The pressure exerted at the bottom of a wellbore, measured at the depth of interest, provides a critical parameter for understanding reservoir behavior. This measurement, typically expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa), reflects the combined weight of the fluid column above the measurement point and the pressure exerted by the reservoir itself. For example, if a wellbore is filled with a certain fluid and open to a reservoir, the pressure recorded will be the sum of the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid and the reservoir pressure at that depth.
Accurate determination of this pressure is fundamental to several aspects of reservoir management and well operations. It allows for the assessment of reservoir productivity, estimation of recoverable reserves, and optimization of production strategies. Historically, techniques for measuring this pressure have evolved from mechanical gauges lowered into the wellbore to sophisticated electronic sensors providing real-time data. Understanding historical pressure trends helps diagnose reservoir depletion and informs decisions related to enhanced oil recovery techniques.
