Basic Fluid and Pressure Forces

on Oilwell Tubulars
0.1. Hammerlindl, SPE-AIME, ARCO Oil and Gas Co.

Introduction Stress Distribution in the

Conventional thought seems to be that an un- Absence of Fluid
derstanding of the basic fluid and pressure forces in Fig. la illustrates a freely suspended tube of constant
oilwell tubulars is the domain of experts only. The inside and outside diameter. In the absence of fluid,
objective of this paper is to disprove this by the axial stress at any point is equal to the weight
presenting a simple explanation of these basic forces. below that point divided by the cross-sectional area
Part of the misunderstanding results from the of the tube at that point. Thus, the axial stress at a
belief that the problem is complex and difficult, point a distance x from the lower end may be
when actually only an elementary knowledge of determined from
pressure and stress is required. In purely mechanical xWs
systems (i.e., no fluid or pressure), most engineers aa= - - - . . ." ...................... (1)
readily can determine and understand the forces As
associated with Hooke's law and buckling. However, Fig. 1b shows the axial stress distribution in the
with the addition of fluids, the engineer may become absence of fluid, over the entire length.
confused as to (1) whether buoyancy is a con- Throughout this paper, compressive forces are
centrated or distributed force, (2) why the neutral considered to be positive and tensile forces are
point is not at the point of zero axial stress, and (3) considered to be negative, accounting for the minus
the nature of the nebulous force denoted as the sign in Eq. 1 and the equations that follow. Also, all
"fictitious force" by Lubinski and Blenkarn. 1 All of equations pertain to a system of constant units.
the above can be understood easily by observing the The radial stress at any point is obtained from 2
distribution of the principal stresses. This paper
interrelates these stresses with buoyancy, the neutral
point, and the fictitious force.
The objectives of this paper are to give the
practicing engineer a working knowledge of basic
fluid and pressure effects on oil well tubulars and to
increase the industry's ability to understand and
advance t~e existing literature.

0149·2136/8010001· 7594$00.25
where pi and p; are the internal and external
©1980 Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME pressures, respectively, at the point of interest. Since

The object of this paper is to clearly and simply define the basic fluid and pressure
forces on oi/well tubulars with respect to stresses, buoyancy, neutral point, and the
effective buckling force denoted as the "fictitious force. " The paper is designed as a
preface to Lubinski/,3 and Hammerlindl. 4

JANUARY 1980 153

there is no fluid inside or outside the tube creates a stress at every point equal to the
(p i = p ~ = 0), the radial stress is zero. corresponding pressure at that point. To determine
The tangential stress at any point is obtained the axial stress of a vertical tube in the presence of
from 2 fluid, Eq. I must be modified to account for the
concentrated force of buoyancy. The equation for
axial stress becomes

...................... (7)

The fluid and its related pressure also contacts the

inside and outside walls of the tube, creating radial
and tangential stresses. These stresses are equal to the
As in the case of the radial stress, the tangential corresponding pressure p' at the point where
stress is zero. p' = pi = p~. The pressure a distance x from the
lower end is determined from
Buoyancy
According to Archimedes' principle, a body wholly p'=Ps+p(L-x), .................... (8)
or partly submerged in a fluid experiences an upward
force equal to the .weight of the fluid displaced. Thus, where Ps is the surface pressure (zero for this case).
the force of buoyancy is By substituting p' for p; and p ~ into Eqs. 2 and 3
and solving, it is found that a r = at = p', thus
Fb =pV. . ........................... (4) illustrating that the fluid and its related pressure
exerts a stress equal to the pressure at that point.
For a tube of constant cross section, Eq. 4 may be The stress distribution of a freely suspended tube
written as in fluid is shown in Fig. Ic. There is a considerable
difference in the stress distribution with and without
Fb =pLA s ' . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5) fluid, as shown by Figs. Ib and Ic, respectively. The
differences are (1) the lower end of the tube is in
The buoyancy of a tube is the same in any position. compression because of the pressure on the steel
However, in the vertical position the entire force is cross section at the lower end, (2) the radial and
concentrated at the lower end; in the horizontal tangential stresses are no longer zero but instead
position the force is distributed evenly over the equal the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid, and (3)
length; and in any intermediate position the force is the tensile stress at the top is reduced by an amount
both concentrated and distributed. For a freely equal to the fluid pressure at the lower end. Also, the
suspended vertical tube, density times length equals force required to suspend the tube is reduced by an
the pressure at the lower end. Thus, Eq. 5 may be amount equal to the force of buoyancy.
written These observations explain both the stress
distribution and the buoyancy of a vertical tube.
Fb =pA s ' ........................... (6) However, it may be argued that this explains only the
stress distribution and that buoyancy is a distributed
Stress Distribution in a Fluid force that reduces the weight of each increment of the
Freely Suspended Tube pipe by the weight of the fluid displaced by the in-
crement. This misunderstanding results from con-
If the tube in Fig. Ia is suspended in fluid, the fluid fusing buoyancy and the effect of fluids on buckling.

COMPRESSIVE 0 TENSilE COMPRESSiVE 0 TENSILE

IT
I

at and ar~

NEUTRAL I
POINT It
T
I
I,
I 't "d ,,-~ 1
APPLIED II I APPLIED I I
FOACE~ I FORCE- I /" -PRESSURE

~I-L ~LL~
I
l

Ibl lei Idl lei

101
STRESS DISTRIBUTION STRESS DISTRIBUTION STRESS DISTRIBUTION STRESS DISTRIBUTION
FREELY IN THE ABSENCE IN FLUID IN THE ABSENCE IN FLUID WITH
SUSPENDED OF FLUID OF FLUID WITH AN APPLIED FORCE +
TUBE AN APPLIED FORCE +
Fig. 1- Stress distributions of a tube under various conditions.

154 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

 COMPRESSIVE a TENSILE COMPRESSIVE a TENSILE COMPRESSIVE a TENSILE

I
I
I
0t + or f
-2-,,/
I
I \ NEUTRAL
I \ POINT

I \
I ACTUAL \
I g~~P~~s~~~ \ FICTITIOUS
FICTITIOUS-h
TENSION Il .l.11-COMPRESSION

(b) (e) (d)

(a)
PSUEDO AXIAL STRESS DISTRIBUTION STRESS DISTRIBUTION
FREELY SUSPENDED WITH FLUID IN
STRESS DISTRIBUTION WITH FLUID IN
TUBE SEALED TUBE AND
ANNULUS AND
IN A PACKER NO FLUID IN TUBE NO FLUID IN ANNULUS

Fig. 2 - Stress distributions of a tube sealed in a packer under various conditions.

Static fluids can exert a force only in a direction equation is required to calculate the concentrated end
normal to a surface. For a vertical tube, the only area force. This force is denoted by Lubinski et al. 3 as the
that the fluid pressure could push upward is on the actually existing force and is described
steel cross section at the bottom. Thus, the upward mathematically as
force of buoyancy must be a concentrated force at
the lower end.
The axial stress distribution also is altered by
applying a compressive or tensile force F at the lower Fa is not the force of buoyancy but rather the ac-
end. To calculate the axial stress distribution, the tually existing force at the lower end due to pressure.
applied force must be included in Eq. 7. Hence, Eq. 7 To determine the axial stress, Fa replaces Fb in Eq.
becomes 7. Thus, Eq. 7 becomes

F + Fb - xWs
aa= ................. (9) ..................... (11)
As
Eq. 9 also can be used for an applied force in the Eq. 11 calculates the axial stress for all packer-
absence of fluid, because Fb = O. tubing configurations and bottomhole pressures
where there are no constraints.
Freely Suspended Tube Sealed in a Packer The actually existing force Fa from Eq. 10 should
If the tube is sealed in a packer (Fig. 2a) that allows not be used to replace F b in Eq. 9, because the
frictionless movement of the tube, different fluids resulting equation may not give the correct axial
and/ or pressures may be placed inside and outside stress if Fa is changed after the application of the
the tube. To account for the pressure difference as force F. Problems involving applied forces, packer
well as the packer-tubing configurations (such as constraints, and changes in pressure should be solved
those illustrated in Fig. 3), a more generalized as outlined in Ref. 3 or 4.
Stability, the Neutral Point, and Buckling
=
~
Stability
AREA
A,
Ae Buckling is a stability failure. 5 In order to un-
A,
derstand buckling, it first is necessary to understand
!-A,. ~ the nature of stability. Fig. 4 shows three balls at rest
~
on three different surfaces. The first is inside a
:.--

p, p,

~ p,
p,
XI IX""
Ap Ap

~ lal Ibl lei

la) Ib) Ie) STABLE NEUTRAL UNSTABLE

Fig. 3 - Possible packer-tubing configurations. Fig. 4 - Three types of equilibrium.

JANUARY 1980 155

hemisphere; the second is on a flat, level surface; and equilibrium. According to Klinkenberg, the neutral
the third is balanced on top of a hemisphere. Each point is where the three principal stresses are equal;
ball is in equilibrium, but there is an important thus, the distance n from the lower end to the neutral
difference among the three cases. If each ball is point can be determined by substituting Eq. 9 and
disturbed slightly from its position of equilibrium Eq. 2 or 3 into Eq. 12 and solving for x. (Note:
and then released: Ball A returns to its original pi = P~ = 0.) In this case, x is the distance from
position, Ball B remains in its new position, and Ball the lower end to the neutral point, denoted n, and
C moves away from its original position until it written
reaches a new equilibrium. Considering each case,
the equilibrium of the Ball A is stable, Ball B is F
n = - ............................ (13)
neutral, and Ball C is unstable. It can be observed Ws
further that the equilibrium is stable, neutral, and
unstable when the potential energy is minimum,
constant, and maximum, respectively. Neutral Point in a Fluid
If the tube is suspended in a fluid, the stress
Definitions of the Neutral Point distribution is that shown in Fig. lc. In this case the
A commonly used term in the oil industry is neutral neutral point is not at zero axial stress but rather at
point or plane. It comes from the concept of neutral the point where the axial stress equals the hydrostatic
equilibrium. There are numerous synonymous pressure - Le., the radial and tangential stress. Thus,
definitions of the neutral point. Klinkenberg 6 the neutral point is still at the point where the three
described the neutral point as the transition between principal stresses are equal, which is at the lower end.
the region of the tube where buckling may occur and A question could arise at this point with respect to
the region where buckling is impossible. That is, Lubinski's definition of neutral point. That is, if the
above the neutral point the tube is in a state of stable tube is cut at the point of zero axial stress, is the
equilibrium; below the neutral point it is in a state of weight following the cut not the same as that
unstable equilibrium; and at the neutral point it is in suspended from the elevators? No, because the fluid
a state of neutral equilibrium. In the following contacts the steel cross section at the cut and buoys
discussion, it is assumed that below the neutral point, up the tube, which changes the stress distribution and
buckling occurs - i.e., the unstable portion buckles. the weight suspended from the elevators.
In actual cases buckling does not occur until some If a compressive force F of the same magnitude as
minimum force is exceeded. 7 For 2 Y8 -in. (73-mm) in the case of no fluid is applied to the lower end, the
tubing the required force is about 500 lbf (2224 N). 3 stress distribution becomes that shown in Fig. Ie. A
Lubinski describes the neutral point as the point comparison of Figs. Idand Ie shows a considerable
that divides the string (tube) into two portions - i.e., difference in the location of the neutral point. The
the weight of the upper portion being that suspended reason for this is the fluid. Note that in the case of
from the elevators and the weight of the lower fluid (Fig. Ie) the radial and tangential stresses are no
portion being equal to the applied force at the lower longer zero but are a maximum at the bottom and
end. 7 Lubinski's definition also can be stated as the decrease to a minimum at the top. Thus, the point
point where the tube can be cut in two without where the three principal stresses are equal is farther
changing the weight suspended at the surface. If the from the bottom. Some people erroneously attribute
tube can be cut without seeing any change at the this to buoyancy, but in reality it is the effect of fluid
surface, it must be neutral at the point of the cut. pressure on stability.
Another definition of neutral point is described by To calculate the neutral point in the presence of
Klinkenberg 6 as the point where the stress fluids, Eq. 13 is derived again to account for the
distribution is isotropic, being the locus of point fluids. The result is
where the three principal stresses are equal:
...................... (14)
........................ (12)

Neutral Point in the Absence of Fluid Neutral Point With Different Inside
In the absence of fluid the neutral point is the point and Outside Pressures
of zero axial stress. This satisfies Eq. 12 because, in It is possible to have fluids of different densities
the absence of fluid, the only nonzero stress is the inside and outside the tube as well as different
axial stress. Thus, when the axial stress equals zero, surface pressures. One such case is a tube immersed
the three principal stresses are equal. As shown in in drilling mud where the tube is displaced with a
Fig. lb, the neutral point of a freely suspended tube lower density fluid (water) and retained in place by a
is at the bottom, where the three principal stresses are surface pressure Pis.
equal. As in the case of similar fluids, buckling can occur
If a compressive force F is applied to the lower under these circumstances. However, the preceding
end, the stress distribution is altered, which in turn definitions do not describe the neutral point.
alters the location of the neutral point and the Woods 8 outlines this problem in a discussion of
stability of the tube (Fig. I d). Below the neutral point Klinkenberg's paper 6 and then develops a universal
the tube is unstable and, thus, buckles to reach a new definition of neutral point through a proof using the
156 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY
principles of stability and potential energy. Woods Neutral Point of Pressure Buckling
defines the neutral point as that point where the axial and the Fictitious Force
stress is equal to the average of the radial and
tangential stresses or, alternatively, where the If the tubing is sealed in a packer and there is a
following equation is true: pressure diff~rence across the packer, buckling may
occur as a result of that pressure. If buckling occurs,
there is a neutral point. To determine the location of
......... (15) the neutral point, Eq. 10 is substituted into Eq. 11
and the result is substituted into Eq. 15 for (T a' and
Eqs. 16 and 17 are substituted into Eq. 15 for Pi and I

P e I, respectively. Solving the preceding result for x

Eq. 15 is analo~ous to Klinkenberg's and
(the neutral point n) and reducing to its simplest form
Lubinski's definitions for a system containing a
(which requires using Eqs. 18 and 19) yields
single density fluid but also covers different fluid
densities and/or surface pressures.
n= Ap(Pi-P e )
................ (23)
Generalized Neutral Point Equation Ws+PiAi-PeAe
To determine the generalized equation for the neutral
A comparison of Eqs. 23 and 20 shows that the
point of a freely suspended tube in the presence of an
only difference between these two equations is that
applied force, Eq. 10 is substituted into Eq. 9 for Fb
Ap (Pi -P e ) in Eq. 23 has replaced Fin Eq. 20. The
and the result is substituted into Eq. 15 for (Ta'
term A (Pi - P e) is not a real force but rather a
Noting that the inside pressure for any distance x
pseudofurce that reduces the effect of pressure to an
from the lower end is
equivalent mechanical force in a pseudouniaxial
system where the weight ~er unit length is obtained
P[=Pis+Pi(L-x), .................. (16)
from Eq. 22. Lubinski I, denoted this as the fic-
titious force, Ff . * Therefore,
and the corresponding outside pressure is

P;=Pes+Pe(L-x), .................. (17)

the inside pressure at the lower end is As in the case of an applied force, the fictitious
force must be positive to cause buckling.
Pi=Pis+PiL, ....................... (18) To determine the neutral point in the presence of
both an applied force F and a fictitious force Ff , the
and the corresponding outside pressure is forces are added algebraically. However, when the
applied force is imposed prior to the fictitious force
P e =P es + PeL. ...................... (19) and the fictitious force is positive, a direct solution
usually results in an incorrect answer if buckling is
Substituting these pressure equations into the above present. Thus, if the applied force is imposed first,
result, simplifying, and solving for x (the neutral the procedures outlined in Ref. 3 or 4 should be used
point n) yields to obtain a solution.
There are several interesting observations to be
F made with reference to the fictitious force and the
n=------- ................ (20)
Ws+PiAi-PeAe associated stress distribution.
1. If the tube contains no fluid l;lnd the annulus is
In the literature, for brevity, the denominator on full of fluid, the stress distribution is that illustrated
the right side of Eq. 20 is reduced to W. Thus, in Fig. 2c. * * As shown, there is no neutral point. In
fact, it is possible to apply a compressive force to the
F lower end of the tube equal in magnitude to the area
n= - ........................... (21)
W' of the packer bore times the annular pressure at the
packer without buckling the tube. Application of
where such a force places the neutral point at the lower end.
That is, the applied force increases the axial stress
W= Ws+PiAi-PeAe, ................. (22) until it equals the average of the radial and tangential
stress at the lower end. This illustrates that in the
which equals Ws + Wi - We by means of Lubinski et presence of outside pressure the application of axial
al. 's3 Eq. 5 and is referred to as the apparent weight compression does not necessarily cause buckling,
per unit length of the tube in fluid. It is not the even when the critical buckling force is zero. Thus,
buoyancy, as many have assumed erroneously, but outside pressure tends to place the tubing in a state of
rather a convenient way of reducing a triaxial system fictitious tension insofar as a compressive force may
to a pseudo uniaxial system. The pseudostress be applied to the lower end equivalent to the pressure
distribution of a freely suspended tube is illustrated
in Fig. 2b. "This figure is for a packer·tubing configuration as shown in Fig. 3a. However,
the generalizations in the discussion that follows are applicable to any packer-
• API has renamed the fictitious force the effective buckling force. tubing configuration .

JANUARY 1980 157

above the packer times the area of the packer bore Sealed in a Packer With Fluid
without buckling the tube. If the tubing string is suspended freely in a packer
2. If the annulus contains no fluid and the tube is and all other conditions are identical to the preceding
filled with fluid, the stresS distribution is that shown cases all of the above values are the same.
in Fig. 2d. * * In this case the neutral point is in the If the tubing string is sealed in a packer with a
portion of the tube that is in axial tension. This 3.25-in. (82.6-mm) bore, a 30° API (876 kg/m 3 or
illustrates that axial tension does not necessarily 7.31 Ibm/gal) oil in the annulus, and a 15 Ibm/gal
eliminate buckling. Also, there is both a real and a (1797 kg/m3) fluid in the tubing, these values are
fictitious force involved. The real force is the actual obtained:
existing force F from Eq. 10. The fictitious force is
a fictitious com~ressive force equal to the inside area Fa = 21 ,2561bf (94551 N), Eq. 10
of the tube times the pressure at the packer. Note that F b = undefined
F could be either positive (Fig. 3a or 3c) or negative F j =33,157Ibf(147 490 N), Eq. 23
(Fig. 3b) depending on the relationship of the area of W = 7 .68Ibm/ft (11.4 kg/m), Eq. 22
the packer bore to the inside area of the tube. In any n =4,317 ft (1316 m) from the bottom, Eq. 23
case, a tensile force equal in magnitude to the area ~f aa = 11,744 psi (80.972 MPa) at the bottom, Eq. 11
the packer bore times the pressure at the packer IS aa = -24,168 psi (-166.632 MPa) at the top,
required to keep the tube from buckling. Thus, inside Eq.ll
pressure tends to place the tube in a state of fictitious ar = 5.549 psi (38.259 MPa) at the bottom, Eq. 2t
compression to the extent that the tensile force to a = 0 psi (0 Pa) at the top, Eq. 2
keep the tube from buckling is greater than the ac- a~ = -18,613 psi (-128.332 MPa) at the bottom,
tually existing force by an amount equal to the inside Eq.3t
area of the tube times the pressure at the lower end. at = 0 psi (0 Pa) at the top, Eq. 3
Examples
If a pressure of 5,000 psi (34.474 MPa) is applied
For all examples a 1O,000-ft (3048-m), 2 Ys -in. (73- to the tubing and 1,000 psi (6.895 MPa) is applied to
mm), 6.5-lbm/ft (9.67-kg/m) tubing string is used the annulus, these values change from those in the
.
where A.e =6.49 sq Ill. (41.9 cm 2 ), Ai =4. 6 8
sq ·Ill. case above:
L 2
(30.2 cm ), and As = 1.81 sq in. (11.7 cm ).

In the Absence of Fluid and Pressure Fa = 37 ,6241bf (167360 N), Eq. 10

F j =66,357Ibf(295 171 N), Eq. 24
Considering a freely suspended tubing string in the n = 8,640 ft (2633 m) from the bottom, Eq. 22
absence of fluid and pressure, the only nonzero value aa=20,787 psi (143.321 MPa) at the bottom,
is the axial stress, which ranges from zero at the Eq.ll
bottom to - 35,912 psi (- 247.604 MPa) at the top. aa = -15,127 psi (-104.297 MPa) at the top,
If a compressive force F of 20,000 lbf (88 964 N) is Eq.ll
applied at the lower end, the axial stress distribution ar = 8,299 psi (57.220 MPa) at the bottom, Eq. 2t
(from Eq. 9) is 11,050 psi (76.187 MPa) at the bottom ar = 2,752 psi (18.974 MPa) at the top, Eq. 2t
and -24,862 psi (-171.417 MPa) at the top. A at = - 40,047 psi (- 276.114 MPa) at the bottom,
neutral point (from Eq. 13) also is at 3,077 ft (938 m). Eq.3t
In Fluid Without Pressure a t =-21,437 psi (-147.802 MPa) at the top,
Eq.3t
Considering a freely susRended tubing string in a 9.63
Ibm/gal (1153.9 kg/m ) fluid, the following force Assumptions
and stress distributions exist. The following assumptions are made.
W = 5.595 lbm/ft (8.326 kg/m), denominator 1. The tube is of a constant cross section and is
Eq.14 vertical. In the examples, the effect of the couplings
F b = 9,050 lbf (40 256 N), Eq. 4 (except for their weight) are ignored.
n=O, Eq. 14 2. The tube becomes unstable and buckles under
aa = 5,000 psi (34474 MPa) at the bottom, Eq. 7 any resultant axial compressive force, fictitious or
aa = -30,912 psi (- 213.130 MPa) at the top, Eq. 7 real. However, in actual cases the critical buckling
a r = 5,000 psi (34474 MPa) at the bottom, Eq. 2 force is exceeded before buckling occurs. For 2 Ys -in.
a r = 0 psi (0 Pa) at the top, Eq. 2 (73-mm) tubing in a vertical hole, a force of about
at = 5,000 psi (34474 MPa) at the bottom, Eq. 3 500 lbf (2224 N) is required to cause buckling. 3 In
at = 0 psi (0 Pa) at the top, Eq. 3 deviated holes, an even larger force is required-
4,000 lbf (17 792 N) for 10° from vertical and 23,000
If a compressive force F of 20,000 lbf (88 964 N) is
lbf (102309 N) for 60° from vertical. 3
applied to the lower end, these changes occur: 3. For positive forces, the neutral point falls
within the tube (n <L). It is possible that the neutral
n = 3,575 ft (1090 m) from the bottom, Eq. 14 point calculates to be above the upper end of the
aa = 16,050 psi (110.661 MPa) at the bottom, Eq. 9 tube. This is discussed in Refs. 3 and 4.
aa = -19,862 psi (-136.949 MPa) at the top,
Eq.9 tAt the center of the steel cross section.

158 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

 4. The apparent weight per unit length W is P = pressure at the lower end of the tube,
positive. If it is not, Eqs. 13, 14, 20, 21, and 23 will psi (Pa)
not calculate the neutral point. In fact, if buckling P e = pressure outside the tube at the lower end,
occurs when W is not positive, it starts at the top and psi (Pa)
works its way down the tube. 9 Pi = pressure inside the tube at the lower end,
5. The system is unstable below the neutral point psi (Pa)
prior to buckling. Pes = surface annulus pressure, psi (Pa)
Pis = surface tubing pressure, psi (Pa)
Conclusions P~ = pressure outside the tube at the desired
1. The force of buoyancy is equal to the weight of depth, psi (Pa)
the displaced fluid. For a tube of constant inside and pi = pressure inside the tube at the desired depth,
outside diameter, the force is (1) a concentrated end psi (Pa)
force in the vertical position, (2) a distributed force in , d = radial distance to the point under con-
the horizontal position, and (3) both an end and sideration, in. (mm)
distributed force when the tube is between horizontal , e = external radius of the tube, in. (mm)
and vertical. 'i = internal radius of the tube, in. (mm)
2. The neutral point is where the axial stress is V = volume, cu in. (mm 3 )
equal to the average of the radial and tangential Ws = average weight in air of the tube per unit
stresses. It also is the point where the equilibrium of length, Ibm/in. (g/mm)
the system is neutral, or the point below which the W = in air, same as Ws; in liquid, W is the ap-
system is stable. The neutral point always is deter- parent weight per unit length, given by Eq.
mined from Eq. 20 for applied forces and Eq. 23 for 20, Ibm/in. (g/mm)
pressure forces. X= distance from the lower end, in. (mm)
3. The apparent weight per unit length W is a P = density, lbm/cu in.
pseudoweight per unit length which accounts for the Pe = density ofiiquid in the annulus, Ibm/cu in.
effects of the inside and outside fluid on the location Pi = density of liquid in the tubing, Ibm/cu in.
of the neutral point. (It also is used in calculating the aa = axial stress, psi (Pa)
length change due to buckling. 1,3,4) a r = radial stress, psi (Pa)
4. The fictitious force FJ is not a real force but at = tangential stress, psi (Pa)
rather a pseudoforce that converts the effects of fluid
and pressure to an equivalent mechanical force. To References
use FJ as a mechanical force, the weight per unit 1. Lubinski, A. and Blenkarn, K.A.: "Buckling of Tubing in
length must be determined from Eq. 22. Pumping Wells, Its Effects and Means for Controlling It,"
5. The presence of axial tension is not a guarantee Trans., AIME (1957) 210, 73-88.
2. Love, A.E.H.: A Treatise on the Mathematical Theory oj
against buckling. Conversely, the presence of axial
Elasticity, 4th ed., Dover Publications, New York City (1944)
compression is not a guarantee that buckling will 144.
occur even if the critical buckling force is zero. 3. Lubinski, A., Althouse, W.S., and Logan, J.L.: "Helical
Buckling of Tubing Sealed in Packers," J. Pet. Tech. (June
Nomenclature 1962) 655-670; Trans., AIME, 225.
4. Hammerlindl, D.J.: "Movement, Forces, and Stress
Ae = area corresponding to tubing 00, sq in. Associated With Combination Tubing Strings Sealed in
(mm 2 ) Packers," J. Pet. Tech. (Feb. 1977) 195-208; Trans., AIME
Ai = area corresponding to tubing 10, sq in. 263.
(mm 2 ) 5. Hegdon, A., Ohlsen, E.H., Stiles, W.B., and Weese, J.A.:
A p = area corresponding to packer bore 10, sq in. Mechanics oj Materials, 2nd ed., John Wiley and Sons Inc.,
New York City (1967) 426.
(mm 2 ) 6. Klinkenberg, A.: "The Neutral Zones in Drill Pipe and Casing
As = cross-sectional area of the tubing wall, sq in. and Their Significance in Relation to Buckling and Collapse,"
(mm 2 ) Drill. and Prod. Prac., API (1951) 64-76.
F= externally applied force (positive if a 7. Lubinski, A.: "A Study of the Buckling of Rotary Drilling
String," Drill and Prod. Prac., API (1950) 178-214.
compression), Ibf (N) 8. Woods, H.B.: Discussion of Ref. 6, Drill. and Prod. Prac.,
Fa = actual existing pressure force at the lower API (1951)77-79.
end of the tubing subjected to no restraint in 9. Lubinski, A.: "Influence of Tension and Compression on
the packer, Ibf (N) Straightness and Buckling of Tubular Goods in Oil Wells,"
Proc., API 31st Annual Meeting, Chicago (1951) Prod. Sec.
F b = force of buoyancy, lbf (N) IV, 31, 34.
FJ = fictitious force in presence of no restraint in
the packer, lbf (N) JPT
L = length of the tubing, in. (mm) Original manuscript received in Society of Petroleum Engineers office Aug. 2
n = distance from the lower end of the tube 1978. Paper accepted for publication April 11. 1979. Revised manuscript
received Aug. 28, 1979. Paper (SPE 7594) first presented at the SPE 53rd Annual
(packer) to the neutral point, in. (mm) Fall Technical Conference and Exhibition, held in Houston, Oct. 1·4, 1978.

JANUARY 1980 159