pits, through the surface system, down the
drill string, out the bit and up the annulus until it reaches the correct depth

14
Volume Calculations
Cont. Types and procedures of “Pills”

-There are several separate volumes that must be known:

1. the volume of the spacer itself
2. the volume of surface lines
3. the capacity of the drill string
4. the volume of the annulus from the bit up to the top depth of where the pill is
to be placed

All these volumes must be then converted into pump stroke equivalents so that
they can be monitored

- The volume of the spacer to be used must be calculated from the length of the
open hole it is to cover, and must take into account the hole geometry
15
Volume Calculations
Cont. Types and procedures of “Pills”
- The easiest way to calculate the volume is to
draw a diagram of the hole with the final
position of the pill marked, labeling the depths
of the pill with hole/pipe sizes, then calculate
the relative volumes across the drill string

-The volume of the pill will have to be greater

than this as the suction level of the pit will have
to be taken into account

- The volume of the surface lines must be

obtained from the drilling contractor and agreed
upon with the Drilling Supervisor
16
Volume Calculations
Cont. Types and procedures of “Pills”

Example (1):

Stuck pipe at 10300 ft,

12 1/4” open hole to 10500 ft,
Length of 8" drill collars = 850 ft,
LCM pill to be spotted from 10150 ft to 10450 ft,
Top of spacer to be at 10150,
Volume of annulus 10150 ft to 10500 ft =
(12.252 - 82) x 350 x 0.000971 = 29.248 bbl

17
Volume Calculations
Cont. Types and procedures of “Pills”
Example (2):

Situation: Drill string stuck at 10300 ft,

Data: 13 3/8” casing (72 lb/ft) at 9200 ft,
12 1/4” hole to 11320 ft,
5" x 19.5 lb/ft drill pipe to surface,
5" x 3" Heavy-weight Drill pipe length = 1100 ft,
8" x 2.875" Collars, length = 980 ft,
Capacity of surface lines (incl. Kelly) = 8 bbls,
Pump output = 0.1204 bbl/stroke
Problem: Spot a MIL-SPOT pill from 10150 ft. to 10450 ft
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Volume Calculations
Cont. Types and procedures of “Pills”
Cont. Example (2):
Equivalent strokes to pump pill:
Volume across Drill Collars = (12.252 - 82) x (10450-10340) x 0.000971
= 86.0625 x 110 x 0.000971
= 9.19 bbl
Volume across HWDP = (12.252 - 52) x (10340-10150) x 0.000971
= 125.0625 x 190 x 0.000971
= 23.07 bbl
Total volume of pill = 23.07 + 9.19 bbls = 32.26 bbls

Strokes equivalent = 32.26 bbls/0.1204 bbl/stroke = 268 strokes

19
Volume Calculations
Cont. Types and procedures of “Pills”
Cont. Example (2):
Position of pill after pumping 268 strokes
Volume in surface lines = 8 bbl
Volume inside DP = 32.26 - 8 = 24.26 bbl
Capacity of 5" DP = 0.01776 bbl/ft
Length of pill in DP = 24.26/0.01776 = 1366 ft

Volume to displace pill to bit

DC: 2.8752 x 980 x 0.000971 = 7.865 bbl
HW: 32 x 1100 x 0.000971 = 9.613 bbl
DP: 4.2762 x (9240-1366) x 0.000971 = 139.795 bbl
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Volume Calculations
Cont. Types and procedures of “Pills”
Cont. Example (2):

Total = 157.27 bbl: Equivalent Strokes = 1306

Volume to displace pill from bit to 10150

Volume opposite HWDP = 23.07 bbl

Vol opposite DC = (12.252 -82) x 980 x 0.000971= 81.90 bbl

Total = 104.97 bbl; Equivalent Strokes = 872

Total strokes required to displace pill = 1306 + 872 = 2178 strokes

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Volume Calculations
Cement Volumes and Displacements
- There are only two volumetric calculations that concern the logging
crew during cementation which are the volume of slurry to be pumped,
and the displacement volume

- The effect of pumping slurry into the hole causes a pit gain as the
mud is displaced into the pits

- Once all the slurry has been pumped, the top plug is dropped and the
cement displaced, usually with the drilling mud

- The volume of mud to be used is the capacity of the casing from the
surface to the float collar, where the plug “bumps”
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Volume Calculations
Cement Volumes and Displacements

- During displacement, all volumes can be monitored as the rig uses the mud
circulating system, and in addition other parameters can be recorded (i.e.
total strokes, SPM, pressure and temperature)

- These data give information on displacing rates, volumes pumped, losses or

gains of mud in the system, and when the plug “bumps” on the float collar

- If this data is recorded on a table with time and a remarks column, it can
give valuable information to the client in the event of anything going wrong
during displacement

- Normally, before casing is run, wireline logging is performed, with one of

the tools being a caliper
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Volume Calculations
Cont. Cement Volumes and Displacements
- In the event wireline is not performed, or a caliper not run, then on the last
circulation before running casing, it is advisable for the logging crew to run a carbide
to estimate the actual hole volume

- Once an estimate of open hole volume is known, then the total displacement
(capacity + metal displacement) of the casing is subtracted to give the annular
volume, and the amount of cement slurry to be used between the previous casing and
newly run casing is easy to calculate

- The only other slurry volume to be calculated is the amount of slurry filling the
shoe track inside the casing between the shoe and float collar

- These figures give the minimum slurry volume to be used, but excess volume for
the open hole is pumped as a precautionary measure to play with in the event of
losses during either the cementation or the displacement
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Volume Calculations
Cont. Cement Volumes and Displacements
Example (1):
Using the same data as in the example calculation, it is necessary to calculate the
amount of slurry required to cement 9 5/8”, 47 lb/ft casing with the shoe at 11300 ft,
the length of shoe track being 83.5 ft,

From the caliper, open hole volume is 418.28 bbl (equivalent hole diameter = 14.25“)

The top of the cement slurry is to be 500 ft above the previous shoe (9200 ft),
The client wants to use 5% excess volume on the open hole section

1. Volume of open hole - 9 5/8 inch annulus:

Volume of 9 5/8” Casing = 2100 x 9.6252 x 0.000971 = 188.90 bbl
Capacity of open hole annulus = 418.28 - 188.90 = 229.38 bbl
Excess volume = 0.05 x 229.38 = 11.47 bbl
Slurry required = 229.38 + 11.47 = 240.85 bbl 25
Volume Calculations
Cont. Cement Volumes and Displacements

Cont. Example (1):

2. Volume of 13 3/8” - 9 5/8” annulus:

(12.3472 - 9.6252) x 500 x 0.000971 = 29.04 bbl

3. Volume of shoe track:

Capacity of 9 5/8” casing from tables = 0.0732 bbl/ft
Volume = 83.5 x 0.0732 = 6.11 bbl
Total slurry requirements = 240.85 + 29.04 + 6.11 = 276.00 bbl

This calculation method is valid for all types of simple, conventional

cementation jobs and can be easily adapted for multi-stage ones
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Volume Calculations
Cont. Cement Volumes and Displacements
- There are two types of displacement (through casing and through drill pipe)

- The former is the common one, while the latter is used for surface casing and liners

- Both require the calculation of the internal volume of a particular string through
which the displacing fluid is to be pumped

- In the case of through-casing, it is the capacity of casing from the surface to the top
of the float collar

- In through-drill pipe displacement, it is the internal volume of the drill string that is
often under-displaced to ensure that cement is left around the bottom of the casing,
and as the drill string is pulled, the cement falls to cover the stinger and shoe and the
pipe is reverse circulated to prevent cementing the string

27
Volume Calculations
Cont. Cement Volumes and Displacements

Example (2):

Using the same data as in the cementation calculation for a through casing
cementation:

Capacity of 9 5/8” casing from tables = 0.0732 bbl/ft

Length of casing to shoe track = 11300-83.5 ft = 11216.5 ft

Capacity of casing = 11216.5 x 0.0732 = 821.05 bbl

Equivalent strokes = 821.05/0.1204 = 6819 strokes

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Volume Calculations
Cont. Cement Volumes and Displacements

Example (3):

20" (133 lb/ft) Surface casing at 2005 ft

Drill string is 5" x 3" heavy-weight DP

The stinger at 2004 ft under displace to leave 10 ft of cement inside casing

Capacity of 20" casing from the tables = 0.3407 bbl/ft

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Volume Calculations
Cont. Cement Volumes and Displacements

Cont. Example (3):

Slurry volume required in casing = 10 x 0.3407 = 3.407 bbl

Capacity of drill string (52-32) x 2004 x 0.000971 = 31.134 bbl

Under-displaced by 3.407 bbl = 31.134 - 3.407 = 27.727 bbl

Strokes equivalent = 27.727/0.1204 = 230 strokes

Usually, the pumping of this small displacement volumes is done by the

cementing unit, as accurate measurements are possible using the tanks on the
cementing unit, but in this event, the logging crew can only monitor returns
to the pit to check for losses 30