Wellhead Pressure Converter

Wellhead Pressure Converter

Pressure ↔ gradient ↔ depth · formation pressure · multi-fluid column

Fluid Gradient (★ custom)

Edit any one — the other two update. SG = gradient ÷ 0.433, ppg = gradient ÷ 0.052.

Solve (leave ONE blank)

Fill any two of pressure, gradient and depth — leave the unknown blank and it will be solved.

To solve for gradient instead, clear the gradient field above and fill both pressure and depth.

Surface → Formation Pressure

Fluid Segments (top → bottom)

Each segment has its own gradient and depth interval — e.g. completion fluid above a packer, heavier mud below.

API Gravity ↔ Specific Gravity

SG = 141.5 ÷ (131.5 + °API). Water is 10 °API by definition; lighter oils have higher API and lower SG.

Result

Fill any two of pressure, gradient and depth to solve the third — or switch modes to turn a shut-in surface reading into formation pressure, build a multi-fluid column profile, or convert API gravity to specific gravity

Every relation here uses true vertical depth — measured or along-hole depth in a deviated well gives a hydrostatic figure that is too high, which is one of the most consequential mistakes in pressure work. Gradients are treated as constant over each interval, which is reasonable for liquids but a simplification for gas, whose density and therefore gradient change substantially with pressure and temperature; a gas column shut in at surface can show a surprisingly small drop from bottom-hole pressure for exactly this reason. Reference gradients are typical values only, and formation-water salinity, oil composition and temperature all shift them, so measured or lab-derived values should always take priority. Shut-in surface readings must be stabilised, and a reading influenced by trapped pressure, a plugged float or migrating gas will not represent formation pressure. Use these conversions for engineering estimation and cross-checks, not as a substitute for well-specific pressure data or approved well-control procedures.

Scroll to Top