Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) in ppg

Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) is the effective density that combines current mud density and annular pressure drop. ECD is critical for drilling operations because it can caused losses due to high pressure loss in annulus. Moreover, ECD is very critical in both well control and losses aspects in the areas where have narrow room between pore pressure and fracture gradient.

The equivalent circulating density formula is shown below

Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) in ppg = (annular pressure loss in psi) ÷ 0.052 ÷ true vertical depth (TVD) in ft + (current mud weight in ppg)

Example:
Annular pressure loss = 400 psi
True Vertical Depth = 8,000 ft
Current mud weight in ppg = 10 ppg

ECD in ppg = (400 psi ÷ 0.052 ÷ 8,000 ft) + 10.0 ppg
ECD = 11.0 ppg

Please find the Excel sheet to calculate equivalent circulating density (ECD)