Boyle’s Gas Law and Its Application in Drilling

Understand Boyle's Gas Law

Boyle's law states that at constant temperature, the absolute pressure and the volume of a gas are inversely proportional in case of constant temperature within a closed system. It may sound pretty hard to understand what it is.

Well, we can describe the statement above into simple mathematics as following formula:

Boyle's Gas Law: P x V = constant

Or express Boyle's law in another term: P1 x V1 = P2 x V2

Where; P = Pressure and V = Volume

It sounds easy a little bit to understand.

Let's apply Boyle's law into our drilling business

Calculate the volume of gas you will have on the surface, 14.7 psi for atmospheric pressure, when 1 bbl of gas kick is circulated out from reservoir where has formation pressure of 3,000 psi.

Boyle's Gas Law: P1 x V1 = P2 x V2

P1= 3000 psi (reservoir pressure)

V1 = 1 bbl (volume at bottom hole)

P2 = 14.7 psi (atmosphere pressure)

V2 = ? (volume at surface)

P1 x V1 = P2 x V2

3000 x 1 = 14.7 x V2

V2 = 204 bbl