7) The 2010 blowout in the Gulf of Mexico (Figure 11.6) occurred after the drill

Question

7) The 2010 blowout in the Gulf of Mexico (Figure 11.6) occurred after the drilling operator replaced the drilling mud in the well with seawater during the final installation of the cement seals.

a) Assuming that the drilling mud had a density of 2160 kg/m3 (18 lbs/gal) and that the column of mud was 5486 m (18,000 ft) high, use the following relationship to calculate the pressure in kg/m-sec2 at the bottom of the well. The gravitational constant is 9.806 m/sec2. Be sure to show your math, including the units.

pressure = (density of mud) x (gravitational constant) x (height of fluid column)

b) Convert the pressure you calculated into pound per square inch (PSI) using the following relationship:

1 PSI = 6896.6 kg/m-sec2

Explanation / Answer

Given Data in the Question

Density 2160 kg/m-3

Height 5486 m

Gravitational Constant is 9.806 m/sec-2

Pressure = Density of mud x Gravitational constant x Height of fluid column

Putting the Above Data in the Formula

Pressure = 2160 x 5486 x 9.806

Pressure= 116198745.56  

Converting the unit into Pascal  

1 PSI = 6896.6 kg/m-sec 2

116198745.56/6896.6

16848.700 PSI

Or 16.848 kPSI

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