In order to translate pressure from downhole gauge to the Datum one needs to:
1 | Estimate gauge readings at formation top p_{\rm top} using the wellbore fluid density \rho_f gradient |
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2 | Recalculate the pressure at formation top to the Datum using regional hydrostatic pressure gradient GP |
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where
z_{\rm gauge} | TVDss of downhoile gauge |
z_{\rm top} | TVDss of formation top |
p_{\rm gauge}(t) | gauge pressure readings |
p_{\rm top}(t) | estimated wellbore pressure at formation top |
p_{\rm dat}(t) | estimated Datum Pressure |
GP | regional hydrostatic pressure gradient |
\rho_f(z) | wellbore fluid density as function of TVDSS |
g | Standard gravity constant |
When wellbore fluid density is fairly constant between the gauge location and formation top then one can simplify the Datum Pressure calculation to:
(3) | p_{\rm dat}(t) = p_{\rm gauge}(t) + g \cdot \rho_f \cdot (z_{\rm top} - z_{\rm gauge}) + GP \cdot (z_{\rm dat} - z _{\rm top}) |
In flowing conditions the equations (1) and (3) are both inaccurate as they do not account for pressure losses due to friction.
The equation (1) should be replaced with a proper solver for wellbore pressure profile.
See Also
Petroleum Industry / Upstream / Subsurface E&P Disciplines / Pressure Testing & Production Analysis