Overburden Pressure Calculator:
Enter the values bulk density, ρ(ppg) and depth, D(ft) to determine the value of Overburden pressure, P(psi).
Overburden Pressure Formula:
Overburden pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of overlying geological materials on a given point in the subsurface.
As depth increases, the overburden pressure generally rises due to the cumulative weight of the overlying material.
Overburden pressure – the pressure exerted by the overlying material.
Bulk density of the overburden – the mass of the overburden per unit volume.
Depth – the vertical distance from the point of interest to the surface.
The deeper you go, the more overburden (soil and rock) lies above you, increasing the pressure.
If the material above is denser (higher density), it exerts more pressure for the same depth.
Overburden pressure, P(psi) in pounds per square inches is calculated by the product of 0.052, bulk density, ρ(ppg) in pounds per gallon and depth, D(ft) in feet.
Overburden pressure, P(psi) = 0.052 * ρ(ppg) * D(ft)
P(psi) = overburden pressure in pounds per square inches, psi.
ρ(ppg) = bulk density in pounds per gallon, ppg.
D(ft) = depth in feet, ft.
Overburden Pressure Calculation:
1. A drilling site has a bulk density of 10 ppg and a depth of 5000 ft. Calculate the overburden pressure at this depth.
Given: ρ(ppg) = 10ppg, D(ft) = 5000ft.
Overburden pressure, P(psi) = 0.052 * ρ(ppg) * D(ft)
P(psi) = 0.052 * 10 * 5000
P(psi) = 2600psi.
2. An oil field reports an overburden pressure of 5200 psi with a bulk density of 12 ppg. Determine the depth of the formation.
Given: ρ(ppg) = 12ppg, P(psi) = 5200psi.
Overburden pressure, P(psi) = 0.052 * ρ(ppg) * D(ft)
D(ft) = P(psi) / 0.052 * ρ(ppg)
D(ft) = 5200 / 0.052 * 12
D(ft) = 8333.33ft.