Hydrostatic Pressure In Well Calculator

Work out hydrostatic pressure in well instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Hydrostatic Pressure In Well Calculator

Hydrostatic pressure is 0.052 x mud weight in ppg x true vertical depth in feet. Only vertical depth counts — measured depth along a deviated hole does not add pressure. While circulating, annular friction adds to bottom hole pressure, expressed as equivalent circulating density.

Formulas

Hydrostatic pressure

P (psi) = 0.052 x mud weight (ppg) x TVD (ft)

Equivalent circulating density

ECD (ppg) = (hydrostatic + annular losses) / (0.052 x TVD)

Worked example

With the default values below, Hydrostatic Pressure In Well Calculator returns Hydrostatic Pressure of 6,500.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Mud Weightminimum 0.01 ppg: 12.5 ppg
True Vertical Depthminimum 0 ft: 10,000 ft
Surface Applied Pressureminimum 0 psi: 200 psi
Annular Friction Lossesminimum 0 psi: 250 psi

Results

Hydrostatic Pressure: 6,500.0
Bottom Hole Pressure: 6,700.0
Equivalent Circulating Density: 12.9808
Pressure Gradient: 0.65000

Step by step

1Values used
2Hydrostatic pressure
3Equivalent circulating density
4Hydrostatic Pressure= 6,500.0
5Bottom Hole Pressure= 6,700.0
6Equivalent Circulating Density= 12.9808
7Pressure Gradient= 0.65000

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 5 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Well control calculations must use verified true vertical depth and fluid density. Errors in hydrostatic pressure can cause blowouts or lost circulation.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Well control calculations must use verified true vertical depth and fluid density. Errors in hydrostatic pressure can cause blowouts or lost circulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does measured depth not matter?

Pressure depends on the vertical column of fluid. A horizontal section adds length and friction but no hydrostatic head, which is why TVD and MD must never be confused in well control.

Why does ECD matter?

It can exceed the fracture gradient during circulation even when static mud weight is safe, causing losses. Narrow-margin wells often have to reduce pump rate to manage ECD.