Abstract: The formula concerning the volumetric change of sediments hus been widely used in the study of petroleum geology. In this paper, the following topics are discussed: (i)The application form of this formula under various conditons and its significance; (ii) The different expression forms of the fprmula and their connections; (iii) The effects of the parameters in the formula. The paper points out that the formula in different forms of expression can be unified under the same theoretic bass, Ampag the parameters of the conventional form of the formala, the determination of initial porosity has the greatest effect on the value calculated, and attention should be paid when including it in the formula.