The lag time always changes when a well becomes deeper and/or pumping speed change.

Two factors, affecting lag time calculation, are annulus volume of drilling fluid in and
drilling mud flow rate.

With certain annular volume, the lag time, normally expressed in minutes, can be
determined by dividing the annular volume (bbls) by the flow rate (bbl/min).

If there are changes in mud flow rate, the lag time figure will be changed as well. In order
compensate for any changes, the lag time is transformed into pump strokes too; therefore,
a change in speed of pump will not affect the lag time.

There are 3 steps to do in order to calculate lag time as listed below;

1.
1. Calculate pump output
2. 2. Calculate annular volume at certain depth of hole
3. Calculate the theoretical lag time

Read more: http://www.drillingahead.com/profiles/blogs/lag-time-and-how-to-

calculate#ixzz1qYXFAUnv

Pump Output Calculation for Duplex

Pump and Triplex Pump
by DrillingFormulas.Com on April 20, 2009

Rig pump output, normally in bbl per stroke, of mud pumps on the rig is important
figures that we really need to know because we will use pump out put figures to
calculates many things such as bottom up strokes, wash out depth, tracking drilling fluid,
etc. In this post, you will learn how to calculate pump out put for triplex pump and
duplex pump.
Triplex Pump Output Formula

Triplex Pump Output in bbl/stk = 0.000243 x (liner diameter in inch) 2 X (stroke length in
inch)

Example: Determine the pump output in bbl/stk at 100% and 97% efficiency
Linner size = 6 inch
Stroke length = 12 inch
Triplex pump output:
PO @ 100% = 0.000243 x 62 x 12
PO @ 100% = 0.104976 bbl/stk

Adjust the triplex pump output for 97% efficiency:

Decimal equivalent = 97 ÷ 100 = 0.97
PO @ 97% = 0.104976 bbl/stk x 0.97
PO @ 97% = 0.101827 bbl/stk

Duplex Pump Output Formula

Duplex Pump Output in bbl/stk = 0.000162 x S x [2(D)2 - d2]

Whrere:
D = liner diameter in inch
S = stroke length in inch
d = rod diameter in inch

Example: Determine the duplex pump output in bbl/stk at 100% and 85% efficiency

Liner diameter = 6 inch

Stroke length = 12 inch
Rod diameter = 2.0 in.

Duplex pump efficiency = 100 %.

PO @ 100% = 0.000162 x 12 x [2 (6) 2 -22 ]
PO @ 100% = 0.13219 bbl/stk

Adjust pump output for 85% efficiency:

PO @ 85% = 0.132192 bbl/stk x 0.85
PO @ 85% = 0.11236 bbl/stk
Calculate Annular Capacity
by DrillingFormulas.Com on May 5, 2009

Annular capacity is one of basic values that you really need to understand. This post
demonstrates you how to calculate annular capacity between casing or hole and drill pipe,
tubing, or casing. There are several formulas as shown below to calculate annular
capacity depending on unit of annular capacity required.

Note: Dh is bigger ID and Dp is smaller OD. The examples below will show the Dh as
hole size and Dp is drill pipe OD

a) Calculate annular capacity in bbl/ft

Annular capacity in bbl/ft = (Dh2 – Dp2) ÷1029.4

Example: Hole size (Dh) = 6-1/8 in.
Drill pipe OD (Dp) = 3.5 in.
Annular capacity in bbl/ft = (6.1252 – 3.5 2) ÷1029.4
Annular capacity = 0.0245 bbl/ft

b) Calculate annular capacity in ft/bbl

Annular capacity in ft/bbl = 1029.4 ÷ (Dh2 – Dp2)

Example: Hole size (Dh) = 6-1/8 in.

Drill pipe OD (Dp) = 3.5 in.
Annular capacity in ft/bbl = 1029.4 ÷ (6.125 2 – 3.5 2)
Annular capacity = 40.743 ft/bbl

c) Calculate annular capacity in gal/ft

Annular capacity in gal/ft = (Dh2 – Dp2) ÷ 24.51

Example: Hole size (Dh) = 6-1/8 in.

Drill pipe OD (Dp) = 3.5 in.
Annular capacity in gal/ft = (6.125 2 – 3.52) ÷24.51
Annular capacity = 1.031 gal/ft

d) Calculate annular capacity in ft/gal

Annular capacity, ft/gal = 24.51 ÷ (Dh2 – Dp2)

Example: Hole size (Dh) = 6-1/8 in.

Drill pipe OD (Dp) = 3.5 in.
Annular capacity in ft/gal = 24.51 ÷ (6.125 2 – 3.5 2)
Annular capacity in ft/gal = 0.97 ft/gal

Annular volume can be determined by this following formula;

Annular volume in bbl = annular capacity (bbl/ft) x length of annulus (ft)

Note: annular volume can be expressed in several unit depending on unit that you use in
the calculation.

Example:

Annular capacity = 0.0245 bbl/ft

Length of annulus = 1000 ft

Annular volume = 1000 x 0.0245 = 24.5 bbl.

** Please remember that if you have several annular profile, you must calculate volume
based on each annular profile in order to get total annular volume.

Example – Determine lag time from bottom to surface with the following information :
Bit depth : 9500 ft MD
Pump Rate : 300 GPM
Annular volume at 9500 ft MD : 250 bbl
Pump detail : triplex pump, 97% efficiency; liner size 6” and stroke length 12”

Solution :

Triplex pump output formula is listed below :

Triplex pump output in bbl/stk = efficiency x 0.000243 x (liner diameter in inch)2 x
(stroke length in inch)

Triplex Pump Output in bbl/stk = 0.97 x 0.000243 x (6)2 x (12)

Triplex pump output = 0.102 bbl/stroke

Pump rate = 300 GPM / 42 = 7.14 bbl/minute

Lag time in minutes = 250 bbl / 7.14 bbl/minute = 35 minutes

Lag time in stroke = 250 bbl / 0.102 bbl/stroke = 2451 strokes