58-2

PETROLEUM

ENGINEERING

HANDBOOK

Preface
The SPE Board in June 1982 endorsed revisions to SPE
Tentative
Metric
Standard
(Dec.
1977 JPT. Pages

proposed and/or adopted by other groups involved in the

metrication
exercise,
including
those agencies charged

1575

with

161 1) and adopted

it for

Members

of

the

implementation

as this

is the final product of 12 years

and Metrication
Committee.

Metrication

Subcommittee

included

John M. Campbell,
chairman.
John M. Campbell
&
Co.: Robert A. Campbell.
Magnum
Engineenng
Inc.;
Robert E. Carlile.
Texas Tech U.; J. Donald Clark,
petroleum
consultant;
Hank
Groeneveld,
Mobil
Oil
Canada:

Terry

Pollard.

Howard
B.
consultant.
With

very

retired.

Bradley.

et--c@io

member:

professional/technical

few exceptions.

and

training

the units shown

Part 1: SI-The

are those

mercial

still to be decided,

and internationally)

standards.

These few exceptions,

are summarized

in the introduction

to

Part 2 of this report.

These standards include most of the units used commonly by SPE members. The subcommittee
is aware that
some will find the list incomplete
for their area of
specialty.

Additions

will

continue

lo be made but too

long a list can become cumbersome.

believes that these standards provide

The subcommittee
a basis for metric

practice beyond the units listed. So long as one maintains

these standards a new unit can be coined
that should
prove

acceptable.

SI Units and Unit Symbols3

scientific,

groups

(nationally

metric

International System of Units*

Introduction
Worldwide

the responsibility

for establishing

SPE Metric Standard.

The following
standard
work
by the Symbols

engineering,

are converting

industrial.

to SI metric

and cotnunits.

Many

The short-form
kg for

designations

kilograms,

m for

of units (such as ti for feet.

meters,

mol

for moles,

etc.)

in the U.S. arc now active in such conversion.

based on
work
accomplished
by national and international
authorities.
Various
U.S.
associations.
professional

have heretofore been called unit abbreviations

in SPE
terminology
to avoid confusion
with the tetm sym
bols applied to letter symbols used in mathematical

societies.

equations.

and agencies

are involved

in this process.

in-

cluding.
but not limited
to. the American
Sot. for
Testing and Materials
(ASTM)?
American
Petroleum
Inst. (API)..
American
Nat]. Standards Inst. (ANof Mechanical
Engineers
SI), .
American
Sot.
and

(ASME).

American

Natl.

Metric

Council

practice
bols;

However,
is to call

international
these unit

the latter usage will

and national

designations

be followed

standard

unit

sym-

in this report.

SI Units
SI

is based

on seven

well-defined

base

units

that

(ANMC).X
The Canadian Petroleutn
Assn. (CPA) and
other Canadian groups have been especially
active in
conversion
work. SPE intends to hccp its worldwide

quantify
seven hn.sc~ ymntitic~
that hi c,orz~wztiorz are
regarded as dimensionally
independent.
It is a matter ot
choice how many and which quantities
arc considered

memberahlp

base quantities.
SI has chosen the seven babe quantities
and base units listed in Table I. I * as the basis of the lntcrnational
System.
In addition,
there arc two sup-

metric

informed

on the conversion

to and use of SI

unit,.

The term SI
ternational

is an abbreviation

dUnit&

Units.
SI is not identical

or

The

for Le Systgme

International

In-

System

of

Tables
with any of the former

cgs, mks, or

mksA systems of metric units but is closely related to

them and is an extension of and improvement
over them.
SI measurement

symbols

are identical

As in any other language,

in all languages.

rules of spelling,

punctuation,

and pronunciation
are essential
to avoid
errors
in
numerical work and to make the system easier to use and
understand on a worldwide
basis. These rules, together
with decimal usage, units coherence,
and a series of
standard

prefixes

for multiples

and submultiples

of most

SI units, provide a rational system with minimum

difficulty of transition from English units or older systems
of metric units. Refs. 1 through 4 of this paper are
recommended
to the reader wishing official information,
development
history, or more detail on SI: material from
these and other references
this report.
Appendix

plcmentary

A provides

cited has been used freely

definitions

in

for some of the terms

used.
Prepared by T A Pollard for the subcommittee
Based on paper SPE 6212
presented by T A Pollard at Ihe ,976 SPE Annual Techn~ca, Conference and
EXhlb, ho. New Orleans. act 3-6

quantities
1. I

and

(Table
1.2

designating
the dimensions
physical
quantities,
plus
mathematical
SI &rived

I .2).

show

current

practices

equations.
units

arc a third claxs.

boning. as needed, base units.

other derived units according

formed

by con-

supplementary
units. and
to fhe algebraic relations

linking

the corresponding

derived

units that do not have their own individual

bols arc obtained by using

multiplication
and division.
exponent>
I11 s

rad.\-).
Table
cluding

for

of base and supplementary

letter symbols
for use in

(e.g..

SI velocity.

SI anoular
e
I.3 contains

velocity.

quantities.

symbols

for
sytn-

the mathematical
signs for
together
with appropriate
meter per second.
radian per second.

a number

all the I9 approved

The

of SI derived

m/s or
radis or

unit>.

in-

units assigned special names

and individual
unit hymbolh.
Appendix
B provides a more dctallcd cxplanatmn
their
dctinitions.
the
S!
system
of
unils.

oi
Xld

ahhr-aviations.
Table and flgure numbers of Ihe or,glnal SPE publ,cat,on
chapter

are used fhroughout

,h,s

58-3

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

Style and Usage

SI Unit Prefixes*
The Sl unit prefixes.

multiplication

symbols

in Table

are shown

factors,

and SI prefix

1.4. Some of the prefixes

Take care to use unit symbols

in international

and national

properly:
standards

the agreements
provide

uniform

may seem strange at first, but there are enough familiar

ones in the list to make it relatively
easy for technical

rules (summarized
in Appendix
C). It is essential that
these rules be followed closely to provide maximum ease

personnel

of communication
and to avoid costly errors.
of unit names varies somewhat among different

milli,
and
scientists.

to adjust to their use; kilo,

micro

One particular

are

known

warning

to

mega, deci, centi,

most

is required

engineers

and

about the prefixes:

because of language differences,

Appendix
C should
minimize

in the SI system, k and M (kilo and mega) stand for 1000

and 1 000 000, respectively,
whereas M and MM or m

communication.

and mm have been used previously

designating thousands and millions

Usage for Selected Quantities

in the oil industry for

of gas volumes. Note

is the use of explicitly

while the customary M and MM prefixes were not. Examples: km means cubic kilometers,
not thousands of
cubic meters; cm* means square centimeters,
nor one-

nebtlton is
(kg. m)/s,

hundredth

of a square meter.

The designation

for 1000

cubic meters is

10 m--not
km3 and Mm,
respectively.
Appendix
C gives examples of the vital importance of
following
the precise use of upper-case and lower-case
letters for prefixes

Application

and for unit symbols.

SI is the form

distinct

is restricted

engineering

units

units for mass and force.

to the unit

of mass.

The

the only SI unit of force,

defined
as I
to be used wherever force is designated, in-

cluding derived units that contain force-e.g.,

pressure
or stress (N/m* =Pa),
energy (N.m=J),
and power
[(N.m)/s=W].
There is confusion

over the use of the term weight as a

quantity
to mean either force or mass. In science and
technology,
the term weight ofa body usually means the
if applied

to the body,

would

give

it an ac-

system preferred

for all ap-

varies in time and space; weight,

that this modernized

version be

and properly
applied.
Appendix
material,

This secprovides

varies also. The term force of gravity (mass times

celeration of gravity)
is more accurate than weight
this meaning.

of the metric

It is important

thoroughly
understood
tion,
together
with

In SI. kilogram

system of metric

celeration equal to the local acceleration of free fall (g,

when referring to the earths surface). This acceleration

General
plications.

from the gravimetric

force that,

of the Metric System

but using the rules in

most difficulties
of

Mass, Force, and Weight. The principal departure of SI

carefully.
however,
that there is no parallelism because
SI prefixes are raised to the power of the unit employed,

cubic meters is IO m3 and for I million

Handling
countries

guidance
and recommendations
concerning
usage of the SI form of the metric system.

style

length
mass
time
electric current* *
thermodynamic temperature
amount of substance
luminous intensity

In commercial
the term weight

TABLE 1.1 -

Base Quantity or
Dimension

and

SI BASE WANTiTlES

SI Unit

always

ac-

for

use, on the other hand,

means mass. Thus,

when

AND UNITS

SI Unit Symbol
(Abbreviation),
Use Roman
- (Upright) Type

meter
kilogram
second
ampere
kelvin
mole +
candela

The seven base unrls. two supplementary units and other terms are
SPE heretofore has arbrlrar~ly used charge q. the product of sfectrlc
tWh%nthe moleis used.the eler~ntaryentitw
rWSt be Spenhed;they
the terms kilogram m&.pound
mole. etc., often are shortened

and everyday
nearly

if used to mean force,

k
i
K
mol
cd

SPE
Letter Symbol
for Mathematical
Equations,
Use Italic
(Sloping) Type
L
m
t

r
n

deiined I Appendixes A and 6. Part 1.

current and time, as a basic dunenslon. In untt symbols this would be A.s. m SPE mathematical symbols. IV
r~ybeatOrt~s. rm%WeS. iOnS.el8c1rOnS.other partlCla% OrSpW&l
groupsof suchpartides. In petroleum work.
erroneously to mole.

TABLE 1.2 -

SI SUPPLEMENTARY

UNITS

Supplementary Quantity or
Dimension

SI Unit

SI Unit Symbol
(Abbreviation),
Use Roman
(Upright) Type

plane angle
solid angle

radian
steradran

rad
sr

The seven base umts, two supplementary units. and other terms are defmed I Appendaxes A and 8. Part 1
IS0 speafn?s these two angles as dlmensnnless wth respect to the seven base quanhties

SPE
Letter Symbol
for Mathematical
Eauations.
Use Italic
(Sloping) Type

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

58-4

TABLE 1.3 -

SOME COMMON SI DERIVED UNITS

SI Unit Symbol
(Abbreviation),
Use Roman Type

Unit

Quantity

gray
meter per second squared
becquerel
radian per second squared
radian per second
square meter
degree Celsius
kilogram per cubic meter
sieverl
farad
coulomb
siemens
volt per meter
henry
volt
ohm
volt
joule
joule per kelvin
newton
hertz
Iux
candela per square meter
lumen
ampere per meter
weber
tesla
volt
watt
Pascal
coulomb
joule
watt
watt per steradian
joule per kilogram kelvin
Pascal
watt per meter kelvin
meter per second
Pascal second
square meter per second
volt
cubic meter
1 per meter
joule

absorbed dose
acceleration
activity (of radionuclides)
angular acceleration
angular velocity
area
Celsius temperature
density
dose equivalent
electric capacitance
electric charge
electrical conductance
electric field strength
electric inductance
electric potential
electric resistance
electromotive force
energy
entropy
force
frequency
illuminance
luminance
luminous flux
magnetic field strength
magnetic flux
magnetic flux density
potential difference
power
pressure
quantity of electricity
quantity of heat
radiant flux
radiant intensity
specific heat
stress
thermal conductivity
velocity
viscosity, dynamic
viscosity, kinematic
voltage
volume*
wave number
work

HANDBOOK

GY
Bq

C
..,
sv
E
S
Ii
V
n
V
J
N
HZ
lx
Im
Wb
T
V
W
Pa
C
J
W
.

Formula,
Use Roman Type
J/kg
ml.9
1Is
rad/s2
rad/s
m2
K
kg/m3
J/kg
A.sN ( = GN)
As
AN
V/m
V&A ( = Wb/A)
W/A
VIA
W/A
N.m
J/K
kgm/$
l/s
lm/m2
cd/m2
cdsr
A/m
vs
Wb/m2
W/A
J/s
N/m2
As
N*m
J/s
Wlsr

J(kgW
Pa
.

,..
V
..
.
J

Nlm2
W/(m.K)
m/s
Pas
ml/s
WIA
m3
l/m
N.m

In 1964, the General Conference on Welghls and Measures adopted liter as a special name for the cubic decimeter but discouraged the
use of later for volume measurement 01 extreme precision (see Appendix 8).

TABLE 1.4 -

SI
Prefix

Multiplication Factor
1 000 OOLl000 000 000 000 =
1 ooo 000 000 000 000 =
1 000 000 000 000 =
1 000 000 000 =
1000000 =
lOOO=
100 =
10 =
0.1 =
0.01 =
0.001 =
0.000001 =
0.000 000 001 =
0.000 000 000 001 =
0.000 000 000 000 001 =

108
105
102
1OQ
106
103
102
10
10-l
10m2
10m3
1Om6
10eg
lo-l2
lo-l5

exa**
peta
tera
giga
mega
kilo
hectot
deka$
deci$
centi*
milli
micro
nano
pica
femto

0.000 000 000 000 000 001 = 1Om8 atto

SI UNIT PREFIXES

SI Prefix
Symbol,
Use Roman

TypeE
P
T
G
M
k
h
da

Pronunciation (U.S.)
ex a (a as in a bout)
as in p eta1
as in terra ce
jig a (a as in a bout)
as in mega phone
as in kilo watt
heck toe
deck a (a as in a bout)
as in deci mal
as in senri ment
as in mili tary
as in micro phone
nan oh (an as in an t)
peek oh
fern toe (tern as in
fern inine)
as in anafo my

Meaning (U.S.)

Meaning
In Other
Countries

one quintillion timest

one quadrillion timest
one trillion timest
one billion times7
one million limes
one thousand times
one hundred times
ten times
one tenth of
one hundredth of
one thousandth of
one millionth of
one billionth oft
one trillionth oft
one quadrillionth oft

milliardth
billionth
thousand billionth

one quintillionth oft

trillionth

trillion
thousand billion
billion
milliard

The l~rsl syllable of every prehx IS accented lo assure that the prellx will retain Its Ideniiiy Therefore. the prelerred pronunxlion
of kllomeler places the accent on the first syllable, not the
second.
Approved by the 15th General Conlerencs of WaghIs and Measures (CGPM). May-June ,975.
tThese terms should be avoided in technaal wrong because the denomlnatnns above 1 millon are dlflerent in most other countries. as lndlcated I the last column.
tWhtle hecto, deka.dect, and cents are St prehxes. their use generally should be avolded except for the SI UN mult~pleslorarea. volume, moment, and nontechmcal use of centmwer, as
for body and clothing measremet.

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

one speaks of a persons

weight,

the quantity

referred

to

58-5

Energy. The SI unit of energy,

the joule,

together

with

is mass. Because of the dual use, the term weight should

be avoided in technical practice except under cir-

its multiples,
kilowatt-hour

cumstances in which its meaning is completely

clear.
When the term is used, it is important to know whether

energy,

mass or force is intended and to use SI units properly as

described
above by using kilograms
for mass and

megajoule.

newtons

Torque and Bending Moment. The vector product of

for force.

Gravity

is involved

or scale.

When

in determining

a standard

mass with a balance

mass is used to balance

the

new

but this unit

areas;

force
(N

is preferred
for all applications.
The
is used widely
as a measure of electric
should

eventually

and moment

it

not be introduced
should

be

arm is expressed

m) by SPE as a convention

into any

replaced

when

by

the

in newton

meters

expressing

torque

measured mass, the effect of gravity on the two masses is

canceled except for the indirect effect of air or fluid

energies.

buoyancy.

indirect-

Pressure and Stress. The SI unit for pressure and stress

ly since the instrument responds to the force of gravity.

Such scales may be calibrated in mass units if the variation in acceleration of gravity and buoyancy corrections

is the Pascal (newton per square meter); with proper SI

prefixes it is applicable to all such measurements. Use of

On a spring scale, mass is measured

are not significant

in their use.

the old metric gravitational units-kilogram-force

per
square centimeter,
kilogram-force
per square millimeter,
torr,

etc.-is

to be discontinued.

Use

of

the

bar

is

The use of the same name for units of force and mass
causes confusion.
When non-9
units are being con-

discouraged

verted to SI units, distinction

,forcr
and mass-e.g.,
use

should be made between

Ibf to denote
force
in

It has been recommended

internationally
that pressure
units themselves
should not be modified
to indicate

gravimetnc

and use Ibm for mass.

whether
the pressure is absolute
(above zero) or
gauge
(above atmospheric
pressure). If the context
is meant, the word
leaves any doubt as to which

engineering

Use of the metric

common.

units,

ton, also called

mnne

(1.0 Mg),

is

by the standards

pressure

Linear Dimensions.

Ref.

3 provides

discussions

length units applied to linear dimensions

of materials
and equipment,
primarily
engineers

of

and tolerances
of interest to

Temperature. The SI temperature unit is the kelvin (not

degree Kelvin);
it is the preferred unit to express therderived

must

pressure

be qualified
of

appropriately:

13 kPa,

pressure of 13 kPa,

or

. . .at

...at
an

absolute

etc.

Units and Names To Be Avoided or Abandoned

in that field.

modynamic

gauge

organizations.

temperature.

Degrees

Celsius

(C)

is an SI

Tables

1.1 through

formal

names,

their

all SI units identified

individual

unit symbols.

by
Vir-

tually all other named metric units formerly

in use (as
well as nonmetric units) are to be avoided or abandoned.

and temperature

There

called centigrade)

esu,

unit used to express temperature

1.3 include

with

is a long

list of such units

(e.g.,

dyne.

stokes.

is related directly
to the kelvin
scale as follows:
the
temperature
interval
1 C= 1 K,
exactly.
Celsius
temperature
(Tot)
is related
to thermodynamic

gauss, gilbert,
abampere,
statvolt,
angstrom.
fermi, micron,
mho, candle, calorie, atmosphere,
mm
Hg, and metric horsepower).
The reasons for abandoning the non-9 units are discussed in Appendix
B. Two of

temperature
(Tx)
where To =273.1.5

coherence

intervals.

symbol

The Celsius

scale (formerly

as follows:
Tot =TK --To exactly,
K by definition.
Note that the SI unit

for the kelvin

whereas

the

older

degrees

Fahrenheit,

Celsius, with degree

(F, R, C).

is K without

temperature
degrees
marks

the degree

units

are

Rankine,

shown

on the unit

reasons are the relative

simplicity

as

degrees
symbol

Rules for Conversion

and Rounding3

Conversion
Table 1.7, Appendix

D, contains

general conversion

tors that give exact values or seven-digit

Time. The SI unit for time is the second, and this is

preferred, but use of the minute,
permissible.

hour,

day, and year is

Angles. The SI unit for plane angle is the radian. The use
of the arc degree and its decimal submultiples
is permissible when the radian is not a convenient unit. Use of
the minute and second is discouraged
cartography.
steradians.

Solid

angles

should

except possibly
be

expressed

for
in

plementing
dimension

ferred

for all applications.

but use of the liter is restricted

uids and gases.

The

special

for the cubic decimeter

name liter

has

(see Appendix

B),

to the measurement

of liq-

for im-

the nature

of the

all conversions,
the number of significant
should be such that accuracy is neither

digits

retained

sacrificed nor

exaggerated.
Proper
specified
given

Volume. The SI unit of volume is the cubic meter. This

unit, or one of its regularly
formed multiples, is pre-

these rules except where

makes this impractical.

fac-

accuracy

The conversion
of quantities should be handled with
careful regard to the implied correspondence
between the
accuracy of the data and the given number of digits. In

11.4

conversion
procedure
is
quantity
by the conversion

in Table

number

been approved

and the

of the SI units.

mark,

known

and

the principal

1.7 and then

of significant
ft

to

meters:

rounds to 3.47

digits.

round

to multiply
the
factor exactly as
to the appropriate

For example,

11.4x0.3048=3.474

to convert
72,

which

m.

Accuracy and Rounding

Do not round either the conversion
before

performing

the multiplication;

factor or the quantity

this

reduces

ac-

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

56-6

curacy. Proper conversion

procedure
the converfed
quantity to the proper
cant digits

commensurate

with

includes rounding
number of signifi-

its intended

precision.

or maximum,

HANDBOOK

is not violated.

must be handled so that the stated limit

For example, a specimen at least 4 in.

wide

a width

requires

of at least 101.6 mm, or (round-

The practical aspects of measuring must be considered

when using SI equivalents.
If a scale divided into six-

ed) at least 102 mm.

teenths of an inch was suitable for making the original

measurements,
a metric scale having divisions of 1 mm

Significant Digits. Any digit that is necessuy

is obviously
equivalents

suitable

for measuring

in SI units,

and the

should not be reported closer than the nearest

the specific
For example,
have

to drjne
is said to he significant.

vulue or quantity
a distance

been recorded

measured to the nearest I m may

as 157 m; this

number

has three

1 mm. Similarly,
a gauge or caliper graduated in divisions of 0.02 mm is comparable to one graduated in divi-

significant
digits. If the measurement had been made to
the nearest 0.1 m, the distance may have been 157.4

sions of 0.001

m-four

in. Analogous

situations

exist

for mass,

force, and other measurements.

A technique to determine the proper number of significant digits in rounding
converted values is described here for general use.

significant

digits.

In each case, the value of the

right-hand digit was determined

by measuring the value
of an additional
digit and then rounding to the desired
degree of accuracy. In other words, 157.4 was rounded
to 1.57; in the second case, the measurement

General Conversion.
establishing
quantity

This approach depends on first

the intended precision or accuracy of the

as a necessary

retain.

The

guide to the number

precision

should

digits in the original.

but
reliable indicator.
A figure
curate

decimalization

relate

to the

ed

It is theretbre

to

Importance of Zeros. Zeros may be used either to in-

of

dicate a specific

I xh that

precision

cstitnale

of

before

precisiorl

should

fhur7

one-tend7

the precision

Digits)
smaller

should

of significant

be

digits

converting.
he

771;s

dicate the
population

as does any other digit,

of

a number.

rounded

to

The

or to in-

1970

U.S.

thousands

was

203 185 000. The six left-hand digits of this number are
significant;
each measures a value. The three right-hand
digits are zeros that merely indicate the magnitude of the
number

rounded

to the nearest

further,
each
of
measurements
is of
specified

stnullet

value,

magnitude
figure

thousand.

To illustrate

the
following
estimates
and
different
magnitude,
but each is

to have only

one significant

digit:

txrr 1r.s14a11\ .s17014Id hc

tcrlrrtrt7c~e

of the dimension

dimension

number

the

the intend-

.~/7011/rl twlw

flrcut-flc~\ c~ftr7f~L4.slr~emrft

.vt~ul/cr

verted

a quantity

of ititertdnl

thctt1 l/l?

necessary to determine

may have

to 157.4.

number

have been expressed as I. 19. On the other hand. the

value 2 may mean about 2 or it may mean a very accurate value of 2, which should then have been written as
2.0000.

rounded

of digits

in many cases that is not a

of 1. I875 may be a very ac-

of a noncritical

been 157.36,

~fotw exists.

is estimated.
rounded

to

(see section

After

1 000
100

the con-

a minimum

10

on Significant

0.01

such that a unit of the last place is equal to or

than the converted precision.

0.001
0.000
It

is also

important

1.

to note

that,

for

the

first

three

/z in.

numbers, the identification

of significant
digits is possible only through knowledge
of the circumstances.
For

is 12.7 mm. The convened 6-in. dimension of 152.4 mm

should be rounded to the nearest IO mm, or I50 mm.

example, the number 1000 may have been rounded from

about 965, or it may have been rounded from 999.7, in

1. A stirring
estimated

rod 6 in. long:

to be about

In this case, precision

% in. (+ i/4 in.).

2. SO,OO@psi tensile strength:

estimated

Converted.

is

In this case, precision

to be about t_200 psi (i

I .4

is

MPa) based on an

accuracy of _+0.25% for the tension tester and other factors. Therefore,
the converted
dimension,
344.7379
MPa. should be rounded to the nearest whole unit, 345
MPa.
3. Test pressure 2OOk 15 psi: Since one-tenth of the
tolerance is + 1.5 psi (10.34 kPa). the converted dimenhion should

be rounded

1378.9514-t

103.421

to the nearest

35 kPa becomes

10 kPa.
138Oi

Thus.

100 kPa.

which

case all three zeros are significant.

Data of Varying Precision. Occasionally,

for an investigation

must

be drawn

the minimum
tain
from

values

should

number of significant

the required
this practice

may be feasible.
must be used

be rounded

to

digits that will main-

accuracy.
In certain cases, deviation
to use convenient
or whole numbers

when such data are to be added,

or divided.

of three numbers

drawn

rounded

subtracted,

stated as a limit,

such as not

multiplied,

Consider

three sources,

the addition
the first of

the second in thousands,

163 000 000

217 885 000
96 432 768
477 317 768

to whole

number.
A quantity

from

which reported data in millions,

and the third in units:

In that case, the word approximate

following
the conversion-e.g.,
I%

48 mm (approximate)

of

The rule for addition and subtraction is that the answer

shall contain no significant digits farther to the right than

in. =47.625
mm exact, 47.6 mm normal rounding, 47.5
mm (approximate)
rounded to preferred or convenient
half-millimeter.

a variety

sources where they have been recorded with varying

degrees of ref-mement. Specific rules must be observed

occurs in the least precise number.

Special Cases. Converted

data required

from

more than

This total indicates

numbers should jirst

a precision

that is not valid.

be rounded to one significant

The
digit

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

farther

to the right than that of the least precise number,

and the sum taken as follows.

163 Ooo 000
217 900 000
96 400 000
477 300 ooo
Then, the total is rounded
by the rule.

to 477 000 000 as called for

Note that if the second of the figures

to be

added had been 217 985 000, the rounding before addition would have produced 218 000 000, in which case
the zero following
218 would have been a significant
digit.
The rule for multiplication
and division
is that the
product
or quotient
shall contain no more significant
digits

than arc contained

in the number

with

the fewest

signijcant digits used in the multiplication

or division.
The difference between this rule and the rule for addition
and subtraction
traction,

should

the rule merely

be noted;
requires

for addition
rounding

and sub-

digits

to the

right of the last significant

digit in the least precise
number.
The
following
illustration
highlights
this

58-7

Examples:
4.463 25 if rounded

to three places would

be 4.463.

8.376

52 if rounded

to three places would

be 8.377.

4.365

00 if rounded

to

4.355

00 if rounded

to two places would

two places would be 4.36.

be 4.36.

Conversion of Linear Dimensions

of Interchangeable Parts
Detailed

discussions

of

this

subject

are provided

ASTM,
API,
and ASME
publications
recommended
to the interested reader.

Other Units
Temperature.
tolerances
Celsius

General

guidance

from degrees Fahrenheit

is given

in Table

for

by
arc

converting

to kelvins

1.5. Normally,

and

or degrees

temperatures

expressed
in a whole number of degrees Fahrenheit
should be converted to the nearest 0.5 K (or 0.5C).
As
with other quantities,
the number of significant
digits to
retain will depend on implied accuracy of the original
dimension:

e.g.,*

difference.
100*5F
Multiplication:

113.2~1.43=161.876

Division:

113.2+1.43=79.16

Addition:

to 79.2
113.2+1.43=114.63

rounded

Subtraction:

to 114.6
113.2-1.43=111.77

rounded

to 162.

1.000~50F
estimated

rounded

above

product

and

quotient

are limited

to three

digits
because
1.43 contains
only
three
digits. In contrast. the rounded answers in the

addition and subtraction

cant digits.
Numbers

examples

contain

used in the illustration

four

signifi-

are all estimates

or

measurements.
Numben
that ure cxwt counts (and conthat arc exuct) at-c treated as though thq
aversion ,firctors
cmsist ofotlinjrzitr rumher oj.sip$cant
digit.,. Stated
more simply.

when a

unmt is used in computation

with a

measurement.
the number of significant
digits in the
answer is the same as the number of significant
digit?, in
rhe measurement.
If a count of 40 is multiplied
by a
measurement of 10.2. the product is 408. However,
if 40
wcrc an estimate accurate only to the nearest IO and,
hence. contained
be 300.

one significant

digit.

the product

would

Rounding Values lo

When the First Digit

Discarded is
less than 5
more than 5
5 followed only
by zeros*

estimated

(tolerance):
implied accuracy.
total 20F (nearest 10C)
rounds

bc

by the same prmciple

Values

to 54Ok3OC.

with

converted

an uncertainty

used for other

without

rounding

by

factors

see Table

I .7.

the

approximate

1 psi=7

kPa.

For conversion

Special Length Unit-the

E, provides
the problems

conversion
ofconverting

Vara. Table 1.8* Appendix

factors

and explanatory

notes on

the several kinds of vara units

to mctcrs.

Special Terms and Quantities Involving

Mass and Amount of Substance
The Intl. Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Union
of Pure and Applied
Physics.
and

A and pnor paragraph

on General

the lntl.
the Intl.

Conversion.

digits than the

should be as

The Last Digit

Retained

is

unchanged
increased by 1
unchanged
increased

if even,
by I if odd

Unless a number of rounded values are lo appear I a gfven problem, mosl roundlngs
conform lo the ,,is, two procedures - 1.e rounding upward when the llrst dlgll dw
carded IS 5 or hlger

quan-

of more than 2% may

factor:

See Appendlx

When a figure is to be rounded to fewer

total number
available,
the procedure
follows.

accuracy.

Pressure or Stress. Pressure or stress values may be

converted
tities.

The

implied

I C) 37.7778&2.7778C

537.7778k27.7778C

to 111.8.

significant
significant

(tolerance);

total 2F (nearest
rounds to 38+3C.

rounded

TABLE 1.5 -CONVERSION

OF TEMPERATURE
TOLERANCE REQUIREMENTS
Tolerance
(F)
21
z-2
-c5
210
A15
220
k-25

Tolerance
(K or C)
X0.5
*I
+3
+ 5.5
-8.5
k-11
t 14

PETROLEUM

58-8

Organization

for

Standardization

provide

clarifying

usages for some of the terms involving

the base quantities mass and amount of substance. Two of these
require modifying
the terminology
appearing previously
in SPEs
Table

Symbols

10.

Standards.

1.6 shows the old and the revised

usages.

Mental Guides for Using Metric Units

Table

1.9. Appendix

F, is offered

as a memory

jog-

ballpark
ger or guide to help locate the metric
relative to customary units. Table 1.9 is not a conversion
table. For accurate conversions,
refer to Table 1.7, or to
Tables

2.2

and 2.3

for

round off the converted

described earlier.

petroleum-industry
values

units,

to practical

II.
12.

and

precision

as
13.

References*

14.

I. The lntematmnal System of Units (Sl). NBS Special Publication 330. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Natl. Bureau of Standards,
Superintendent of Documents. U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washmgton.
D.C.
(1981).
(Order by SD Catalog
No.
c13.10:330/3.)
7. S1 Units and Recommendations for the Use of Thctr Multtplca
and of Certain Other Units, wcond edition, 1981.02-15. Intl.
Standard IS0
1000. lntl. Oganlzation
for Standardlzatton.
American Natl. Standards Inst. (ANSI). New York (1981).
3 Standard for Metrtc Practtce, E 380-82. Amencan Sot. ftir
Testing and Materials. Philadelphia. (Slmdar matcrlal published
in 1EEE Std. 268-1982.)
4

IS.

16.

APPENDIX
Terminology

A3

To ensure consistently

reliable

practices,

understanding

clear

Accuracy

Metric

to some

standard

recognized

on any 01 these references.

Cantact the Book Order Dept

at SPE

A characteristic

atomic weight
(SPE Symbols Standard)
atomic weight
(elsewhere)
equivalent
mass of molecule
molar
molar@
molecular weight
(SPE Symbols Standard)
molecular weight
(elsewhere)
normal - obsolete
mDimensonless

precision).
or calculated

error

in Appendix

M
M
l

cor-

Term
mass of atom
relative atomic mass
mole
molecular mass
molar (means, divided by
amount of substance)
concentration
molar mass
relative molecular mass

system

of

is the unit of the

Standardized Usage
Dimensions
(IS0 Symbols,
See Table 1 .l)

This

B, such that the product

SPECIAL TERMS AND QUANTITIES INVOLVING MASS AND

AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE

value.

The
value

of an operation,

of a coherent

of any two unit quantities

Old Usage

Term

certain

A value that is nearly but not exactly

units, as described
or quotient

TABLE 1.6 -

related

as follows.

or specified

the systematic
negligible.

the

rect or accurate.

Coherence.
For information
headquarters

from

of a measured

Approximate.
Natl.

are defined

(as distinguished

and rounding

of

Accordingly,

degree of conformity
concept involves
which is seldom

.&w~c Edirorid
G&P.
thlrd edition. American
Councd (ANMC). Washington. D.C. (July 1981).

conversion

terms is prerequisite.

terms used in this standard

6. A Bibliography of Metric Standard,. ANSI. New York (June

1975). (Alw &ee ANSI\ annual catalog of national and intrmaImnal standard\.)

HANDBOOK

General Principles Concerning Quantities. Unirs and Symbols,

Gm~rcrl fnrroducrion rcj /SO 31. second edition. Intl. Standard
IS0 3110. Intl. Organization for Standardization. ANSI. New
York City (1981).
American National Standard Practice for Inch-Millimeter
Conversion for Industrial Use, ANSI 848.1-1933
(Rl947).
IS0
R370- 1964, Intl. Organization for Standardization. ANSI, New
York. (A later edition has been issued: Toleranced Dimensions--Conversion
From Inches to Millimeters and Vice Versa.
IS0 370-1975.)
Factors for High-Precision Conversion.
NBS LC1071 (July
1976).
Information
Processing-Representation5
of SI and Other Units
for Uae in Systems With Limited Character Sets. lntl. Standard
IS0 2955-1974. Intl. Organization for Stdndardization. ANSI.
New York Ctty. (Ref. 5 reproduces the 1973 editton of this standard in its entirety.)
Supplementary
Metnc
Practxe
Guide for the Canadian
Petroleum Industry. fourth edition. P.F. Moore (ed.). Canadian
Petroleum Assn. (Oct. 1979).
Letter Symbols for Units of Measurement, ANSI/IEEE
Std.
260-1978. Available from American Natl. Standards Inst.. New
York City.
Mechtly. E.A.: The International System trt Units-Physical
Constants and Conversion Factors, NASA SP-7012. Scientific
and Technical Information
Office, NASA, Washmgton. D C.
1973 edition available from U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington. D.C.
McElwee, P.G.: The Terns Vlrrcj. Available from Commissioner.
General Land Office, State of Texas. Auatm (April 30. 1940).

nontechnical

ENGINEERING

SI Unit
Symbol
kg
.
mol
kg
l/m01
mo1/m3
kg/mol
l

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

resulting
quantity.
units, and derived

Deviation.
design
limits

The SI base units,

units form a coherent

Variation

from

supplementary
set.

a specified

requirement,
usually
(see also Tolerance).

dimension

defining

upper

numerals

(0 to 9).

58-9

assigned to each; in some cases, special names and unit

symbols are given-e.g.,
the newton (N).
or

and lower

One Unit per Quantity. The great advantage

of SI is

that there is one, and only one, unit for each physical
quantity-the
meter for length (L), kilogram (instead of
gram) for mass (m). second for time (r). etc. From these

Digit. One of the 10 Arabic

Dimension(s).

Two

meanings:

(1)

elemental units, units for all other mechanical

are derived.
These derived units are defined

group

of

fun-

equations

in
or

(velocity),

damental
(physical)
quantities,
arbitrarily
selected,
terms of which all other quantities can be measured
identified. 9 Dimensions
or the basic components

identify the physical nature of,

making up. a physical quantity.

They are the bases for the formation

of useful dimensionless groups and dimensionless
numbers and for the
powerful

tool of dimensional

for the arbitrarily

analysis.

The dimensions

selected base units of the SI are length,

mass, time, electric current.

thermodynamic
temperature, amount of substance. and luminous
intensity.
SI
has two supplementary
less-plane

quantities

considered

angle and solid angle.

dimension-

(2) A geometric

ment in a design,
such as length
magnitude of such a quantity.

and angle.

Figure (numerical).

value

one or more digits

An arithmetic

expressed

by

Precision

(as distinguished

degree

of

mutual

measurements

Quantity.
titative

a value

from

agreement

(repeatability

A concept

descriptions

existing

used

quantities,

such

(acceleration),

as

F=ma

tB=dLldt
(force),

W=FL (work or energy), and P= Wit (power). Some of

these units have only generic names. such as meter per
second for velocity;
others have special names and symbols, such as newton

(N) for force, joule

(J) for work

nuclear.

A force of 1 N applied

for a distance of 1 m can

produce 1 J of heat, which is identical with what 1 W of

electric power can produce in 1 second.

Unique Unit Symbols. Corresponding

to the SI advantages of a unique unit for each physical quantity are the
advantages resulting from the use of a unique and welldefined

set of symbols.

Such symbols

that can arise from

current

eliminate

practices

the con-

in different

disciplines,
such as the use of b for both the hur (a
unit of pressure) and barn (a unit of area).

in name only.

accuracy).

The
individual

between

Decimal Relation. Another

advantage

tion of the decimal

between

multiples

relation

of the base units

of SI is its retenmultiples

and sub-

for each physical

quantity.

and reproducibility).

Prefixes

for

multi le units from exa

(10)
down to atto
(I 0 Ps) for convenience
in writing and speaking.

of a physical

or

energy. and watt (W) for power. The SI units.fi,r

jbrce,
energy, and power are the same regardless of \r>hether
the process
is mechanical,
electrid,
chemiccd,
or

fusion

Nominal Value. A value assigned for the purpose of

designation;

the

u=dv/dt

ele-

or the

or a fraction.

convenient

among

quantities
by simple

qualitative

and

phenomenon.

quan-

are established

for designating

multiple

and sub-

Coherence.

Another
major
advantage
of SI is its
This system of units has been chosen in such

Significant Digit. Any digit that is necessary to define a

coherence.

value or quantity

a way that the equations between numerical values, including the numerical factors, have the same form as the
corresponding
equations
between the quantities:
this

Tolerance.
bilateral)
quantity;
dimension

(see text discussion).

The

total

range

of

variation

(usually

permitted for a size, position, or other required

the upper and lower limits between which a
must be held.

constitutes

a coherent

units of a coherent
tors only the number
or quotient

U.S. Customary Units. Units based on the foot and the

pound, commonly
used in the U.S. and defined by the
Natl. Bureau of Standards. Some of these units have
the same name as similar units in the U.K.
(British,
English,

or U.K.

units)

but are not necessarily

equal to

them.

APPENDIX
SI Units

Equations

1. In a coherent

system,

of any two unit quantities

between

as numerical

fac-

the product

is the unit of the

resulting quantity.
For example, in any coherent system,
unit area results when unit length is multiplied
by unit
length (1 m x 1 m= 1 m*), unit force when unit mass* is
multiplied
by unit acceleration
(1 kgx 1 m/s* = 1 N),
unit work when unit force is multiplied
by unit length (1
N x 1 m= 1 J), and unit power when unit work is divided
by unit time (I J+ 1 second= 1 W). Thus, in a coherent
system in which the meter is the unit of length, the

B3

square meter is the unit of area, but the are**

are

Advantages of SI Units
SI is a rationalized
selection of units from the metric
system that individually
are not new. They include a unit
of force (the newton), which was introduced in place of
the kilogram-force
to indicate by its name that it is a unit
of force and not of mass. SI is a coherent system with
seven base units for which

system.

unit system contain

names, symbols,

definitions
have been established.
Many
arc defined in terms of the base units,

and precise

derived units
with symbols

not

coherent.

Much

worse

disparities

and hectare
occur

in

systems of customary
units (both nonmetric and older
metric) that require many numerical adjustment
factors
in equations.

Base Units. Whatever

coherent

the system of units, whether it be

or noncoherent,
particular
samples of some

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

58-10

physical

quantities

must be selected arbitrarily

as units of

those quantities.
The remaining units are defined by appropriate cxperimcnts
related to the theoretical intcrrclations of all the quantities.
units pertaining
tior7 rc~~crrrld

For convenience

to c~r-fuin hrrsc>ylrrrfztitics
us

(I~C crr//c~! basr

of analysis.

(Table

unirs

units) can be cxprcsscd

tl7c.w

ur7it.s

I I ). and all others (derived

algebraically

and placed one mctcr apart in vacuum.

would product
hctwecn
these conductors
a force equal to 2 x IO -
newton

in temls of the base

units. In SI. the unit of mass. the kilogram,

is defined

as

per meter of length.

(Adopted

by Ninth

CGPM

lY48.)

~Irf by (~~171*0-

dir77~~r7siot7all~~ ir7tlqxwder7t;

HANDBOOK

Kchi77

temperature.
modynamic

(K)-The
kelvin.
unit of thermodynamic
is the fraction
11273. IS of the thertemperature
of the triple point of water.

(Adopted by 13th CGPM

1967.)
MCI/C (mol)-The
mole is the amount

of substance of

the mass of a prototype

kilogram preserved by the Intl.
Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM)
in Paris. All

a system which contains as many clcmcntary

entities as
thcrc are atoms in 0.012
kilograms
of carbon-12.

other

(Adopted

base units

are defined

phenomena-e.g.,
specified

the wave

atomic

in terms
lengths

of reproducible

and frequencies

of

transitions.

ions, electrons.
other
such particles.

Metric Units

Non-S1

Various other units are associated with SI but are not a

part thereof. They are related to units of the system by
powers

of

by 14th CGPM

10 and are used in specialized

branches

of

physics. An example is the bar, a unit of pressure. approximately

equivalent to 1 atm and exactly equal to 100

1971.)

Note-When
the mole is used. the elementary
entities must be specified and may be atoms. molecules.

in

particles.

or specified

Crrn&/u
(cd)-The
candela
a given
direction
of

monochromatic

radiation

intensity

540 (E + 12) hertz

In that direction

watt per steradian.

Rudiurz
(rad)-The
radian is the plane angle between

two radii of a circle

tion of 0.01 m/s?. It is used in geodetic work.

however. are not coherent units-i.e.,
equations

an arc equal in length to the radius.

Sr~~&iu~?
(sr)-The
stcradian
i\

ing

both

thcsc

units

and

SI units

cannot

be written

without a factor of proportionality

even though that fattor may be a simple power of 10.
Originally
(1795). the liter was intended to be identical
to the cubic
on Weights

decimeter.

The Third

and Measures

(CGPM)

General

ly

pressure.

established

Careful

the

liter

determinations

so defined

which.

having

its vertex

an area of the surface

square with
sphere.

the

subsequent-

as equivalent

to

special name for the cubic decimeter.

Thus. its use is
pemlitted in Sl but is discouraged because it creates two
same quantity
might conflict

Physical

Quantity

Absorbed

dose

Activity

follow

(parenthetical

temperature

French definitions
units

Dose equivalent

of infinite

length.

ampere is that constant current

in two straight parallel conductors
of ncgliglble

circular

cross-section.

to

matter

by

is I J/kg.

transition

per second,

temperature

(symbol

by Tot =T,

-To,

where TK is the thermodynamic

temperature
and To =273. IS K
by definition.
The
sievcrt
is
the
dose
when the absorbed
ionizing
radiation
by the dimensionless

factors Q (quality
factor) and N
(product of any other multiplying factors)
stipulated
by the

of 9 192 63 I
to the transi-

1967.)

radiation

defined

multiplied

1889 and 1901.)

tion between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state

of the cesium- 133 atom.*
(Adopted
by 13th CGPM
Atnper~~ (A)-The
which. if maintained

imparted

equivalent
dose
of

(and is the coherent SI unit); it is equal to the mass of the

international
prototype
of the kilogram.
(Adopted
by
CGPM

of the

The degree Ce1siu.s (C) is equal

to the kelvin and is used in place
of the kelvin
for expressing
Tot)

5d5 of the krypton-86

atom. (Adopted by I lth CGPM
1960.)
Kilogmn7
(kg)-The
kilogram
is the unit of mass

Sc~nrzci (s)-The
second is the duration
770 periods of the radiation corresponding

to that of a

to the radius

The gray (Gy) is the absorbed

dose when the energy per unit

Celsius

of SI

items added).

Mrfer
cm)-The
meter is the length equal to I 650
763.73
wavelengths
in vacuum of the radiation
corresponding to the transition between the levels 2p I~) and

First and Third

angle

Unit and Definition

nuclear

supplementary

solid

The hrcyuerrl
(Bq) is the activity of a radionuclide
decaying at
the rate of one spontaneous

and its use in precision

with measurements record-

of the original

base and two

equal

ionizing

SI Base Unit Definitions

translations

of the sphere equal

mass

Celsius
Authorized

the

at the center of a sphere. cuts oft

Definitions of SI Derived Units

Having Special Names3

ed under the old definition.

of the seven

cut off on the circumfcrencc

sides of length

1.000 028 dm.

In 1964. the CGPM
withdrew
this
definition
of the liter and declared that liter
was a

units for the

measurements

which

Conference

in 1901 defined

liter as the volume occupied by the mass of 1 kilogram of

pure water at its maximum
density under normal atmospheric

ol

l/683

kPa. The bar is used extensively

by meteorologists.
Another such unit is the gal. equal exactly to an acceleraThese.
involv-

of

is the luminous intensity

a source
that
emits

of frequency

(Hz) and that has a radiant

groups

Intl. Commission
on Radiological Protection
is I J/kg.
Electric

capacitance

The&r&
(F) is the capacitance
of a capacitor between the plates
of which there appears a difference of potential of I V when
it is charged by a quantity
electricity
equal to I C.

of

WE

SI METRIC

SYSTEM

The

Electric
conductance

Electric

Electric

Electric

& SPE METRIC

siemens

conductance

inductance

potential

difference,
tromotive

OF UNITS

elecforce

resistance

(S) is the electric

the force exerted

of

of current

which

a current

duced

by

a conductor
of

in

1 A is pro-

an electric

Power

electromotive

represents
a rate
transfer of I J/s.

Electric

ly at a rate of 1 A/s.
The volr (V) is the difference

quantity of
electricity

electric

potential

1 V

between

is

of

points of a conductor carrying a

constant current of 1 A when the
power dissipated between these
points is equal to 1 W.
The ohm (Q) is the electric
between

two points of

when a constant

the

source

of

charge,

dif-

any

elec-

No other SI derived
names at this time.

APPENDIX

is that

force

always

capitalized.

which

phenomenon

the period

of

is 1 second.

The Iu.r (Ix) is the illuminance

produced by a luminous flux of I
Im uniformly
distributed
over a
surface of I m2
The lumen

(Im)

is the luminous

flux emitted in a solid angle of 1

sr by a point source having
a
uniform intensity of 1 cd.
Magnetic

flux

The ember,

is the magnetic

flux that, liriking

a circuit

of one

turn,
produces
in it an electromotive
force of 1 V as it is
reduced to zero at a uniform rate
in I s.
Magnetic

flux

density
magnetic

induction

The teslu (T) is the magnetic

flux density of 1 Wb/m2.
In an
alternative
approach to defining
the magnetic field quantities the

tesla may also be defined as the

magnetic flux density that produces on a l-m length of wire
carrying

current

of

1 A,

oriented normal to the flux density, a force of 1 N, magnetic

flux density being defined as an
axial vector quantity
such that

names, including

The

prefixes,

are not

degree

short forms

centrigrade

for metric

is now

units are called

unit symbols. They are lower case except that the first
letter is upper case when the unit is named for a person.
to this rule in the U.S.

Examples:

an acceleration of I m/s.
The hertz (Hz) is the frequency
a periodic

special

capitalized
except at the beginning
of a sentence or in
titles.
Note
that for
degree
Celsius
the word
degree
is lower case; the modifier
Celsius
is

that, when applied

to a body
having a mass of 1 kg. gives it

of

units have been assigned

C3**

Capitals. I/nits-Unit

(An exception
liter.)

(N)

to 1

Rules for Writing Metric Quantities

distance

nr~r~~

is equal

Style Guide for Metric Usage

obsolete.
Symbols-The

The

(C),

A.s.

tromotive
force.
The joule (J) is the work done
when the point of application
of
a force of 1 N is displaced
a
of 1 m in the direction

(Pa) is the pressure

the coulomb

two

of the force.

flux

energy

The pascul

being

Luminous

of

or stress of I Nim2.
Electric
charge is the time integral of electric current; its unit,

of

produces in this conductor a current of I A, this conductor

not

Illuminance

wutt (W) is the power that

The

Pressure or stress

force

ference of potential of I V, applied between these two points,

Frequency

and the

produced when the electric current in the circuit varies uniform-

resistance

Force

on an element

is equal to the vector

product of this element

magnetic flux density.

potential

difference
of 1 V.
The hpn~l (H) is the inductance
of a closed circuit in which an

a conductor

Energy

58-l 1

STANDARD

is the symbol

Unit Name

Unit Symbol

meter**

mm
newton
Pascal

L for

Pa

Printed unit symbols should

ters, because italic (sloping

have Roman (upright)

letor slanted) letters are re-

served

such as m for mass and L

for quantity

for length.
Prejx Symbols-All
pronunciation

symbols,
prefix

names, their symbols,

are listed in Table

I .4. Notice

and

that the top

five are upper case and all the rest lower case.
The importance of following
the precise use of uppercase and lower-case
amples

of prefixes

letters is shown by the following

ex-

and units.

G for giga; g for gram.

K for kelvin;
k for kilo.
M for mega; m for milli.
N for newton; n for nano.
T for tera: t for tonne (metric
information
Prefixes

ton).

Processing-Limited

and unit symbols

Character

retain their

prescribed

Setsforms

regardless of the surrounding

typography,
except
systems with limited character sets. IS0 has provided
standard
for
such
systems;
this
standard

for
a
is

recommended.

Plurals and Fractions.

Names

plurals in the usual manner,

siemens.

of SI units

except

for lux,

The spellings metre and l~tre are preferred by IS0 but meter
ottlclal u s QcNernmenl spelhngs.

form
hertz,

their
and

and liter are

PETROLEUM

58-12

Values less than one take the singular form of the unit
name; for example, 0.5 kilogram or % kilogram.
While
decimal

notation

(0.5, 0.35,

the most simple

fractions

where the denominator

Symbols
of units
plural-e.g.,

6.87) is generally
are acceptable,

preferred,

Compound Units. For a unit name (not a symbol)

derived as a quotient (e.g., for kilometers

per hour), it is
preferable not to use a slash (/) as a substitute for per

except

singular

understood.
Avoid other mixtures of words and symbols.
Examples:
Use meter per second, not m/s. Use only one

and

where space is limited

per

I m and 100 m.

in any combination

ond squared,

Periods. A period is nof used after a symbol,

except at
current of 1.5 mA is

Examples:

found..

measured

350x

The

field

125 m.

ty;

W/m/K.

overlooked).
seven five

decimal

Example:
The oral
is written 0.75 or 0,75.

sign

expression

will

be

counting

from

the

examples
For a unit

point

decimal

marker.

A comma

should not be used between the groups of three9 ; instead, a space is left to avoid confusion, since the comma
is the IS0 standard for the decimal marker.
In a four-digit
number, the space is not required unless
the four-digit
number is in a column with numbers of
five digits or more:

For

4,720,525

write

4 720 525

For
For
For

0.52875
6,875
0.6875

write
write
write

0.528 75
6875 or 6 875
0.6875 or
0.687

for

milligram.
When a symbol

letters making
kA,

m/s*,

name

time,

not

derived

plane

not kglft3

decimal)

space must be left between

not

a space or a

angle,

up the symbol

to which

the number

or

units,

except

rotation-e.g.,

use

or kg/gal.

not 10 mm/m

the slope is l/l00

or

or 10 m/km.

kiloampere;

a number

W/(m.K),

as a product,

Prefix Usage. General--S1

and

or
mg,

orders

of

it refers, a

and the symbol,

prefixes

magnitude,

thus

should be used to
eliminating

non-

significant
digits and leading zeros in decimal fractions
and providing
a convenient
alternative
to the powersof-10 notation preferred in computation.
For example,
12 300 m (in computations)

follows

m/s/s;

or as a percentage-e.g.,

0.01 or l%,

Spacing. In symbols or names for units having prefixes,

are

are

A quantity that constitutes a ratio of two like quantities

should be expressed as a fraction
(either common or

SI

Examples

whereas

km/h also can

calculations-e.g.,
use 6.2~5,
not 6.2.5.
Do not mix nonmetric units with metric

indicate

name.

language,

The symbol

For a unit symbol derived as a product, use a product

dot-e.g.,
N.m.
For computer
printouts,
automatic
typewriter
work, etc., a dot on the line may be used. Do
not use the product
dot as a multiplier
symbol
for

kg/m3,

no space is left between

in the English

meter or newton-meter,
not newton.meter.
In the case of
the watt hour, the space may be omitted-watthour.

those

the

meter per sec-

hyphen is recommended
but never a product
dot (a
period raised to a centered position)-e.g.,
write newton

Grouping of Numbers. Separate digits into groups of

three,

not be

be written with a negative exponent-e.g.,

km. h - .
Never use more than one slash (/) in any combination
of symbols unless parentheses are used to avoid ambigui-

vent

a faint

only

is used in all languages.

decimal marker9 ; in English-language

documents a dot
on the line is acceptable.
In numbers less than one, a
zero should be written before the decimal sign (to prethat

of units-e.g.,

might

not meter per second per second.

are understood

The Decimal Marker. IS0 specifies the comma as the

and a symbol

For a unit symbol derived as a quotient do not, for example, write k.p.h. or kph for km/h because the first two
km/h

the possibility

HANDBOOK

such as those

is 2, 3, 4, or 5.
are the same in

the end of a sentence.

ENGINEERING

computation

situations);

becomes

0.0123

12.3 km (in non-

hA (12.3 x 10m9 A for

except when the symbol

(such as ) appears in the
superscript
position.
Examples:
455 kHz, 22 mg, 20

computations)
becomes
12.3 nA (in noncomputation
situations).
Selection-When
expressing a quantity by a numerical

mm,

value

lo6

When

N, 30 K, 20C.
a quantity

is used as an adjective,

a hyphen

should be used between the number and the symbol (except C). Examples: It is a 35-mm film; the film width is
35 mm. I bought a 6-kg turkey; the turkey weighs 6 kg.
Leave a space on each side of signs for multiplication,
division,

addition,

pound symbol.
kg/m3;

and subtraction,

Examples:

volume)-e.g..

M~ZP.P, use the modifier

.rquared or
unit
name
(except
for area and

meter

per second

volume,

place a modifier

derived
meter.

units:-e.g..

For unit symbols.

cm3.

a com-

N.m.

Powers.
For unit
cubed
after
the

lowed

except within

4 cm x 3 m (not 4 cm X 3 m);

by the power

squared.

For area or

before the unit name. including

cubic
write

meter

and watt

the symbol

superscript-e.g.,

per square

for the unit

fol-

14 m and 26

and a unit,

prefixes

should

be chosen

so that the

numerical value lies between 0.1 and 1000. Generally,

prefixes
representing
steps of 1000 are recommended
(avoiding hecto, deka, deci, and centi). However,
some
situations may justify deviation
from the above:
1. In expressing units raised to powers (such as area,
volume and moment) the prefixes hecto, deka, deci, and
centi may be required-e.g.,
volume and cm4 for moment.
2. In tables
discussion
of
generally

cubic

centimeter

for

of values of the same quantity,

or in a
such values within
a given context,
it

is preferable

to use the same unit

multiple

throughout.
3. For certain quantities in particular applications,
one
certain multiple
is used customarily;
an example is the
millimeter
in mechanical
engineering
drawings,
even
when the values
mm.
Powers

lie far outside

of Units-An

the range of 0.1 to 1000

exponent

attached

to a symbol

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

containing
a prefix indicates that the multiple
or submulripie of the unit (the unit with its prefix) is raised to
the power expressed by the exponent. For example,
=(10p2m)3
=(10P9s)
-1

= 10 -6,3
=109s-

1 mm*/s

=(10-m)2/s

= 10-5m2/s

Pre$xes-Double

or multiple

Equations. When customary

units appear in equations,

the SI equivalents should be omitted. Instead of inserting
the latter in parentheses, as in the case of text or small
tables,

1 cm3
1 ns-

Double

58-13

the equations

should

be restated

using

SI unit

symbols,
or a sentence, paragraph,
or note should be
added stating the factor to be used to convert
the

prefixes

calculated
units.

result

in customary

units to the preferred

SI

should

not be used. For example,

Pronunciation

of Metric Terms

use GW (gigawatt),

not LMW;

The

use pm (picometer),

not ppm;

known and uniformly

described in U.S. dictionaries,
but
four have been pronounced
in various ways. The follow-

use Gg (gigagram),
not Mkg;
use 13.58 m, not 13 m 580 mm.
Prefix

Mixtures-Do

not

use a mixture

candela

of prefixes

joule

Pascal

tain a numerical value of convenient

size. Examples of
some of these rare exceptions
are shown in the tables
contained in these standards.
Prefixes may be applied to the numerator
unit;

thus, megagram

per cubic

of a com-

meter (Mg/m3),

but not kilogram per cubic decimeter (kg/dm3)

nor gram
per cubic centimeter
(g/cm3).
Values required outside
the range of the prefixes

should be expressed

of 10 applied to the base unit.

Unit of Mass-Among
the

base

by powers

units

of

SI,

the

The preferred

pronunciation

siemens

syllable.
Pronounce

For pronunciation

of unit prefixes,

superscripts should be typed

ventional
keyboard.
With

on a machine
an

However,

names of decimal

multiples

Prefises

Alone-Do

not

use

prefix

unit-e.g.,
use kilogram,
not kilo.
Calculations-Errors
in calculations
if, instead of using
derived

prefixes,

without

minus sign can be raised to the

by rolling the platen half a space

before

numeral,

typing

terference

the

with

using

notation-e.g.,

1 MJ=

values in

lo6 J.

in a prefix

is omitted:

meaning

letters available

megohm,

to

avoid

in-

work,

it is useful

on the typewriter.

for units are to be typed properly,

to

If all SI

a key with the

Greek lower-case
p (pronounced
mew.
not
is necessary, since this is the symbol for micro.
one millionth.

The symbol

can be approximated

the unit name in full.

For units of electricity,
(Q) for ohm also will

Spelling of Vowel Pairs. There are three cases where

the final vowel

symbols

care

the text in the line above.

on a conventional
machine by using a lower-case u and
adding the tail by hand (p). A third choice is to spell out

can be minimized
numerical

a con-

keyboard.

numerals
and the
superscript
position

upright
*moo)

the base and the coherent

SI units are used, expressing

powers-of-10

and

by attaching

1.4.

with

ordinary

have Greek

submultiples
of the unit of mass are formed
prefixes to the word gram.

see Table

Typewriting Recommendations
Superscripts. The question arises of how numerical

Special Characters. For technical

coherence.)

rhymes

it like sea,nerl .r.

for mass (See Appendices

of

is well

with rascal. An acceptable second

choice puts the accent on the second

kilogram
is the only one whose name, for historical
reasons, contains a prefix; it is also the coherent SI unit
A and B for discussions

names

Accent on the second syllable and

pronounce
it like de/l.
Pronounce
it to rhyme with pool.

Compound
Units--It
is preferable
that prefixes not be
used in the denominators
of complex units, except for
kilogram (kg) which is a base unit. However,
there are
cases where the use of such prefixes is necessary to ob-

of the unit

are recommended:

is acceptable.

pound

of most

ing pronunciations

unless the difference

in size is extreme.
For example,
use 40 mm wide and 1500 mm long, not 40 mm wide
and 1.5 m long; however,
1500 m of 2-mm-diameter
wire

pronunciation

kilohm,

and hectare. In all other cases, both vowels are retained

and both are pronounced.
No space or hyphen should be

the Greek

be useful;

upper-case

omega

when it is not available,

the word ohm

can be spelled out.
It is fortunate that, except for the more extensive use
of the Greek p for micro and Q for ohm, the change to SI
units causes
preparation.

no

additional

difficulty

in

manuscript

used.

The Letter for Liter. On most U.S. typewriters,

Complicated Expressions. To avoid ambiguity
plicated

expressions,

symbols

are preferred

in com-

over words.

little

difference

the numerical

between
one

the lower-case

(1).

cl

The European

there is
(I)
and

symbol

for

Attachment.

liter is a simple upright

bar; the Canadians I3 used a
script P but now have adopted the upright capital L; AN-

giving

SI now recommends

Attachment
of letters to a unit symbol for
information
about the nature of the quantity is in-

correct: MWe for megawatts

electrical (power), kPag
for kilopascais
gauge (pressure),
Paa for pascals absolute (pressure),
ceptable.

If the context

supplementary
making

and Vat

is in doubt

descriptive

the meanings

for volts

clear.

phrases

ac are not ac-

on any units used,

should

be added

to

the upright

Typewriter Modification.
thllowing

symbols

superscripts
micro;
symbols

could

capital

Where

L.

frequently

be included

and for squared and cubed;

for degree;
derived

. for a product

as a product;

used, the

on typewriters:
Greek p for

dot (not a period)

and Greek

Q for ohm.

for

58-l 4

PETROLEUM

A special type-ball
Q, and
vailable

that contains

other characters
used
for some typewriters.

replaceable

character

all the superscripts,

FL,

in technical
reports is
Some machines
have

Where

of the symbols m, n. and

that these three symbols be written

to resemble

printing.

For example.

The symbol

p should have a long distinct

form

are quicker

write

(not sloping

Shorthand. Stenographers
generally

places are shown,

more

is not warranted.

The following

Longhand. To assure legibility

have the upright

than six decimal

HANDBOOK

is a further

example

of the use of Table

1.7.

keys.

p. it is recommended

fewer

precision

ENGINEERING

will

to write

nm, not ,I~,,.

tail and should

or italic).

To Convert

From

pound-force

per

To

Multiply

By

square foot
pound-force
per

Pa

4.788

square inch
inch

Pa
m

6.894 757 E+03

2.540*
E-02

026 E+OI

find that the SI symbols

than the shorthand

forms

These conversions

mean that

for the unit names.

I Ibf/ft

APPENDIX D
General Conversion

I inch becomes

1.7 is intended

1. To
mcasurc

m&c
units.
the fundamental
Relationships
arc

the

that are not followed

result

prcssions

of

of

physical
tnultiplying

and metric

by an astcrlsk

measurements
factors

measurements

or miscellaneous

numbers

units of
coherent

Relationships
that are exact in terms of
SI unit arc followed
by an asterisk.

appmximatc.
2. To provide
2encral

to serve two purposes:

express the definitions

of general
ah exact
numerical
multiples
of

given
units

either

or arc only

for converting

cx-

by

and

numbers

to corresponding

0.0254

m (exactly).

The unit symbol for pound-force

sometimes is written Ibf
and sometimes lb, or lb/: the form Ibf is recommended.

Organization
The conversion

factors generally

arc liatcd alphabetically

by units having
specific
names and compound
units
derived from these specific units. A number of units
starting with the pound
p section of the list.
Conversion

new

listed

units.

26 Pa,

becomes 6894.757 Pa or
6.894 757 kPa, and

Factors

General
Table

becomes 47.880

I Ibf/in.

be

symbol

(lb)

factors classified

in Refs.

by physical

alphabetical

examples follow.
I. Find the conversion

factor

factors are written

as a number

(B/D)/psi

Convert

one and less than

IO, with

(i.e..

seven or fewer

decimal

places

(E-01)

Each number

is fol-

substitute

six or fewer

total digits).

lowed by the letter E (for exponent),

a plus or minus
symbol, and two digits that indicate the power of 10 by
which the number must be multiplied
to obtain the correct value.

list by substitution

to (mj/d)/Pa.
m/d

[ 1.589 873 (E-01)]/]6.894

=2.305

arc

units. Two

for productivity
1 B/D

to

7.57 (E+03)

in&x,
I.589

873

Pa. Then.

757 (E-03)]

916 (E-OS)

(m3/d)/Pa.

For example,
2. Find the
MJim. Convert

0.035 239 07.

Similarly,

1.609 344 (E+03)

Then. substitute

3.386

of converted

and I psi to 6.894

or

3.523

quantities

The conversion
factors for other compound
units can
generated
easily
from
numbers
given
in the

Notation

than

In the

3 and 4.

Conversion
factors are presented for ready adaptation to
computer readout and electronic data transmission.
The
equal to or greater

arc located

907 (E-02)

389 (E+03)

is 3.523

is 3.386

907~

389~

IO-

I ii to 3.048*

[I.609

344 (E+03)]

18.896 444 (E+03)]

+[3.048
(E-O])]

3 386.389.

the conversion

m; and

(*) after the numbers

factor

is exact

(E-01)

m.

IO3

or

An asterisk

conversion
factor
for tonf.mile/ft
to
I tonf to 8.896 444 (E+03)
N: 1 mile to

shown

indicates

that

=4.697

322 (E+07)

(N.m)/m

=4.697

322 (E+Ol)

MJim.

or J/m

and that all subsequent

digits (for rounding purposes) are zero. All other conversion factors have been rounded to the figures given in ac-

When conversion
factors for complex compound units
are being calculated
from Table I .7. numerical uncer-

cordance

tainties

with procedures

outlined

in the preceding

text.

may

significant)
Based on ASTM Pub E380-82 @?I 3), values Of COelSlO IaCtOrs tabulated
herewth are identical with those in E380-82, generally slm~far material IS found m
Ref 4 Conversion values in earlier edltlons of E 380 (for example E 380.74) are
based on Ref 15 wh,ch has available some faclors w,,h more than seven d,g,,s

already
Mechtly
\cvcn

be present
digit

in the seventh

of the answer

(or lesser

last

because of roundings

taken for the last digit of tabulated

values.
provides
conversion
factors of more than
digits

for certain

quantities.

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

58-15

TABLE 1.7-ALPHABETICAL
LIST OF UNITS
(symbols of SI units given in parentheses)
To Convert From

To

Multiply By

abampere
abcoulomb
abfarad
abhenry
abmho

ampere (A)
coulomb (C)
farad (F)
henry (H)
siemens (S)

1.O
1.O
1.O
1.0
1.O

E+Ol
E+Ol
E+O9
E-09
E+09

abohm
abvolt
acrefoot (U.S. survey)
acre (U.S survey)
ampere hour

ohm (0)
volt (V)
meter3 (m3)
mete? (m)
coulomb (C)

1.0
1.0
1.233489
4.046 873
3.6

E-09
E-08
E+03
E + 03
E+03

are
angstrom
astronomical unit
atmosphere (standard)
atmosphere (technical = 1 kgf/cm2)

meter* (m2)
meter (m)
meter (m)
Pascal (Pa)
Pascal (Pa)

1.O
1.O
1.495979
1.013250
9.806 650

E+02
E-10
E+ll
E+05
E + 04

bar
barn
barrel (for petroleum, 42 gal)
board foot

Pascal (Pa)
meter* (m*)
meter3 (m)
meter3 (m)

1.O
1.O
1.589873
2.359 737

E+05
E-28
E-01
E - 03

Elntish thermal
Bntish thermal
Bntish thermal
Bntish thermal
Bntish thermal
Bntlsh thermal

joule
loule
joule
joule
joule
joule

1.055 056
1.05587
1.054 350
1.05967
1.05480
1.05468

E + 03
E+03
E + 03
E+03
E+03
E+03

watt per meter kelvin [W/(mK)]

1.730 735

E f 00

watt per meter kelvin [W/(mK)]

1.729 577

E + 00

watt per meter kelvin [W/(m.K)]

1.442 279

E ~ 01

watt per meter kelvin [Wl(m.K)]

1.441 314

E-01

watt per meter kelvin [W/(m.K)]

5.192 204

E +02

unit
unit
unit
unit
umt
unit

(International Table)
(mean)
(thermochemical)
(39F)
(59F)
(60F)

Btu (International Table)-fV(hr-ft2-F)

(thermal conductlvrty)
Btu (thermochemical)-ft/(hr-ft*-OF)
(thermal conductlvtty)
Btu (International Table)-m.i(hr-R*-F)
(thermal conductlvrty)
Btu (thermochemical)-in.(hr-RZ-F)
(thermal conductivity)
Btu (International Table)-in.i(s-Hz-F)
(thermal conductivity)
Btu (thermochemical)-in./(s-f12-F)
(thermal conductlvily)

(J)
(J)
(J)
(J)
(J)
(J)

watt per meter kelvin [Wl(m.K)]

5.188 732

E+02

B1u (International Table)/hr

Btu (thermochemical)/hr
Btu (thermochemical):mm
Btu (thermochemical)%

watt(W)
watt (W)
watt(W)
watt (W)

2.930711
2.928 751
1.757250
1.054350

E-01
E - 01
E+Ol
E+03

Btu
Btu
Btu
Btu
Btu

(International Table)ift?
(thermochemlcai)ifV
(thermochemical)i(ft*-hr)
(thermochemical)i(H2-min)
(thermochemical)i(ft*-s)

joule per meter2 (Jim*)

joule per meter2 (Jim*)
watt per mete? (W/ml)
watt per meter2 (W/m)
watt per mete? (W/m*)

1.135653
1.134893
3.152481
1.891 489
1.134893

E+04
E+04
E-00
E + 02
E+04

Btu (thermochemical)/(irxZ-s)
Btu (International Table)I(hr-V-OF)
(thermal conductance)
Btu (thermochemical)i(hr-V-OF)
(thermal conductance)
Btu (International Table)i(s-R*-F)
Btu (thermochemical)@tt*-OF)

watt per mete? (W/m)

1.634 246

E + 06

watt per meter* kelvin [W/(m.K)]

5.678 263

E + 00

watt per meter* kelvin [W/(m*.K)]

watt per meter* kelvin [W/(m*.K)]
watt per meter2 kelvin [W/(m.K)]

5.674 466 E + 00
2.044 175 E + 04
2.042 808 E + 04

Btu (International Table)ilbm

Btu (thermochemical):lbm
Btu (International Table)i(lbm-F)
(heat capacity)
Btu (thermochemical)i(lbm-F)
(heat capaaty)

joule per kilogram (J/kg)

joule per kilogram (J/kg)

2.326
2.324 444

E+03
E + 03

joule per kilogram kelvin [J/(kg.K)]

4.186 8

E+03

joule per ktlogram kelvin [J/(kgeK)]

4.184 000

E +03

Fence 1893 the U S bass 01 length measurement has been dewed IrOm metric standards In 1959 a small rellnement was made I the defimlmn of the yard to resolve
d,screpanc,es both I this country and abroad. which changed ,ts length from 3600 3937 m lo 0 9144 m exactly This resulted I the new value being shorter by two parts I a
rrvlnn At the same time it was deaded that any data r leet derived from and publIshed as a result of geodetic surveys withm the U S would wna~n with the old standard
(1 f, = ,200 3937 m) unt,l further dec,s,on Th,s loot IS named the U S suvey loot As a result, all U S land measurements I U S. cstoma~ 1,s WIIIrelate tothe meter by the
old standard All the mnvers~on factors I these tables for umts relerenced to thus loatnote are based on the U.S survey foot. ratherthaiihe
inlernatu,nal loot Con&on
Iactors for me land measure glen below may be delemned
from the loltowlng relatlonships
1 league = 3 miles (exactly)
1 rod = 16~ fl (exactly]
1 chain = 66 fl (exactly)
1 SectIon
1 sq mile
1 townsh,p = 36 sq m,les
@This value was adopted m 1956. Some of the older lnlernatlonal

Tables use Ihe value 1 055 D4 E + 03 The exact con~ers!on factor IS 1 055 055 852 62 E + 03

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

58-16

HANDBOOK

TABLE 1.7-ALPHABETICAL
LIST OF UNITS (continued)
(symbols of SI units given in parentheses)
To

To Convert From

Multiply By

bushel
caliber
calorie
calorie
calorie

(U.S.)
(inchj
(International Table)
(mean)
(thermochemical)

mete? (ml)
meter (m)
joule (J)
joule (J)
joule (J)

3.523 907
2.54
4.1868
4.19002
4.184

E - 02
E-02
E+OO
E+OO
E+OO

calorie
calorie
calorie
calorie
calorie

(15C)
(20C)
(kilogram, International Table)
(kilogram, mean)
(kilogram, thermochemical)

joule
joule
joule
joule
joule

(J)
(J)
(J)
(J)
(J)

4.185 80
4.181 90
4.186 8
4.190 02
4.184

E+OO
E+OO
E+03
E+03
E+03

joule
joule
joule
joule
joule

per
per
per
per
per

4.184
4.186
4.184
4.186 8
4.184

E+04
E+03
E+03
E+03
E+03

cal
cal
cal
cal
cal

(thermochemical)/cm*
(International Table)/g
(thermochemical)ig
(International Table)/(gX)
(thermochemical)/(gX)

meter* (J/m)
kilogram (J/kg)
kilogram (J/kg)
kilogram kelvin [Jl(kgK)]
kilogram kelvin [J/(kg.K)]

cal (thermochemical)imin
cal (thermochemical)is
cal (thermochemical)/(cmz.min)
cal (thermochemical)/(cm**s)
cal (thermochemical)~(cm+C)
capture unit (cu. = 10m3cm-)

watt (W)
watt (W)
watt per meter (W/m*)
watt per mete? (W/m2)
watt per meter kelvin [W/(m.K)]
per meter (m-l)

6.973 333
4.184
6.973 333
4.184
4.184
1.O

E - 02
E+OO
E + 02
E+O4
E+02
E-01

carat (metric)
centimeter of mercury (0C)
centimeter of water (4C)
centipoise
centistokes

kilogram (kg)
Pascal (Pa)
Pascal (Pa)
Pascal second (Pas)
mete? per second (m*/s)

2.0
1.33322
9.806 38
1.O
1.O

E-04
Et03
E + 01
E-03
E-06

circular mil
cl0
cup
curie
cycle per second

mete? (m2)
kelvin mete? per watt [(Km*)/W]
meteP (m3)
becquerel (Bq)
hertz (Hz)

5.067 075
2.003 712
2.365 882
3.7
1 .O

E - 10
E-01
E - 04
Et10
E+OO

day (mean solar)

day (sidereal)
degree (angle)

second (s)
second (s)
radian (rad)

8.640 000
8.616 409
1745329

E + 04
E+04
E-02

degree
degree
degree
degree
degree

kelvin (K)

T, = T,c + 273.15

degree Celsius
kelvin (K)
kelvin (K)

r, = (T, - 32)11.8
T, = (T, + 459.67)/1.8

Celsius
centigrade (see degree Celsius)
Fahrenheit
Fahrenheit
Rankine

r, = J41.8

Fshr-ft2/Btu(International Table)
(thermal resistance)
F.hr-ftVBtu (thermochemical)
(thermal resistance)
denier
dyne
dynecm
dyne/cm2
electronvolt

kelvin mete? per watt [(Km*)/W]

1.781 102 E-01

kelvin meter per watt [(K.m*)IW]

kilogram per meter (kg/m)
newton (N)
newton meter (N.m)
Pascal (Pa)
joule (J)

1.762 250
1.111 111
1.O
1.O
1.O
1.602 19

E - 01
E-07
E-05
E-07
E-01
E-19

EMU
EMU
EMU
EMU
EMU

of
of
of
of
of

capacitance
current
electric potential
inductance
resistance

farad (F)
ampere (A)
volt (V)
henry U-V
ohm (0)

1.O
1.O
1.O
1.O
1.O

E+O9
E+Ol
E-08
E-09
E-09

ESU
ESU
ESU
ESU
ESU

of
of
of
of
of

capacitance
current
electnc potential
inductance
resistance

farad (F)
ampere (A)
volt (V)
henry 0-U
ohm (0)

1.112650
3.335 6
2.997 9
8.987554
8.987 554

E-12
E- 10
E+02
E+ll
E + 11

erg
erg/cm%
erg/s
faraday (based on carbon-l 2)
faraday (chemical)
faraday (physical)
fathom
fermi (femtometer)
fluid ounce (U.S.)

joule (J)
watt per meter* (W/m>)
watt (W)
coulomb (C)
coulomb (C)
coulomb (C)
meter (m)
meter (m)
meter (m3)

1.o
1.O
1.O
9.648
9.649
9.652
1.828
1.o
2.957

E-07
E-03
E-07
E + 04
E + 04
E+04
E+OO
E-15
E - 05

foot
foot (U.S. survey)1

meter (m)
meter (m)

3.048
3.048 006

70
57
19
8
353

E-01
E -01

58-17

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

TABLE 1.7-ALPHABETICAL
LIST OF UNITS (continued)
(symbols of SI units given in parentheses)
To

To Convert From

Multiply By

Pascal (Pa)
meter2 (m)
mete? per second (m*is)
meter? per second (mis)

2.988
9.290
2.580
9.290

98
304
640
304

E +03
E - 02
E - 05
E - 02

mete?
mete?
mete?
mete?

2.831
4.719
2.831
8.630

685
474
685
975

E - 02
E -04
E -02
E -03

footcandle
footlambert

meter per second (m/s)

meter per second (m/s)
meter per second (m/s)
meter per second2 (misz)
Iux (lx)
candela per meter2 (cdim2)

8.466 667
5.080
3.048
3.048
1.076391
3.426 259

E - 05
E-03
E-01
E-01
E+Ol
E + 00

ft-lbf
ft-lbf/hr
ft-lbfimin
ft-lbf/s
ft-poundal
free fall, standard (g)

joule (J)
watf (W)
watt (wj
watt (W)
joule (J)
meter per second (m/s)

1.355818
3.766 161
2.259 697
1.355818
4.214 011
9.806 650

E+OO
E -04
E - 02
E+OO
E -02
E + 00

cm/s?
qallon (Canadian liquid)
gallon (U.K. liquid)
gallon (U.S. dry)
gallon (US liquid)
gal (U.S. liquid)iday
gal (US. liquid)/min
gal (U.S. liquid)/hphr
(SFC, specific fuel consumption)

meter per second2 (m/s)

mete? (m3)
mete? (m3)
mete? (m3)
mete? (mJ)
mete? per second (mVs)
mete? per second (m%)

1.O
4.546 090
4.546 092
4.404 884
3.785412
4.381 264
6.309 020

E-02
E - 03
E - 03
E - 03
E-03
E - 08
E - 05

mete? per joule (mYJ)

1.410089

E-09

gamma (magnetic field strength)

gamma (magnetic flux density)
gauss
gilbert
gill (U.K.)
gill (U.S.)

ampere per meter (Aim)

tesla (T)
tesla (T)
ampere (A)
mete? (m3)
mete? (ma)

7.957 747
1.O
1.o
7.957 747
1.420 654
1.182941

E - 04
E-09
E-04
E - 01
E - 04
E-04

grad
grad
grain (117000 Ibm avoirdupois)
grain (Ibm avoirdupoisi7000)lgaI
(U.S. liquid)

degree (angular)
radian (rad)
kilogram (kg)

9.0
1.570796
6.479 891

E-01
E-02
E - 05

kilogram per mete? (kg/m3)

1.711 806

gram
glcm3
gram-force/cm2
hectare
horsepower (550 ft-lbfis)

kilogram (kg)
kilogram per mete? (kg/m3)
Pascal (Pa)
meter* (m2)
watt (W)

1.O
E-03
1.O
Et03
9.806 650 E + 01
1.O
E+04
7.456 999 E + 02

horsepower
horsepower
horsepower
horsepower
horsepower

watt
watt
watt
watt
watt

9.809 50
7.460
7.354 99
7.460 43
7.457 0

foot of water (39.2F)

sq ft
ft*/hr (thermal diffusivity)
ftV3

cu ft (volume; section modulus)

ftYmin
W/S

ff (moment of section)@)
fUhr
ft/min
ftk
ft/SZ

(boiler)
(electric)
(metric)
(water)
(U.K.)

(m3)
per second (m1.s)
per second (mVs)
(ml)

(W)
(W)
(W)
(W)
(W)

E-02

E + 03
E+02
E+02
E + 02
E+O2

hour (mean solar)

hour (sidereal)
hundredweight (long)
hundredweight (short)

second (s)
second (s)
kilogram (kg)
kilogram (kg)

3.600
3.590
5.080
4.535

000 E + 03
170 E + 03
235 E + 01
924 E + 01

inch
inch
inch
inch
inch

meter (m)
Pascal (Pa)
Pascal (Pa)
Pascal (Pa)
Pascal (Pa)

2.54
3.386
3.376
2.490
2.488

38
85
82
4

E-02
E + 03
E + 03
E + 02
E+02

sq in.
cu in. (volume; section modulus)i41
in.3/min
in4 (moment of section)13

meter*
meteP
mete?
meteP

6.451
1.638
2.731
4.162

6
706
177
314

E-04
E ~ 05
E-07
E-07

in/s
in .I$
kayser
kelvin

meter per second (m/s)

meter per second* (m/s2)
1 per meter (1 /m)
degree Celsius

of
of
of
of

mercury (32F)
mercury (60F)
water (39.2F)
water (60F)

(m*)
(m)
per second (m%)
(ma)

I31Thus sometimes IS tailed the rrwment of merha of a plane sechon about a spafled
14The exact c~nwrslon factor IS 1.636 706 4E-05

~XIS

2.54
E-02
2.54
E-02
1.O
E+02
T., = T, - 273.15

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

58-18

HANDBOOK

TABLE 1.7-ALPHABETICAL
LIST OF UNITS (continued)
(symbols of SI units given in parentheses)
To

To Convert From

Multiply By

joule (J)
joule (J)
joule (J)
watt (W)
watt (W)

4.186 8
4.190 02
4.184
6.973 333
4.184

kilogram-force (kgf)
kgf.m
kgfs*im (mass)
kgf/cm2
kgf/m*
kgf/mm?

newton (N)
newton meter (N.m)
kilogram (kg)
Pascal (Pa)
Pascal (Pa)
Pascal (Pa)

9.806
9.806
9.806
9.806
9.806
9.806

km/h
kilopond
kilowatthour (kW-hr)
kip (1000 Ibf)
kip/in.* (ksi)
knot (international)

meter per second (m/s)

newton (N)
joule (J)
newton (N)
Pascal (Pa)
meter per second (m/s)

2.777 778 E - 01
9.806 65 E + 00
3.6
E+06
4.448 222 E + 03
6.894 757 E + 06
5.144444
E-01

lambert
lambert
langley
league
light year
IiteV

candela per meteP (cd/m*)

candela per mete? (cd/m*)
joule per mete? (J/mz)
meter (m)
meter (m)
meter-l (ml)

1in
E+04
3.183099
E+03
4.184
E+04
(see Footnote 1)
9.46055
E+15
1.0
E-03

maxwell
mho
microinch
microsecond/foot (@ft)
micron
mil

weber (Wb)
siemens (S)
meter (m)
microsecond/meter (&m)
meter (m)
meter (m)

1.o
1.o
2.54
3.280 840
1.O
2.54

E-08
E+OO
E-08
E + 00
E-06
E-05

mile
mile
mile
mile
mile
mile

meter
meter
meter
meter
meter
meter

1.609 344
1.609 3
1.609 347
1.852
1.853 184
1.852

E + 03
E+03
E + 03
E+03
E+03
E+03
E + 06
E + 06
E-01
E + 00
E +Ol
E+03

kilocalorie
kilocalorie
kilocalorie
kilocalorie
kilocalorie

(International Table)
(mean)
(thermochemical)
(thermochemical)imin
(thermochemical)/s

(international)
(statute)
(U.S. survey))
(international nautical)
(U.K. nautical)
(U.S. nautical)

(m)
(m)
(m)
(m)
(m)
(m)

E+03
E+03
E+03
E + 01
E+03

65 E + 00
65 E + 00
65 E + 00
65 E + 04
65 E + 00
65 E + 06

sq mile (international)
sq mile (U.S. survey)
mileihr (international)
mileihr (international)
mileimin (international)
mile/s (international)

mete? (m2)
mete? (m2)
meter per second (m/s)
kilometer per hour (kmih)
meter per second (m/s)
meter per second (m/s)

2.589
2.589
4.470
1.609
2.682
1.609

millibar
millimeter of mercury (0C)
minute (angle)
minute (mean solar)
mcnute (sidereal)
month (mean calendar)

Pascal (Pa)
Pascal (Pa)
radian (rad)
second (s)
second (s)
second (s)

1.O
1.33322
2.908 882
6.0
5.983617
2.628 000

E+02
E+02
E - 04
E+Ol
E+Ol
E + 06

oersted
ohm centimeter
ohm circular-mil per ft

ampere per meter (A/m)

ohm meter (0.m)
ohm millimeter* per meter
[(0.mm2)m]

7.957 747
1.O

E + 01
E-02

1.662 426

E ~ 03

ounce (avoirdupois)
ounce {troy or apothecary)
ounce (U.K. fluid)
ounce (U.S. fluidj
ounce-force
ozf.in.

kilogram (kg)
kilogram (kg)
meter3 (m)
mete? (m3)
newton (N)
newton meter (N.m)

2.834 952
3.110348
2.841 307
2.957 353
2.780 139
7.061 552

E ~ G2
E-02
E-05
E - 05
E-01
E - 03

oz (avoirdupois)igal (U.K. liquid)

oz (avoirdupois)/qal (U.S. liquid)
oz (avoirdupois)&?
oz (avoirdupois)/fF
oz (avoirdupois)/yd2
parsec
peck (U.S.)

kilogram per
kilogram per
kilogram per
kilogram per
kilogram per
meter (m)
mete? (m3)

6.236 021
7.489 152
1.729994
3.051 517
3.390 575
3.085 678
8.809 768

E + 00
E+OO
E+03
E-01
E - 02
E + 16
E ~ 03

pennyweight
perm (C)@)

kilogram (kg)
kilogram per Pascal second meter*
[kg!(Pas.m2)]

meterj (kg/m>)
metep (kgimJ)
meterj (kg/mJ)
meter2 (kg/m2)
meter (kg/m)

%, 1964 the General Conference on Weights and Measures adopted the name liter as a special name for the c,,blc decr,,eter
slightly (prewous value, 1 WO 028 dm3 and m expression of preclslon volume measurement this lact must be kept I mind
t61Not the sameas resewmr
per,

988
998
4
344
24
344

1.555 174 E-03

5.721 35

E-11

Before ,h,s dec,s,on ,be ,,ter d,f,e,ed

58-19

THE Sf METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

TABLE 1.7-ALPHABETICAL
LIST OF UNITS (continued)
(symbols of SI units given in parentheses)
Multiply By

To Convert From
perm (23C)16
perm.in. (OC)c71
perm.in. (23C)

kilogram per Pascal second mete?

[kg/( Pasm2)]
krlogram per Pascal second meter
[kg/(Pasm)]
kilogram per Pascal second meter
[kmi(Pasm)]

5.74525

E-11

1.45322

E-12

1.459 29

E- 12

phol
oica (orinters)
pint (U.S. dryj
oint (U.S. liauid)
point (printers)
poise (absolute viscosity)

lumen per mete? (lm/m2)

meter (m)
metep (m3)
mete? (m3)
meter (m)
Pascal second (Pas)

1.O
4.217518
5.506 105
4.731 765
3.514 598
1.o

E+04
E-03
E-04
E - 04
E - 04
E-01

pound (lbm avoirdupois)@

pound (troy or apothecary)
Ibm-ftz (moment of Inertia)
Ibm-in.? (moment of inertia)

kilogram
kilogram
kilogram
kilogram

4.535 924
3.732417
4.214 011
2.926 397

E - 01
E-01
E-02
E - 04

Ibmift-hr
lbmift -s
IbmW
Ibm/ft3
Ibm/gal (U.K. liquid)
lbmigal (U.S. liquid)

Pascal second (Pas.)

Pascal second (Pas)
kilogram per mete? (kg/m2)
kilogram per mete? (kg/m3)
kilogram per mete? (kg/m3)
kilogram per meter3 (kg/m3)

4.133 789
1.488 164
4.882 428
1.601 846
9.977 633
1.198264

E -04
E+OO
E + 00
E +Ol
E + 01
E+02

lbmihr
Ibm/(hp hr)
(SFC, specific fuel consumption)
Ibmlin.3
lbmimin
lbmis
Ibm/yd3

kilogram per second (kg/s)

1.259979

E-04

krlogram
krlogram
ktlogram
kilogram
kilogram

1.689
2.767
7.559
4.535
5.932

E - 07
E + 04
E - 03
E - 01
E - 01

poundal
poundalift
poundal-s/R2

newton (N)
Pascal (Pa)
Pascal second (Pas)

1.382 550 E - 01
1.488 164 E+OO
1.488 164 E+OO

pound-force (lbf)91
IbfWO
Ibf-ft:in.J
lbf-in.l
Ibf-rn.:ln.l
Ibf-sift
lbfift
IbfW
Ibfiin.
Ibf/itxz (psi)
lbfllbm (thrust/weight [mass] ratio)

newton (N)
newton meter (N.m)
newton meter per meter [(N-m)/m)]
newton meter (N.m)
newton meter per meter [(N-m)/mj
Pascal second (Pas)
newton per meter (N/m)
Pascal (Pa)
newton per meter (N/m)
Pascal (Pa)
newton per kilogram (N/kg)

4.448 222
1.355818
5.337 866
1.129848
4.448 222
4.788 026
1.459 390
4.788 026
1.751 268
6.894 757
9.806 650

quart (U.S. dry)

quart (U.S. liauid)
rad (radiationdose absorbed)
rhe
rod
roentgen

mete? (m3)
meter3 (m3)
gray (GY)
1 per Pascal second [ 1/(Pas)]
meter (m)
coulomb per kilogram (C/kg)

1.101 221 E-03

9.463 529 E - 04
1.0
E-02
1.O
E+Ol
(see Footnote 1)
2.58
E-04

second (angle)
second (sidereal)
section
shake

radian (rad)
second (s)
meter2 (m*)
second (s)

4.848 137 E -06

9.972 696 E -01
(see Footnote 1)
1.000 000 E - 08

slug
slug/(ft-s)
slug/fV

kilogram (kg)
Pascal second (Pas)
kilogram per metel3 (kg/m3)

1.459 390
4.788 026
5.153 788

E t 01
E t 01
E+02

statampere
statcoulomb
statfarad
stathenry
statmho

ampere (A)
coulomb (C)
farad (F)
henry (H)
sremens (S)

3.335 640
3.335 640
1.112650
8.987 554
1.112650

E 110
E - 10
E-12
E + 11
E-12

statohm
statvolt
stere

ohm (It)
volt (V)
mete? (m)

8.987 554
2.997 925
1.O

Et 11
E + 02
E+OO

Not the same dlmenslons as m#!darcy-foot

01.
BJThe exacf conversion factor IS 4 535 923 7E
lgThe exact conversion factor IS 4 448 221 615 260 5E + 00
@Torque unit. see text dwzusslon of Torque and Bending Moment
Torque dlwded by length see fexf d!scuss!on 01 Torque and Bendmg

Moment

(kg)
(kg)
meter (kg-m)
mete? (kg-m*)

per
per
per
per
per

Joule (kg/J)
mete? (kg/ma)
second (kg/s)
second (kg/s)
meter] (kgim3)

659
990
873
924
764

E + 00
E+OO
E +Ot
E-01
E t 00
E + 01
E t 01
E + 01
Et 02
E + 03
E t 00

58-20

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

HANDBOOK

TABLE 1.7-ALPHABETICAL
LIST OF UNITS (continued)
(symbols of SI units given in parentheses)
To Convert From

To

Multiply By

stilb
stokes (kinematic viscosity)

candela per meter* (cd/m*)

meter* per second (m*/s)

1.O
1.O

E+04
E-04

tablespoon
teaspoon
tex
therm

metef (m3)
mete? (m3)
kilogram per meter (kg/m)
joule (J)

1.470 676
4.928 922
1.O
1.055 056

E - 05
E - 06
E-06
E + 08

ton (assay)
ton (tong, 2,240 Ibm)

kilogram (kg)
kilogram (kg)
kilogram (kg)
joule (J)
watt (W)
metep (m3)

2.916 667
1.016047
1.o
4.184
3.516 800
2.831 685

E-02
E+03
E+03
E+09
E +03
E + 00

ton (short, 2000 Ibm)

ton (long)/ydJ
ton (shott)/hr
ton-force (2000 Ibf)
tonne

kllogram (kg)
kilogram per mete? (kg/m3)
kilogram per second (kg/s)
newton (N)
kilogram (kg)

9.071 847
1.328 939
2.519958
8.896 444
1.O

E + 02
E + 03
E-01
E + 03
E+03

torr (mm Hg, 0C)

township
unit pole
watthour (W-hr)
w.s
W/cm2
W/in.?

Pascal (Pa)
mete? (mz)
weber (Wb)
joule (J)
joule (J)
watt per meter? (W/m)
watt per meter2 (W/m2)

1.33322
E+02
(see Footnote 1)
1.256 637 E - 67
3.60
E+03
1.O
E+OO
1.O
Et04
1.550003
E+03

yard
yd2
Yd3
ydJ/min

meter (m)
mete? (m2)
mete? (m3)
mete? per second (m%)

9.144
8.361 274
7.645 549
1.274 258

E-01
E - 01
E - 01
E - 02

year (calendar)
year (sidereal)
year (tropical)

second (s)
second (s)
second (s)

3.153600
3.155 815
3.155693

Et07
Ei07
E+07

ton
ton
ton
ton

(metric)
(nuclear equivalent of TNT)
(refrigeration)
(register)

2JOet~ned (not measured)

value

APPENDIX E
TABLE 1.8 -

CONVERSION FACTORS FOR THE VARA

Location
Argentina, Paraguay
Cadiz, Chile, Peru
California,
except San Francisco
San Francisco
Central America
Colombia
Honduras
Mexico
Portugal, Brazil
Spain, Cuba, Venezuela, Philippine Islands
Texas
Jan. 26, 1801, to Jan. 27, 1838
Jan. 27, 1838 to June 17, 1919, for
surveys of state land made for Land Office
Jan. 27, 1838 lo June 17, 1919, on private surveys
(unless changed to 33-113 in. by custom arising
to dignity of law and overcoming former law)
June 17, 1919, to present

Value of
Vara in Inches

Conversion Factor,
Varas to Meters

Source

34.12
33.37

8.666
8.476

E-01
E-01

Ref. 16
Ref. 16

33.3720
33.0
33.87
31.5
33.0
43.0
33.38

8.478 49
8.38
8.603
8.00
8.38
8.380
1.09
8.479

E-01
E-01
E-01
E-01
E-01
E-01
Et00
E-01

Ref. 16
Ref. 16
Ref. 16
Ref. 16
Ref. 16
Refs. 16 and 17
Ref. 16
Ref. 17

32.8748

8.350 20

E-01

Ref. 16

33-113

8.466 667

E-01

Ref. 16

32.8748
33-113

8.350 20
8.466 667

E-01
E-01

Ref. 16
Ref. 16

*It IS evident from Ref 16 that accurate defined lengths 01 the vala varied slgnlflcantly, according to hlslotlcal date and localay used
Coers~~s. the user should check Closely lnlo Lhe dale and localIon of the wrveys mvolved, with due regard lo what local ,x,cl,ce
and place
This value quoted horn Websters New lnternakmal D~chona~

For work rqulrlng accura&

may have been at that t,me

58-21

THE St METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

TABLE l.Q-MEMORY

JOGGER-METRIC

UNITS

BallPark Metnc Values;

(Do Not Use As
Conversion Factors)
4000
-i
barrel
British thermal unit
British thermal unit per pound-mass
calorie
centipoise
centistokes
darcy
degree Fahrenheit (temperature difference)
dyne per centimeter
foot
cubic foot (cu ft)
cubic foot per pound-mass (fWbm)
square foot (sq ft)
foot per minute

0.16
1000
1 2300
2.3
4
1
1
1
0.5
1
-i
30
0.3
0.03
0.06
0.1
{

foot-pound-force
foot-pound-force per minute
foot-pound-force per second
horsepower
horsepower, boiler
inch
kilowatthour
mile
ounce (avoirdupois)
ounce (fluid)
pound-force
pound-force per square inch (pressure, psi)
pound-mass
pound-mass per cubic foot
section
ton, long (2240 pounds-mass)
ton, metric (tonne)
ton, short
Exactaqulvalents

0.4

g
1.4
0.02
1.4
750
10
2.5
3.6
1.6
28
30
4.5
7
0.5
16
260
2.6
2.6
1000
1000
900

square meters

hectare
cubic meter
joules
joules per kilogram
kilojoules per kilogram
joules
millipascal-second
square millimeter per second

square micrometer
kelvin
millinewton per meter
centimeters
meter
cubic meter
cubic meter per kilogram
square meter
~i%%&n$%cond
joules
watt
watts
watts (% kilowatt)

kilowatts
centimeters
megajoules
kilometers
grams
cubic centimeters
newtons
kilopascals
kilogram
kilograms per cubic meter
hectares
million square meters
square kilometers
kilograms
kilograms
kilograms

APPENDIX F

Part 2: Discussion of Metric Unit Standards*

Introduction
The standards and conventions shown in Part I are part
of the SPE tentative standards. Table 2. I presents
nomenclature for Tables 2.2 and 2.3. Table 2.2 is a
modified form of a table in API 2564 reflecting SPE
recommendations. Table 2.3 shows a few units commonly used in the petroleum industry that are not shown
in Table 1.7 and 2.2. The columns in these tables are
based on the following.
Quantity and SI Unit. The quantity and the base or
derived SI unit that describes that quantity.
Customary Unit. The unit most commonly used in expressing the quantity in English units.
SPE Preferred. The base or derived SI unit plus the approved prefix, if any, that probably will be used most
Prepared

by John M Campbell

for the subcommftfee

commonly to achieve convenient unit size. Any approved prefix may be used in combination with an approved SI unit without violation of these standards except where otherwise noted.
Other Allowable. A small, selected list of non-3
that are approved temporuril~~ for the convenience
English-metric transition. Use of the allowable
may be discouraged but is not prohibited. Any
tional. non-9 unit not shown is prohibited under
standards.

units

of the
units
tradithese

Conversion Factor. For certain commonly used units, a

conversion factor is shown. The primary purpose in
these tables is to show how the preferrelf metric unit
compares in size with the traditional unit. An effort has
been made to keep the unit sizes comparable to minimize
transition difficulties.

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

58-22

A detailed summary of general conversion factors is

included as Table 1.7 in Part 1 of this report.
The notation for conversion factors in Tables 2.2 and
2.3 is explained in the introduction to Table 1.7.
Fig. 2. I shows graphically how SI units are related in
a very coherent manner. Although it may not be readily
apparent, this internal coherence is a primary reason for
adoption of the metric system of units.
The SPE Metrication Subcommittee is endeavoring to
provide SPE members with all information needed on the
International System of Units and to provide tentative
standards (compatible with SI coherence, decimal, and
other principles) for the application of the SI system to
SPE fields of interest. The tentative SPE standards are
intended to reflect reasonable input from many sources,
and we solicit your positive input with the assurance that
all ideas will receive careful consideration.

Review of Selected Units

Certain of the quantities and units shown in Tables 2.2
and 2.3 may require clarification of usage (see also the
notes preceding Tables 2.2 and 2.3).

HANDBOOK

(a). Note that (a) is used as the abbreviation for year (annum) instead of (yr). The use of the minute as a &me unit
is discouraged because of abbreviation
problems. It
should be used only when another time unit is absolutciy
inappropriate.
Date and Time Designation
The Subcommittee proposes to recommend a standard
date and time designation to the American Nat]. Standards Inst., as shown below. This form already has been
introduced in Canada.
76

year

10

month

03

16

24

hour
minute
day
(76-IO-03-16:24: 14)

I4

second

The sequence is orderly and easy to remember: only

needed portions of the sequence would be used - most
documents would use the first three. No recommendation has been made for distinguishing the century, such
as 1976 vs. 1876 vs. 2076.

Time

Area

Although second(s) is the base time unit, any unit of time

may be used - minute (min), hour(h), day (d), and year

The hectare (ha) is allowable but its use should be confined to large areas that describe the area1 extent of a por-

TABLE 2.1 -NOMENCLATURE

Unit
Symbol
A
4
bar
C
cd
C
d
F
GY

H
h
Hz
ha
J
K
kg
kn
L
Im
IX

min
N

naut. mile
R
Pa
rad
S
s
sr
T
v
W

Wb

Quantitv

Name
ampere
annum (year)
becquerel
bar
coulomb
candela
degree Celsius
degree
day

farad
gray
gram
henry

hour
hertz
hectare
joule
kelvin
kilogram
knot
liter
lumen
Iux
meter
minute
minute
newton
U.S. nautical mile
ohm
Pascal
radian
siemens
second
second
steradian
tesla

tonne
volt
watt
weber

electric current
time
activity (of radionuclides)

pressure
quantity of electricity
luminous intensity
temperature
plane angle
time
electric capacitance
absorbed dose
mass
inductance
time
frequency
area
work, energy
temperature
mass
velocity
volume
luminous flux
illuminance
length
time
plane angle
force
length
electric resistance
pressure
plane angle
electrical conductance
time
plane angle
solid angle
magnetic flux density
mass
electric potential
power
magnetic flux

FOR TABLES 2.2 AND 2.3

Tvpe of Unit
base SI unit
allowable (not official SI) unit
derived SI unit = l/s
allowable (not official SI) unit,
derived SI unit, = 1 As
base SI unit
derived SI unit = 1.0 K
allowable (not official SI) unit
allowable (not officialSI) unit,
derived SI unit, = 1 A.sN
derived SI unit, = J/kg
allowable (not official SI) unit,
derived SI unit, = 1 Vs/A
allowable (not official SI) unit,
derived SI unit, = 1 cycle/s
allowable (not official SI) unit,
derived SI unit, = 1 N.m
base SI unit
base SI unit
allowable (not official Sl) unit,

= lo5 Pa

= 24 hours
= 10~3 kg
= 3.6 x 10s
= lo4 m2

= 5.144 444 x 10-j m/s

= 1.852 km/h
allowable (not official Sl) unit, = 1 dm3
derived SI unit, = 1 cd.sr
derived SI unit, = 1 Im/mZ
base SI unit
allowable (not official SI) unit
Allowable cartography (not official SI) unit
derived SI unit, = 1 kg,m/s2
allowable (not official SI) unit, = 1.652 x lo3 m
derived SI unit, = 1 V/A
derived SI unit, = 1 N/m*
supplementary SI unit
derived SI unit, = 1 AN
base SI unit
allowable cartography (not official 9) unit
supplementary SI unit
derived SI unit, = 1 Wb/mZ
allowable (not official SI) unit, = lo3 kg = 1 Mg
derived SI unit, = 1 W/A
derived SI unit, = 1 J/s
derived SI unit, = 1 V..s

58-23

THE Sf METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

tion of the earths crust (normally replacing the acre or

section).
Volume
The liter is an allowable unit for small volumes only. It
should be used for volumes not exceeding 100 L. Above
this volume (or volume rate), cubic meters should be
used. The only two prefixes allowed with the liter are
milli and micro:

In the U.S., the -er ending for meter and liter is official. The official symbol for the liter is L. In other
countries the symbol may be written as Y and spelled
out with the -re ending (metre, litre). Since SPE is international. it is expected that members will use local
conventions.
Notice that API barrel or simply barrel disappears as an allowable volume term.

DERIVED UNITS WITH SPECIAL NAMES

BASE UNITS

MASS

HEAT

CONOUCTINCE

ELECTRIC

CURRENT

INDUCTANCE

SUPPLEMENTARY

OENSITV

UNITS

LUMINOUS

SOLID

FLUX

lLLUMlNANCE

ANGLE
SOLID
BROKEN

Fig. Xl-Graphic

LINES

INDICATE

LINES.

MULTIPLICATION.

OIVISION

relationships of SI units with names

FLOW

RATE

PETROLEUM

58-24

ENGINEERING

HANDBOOK

Force

Unit Standards Under Discussion

Any force term will use the newton (N). Derived units
involving force also require the newton. The expression
of force using a mass term (like the kilogram) is absolutely forbidden under these standards.

There are some quantities for which the unit standards

have not been clarified to the satisfaction of all parties
and some controversy remains. These primary quantities
are summarized below.

Mass

Permeability

The kilogram is the base unit, but the gram, alone or

with any approved prefix, is an acceptable SI unit.
For large mass quantities the metric ton (t) may be
used. Some call this tonne: However, this spelling
sometimes has been used historically to denote a regular
short ton (2,000 lbm). A metric ton is also a megagram
(Mg). The terms metric ton or Mg are preferred in text
references.

The SPE-preferred permeability unit is the square

micrometer (pm*). One darcy (the traditional unit)
equals 0.986 923 pm*.
The fundamental SI unit of permeability (in square
meters) is defined as follows: a permeability of one
meter squared will permit a flow of I mis of fluid of
I Pa. s viscosity through an area of I m under a
pressure gradient of 1 Pa/m.
The traditional terms of darcy and millidarcy
have been approved as preferred units of permeability.
Note 11 of Table 2.2 shows the relationships between
traditional and SI units and points out that the units of the
darcy and the square micrometer can be considered
equivalent when high accuracy is not needed or implied.

Energy and Work

The joule (J) is the fundamental energy unit; kilojoules
(kJ) or megajoules (MJ) will be used most commonly.
The calorie (large or small) is no longer an acceptable
unit under these standards. The kilowatthour is acceptable for a transition period but eventually should be
replaced by the megajoule.
Power
The term horsepower disappears as an allowable unit.
The kilowatt (kW) or megawatt (MW) will be the
multiples of the fundamental watt unit used most
commonly.
Pressure
The fundamental pressure unit is the Pascal (Pa) but the
kilopascal (kPa) is the most convenient unit. The bar
(100 kPa) is an allowable unit. The pressure term
kg/cm2 is not allowable under these standards.
Viscosity
The terms poise, centipoise, stokes, and centistokes are
no longer used under these standards. They are replaced
by the metric units shown in Table 2.2.
Temperature
Although it is permissible to use C in text references, it
is recommended that K be used in graphical and
tabular summaries of data.
Density
The fundamental SI unit for density is kg/m3. Use of this
unit is encouraged. However, a unit like kg/L is
permissible.
The traditional term specific gravity will not be
used. It will be replaced by the term relative density.
API gravity disappears as a measure of relative density.
Relative Atomic Mass and Molecular Mass
The traditional terms atomic weight and molecular
weight are replaced in the SI system of units by
relative atomic mass and relative molecular mass,
respectively. See Table 1.6.

Standard Temperature
Some reference temperature is necessary to show certain
properties of materials, such as density. volume. viscosity. and energy level. Historically, the petroleum industry
almost universally has used 60F [15.56C] as this
reference temperature, and metric systems have used
OC, 2OC, and 25C most commonly, depending on
the data and the area of specialty.
API has opted for 15C because it is close to 60F.
ASME has used 20C in some of its metric guides. The
bulk of continental European data used for gas and oil
correlations is at OC, although 15C is used sometimes.
The SPE Subcommittee feels that the choice between
0C and 15C is arbitrary. Tentatively, a standard of
15C has been adopted simply to conform to API standards. It may be desirable to have a flexible temperature
standard for various applications.
Standard Pressure
To date. some groups have opted for a pressure reference
of 101.325 kPa, which is the equivalent of I std atm.
The Subcommittee
considers this an unacceptable
number. Its adoption possesses some short-term convenience advantages but condemns future generations to
continual odd-number conversions to reflect the change
of pressure on properties. It also violates the powersof-10 aspect of the SI system, one of its primary
advantages.
The current SPE standard is 100 kPa and should be
used until further notice. It is our hope that reason will
prevail and others will adopt this standard.
Gauge and Absolute Pressure
There is no provision for differentiating between gauge
and absolute pressure, and actions by international
bodies prohibit showing the difference by an addendum
to the unit symbol. The Subcommittee recommends that
gauge and absolute be shown using parentheses following p:
p=643

kPa,

p(g)=543

kPa

THE SI METRIC

SYSTEM

OF UNITS

& SPE METRIC

STANDARD

[p is found from p(g) by adding actual barometric

pressure. (100 kPa is suitable for most engineering
calculations.)]
In custody transfer the standard pressure will be
specified by contract. Unless there is a special reason not
to do so, the standard pressure will be 100 kPa to
preserve the multiples of ten principle of the metric
system.
Standard pressure normally is defined and used as an
absolute pressure. So, psc = 100 kPa is proper notation.
Absolute pressure is implied if no (g) is added to denote
gauge pressure specifically.
Standard Volumes
Cubic meters at standard reference conditions must be
equated to a term with the standard SC subscript. For
example, for a gas production rate of 1 200 000 m3/d,
write
qx,y,=1.2x

IO6 m3/d or 1.2 (E+06) m3/d

read as 1.2 million cubic meters per day.

If the rate is 1200 cubic meters per day, write

q,,Yc=1.2x103

m3/d.

For gas in place, one could write

G,,=11.0x10*

m3.

Notes for Table 2.2

1. The cubem (cubic mile) is used in the measurement
of very large volumes, such as the content of a
sedimentary basin.
2. In surveying, navigation, etc., angles no doubt will
continue to be measured with instruments that read
out in degrees, minutes, and seconds and need not
be converted into radians. But for calculations involving rotational energy, radians are preferred.
3. The unit of a million years is used in
geochronology. The mega-annum is the preferred
SI unit, but many prefer simply to use mathematical
notation (i.e., X 106).
4. This conversion factor is for an ideal gas.
5. Subsurface
pressures
can be measured
in
megapascals or as freshwater heads in meters. If the
latter approach is adopted, the hydrostatic gradient
becomes dimensionless.
6. Quantities listed under Facility
Throughput,
Capacity are to be used only for characterizing the
size or capacity of a plant or piece of equipment.
Quantities listed under Flow Rate are for use in
design calculations.
7. This conversion factor is based on a density of 1.0
kg/dm 3
8. Seismic velocities will be expressed in km/s.
9. The interval transit time unit is used in sonic logging work.

58-25

10. See discussion of Energy, Torque, and Bending

Moment, Part 1.
11. The permeability conversions shown in Table 2.2
are for the traditional definitions of darcy and
millidarcy.
In SI units, the square micrometer is the preferred
unit of permeability in fluid flow through a porous
medium, having the dimensions of viscosity times
volume flow rate per unit area divided by pressure
gradient, which simplifies to dimensions of length
squared. (The fundamental
SI unit is the square
meter, defined by leaving out the factor of IO-* in
the equation below).
A permeability of 1 pm* will permit a flow of
1 m3/s of fluid of 1 Pa. s viscosity through an area
of 1 m2 under a pressure gradient of lo* Pa/m
(neglecting gravity effects):
I pm2 = lo-* Pa.s [m3/(s.m2)](m/Pa)
= 10 ~ I2 Pa. s(m/s)(mlPa)
= lo-* m2
The range of values in petroleum work is best
served by units of 1O-3 pm2. The traditional
millidarcy (md) is an informal name for 10 -3 pm*,
which may be used where high accuracy is not
implied.
For virtually all engineering
purposes, the
familiar darcy and millidarcy units may be taken to
be equal to 1 pm2 and 10 -3 pm*. respectively.
12. The ohm-meter is used in borehole geophysical
devices.
13. As noted in Sec. 1, the mole is an amount of
substance expressible in elementary entities as
atoms, molecules, ions, electrons. and other particles or specified groups of such particles. Because
the expression kilogram mole is inconsistent
with other SI practices, we have used the abbreviation kmol to designate an amount of substance
which contains as many kilograms (groups of
molecules) as there are atoms in 0.0 12 kg of carbon
12 multiplied by the relative molecular mass of the
substance involved. In effect, the k prefix is
merely a convenient way to identify the type of entity and facilitate conversion from the traditional
pound mole withoutviolating SI conventions.

Notes for Table 2.3

1. The standard cubic foot (scf) and barrel (bbl) rem
ferred to are measured at 60F and 14.696 psia; the
cubic meter is measured at 15C and 100 kPa
(1 bar).
2. The kPa is the preferred SPE unit for pressure. But
many are using the bar as a pressure measurement.
The bar should be considered as a nonapproved
name (or equivalent) for 100 kPa.
3. See discussion of Torque and Bending Moment ,
Part I.

58-26

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

TABLE 2.2-TABLES

OF RECOMMENDED SI UNITS
Metric Unit

Customary
Unit

Quantity and SI Unit

HANDBOOK

SPE
Preferred

Other
Allowable

Conversion Factor
Multiply Customary
Unit by Factor to
Get Metric Unit

SPACE: TIME
m

Length

naut mile

km

1.852

E+00

mile

km

1.809 344*

E + 00

chain

2.011 68

E+Ol

link

2.011 68

E-01
E+OO

fathom

1.828 8

1.O

E+OO

yd
fl

9.144

E-01

cm

3.048
3.048

E-01
E+nl

cm

2.54
2.54

E+Ol
E+OO

cm

1.O
1.O

E+Ol
E+00

in.

mm
mm

cm
mm
mil

mm

1.O

E+OO
E+Ol
E+OO

pm

2.54

micron (f.~)

bm

1.O

Length/length

m/m

fUm+

m/km

1.893 939

E-01

Length/volume

m/m3

fUU.S. gal

m/m3

8.051 964

E+Ol

ftw

m/m3

1.078 391

E+Ol

ft/bbl

m/m3

1.917 134

E+OO

Length/temperature

m/K

Area

m2

see Temperature, Pressure, Vacuum

sq mile

km2

2.589 988

E +00

section

km2
ha

2.589 988
2.589 988

E +00
E+O2

ha

4.046 858
4.046 856

E+03
E-01

acre

m2

ha

m2

1.o

Ec04

sq yd

m2

8.361 274

E-01

sq fl

m2
cm2

9.290 304
9.290 304

E - 02
E + 02

cm2

6.451 8
6.451 6

E+O2
E+OO

cm2

1.0
1.0

Et02
Et00

sq in.

mm2

cm2

mm2

mm2

mm2

1.0

E+OO

Area/volume

m2/m3

ft?in?

m21cm3

5.699 291

E-03

Area/mass

m2/kg

cm2ig

m*/kg
mYg

1.0
1.0

E-01
E-04

Volume, capacity

m3

cubem

km

4.168 182

E+OO

acre-ft

m3

1.233 489
1.233 489

E+03
E-01

m3

m3

1.o

E+OO

cu vd

m3

7.645 549

E - 01

bbl (42 U.S. aal)

1.589 873

E-01

cu R

m3
dm3

2.831 685
2.831 685

E-02
E+Ol

m3
dm3

4.546 092
4.546 092

E-03
E+OO

m3
.-tm3

3.785 412

E-03

dm3

ham

U.K. gal
U.S. gal
liter

Conversion

that the conversion

(and related quanblles)

E+OO

U.K. qt

dm3

1.136 523_

Finn
-,-I

rim3

Q
AR7 5X
_.._-__

E-01

dm3

4.731 765

E-01

factcf IS exact using the numbers

factors for length. area. and volume

F+rul

1.0

11s

nt

U.S. pt
An asterisk cdcates

37AiAl7

shown. all subsequent

numbers

are zeros

I Table 2.2 are based on the intemabonal

foot See Footnote

1 of Table 1 7. Part 1

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

TABLE 2.2-TABLES

58-27

OF RECOMMENDED SI UNITS (continued)

Metric Unit
Customary
Unit

Quantity and SI Unit

SPE
Preferred

Other
Allowable

Conversion Factor
Multiply Customary
Unit by Factor to
Get Metric Unrt

SPACE, TIME
Volume, capacity

Volume/length
(linear displacement)

m3

m31m

Volume/mass

m3ikg

Plane angle

rad

E+Ol

U.K. fl oz

cm3

2.841 308

U.S. fl oz

cm3

2.957 353

E+Ol

cu in.

cmJ

1.638 706

E+Ol

mL

cm3

1.O

E+OO

bbliin.

m31m

6.259 342

Et00

bbl/H

m3/m

5.216 119

E-01

H3/H

m31m

9.290 304

E - 02

U.S. gal/H

m31m
dm31m

1.241 933
1.241 933

E-02
E+Oi

1.O
1.745 329

E+OO
E -. 02 121

Urn

see Density, Specific Volume, Concentration, Dosage

rad
deg (1

rad
rad

min ()

rad

set ()

rad

1.O

E+OO

2.908 882
1.O

E - 04 12
E+OO

4.848 137
1.o

E - 06 2
E+OO
E+OO

Solid angle

sr

sr

sr

1.o

Time

million years (MY)

Ma

1.o

E + 00 W

v
wk

1.0

E+OO

7.0

E+OO

1.o

E+OO

hr

h
min

1.o
6.0

E+OO
E+Ol

h
min

6.0
1.666 667
1.O

E+Ol
E-02
E+OO

min

1.o

E+OO

millimicrosecond

ns

1.0

E+OO

MASS, AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE

U.K. ton (long ton)

Mass

Mg

1,016 047

E+OO

9.071 847

E-01

U.K. ton

Mg
kg

5.080 235

E+Ol

U.S. cwt

kg

4.535 924

E+Ol

kg
ibm

kg
ka

1.o

E+OO

4.535 924

E-01

oz (troy)

3.110 348

E+Ol

oz (av)

2.834 952

E + 01

1.o

E+OO

grain

m9

6.479 891

E+Ol

m9
9

m9
9

1.o

E+OO

1.O

E+OO

US. ton (short ton)

Mass/length

kg/m

Masslarea

kg/m2

Mass/volume

kg/m3

see Density, Specific Volume, Concentration, Dosage

Mass/mass

Wkg
mol

see Density, Specific Volume, Concentration, Dosage

Amount of
substance

see Mechanics
see Mechanics

Ibm mol

kmol

4.535 924

E-01

g mol
std m3 (WC, 1 atm)

kmol
kmol

1.O
4.461 58

E-03
E - 02 II 131

std m3 (15C, 1 atm)

kmol

4.229 32

E-

std ft3 (6OF, 1 atm)

kmol

1.1953

E - 03 II 131

02 II 131

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

58-28

TABLE 2.2-TABLES

HANDBOOK

OF RECOMMENDED SI UNITS (continued)

Conversion Factor
Multrply Customary
Unit by Factor to
Get Metric Unit

Metric Unit
SPE
Preferred

Customary
Unit

Quantity and SI Unit

Other
Allowable

CALORIFIC VALUE, HEAT, ENTROPY, HEAT CAPACITY

Calorific value
(mass basis)

J/kg

Btuilbm

MJikg
kJ/kg

Jg

Cal/g

kJ/kg

Jg

caklbm
kcalig mol

J/kg

9.224 141

E+OO

kJ/kmol

4.184

c+o33

Btu/lbm mol

MJikmol
kJ/kmol

2.326
2.326

E-0313
E + OOt3

therm/U.K. gal

MJlm3
kJ/m3

2.320 80
2.320 80
6.446 660

E+04
E+07
E+OO

BtuiUS. gal

MJlm3
kJ/m3

2.787 163
2.787 163
7.742 119

E-01
E+02
E-02

Btu!U.K. gal

MJlm3
kJ/m3

2.320 8
2.320 8
6.446 660

E-01
E+02
E-02

BtuifP

MJlm3
kJ/m3

3.725 895
3.725 895
1.034 971

E-02
E+Ol
E-02

kcal/m3

MJlm3
kJ/m3

4.184
4.184

E-03
E+OO

(kW.h)/kg

Calorific value
(mole basis)

Jimol

Calorific value
(volume basis solids and liquids)

J/m3

kJ/dm3
(kW.h)/dm3
kJ/dm3
(kW,h)/m3
kJ/dm3
(kW.h)/m3
kJidm3
(kW.h)/m3

Calorific value
(volume basis gases)

Jim3

Specific entropy

J1kg.K

Specific heat
capacity
(mass basis)

J/kg.K

Molar heat
capacity

Jlmo1.K

Temperature
(absolute)

Temperature
(traditional)

Temperature
(difference)

Temperature/length
(geothermal gradient)

K/m

Length/temperature
(geothermal step)

m/K

Pressure

Pa

kJidm3

2.326
2.326
6.461 112

E-03
E+OO
E-04

4.184

E+OO

cal/mL

MJ/m3

4.184

E+OO

ft-1bfiU.S. gal

kJ/m

3.581 692

E-01

cal/mL

kJ/m3

J/dm3

4.184.

E+03

kcalim3

kJlm

J/dm3

4.184

E+OO

BtuiH3

kJ/m

Jldm3
(kW. h)/m 3

3.725 895
1.034 971

E+Oi
E-02

J/b. N
J/b. K)
J/h. W
J4g K)
J/h. K)
J/b. to

4.186 8

E+OO

4.184

E+OO

4.184

E+OO

3.6

E+03

Btu/(lbm-R)

kJi(kg.K)

cali(g-K)

kJi(kg.K)

kcal!( kg%)

kJi(kg.K)

kW-hr/(kg-C)

kJ/(kg.K)

Btu/(lbm-F)

kJ/( kg.K)

kcal/(kg-C)

kJ/( kg.K)

Btui(lbm mol-F)
cal!(g mol-C)

4.186 8

E+OO

4.184

E+OO

kJI(kmo1.K)

4.186 8

E+00r3

kJI(kmo1.K)

4.184

E - 0013

TEMPERATURE, PRESSURE, VACUUM

R

1.O

(F - 32)/l .8

F/100 ft

mWm

ft/F

m/K

5.486 4

E-01

atm (760mm Hg at 0C or
14.696 (Ibfiin.2)

MPa
kPa
bar

1.013 25
1.013 25
1,013 25

E-01
E+02
E+OO

bar

MPa
kPa
bar

1.O
1.O
1.0

E-01
E+02
E+OO

at (technical atm., kgf:cm*)

MPa
kPa
bar

9.806 65
9.806 65
9.806 65

E-02
E+Ol
E-01

519
E+OO

1.O

E+OO

5i9

E+OO

1.O

E+OO

1.822 689

E+Ol

58-29

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

TABLE 2.2-TABLES

OF RECOMMENDED SI UNITS (continued)

Metric Unit
SPE
Preferred

Customary
Unit

Quantity and SI Unit

Other
Allowable

Conversion Factor
Multiply Customary
Unit by Factor to
Get Metric Unit

TEMPERATURE, PRESSURE, VACUUM

Pressure

Pa

Liquid head

Pa

in. fig (32F)

kPa

3.386 38

E+OO

in. Hg (60F)

kPa

3.376 05

E+OO

in. Hz0 (39.2F)

kPa

2.490 82

E-01

in. Hz0 (60F)

kPa

2.408 4

E-01

mm Hg (0C) = torr

kPa

1.333 224

E-01

cm Hz0 (4C)

kPa

9.806 38

E-02

Ibf/A* (psf)

kPa

4.788 026

E - 02

v Hg (0C)
pbar

Pa

1.333 224

E-01

Pa

1.O

E-01

dyne/cm2

Pa

1.O

E-01

in. Hg (60F)

kPa

3.376 85

E+OO

in. Hz0 (39.2-F)

kPa

2.490 82

E-01

in. Hz0 (60F)

kPa

2.488 4

E-01

mm Hg (0C) = torr

kPa

1.333 224

E-01

cm HZ0 (4C)
R

kPa
m

9.806 38

E-02

in.

mm

psi/ft

kPa!m

2.262 059

E + 01

psi/l 00 ft

kPa/m

2.262 059

E - 01 w

1.601 846
1.601 846

E+Ol
E +04

g/cm3

1.198 264
1.198264

E+02
E-01

kg/dm3

9.977 633
9.977 633

E + 01
E - 02

g/cm3

1.601 846
1.601 846

E+Ol
E-02

kgidm3

1.o*
1.o

E+03
E+OO

cm
Pressure drop/length

Pa/m

E - 03
E+OO
E - 02

MPa
kPa
bar

Vacuum, draft

6.894 757
6.894 757
6.894 757

Ibflin.2 (psi)

3.048

E-01

2.54
2.54

E+Ol
E+OO

DENSITY, SPECIFIC VOLUME, CONCENTRATION, DOSAGE

Density (gases)

kg/m3

IbmW

Density (liquids)

kg/m3

1bmiU.S. gal
Ibm/U.K. gal
IbmlfP
g/cm3

kg/m3
g/m3
kg/m3
kg/m3
kg/m3
kg/m3

API

g/cm3

Density (solids)

kg/m3

IbmW

kg/m3

1.601 846

E+Ol

Specific volume

ma/kg

R3/lbm

(gases)
Specific volume
(liquids)

m31kg
m31g

6.242 796
6.242 796

E - 02
E - 05

m%g

fWlbm

dm3/kg

6.242 796

E + 01

U.K. galilbm

dm31kg

cmYg

1.002 242

E+Ol

cm3/g

141.5!(131.5+API)

U.S. galilbm

dm3/kg

8.345 404

E+OO

Specific volume
(mole basis)

m3/mol

Ug mol

m3/kmol

1.O

E + 003

m3ikmol
m%

E - 0213

m31kg

fWbm mol
bb1iU.S. ton

6.242 796

Specific volume
(clay yield)

1.752 535

E-01

bbl/U.K. ton

m%

Yield (shale
distillation)

m3/kg

bbliU.S. ton

dm%

ut

1.564 763

E-01

1.752 535

E+02

bb1iU.K. ton

dm%

Lit

1.564 763

E+02

U.S. gal/US. ton

dm311

ut

4.172 702

E+OO

Lit

3.725 627

E+OO

1.O
1.0

E-02
E+Ol

U.S. ga1lU.K. ton

dm3/t

Concentration
(mass/mass)

Wb

wt %

Wkg
@kg

Concentration
(mass/volume)

kg/m3

w mm
lbmibbl

w/kg
kg/m3

g/US. gal

kg/m3

gIU.K. gal

kg/m3

gidm3
9L

1.O

E+OO

2.853 010

E+OO

2.641 720

E-01

2.199 692

E-01

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

58-30

TABLE 2.2-TABLES

HANDBOOK

OF RECOMMENDED SI UNITS (continued)

Metric Unit
SPE
Preferred

Customary
Unit

Quantity and SI Unit

Other
Allowable

Conversion Factor
Multiply Customary
Unit by Factor to
Gel Metric Unit

DENSITY, SPECIFIC VOLUME, CONCENTRATION, DOSAGE

Concentration
(mass/volume)

Concentration
(volume/volume)

Concentration
(mole/volume)

Concentration
(volume/mole)

kg/m3

m31mJ

mol/m3

m3/mol

lbmilOO0 U.S. gal

g/m3

mg/dmJ

1.198 264

E+02

IbmilOOO U.K. gal

glm3

mg/dmJ

9.977 633

E + 01

grains/US. gal

gimJ

mg/dm3

1.711 806

E+Ol

grains/W

mg/m3

2.266352

E+O3

IbmilOOO bbl

g/m3

mg/dm3

2.853010

E+OO

mg1U.S. gal

g/m3

mgldm3

2.641 720

E-01

grains000 ft3

mgim3

2.266 352

E+Ol

bbllbbl

m31m3

1.O

E+OO

ftw

m31m3

1.O

E+OO

bbl/acreft

m31m3
ma/ham

1.288 923
1.288 923

E-04
E+OO

vol %

m3/m3

1.O

E-02

U.K. aal/W

dm3/m3

L/m3

1.m=l4R7

F+fP

U.S. aaW

dm3/m3

Urn3

i .336 An8

F+n7

mL/U.S. aal

dm3/m3

L/m3

2.841 720

F-n1

mL/U.K. aal

dm31m3

L/m3

2.199

F-01

vol ppm

cm3im3
dm31m3

L/m3

1.O
1.O

E+OO
E-03
E+Ol

Is2

J.K. gal/l000 bbl

cm31m3

2.859 406

J.S. gal11000 bbl

IJ.K. pti1000 bbl

cm3im3

2.380 952

E+Ol

cmYm3

3.574 253

E+OO

Ibm mo1iU.S. gal

kmollm3

1.198 264

E+02

Ibm moliU.K. gal

kmol/m3

9.977633

E+Ol

Ibm mol/fP

kmol/m3

1.601 846

E+Ol

std H3(6oF,
1 atm)/bbl

kmol/m3

7.518 18

E-03

U.S. gall1000 std W

(6OFi6OF)

dm3ikmol

Ukmol

3.166 93

E+OO

bbl/million std ft3

f60Fi60F)

dm3/kmol

Ukmol

1.330 11

E-01

FACILITY THROUGHPUT, CAPACITY

Throughput
(mass basis)

Throughput
(volume basis)

kg/s

m3/s

million Ibm/yr

ffa

Mg/a

4.535 924

E+02

U.K. toniyr

t/a

Mgla

1.016 047

E+OO

US. toniyr

t/a

Mgla

9.071 847

E-01

U.K. ton/D

Vd

Mgid
t/h, Mgih

1.016047
4.233 529

E+OO
E-02

U.S. ton/D

t/d
tih, Mg/h

9.071 847
3.779 936

E-01
E - 02
E+OO

U.K tonlhr
U.S. tonlhr

t/h

Mg/h

1.016 047

t/h

Mglh

9.071 a47

E-01

lbmlhr

kg/h

4.535 924

E-01

bbl/D

t/a

5.603 036
1.589 a73
6.624 471

E+Ol
E-01
E-03

1.179 869
2.831 685

E-03
E-02
E-01

maid
m3/h
W/D

m3/h
m31d

bbllhr

mJ/h

I.589 a73

113/h

m31h

2.831 685

E-02

U.K. gallhr

m3/h
L/s

4.546 092
1.262 803

E-03
E-03

U.S. gallhr

m31h
US

3.785 412
1.051 503

E-03
E-03

US

2.727 655
7.576 819

E-01
E-02

US

2.271 247
6.309 020

E-01
E ~ 02

U.K. gal/min
U.S. galimin

m31h
m3/h

THE SI METRIC

SYSTEM

OF UNITS

TABLE

& SPE METRIC

2.2-TABLES

STANDARD

OF RECOMMENDED

SI UNITS

(continued)
Metric Unit

Customary
Unit

Quantity and SI Unit

SPE
Preferred

Other
Allowable

Conversion Factor
Multiply Customary
Unit by Factor to
Get Metric Unit

FACILITY THROUGHPUT, CAPACITY

Throughput
(mole bass)

molis

Ibm mol!hr

kmolih
kmolis

4.535 924
1.259 979

FLOW RATE

E - 01
E-04
16,

Pipeline capacity

m31m

bblimile

mVkm

9.879 013

E-02

Flow rate
(mass basis)

kg/s

U.K. tonimin

kg/s

1.693412

E+Ol

Flow rate
(volume basis)

m%

U.S tonimin

kg/s

1.511 974

E+Ol

U.K. tonihr

kg/s

2.822 353

E-01
E-01

U.S. tonihr

kg/s

2.519 958

U.K. ton/D

kg/s

1.175980

E-02

U.S ton/D

kg/s

1.049 982

E-02

million lbmiyr

kg/s

5.249 912

E+OO

U.K. ton/yr

kg/s

3.221 864

E-05

US toniyr

kg/s

2.876 664

E-05

lbmls

kg/s

4.535 924

E-01

lbmlmin

kg/s

7.559 873

E-03

Ibm/hr

kg/s

1.259 979

E-04

bbl/D

m3id
US

1.589 873
1.840 131

E-01
E-03

US

2.831 685
3.277 413

E-02
E-04

US

4.416 314
4.416 314

E-05
E-02

US

7.865 791
7.865 791

E-06
E-03

ftVD
bbl/hr
RVhr

Flow rate

mol/s

(mole basis)
Flow rate/length
(mass basis)

kgism

Flow rate/length

m2is

(volume basis)

Flow rate/area
(mass basis)

kg/sm*

Flow rate/area
(volume basis)

m/s

Flow rate/
pressure drop
(productivity index)

mYsPa

mld
mJls
m%

U.K. galihr

dmVs

US

1.262 803

E-03

U.S. galihr

dm%

US

1.051 503

E-03

U.K. gal/min

dmVs

US

7.576 820

E-02

U.S. galimin

dmVs

US

6.309 020

E - 02

ftVmin

dm3!s

US

4.719 474

E-01

ftVS

dm%

US

2.831 685

E+Ol

Ibm molis

kmolis

4.535 924

E-01=

Ibm mol/hr

kmolis

1.259 979

E - 045

million scWD

kmolis

1.363 449

E - 023

Ibmi(s-ft)

kg/(sm)

1.488 164

E+OO

Ibm/(hr-ft)

kg/(sm)

4.133 789

E-04

U.K. gal!(min-ft)

m%

mV(sm)

2.485 833

E - 04

U.S. gal!(min-ft)

m2is

mV(sm)

2.069 888

E - 04

U.K. gali(hr-in.)

m2/s

mV(sm)

4.971 667

E-05

US. gali(hr-in.)

mVs

mV(sm)

4.139 776

E-05

U.K. gali(hr-ft)

m*/s

mV(sm)

4.143055

E-06

US. gali(hr-ft)

mls

m3/(sm)

3.449 814

E-06

lbm/(s-ft)

kg/sm2

4.882 428

E+OO

lbmi(hr-ft2)

kg/sm2

1.356 230

E-03

W(S4t~)

mis

m(sm*)

3.048

E-01

Wlmin-ftz)

m/s

mV(sm*)

5.08

E-03

U.K. gaV(hr-tn2)

m/s

mV(sm*)

1.957 349

E-03

U.S. gal!(hr-rn2)

m/s

m3/(smz)

1.629 833

E-03

U.K. gal!(mm-ft)

mls

m/(sm*)

8.155 621

E-04

US. gal!(mmW)

mis

mV(sm*)

6.790 972

E - 04

U.K. gali(hr-ft)

mls

mV(sm*)

1.359 270

E-05

U.S. gal!(hr#)

m/s

m31(sm2)

1.131 829

E-05

bbli(D-psr)

mV(d.kPa)

2.305 916

E-02

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

58-32

TABLE 2.2-TABLES

HANDBOOK

OF RECOMMENDED SI UNITS (continued)

Metric Unit
SPE
Preferred

Customary
Unit

Quantity and SI Unit

Other
Allowable

Conversion Factor*
Multiply Customary
Unit by Factor to
Get Metric Unit

ENERGY, WORK, POWER

Energy, work

therm

MJ
kJ
kW.h

1.055
1.055
1.055
2.930
2.930
2.930
1.055
1.055
2.930

U.S. tonf-mile

MJ

1.431 744

E+Ol

hp-hr

MJ
kJ
kW.h

2.684 520
2.684 520
7.456 999

E+OO
E+03
E-01

ch-hr or CV-hr

MJ
N
kW.h

2.647 796
2.647 796
7.354 99

Et00
E+03
E-01

kW-hr

MJ
kJ

3.6
3.6

E+OO
E+03

Chu

kJ
kW.h

1.899 101
5.275 280

E+OO
E-04

kW.h

1.055 056
2.930 711

E+OO
E-04

quad

MJ
TJ
EJ
MW*h
GW.h
TWh

f3tu

Impact energy

kJ

056
056
056
711
711
711
056
056
711

E+12
Et06
E+OO
Et08
Et05
Et02
E+02
E+05
E+Ol

kcal

kJ

4.184

E+OO

cal

kJ

4.184

E-03

ft-lbf

kJ

1.355 818

E-03

Ibf-ft

kJ

1.355 818

E-03

kJ

1.O

E-03

Ibf-ftz/s2

kJ

4.214 011

E-05

erg
kgf-m

1.O

E-07

9.806 650

E + 00

Ibf-ft

1.355818

E+OO

WorWlength

Jim

U.S. tonf-mileift

MJlm

4.697 322

Et01

Surface energy

J/m2

erg/cm2

mJlmZ

1.O

E+OO

Specific impact
energy

J/m2

kgf.m/cm*

J/cm

9.806 650

E - 00

Ibf+t/in.*

J/cm2

2.101 522

E-01

Power

quadiyr

MJia
TJia
EJia
TW
GW

1.055 056
1.055 056
1.055 056
3.170 979
3.170979

E+12
Et06
E+OO
E-27
E-24

erg/a

Power/area

W/m2

million Btu/hr

MW

2.930 711

E-01

ton of
refrigeration

kW

3.516 853

E+OO

ml/s

kW

1.055 056

E+OO

kW

kW

1 .O

E+OO

hydraulic horsepower - hhp

kW

7.460 43

E-01

hp (electric)

kW

7.46

E-01

hp (550 ft-lbfis)

kW

7.456 999

E-01

ch or CV

kW

7.354 99

E-01

Btuimin

kW

1.758 427

E-02

ft*lbf/s

kW

1.355 818

E-03

kcalihr

1.162222

E+OO

Btuihr

2.930 711

E-01

Albfimin

2.259 697

E-02

Btuis.ft?

kWlmz

1.135653

E+Ol

cal/hrcm?

kWlm2

1.162222

E-02

Btuihrft?

kW/m2
.-

3.154 591

E-03

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

TABLE 2.2-TABLES

58-33

OF RECOMMENDED SI UNITS (continued)

Metric Unit
Customary
Unit

Quantity and SI Unit

SPE
Preferred

Other
Allowable

Conversion Factor
Multiply Customary
Unit by Factor to
Get Metric Unit

ENERGY, WORK, POWER

Heat flow unit (geothermics)

~callscm2

hfu

Heat release rate,

mixing power

W/m3

Heat generation
unit - hgu
(radioactive rocks)

mWlm2

4.184

E+Ol

hpift3

kWlm3

2.633 414

E+Ol

cal/(hpcm3)

kW/m3

1.162 222

E+OO

Btu/(sft3)

kW/m3

3.725 895

E+Ol

Btui(hrW)

kWlm3

1.034 971

E-02

cal/(s-cm3)

pWlm3

4.184

E+12

3.930 148

E-01

Cooling duty
(machinery)

WAN

Btu/(bhp-hr)

W/kW

Specific fuel
consumption
(mass basis)

kg/J

Ibm/(hp-hr)

mg/J

kg/MJ
kg/(kW-h)

1.689 659
6.082 774

E-01
E-01

Specific fuel
consumption
(volume basis)

m3/J

mJ/(kW-hr)

dm31MJ

mm3/J
dm?(kW.h)

2.777 778
1.0

E + 02
E+03

U.S. gal/(hp-hr)

dm3/MJ

mm3/J

1.410089

E+OO

Velocity (linear),
speed

m/s

MECHANICS
knot

km/h

1.852

E+OO

mileihr

km/h

1.609 344

E + 00

m/s

m/s

1.O

E+OO

fUS

m/s
cm/s
mfms

3.048
3.048
3.048

E-01
E+Ol
E - 04@

cm/s

5.08
5.08

E-03
E-01

cm/s

8.466 667
8.466 667

E-02
E - 03

m/d

3.527 778
3.048

E - 03
E-01

cm/s

2.54
2.54

E+Ol
E+OO

cmls

4.233 333
4.233 333

E-01
E ~ 02

1.047 198
6.283 185
2.908 882

E-01
Et00
E-04

ftlmin
ftihr
ft/D
in.&
in./min

m/s
mm/s
mm/s
mm/s
mm/s

Velocity (angular)

radls

revlmin
rev/s
degree/min

radls
rad/s
radls

Interval transit time

s/m

S/ft

s/m

Corrosion rate

m/s

in./yr (ipy)
miliyr

mmla
mmla

Rotational frequency

rev/s

rev/s

rev/s

1.O

E+OO

revimin

rev/s

1.666 667

E-02

Acceleration
(linear)

m/s*

Acceleration
(rotational)

rad/s2

Momentum

kg.m/s

KS/m

3.280 840

E + OO@

2.54
2.54

E+Ol
E-02

revimin

radls

1.047 198

E-01

ftk*

m/s2

3.048
3.048

E-01
E+Ol

cm/s2
gal(cm@)

mls2

1.O

E-02

radls2

rad/s2

1.O

E+OO

rpmis

lad/s2

1.047 198

E-01

Ibm.ftJs

kg.m/s

1.382 550

E-01

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

58-34

TABLE 2.2-TABLES

HANDBOOK

OF RECOMMENDED SI UNITS (continued)

Metric Unit
Customary
Unit

Quantity and SI Unit

SPE
Preferred

Other
Allowable

Conversion Factor
Multiply Customary
Unit by Factor to
Get Metric Unit

MECHANICS

Bending moment,
torque

N.m

Bending moment/
length

N.m/m

Elastic moduli
(Youngs, Shear bulk)

Pa

LI S. tonf

kN

8.896 443

E+OO

kgf (kp)

9.806650

Et00

Ihf

4.448 222

E+OO

1.O

E+OO

ndl

mN

1.382 550

E+02

dyne

mN

1.o

E-02
E + OOO

US. tonf-ft

kN.m

2.711 636

kgf-m

N.m

9.806 650

E + 0001

Ibf-ft

N.m

1.355 818

Ibf-in.

N-m

1.129848

E + OOo
E - ,,,O

odl-ft

N.m

4.214011

E- 0210

(Ibf-ft)/in.

(N.m)/m

5.337 866

E + OlO1

(kgf-m)/m

(N.m)/m

9.806 650

E + OOO1

(Ibf-in.)/in.

(N.m)/m

4.448 222

E + OOO

Ibf!in.

GPa

6.894 757

E-06
E-02

Moment of inertia

kqm*

Ibm-ft2

kg.m2

4.214 011

Moment of section

m4

in.4

cm*

4.162 314

E+Ol

Section modulus

m3

cu in.
cu fi

cm3
cm3

1.638
1.638
2.831
2.831

E+Ol
E+04
E+04
E-02

mm3
m3
Stress

Pa

Mass/area
structural loading,
bearing capacity
(mass basis)

U.S. tonf/in.2

MPa

N/mm2

1.378 951

E+Ol

kgWmm2

MPa

N/mm2

9.806 650

E + 00

US. tonf/ft2

MPa

N/mm2

9.576 052

E - 02

IbWin.?(osi)

MPa

N/mm2

6.894 757

E-03

Ibf/ft2 (psf)

kPa

4.788 026

E-02

dyne/cm2

Pa

1.O

E-01

Ibf/lOO ft2

Pa

4.788 026

E-01

kg/m

Ibm/ft

kg/m

1.488 164

E+OO

kg/m2

U.S. ton/ft2

Mgim2

9.764 855

E+OO

Ibm/ft2

kg/m2

4.882 428

E+OO

mm/(mm.K)

5.555 556

E-01

Yield point,
gel strength
Ldrillina fluid)
Mass/length

706
706
685
685

Coefficient of
thermal expansion

m/(m.K)

In./(in.-F)

Diffusivity

m21s

fV/S

mm2/s

9.290 304

E + 04

cm2s

mm21s

1.O

E+02

ft2/hr

mm2/s

2.580 64

E+Ol

(C-m2.hr)/kcal

(K.m2)/kW

8.604 208

E +02

TRANSPORT PROPERTIES

Thermal resistance

(k.m*)/W

(F-ft2 hr)iBtu

(K.m2VkW

1.761 102

E+O2

Heat flux

Wlm2

Btu/(hr-R*)

kW/mz

3.154 591

E-03

Thermal
conductivity

W/(m.K)

(Cal/s-cm2-%)/cm

W/(m.K)

4.184*

E+02

Btu/(hr-ft-Fift)

W/(m.K)

1.730 735
6.230 646

E+OO
E+OO

kcali(hr-mz-Cim)

W/(m.K)

1.162 222

E+OO

Btu/(hr-R2-Fiin.)

W/(m.K)

1.442 279

E-01

cal/(hr-cm-C/cm)

W/(m.K)

1.162222

E-01

kJ.m/(h.m2.K)

58-35

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

TABLE 2.2-TABLES

OF RECOMMENDED SI UNITS (continued)

Metric Unit
Customary
Unit

Quantity and SI Unit

SPE
Preferred

Other
Allowable

Conversion Factor
Multiolv Customarv
Unii dy Factor to
Get Metric Unit

TRANSPORT PROPERTIES
Heat transfer
coefficient

W/(m2.K)

cal/(s-cm?-C)

4.184

E+Ol

Btu/(s-ft2-F)

2.044 175

E +Ol

cal/(hr-cm2-C)

1.162 222

E-02

5.678 263
2.044 175

E - 03
E+Ol
E-03

Btu/(hr-ft2-F)

kWi(m2.K)
kJ/(h.m>.K)

Btu/(hr-f&OR)

kW/(m*.K)

5.678 263

kcal/(hr-m2-C)

kWi(m*.K)

1.162222

E-03

6.706 611

E+Ol

Volumetric heat
transfer coefficient

W/(m3.K)

Btui(s-ft3-F)

kW/(m3.K)

Btu/(hr-f13-F)

kW/(m3.K)

1.862 947

E-02

Surface tension

N/m

dyne/cm

mN/m

1.O

E+OO

Viscosity

P&S

(Ibf-s)iin.2

Pas

(Ns)im2

6.894 757

E + 03

(Ibf-s)ift2

Pas

(N.s)/m

4.788 026

E+Ol

(kgf-s)/m*

Pas

(Ns)/m2

9.806 650

E + 00

Ibm/(ft-s)

Pas

(Ns)/m*

1.488 164

E+OO

(dyne-@/cm2

Pas

(Ns):m2

1.O

E-01

cP
Ibm/(ft.hr)

Pa.s

(Ns)/m*

1.O

E-03

Pas

(N+m2

4.133 789

E-04

(dynamic)

Viscosity

m21s

(kinematic)

Permeability

m2

ft%

mm%

9.290 304

E + 04

in.*/s

mm%

6.451 6

E+02
E+O2

m2/hr

mm2is

2.777 778

cm21s

mm2/s

1.o

E+02

ft*/hr

mm2is

2.580 64

E+Ol

cst

mm%

1.O

darcy

km2
km2

9.869 233

E+OO
E -01

9.869 233
9.869 233

E - 04
E-O,,

millidarcy

10m3pm2
ELECTRICITY, MAGNETISM
Admittance

1.O

E+OO

Capacitance

E+OO

)LF
kC

1.O

Capacity,
storage battery

CLF
A-hr

3.6

E+OO

Charge density

C/m3

C/mm3

C/mm3

1.O

E+OO

Conductance

1.O

E+OO

U (mho)

1.O

E+OO

Conductivity

S/m

S/m

S/m

1.O

E+OO

u/m

S/m

1.O

E+OO

mu/m

mS/m

1.o

E+OO

Current density

A/m2

Almm

A/mm2

1.O

E+OO

Displacement

C/m2

C/cm2

C/cm?

1.o

E+OO

Electric charge

1.O

E+OO

Electric current

1.o

E+OO

Electric dipole
moment

C*m

C.m

C.m

1.o

E+OO

Electric field
strength

V/m

Vim

V/m

1.O

E+OO

Electric flux

1.O

E+OO

Electric polarization

C/m2

C/cm2

C/cm2

1.O

E+OO

Electric potential

1.O

E+OO

mV

mV

1.O

E+OO

A.m2

A.m2

1.O

E+OO

Electromagnetic
moment

A.m2

Electromolive force

1.O

E+OO

Flux of displacement

1.O

E+OO

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

58-36

TABLE 2.2-TABLES

HANDBOOK

OF RECOMMENDED SI UNITS (continued)

Conversion Factor
Multiply Customary
Unit by Factor to
Get Metric Unit

Metric Unit
Customary
Unit

Quantity and SI Unit

SPE
Preferred

Other
Allowable

ELECTRICITY, MAGNETISM
Frequency

HZ

cycles/s

HZ

1.O

E+OO

Impedance

1.O

E+OO

Interval transit time

slm

@ft

t&m

3.280 840

E+OO

Linear current
densitv

Aim

A/mm

Aimm

1.O

E+OO

Magnetic dipole
moment

Wbsm

Wb.m

Wbm

1.o

E+OO

Magnetic field
strength

A/m

A/mm

Aimm

1.O

E+OO

oersted

Aim

7.957 747

E+Ol

gamma

Aim

7.957 747

E-04

Magnetic flux

Wb

mWb

mWb

1.O

E+OO

Magnetic flux
density

Magnetic induction

mT

mT

1.O

E+OO

gauss

1.o*

E-04

mT

mT

1.O

E+OO

Magnetic moment

A*mZ

A-m2

A.m2

1.o*

E+OO

Magnetic
oolarization

mT

mT

1.O

E+OO

Magnetic potential
difference

1.O

E+OO

Magnetic vector
potential

Wb/m

Wbimm

Wblmm

Magnetization

Aim

A/mm

A/mm

Modulus of
admittance

Modulus of
impedance

Mutual inductance

Permeability

H/m

pH/m

PHim

Permeance

Permittivity

F/m

WFlm

kF/m

Potential difference

Quantity of
electricitv

Reactance

cl

Reluctance

H-

H-1

H-

Resistance

Resistivity

Darn

@cm

fkm

Dm

Drn

Self inductance

mH

mH

Surface density
of charge

C/m*

mClm*

mClmz

Susceptance

Volume density
of charae

C/m3

C/mm3

C/mm3

W,

ACOUSTICS, LIGHT, RADIATION

Absorbed dose

rad

1.o

E-02

Acoustical enerav

GY
J

GY
J

Acoustical intensity

Wfm2

W/cm2

Wlm*

1.o

Acoustical Dower

Sound oressure

N/m*

Nim2

N/m2

llluminance

lx

footcandle

lx

1.076 391

E+Ol

Illumination

lx

footcandle

lx

1.076 391

E+Ol

lrradiance

Wlm*

W/m2

Wlm*

Light exposure

1x3

footcandles

1x.s

1.076 391

Luminance

cd/m*

cd/m2

cd/m2

Luminous efficacv

ImiW

ImiW

ImiW

1
E+O4

E + 01

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

TABLE 2.2-TABLES

58-37

OF RECOMMENDED SI UNITS (continued)

Conversion Factor
Multiply Customary
Unit by Factor to
Get Metric Unit

Metric Unit
SPE
Preferred

Customary
Unrt

Quantity and SI Unit

Other
Allowable

ACOUSTICS, LIGHT, RADIATION

Luminous exitance

Im/mz

lmim2

lm/mZ

Luminous flux

Im

Im

Im

Luminous intensity

cd

cd

cd

Quantity of light

Im.s

1.O

W/(m%r)

talbot
Wl(m%r)

tm.s

Radiance

W/(m%r)

Radiant energy

Radiant flux

Radiant intensity

Wisr

Wlsr

W/sr

Radiant power

nm

1.O

E-01

m-1

1.O
1

Et01

3.7

E+lO

Wave length

Capture unit

mm

lo-km

10.cm-
Radioactivity

curie

E+OO -

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

58-38

TABLE 2.3~SOME

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION STANDARDS

Metric Unit
Customary
Unit

Quantity and SI Unit

Pa
Capillary pressure
Pa-

Compressibility of
reservoir fluid

HANDBOOK

ft (fluid)

SPE
Preferred
m (fluid)

psi-

Pa-

Other
Allowable

kPa

Conversion Factor
Multiply Customary
Unit by Factor to
Get Metric Unit
3.048'
E-01
1.450 377
1.450 377

E-04
E-01

Corrosion allowance

in.

mm

2.54'

E+Ol

Corrosion rate

mls

mm/a

2.54'

E-02

Differential orifice
pressure

Pa

miliyr
hw)
in. f-l,0
(at 60F)

2.488 4
2.54'

Gas-oil ratio

m3/m

scfibbl

standard
m3/m3

1.801 175

E-01
E+OO
E -0,

Gas rate

mYs

sci/D

standard
m31d

2.863 640

E-02"'

Geologic time

Head (fluid mechanics)

Yr
fl

cm

3.048'
3.048'

E-01
E+Ol

kJ/h

2.930 711
1.055 056

E-04
E+OO

km21Pa.s

9.869 233
9.669233

E-01
E+02
E-01

Heat exchange rate

cm Hz0

Ma
m

Btu/hr

m?Pas

Mobility

kPa

kW

dicp

~m*/mPas

Net pay thickness

fl

3.048

Oil rate

m3ls

bbl/D

m31d

1.589 873

E-01

short toniyr

Mgla

Va

9.071 847

E-01

pm2.rn

3.008 142

E-04

mm

2.54
2.54'

E-c00
E+Oi

Particle size

micron

Permeability-thickness

m3

md-ft

w
md.m

Pipe diameter (actual)

in.

cm

Pressure buildup
per cycle

Pa

psi

kPa

6.894 757

E + OO*

Productivity index

m3iPes

bbli(psi-D)

mY(kPad)

2.305 916

E - 0212

Pumping rate

m%

U.S. galimin

m3/h
US

2.271 247
6.309 020

E-01
E-02

radlm

1.047 198
6.283 185

E-01
E+OO

mYha*m

1.286 931
1.288 931

E-04
E+OO

Revolutions per minute

radls

Recovery/unit volume
(oil)

m31m3

Reservoir area

m2

rad/s

vm
bbl/(acre-ft)

m3/m3
km*

sq mile
acre

m3

Reservoir volume

1.0

acre-ft

2.589 988

E+OO

ha

4.046856

E-01

hem

1.233 482
1.233 482

E+03
E-01

m3

Specific productivity
index

m3/Pasm

bbl/(D-psi-R)

mY(kPa-d.m)

7.565 341

E - 02>

Surface or interfacial
tension in reservoir
caoillaries

N/m

dyne/cm

mN/m

1.O

E+OO

Torque

N.m

Ibf-ft

Nom

1.355 818

E + 0013

Velocity (fluid flow)

m/s

ws

m/s

3.048'

E-01

Vessel diameter
l-100 cm

m
in.

cm

2.54'

E+OO

ft

3.048'

E-01

above 100 cm
An asterisk mdlcates
See

Notes

1 through

the cowersum

lactor IS exact wng

3 on page 58-E

the numbers

shown, all subsequent

numbers

are zeros

THE SI METRIC SYSTEM OF UNITS & SPE METRIC STANDARD

TABLE 2.4-FAHRENHEIT

- 459.67 to - 19

-1ato53

(F)

(C)
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II
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0
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477

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54

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to 350

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704 8

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770
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$65

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1,611 11160

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I$ I.010
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