A CONVERSION FACTORS
Clickable list
Think SI
A-1
Length
A-3
Volume
A-4
Mass
A-5
Force
A-6
Pressure
A-7
Pressure gradients/Density
A-8
Power
A-9
Heat, Energy & Work
A-10
Temperature
A-11
API Gravity
A-12
Buoyancy factors
A-13
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
Think SI
Base units
Derived units
In SI there are 7 base units from which
all the other units can be derived or
computed.
Quantity
Name of
unit
Area
square metre
m2
The 7 base units are:
Volume
cubic metre
m3
Velocity
metre per
second
m/s
Acceleration
metre per
second2
m/s2
Density
kilogram per
cubic metre
kg/m3
Quantity
1. Length
2. Mass
3. Time
4. Electric
current
5. Temperature
6. Amount of
substance
7. Luminous
intensity
Name of Symbol
unit
metre
m
kilogram
kg
second
s
ampere
A
kelvin or
degree
Celsius
mole
K
C
mol
candela
cd
Supplementary :
Plane angle
Solid angle
radian
steradian
rad
sr
Symbol
Frequency
hertz
Hz
Force
newton
Pressure
pascal
Pa
(N/m2)
Energy
joule
J (N-m)
Power
watt
W (J/s)
Electric
potential
volt
V (W/A)
Used alone or in combinations these
base units enable us to make any
measurement we need in any field of
endeavour.
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
A1
Think SI
Prefixes
The value of most SI units can be
changed by the simple placing of a
prefix in front of the unit name.
Prefix Symbol
Value
Factor
giga
G
1,000,000,000
109
mega
M
1,000,000
106
kilo
k
1,000
103
hecto
h
100
102
deca
da
10
10
deci
d
0.1
10-1
centi
c
0.01
10-2
milli
m
0.001
10-3
micro
m
0.000 001
10-6
Examples
one gigapascal 1 GPa =1,000,000,000 Pa
one kilometre
1 km =1,000 m
one decanewton 1 daN =10 N
one milligram
1 mg =0.001 g
one micrometre 1 mm =0.000 001 m
one square kilometre 1 km2 =106 m2
one cubic megametre 1 Mm3 =1018 m3
Force, Work, Torque and Power
Mass
is the quantity of matter in an
object and is constant on earth
as well as in space.
Units of mass: kg kilogram
t metric tonne
1 t=l,000 kg
Force F = m x a
Force = mass x acceleration
Unit of force: N newton
(N = kg.m.s-2)
Practical use: daN decanewton
kN kilonewton
MN meganewton
Work
Energy is force x distance (N.m)
Unit of work: J Joule
Practical use: kJ kilojoule
MJ megajoule
Torque Unit:
N.m newton-metre
Power is the work per unit time
Unit of power: W watt
Practical use: kW kilowatt
MW megawatt
A2
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
A3
1
25.4 x 10-6
304.8 x 10-6
1.609
1.853
25.4 x 10-3
304.8 x 10-3
1.609 x 103
1.853 x 103
1 inch
1 foot
1 mile
(statute)
1 mile
(nautical)
1 kilometre
1 metre
1 x 103
Kilometres
1 x 10-3
Metres
From
To
72.96 x 103
63.36 x 103
12
39.37 x 103
39.37
Inches
LENGTH (I)
6.08 x 103
5.28 x 103
83.33 x 10-3
3.281 x 103
3.281
Feet
1.152
189.4 x 10-6
15.78 x 10-6
621.4 x 10-3
621.4 x 10-6
Miles
(statute)
868.4 x 10-3
164.5 x 10-6
13.71 x 10-6
539.6 x 10-3
539.6 x 10-6
Miles
(nautical)
A4
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
1
1 x 10-3
28.32
4.546
3.785
159
1 x 10-3
1 x 10-6
28.32 x 10-3
159 x 10-3
1 cubic
centimetre
1 cubic foot
1 gallon (imp) 4.546 x 10-3
3.785 x 10-3
1 cubic
decimetre
1 gallon
(US liquid)
1barrel
159 x 103
3.785 x 103
4.536 x 103
28.32 x 103
1 x 103
1 x 106
1 x 103
Cubic
centimetres
Cubic
decimetres
Cubic
metres
1 cubic metre
From
To
5.615
133.7 x 10-3
160.5 x 10-3
35.31 x 10-6
35.31 x 10-3
35.31
Cubic
feet
VOLUME (l3)
CONVERSION FACTORS
34.97
832.7 x 10-3
6.229
220 x 10-6
220 x 10-3
220
Gallons
(imp)
42
1.201
7.481
264.2 x 10-6
264.2 x 10-3
264.2
Gallons
(US liquid)
23.81 x 10-3
28.59 x 10-3
178.1 x 10-3
6.29 x 10-6
6.29 x 10-3
6.29
Barrels
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
A5
1.016
907.2 x 10-3
2.205 x 103
2.240 x 103
2 x 103
1 x 103
1.016 x 103
907.2
1ton (long)
1ton (short)
1 ton (metric)
453.6 x 10-6
453.6 x 10-3
892.9 x 10-3
984.2 x 10-3
446.4 x 10-6
984.2 x 10-6
1 x 10-3
1 pound
Tons
(long)
Tons
(metric)
2.205
Pounds
Kilograms
1 kilogram
From
To
MASS (m)
CONVERSION FACTORS
1.12
1.102
500 x 10-6
1.102 x 10-3
Tons
(short)
A6
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
1 x 109
10 x 103
72.33 x 103
32.17
70.93
72.33 x 10-6
7.233
Poundals
NOTE: 1) Conversion factors based on g = 9.807 m/s2 = 32.174 ft/s2
2) Pound signifies pound (avdp)
1.02 x 103
453.6 x 10-3
444.8 x 103
4.448
1 pound
force
1 x 103 daN
14.10 x 10-3
13.84 x 103
138.4 x 10-3
1 poundal
1.02 x 10-6
10 x 10-6
980.7 x 103
102 x 10-3
100 x 103
9.807
Kilogram
force
Dynes
Newtons
1 kilogram
force
1 dyne
1 newton
From
To
FORCE (m.l.t-2)
CONVERSION FACTORS
2.248 x 103
31.08 x 10-3
2.205
2.248 x 10-6
224.8 x 10-3
Pounds
force
0.445 x 10-3
13.83 x 10-6
0.981 x 10-3
1 x 10-9
0.1 x 10-3
1 x 103 daN
(kdaN)
CONVERSION FACTORS
PRESSURE
To convert from
To
Multiply by
psi
kPa
bar
kg/cm2
m H2O (15C)
ft H2O (39F)
6.895
0.06895
0.07037
0.7037*
2.307*
kPa
psi
bar
kg/cm2
m H2O (15C)
ft H2O (39F)
0.1450
0.01
0.01020
0.1021*
0.3346*
bar
psi
kPa
kg/cm2
m H2O (15C)
ft H2O (39F)
14.50
100
1.020
10.21*
33.46*
kg/cm2
psi
kPa
bar
m H2O (15C)
ft H2O (39F)
14.22
98.07
0.9807
10.01*
32.81*
m H2O (15C)
psi
kPa
bar
kg/cm2
ft H2O (39F)
1.421
9.798*
0.09798*
0.09991*
3.278
ft H2O (39F)
psi
kPa
bar
kg/cm2
m H2O (15C)
0.4335*
2.989*
0.02989*
0.03048*
0.3051
Notes : * There is no direct conversion between pressure and heights
of fluid head. P = gh has been used to obtain multiplication
factors indicated by *. The fluid density () depends upon
temperature.
Conversion between metres and feet is based on 1 ft = 0.3048 m.
The SI unit of pressure is the Pascal.
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
A7
PRESSURE GRADIENTS & FLUID DENSITY
to
Multiply by
psi/ft
kPa/m
bar/10m
lb/gal (US)
lb/ft3
kg/dm3
22.62
2.262
19.25*
144.0*
2.307*
bar/10m
kPa/m
psi/ft
lb/gal (US)
lb/ft3
kg/dm3
10.0
0.4421
8.51*
63.66*
1.020*
kPa/m
bar/10m
psi/ft
lb/gal (US)
lb/ft3
kg/dm3
0.10
0.0442
0.851*
6.366*
0.1020*
lb/gal(US)
kPa/m
bar/10m
psi/ft
lb/ft3
kg/dm3
1.175*
0.1175*
0.0519*
7.481
0.1198
lb/ft3
kPa/m
bar/10m
psi/ft
lb/gal (US)
kg/dm3
0.1571*
0.01571*
0.00694*
0.1337
0.01602
kg/dm3
kPa/m
bar/10m
psi/ft
lb/gal (US)
lb/ft3
9.807*
0.9807*
0.4335*
8.345
62.43
For the definition of API Gravity see page A-12
To convert from
NOTES: * There is no direct conversion between densities and pressure gradients.
The relationship P = gh has been used to obtain multiplication factors
indicated by (*).
The SI units of pressure gradient are kPa/m
The SI units of density are kg/m3
In this book we assume that one litre water at 4C and 1 Atm.
(=101.3 kPa =14.7 psi ) equals one dm3 water at 4C and 1 Atm.
although we know this is not exactly the same . (The difference
between them is less then 0.003%) We take this liberty because it
helps simplifying our calculations.
A8
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
A9
735.5
745.7
10.055
1 horsepower
(metric)
1 horsepower
(british)
1 British thermal
unit/sec
778
550
542.5
0.7376
Foot-Pounds
per second
1.818 x 10-3
1.843 x 10-3
1.434
1.014
1.415
986.3
1.341 x 10-3
1.36 x 10-3
Horsepower
(british)
Horsepower
(metric)
NOTES : 1) Conversion factors based on g = 9.807 m/sec2 = 32.174 ft/sec2
2) Pound signifies pound (avdp)
3) Horsepower (metric) = Cheval vapeur
1.356
Watts
1 foot-pound/sec
1 watt
From
To
POWER (m.l2.t-3)
CONVERSION FACTORS
7.07 x 10-3
697.2 x 10-3
1.285 x 10-3
948 x 10-6
British Thermal
Units/sec
A10
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
745.7 x 10-3
293.1 x 10-6
2.685 x 106
1.055 x 103
1 horsepower
hour (british)
1 BTU
252
641.2 x 103
632.4 x 103
778.2
1.980 x 106
1.953 x 106
3.088
2.655 x 106
737.6 x 10-3
Foot
pounds
NOTE: 1) Conversion factors based on g = 9.807 m/s2 = 32.174 ft/s2
2) Pound signifies pound (avdp)
3) Horsepower (metric) = Cheval vapeur
735.5 x 10-3
2.648 x 106
1 horsepower
hour (metric)
323.8 x 10-3
376.6 x 10-9
1.356
1.163 x 10-6
1 foot pound
859.8 x 103
3.60 x 106
4.187
238.8 x 10-3
277.8 x 10-9
1 calorie
1 kilowatt hour
1 joule
Calories
Kilowatt
hours
Joules
398.5 x 10-6
1.014
512.1 x 10-9
1.581 x 10-6
1.360
377.7 x 10-9
393.0 x 10-6
986.3 x 10-3
505.1 x 10-9
156.0 x 10-6
1.341
372.5 x 10-9
Horsepower Horsepower
hours (metric) hours (british)
HEAT, ENERGY AND WORK (m.l2.t-2)
CONVERSION FACTORS
2.544 x 103
2.510 x 103
1.285 x 10-3
3.968 x 10-3
3.412 x 103
947.8 x 10-6
BTU
CONVERSION FACTORS
TEMPERATURE
water freezing
water boiling
0
0
32
273
492
100
80
212
373
672
C x 0.8
C x 1.8 + 32
C + 273
C x 1.8 + 492
=
=
=
=
Re
F
K
R
Re
Re x
Re x
Re x
Re x
=
=
=
=
C
F
K
R
(F - 32) / 1.8
(F - 32) x 0.444
(F - 32) / 1.8 + 273
F + 460
=
=
=
=
C
Re
K
R
K - 273
(K - 273) x 0.8
(K - 273) x 1.8 + 32
(K - 273) x 1.8 + 492
=
=
=
=
C
Re
F
R
(R - 492) / 1.8
(R - 492) x 0.444
R - 460
(R - 492) / 1.8 + 273
=
=
=
=
C
Re
F
K
Celcius (C)
Reaumur (Re)
Fahrenheit (F)
Kelvin (K)
Rankine (R)
From:
1.25
2.25 + 32
1.25 + 273
2.25 + 492
NOTE : TR = tF+ 459.67
TK = tC+ 273.15
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
A11
API GRAVITY
As crude is not normally specified in our standard units, but in API gravity,
the equations for conversion are as follows :
141.5
(kg/litre)
API + 131.5
Gradient = 141.5 x 0.4335 (psi/ft)
API + 131.5
SG, crude =
General classification with respect to API gravity:
A12
API
Crude oil
< 20
20 - 30
>30
Heavy
Medium
Light
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
BUOYANCY FACTORS
Corresponding to drilling fluid densities expressed in various units
In kg/m3 BF
1,000
1,020
1,040
1,060
1,080
0.872
0.870
0.867
0.865
0.862
1,100
1,120
1,140
1,160
1,180
0.860
0.857
0.855
0.852
0.850
1,200
1,220
1,240
1,260
1,280
0.847
0.844
0.842
0.839
0.837
1,300
1,320
1,340
1,360
1,380
0.834
0.832
0.829
0.827
0.824
1,400
1,420
1,440
1,460
1,480
0.821
0.819
0.816
0.814
0.811
1,500
1,550
1,600
1,650
1,700
0.809
0.802
0.796
0.790
0.783
1,750
1,800
1,850
1,900
1,950
0.777
0.770
0.764
0.758
0.751
2,000
2,050
2,100
2,150
2,200
0.745
0.739
0.732
0.726
0.719
2,250
2,300
2,350
2,400
2,450
0.713
0.707
0.700
0.694
0.688
2,500
2,550
2,600
2,650
0.681
0.675
0.668
0.662
7,842
In ppg
BF
8.35
8.40
8.60
8.80
0.872
0.872
0.869
0.866
9.00
9.20
9.40
9.60
9.80
0.862
0.859
0.856
0.853
0.850
10.00
10.20
10.40
10.60
10.80
0.847
0.844
0.841
0.838
0.835
11.00
11.20
11.40
11.60
11.80
0.832
0.829
0.826
0.823
0.820
12.00
12.20
12.40
12.60
12.80
0.817
0.814
0.810
0.807
0.804
13.00
13.20
13.40
13.60
13.80
0.801
0.798
0.795
0.792
0.789
14.00
14.20
14.40
14.60
14.80
0.786
0.783
0.780
0.777
0.774
15.00
15.50
16.00
16.50
17.00
0.771
0.763
0.755
0.748
0.740
17.50
18.00
18.50
19.00
19.50
0.733
0.725
0.717
0.710
0.702
20.00
20.50
21.00
21.50
22.00
0.694
0.687
0.679
0.671
0.664
65.43
In lbs/ft3 BF
62.4 0.873
63.0 0.871
64.0 0.869
65.0
66.0
67.0
68.0
69.0
0.867
0.865
0.863
0.861
0.859
70.0
72.0
74.0
76.0
78.0
0.857
0.853
0.849
0.845
0.841
80.0
82.0
84.0
86.0
88.0
0.837
0.832
0.828
0.824
0.820
90.0
92.0
94.0
96.0
98.0
0.816
0.812
0.808
0.804
0.800
100.0
102.0
104.0
106.0
108.0
0.796
0.792
0.788
0.783
0.779
110.0
112.0
114.0
116.0
118.0
0.775
0.771
0.767
0.763
0.759
120.0
122.0
124.0
126.0
128.0
0.755
0.751
0.747
0.743
0.739
130.0
132.0
134.0
136.0
138.0
0.734
0.730
0.726
0.722
0.718
140.0
145.0
150.0
155.0
160.0
0.714
0.704
0.694
0.683
0.673
In psi/ft
BF
0.434 0.872
0.440 0.871
0.450
0.460
0.470
0.480
0.490
0.868
0.865
0.862
0.859
0.856
0.500
0.510
0.520
0.530
0.540
0.853
0.850
0.847
0.844
0.841
0.550
0.560
0.570
0.580
0.590
0.838
0.835
0.832
0.829
0.826
0.600
0.610
0.620
0.630
0.640
0.824
0.821
0.818
0.815
0.812
0.650
0.660
0.670
0.680
0.690
0.809
0.806
0.803
0.800
0.797
0.700
0.720
0.740
0.760
0.780
0.794
0.788
0.782
0.776
0.771
0.800
0.820
0.840
0.860
0.880
0.765
0.759
0.753
0.747
0.741
0.900
0.920
0.940
0.960
0.980
0.735
0.729
0.723
0.718
0.712
1.000
1.020
1.040
1.060
1.080
0.706
0.700
0.694
0.688
0.682
165.0 0.663
1.100 0.676
1.150 0.662
489.5
3.400
In kPa/m BF
9.8 0.872
10.0
10.2
10.4
10.6
10.8
0.870
0.867
0.865
0.862
0.860
11.0
11.2
11.4
11.6
11.8
0.857
0.854
0.852
0.849
0.847
12.0
12.2
12.4
12.6
12.8
0.844
0.841
0.839
0.836
0.834
13.0
13.2
13.4
13.6
13.8
0.831
0.828
0.826
0.823
0.821
14.0
14.2
14.4
14.6
14.8
0.818
0.815
0.813
0.810
0.808
15.0
15.5
16.0
16.5
17.0
0.805
0.798
0.792
0.785
0.779
17.5
18.0
18.5
19.0
19.5
0.772
0.766
0.759
0.753
0.746
20.0
20.5
21.0
21.5
22.0
0.740
0.733
0.727
0.720
0.714
22.5
23.0
23.5
24.0
24.5
0.707
0.701
0.694
0.688
0.681
25.0 0.675
25.5 0.668
26.0 0.662
76.90
Note: These buoyancy factors are only applicable for steel components
The density of steel in the various units is
shown on the bottom line of the tables.
SIEP: Well Engineers Notebook, Edition 2, January 2001
A13