T.P.

3217

THE CALCULATION OF PRESSURE DROP IN THE

FLOW OF NATURAL GAS THROUGH PIPE

FRED H. POETTMANN, PHILLIPS PETROLEUM CO., BARTLESVILLE, OKLA., JUNIOR MEMBER AIME

ABSTRACT
An equation has been derived for use in calculating the
sand face pressure of flowing gas wells in which the variation
of the compressibility factor of the gas with pressure is taken
into consideration. This variation due to compressibility has
been put into both graphical and tabular form. Comparison
of calculated results with field measured results were made
on 20 dry gas wells from a given field and 11 distillate wells
from different fields. The agreement between calculated and
observed results is good.
In addition to their use in the calculation of sandface pres-
sures of flowing wells, the factors can be used in the direct
calculation of the static bottom hole pressure of gas wells,
the capacity of gas transmission lines, and in the calculation
of the theoretical isothermal horEepower necessary to compress
a natural gas. Examples demonstrating the use of various
equations are given.
INTRODUCTION
Many of the equations used to calculate the sandface pres-
where
V specific volume of flowing fluid in cu ft/lb
P pressure in Ib per sq £1
t::,h difference in height above datum plane in ft
t::,V,
kinetic energy change of one Ib of flowing fluid,
v equals velocity in ft/ sec and gc = 32.174
Work done by fluid while in flow (similar to shaft
work in driving a turbine)
Wf Snergy losses due to the irreversibilities of the
flowing fluid
This equation contains no limiting assumptions and can be
made the basis of any fluid flow relationship by limitations or
substitutions. The energy units are usually expressed in terms
of foot-pounds of energy per pound of mass.
Considering the vertical flow of gas through tubing or annu·
Ius, the external work W, done by the gas is zero. Let us
also assume that the value of the kinetic energy function is
small and can be neglected. Equation (1) is reduced to:
fP,P•- VdP+t::,h+Wf=O (2)

sures of flowing gas wells from well head data do not take The energy losses W, can be expressed in terms of the well
into consideration rigorously the deviation of the natural gas known Fanning equation:
from ideal gas behavior. For low pressure wells this error is 4/ Lv'
Wf = - - (3)
not serious. For high pressure wells flowing at high rates this 2gcD
error can be serious. Sandface pressures are used to determine where
the producing capacity of gas wells as shown in the U. S. L the integrated average velocity in £1/ sec
Bureau of Mines' Monograph 7.' of vertical flow in a uniform flow string t::,h = L
An equation has been derived for use in calculating the the integrated average velocity in ft/ sec
sandface pressure of flowing gas wells in which the variation f dimensionless correlating function
of compressibility of the gas with pressure is taken into con·
sideration. This variation due to compressibility has been put
into both graphical and tabular form. In addition to their use
in the calculation of sandface pressures, these "factors" can
also be used to give a direct solution in the calculation of
the static bottom hole pressure of gas wells, the calculation 0.05
of the capacity of gas transmission lines, and the calculation 0.04

of the isothermal horsepower necessary to compress a gas.

CALCULATION OF SANDF ACE PRESSURE

OF FLOWING GAS WELLS
The starting point in the derivation of any specific flow
equation is an energy balance on the fluid flowing between
any two points in the system. This energy balance based on
one pound of flowing fluid is expressed by the well known
general flow equation:
oP, t::,v'
fP,
VdP+t::,h+-+W,+W,=O
2 gc
(1) Reynolds Number Re _ D!"

7References given at end of paper.

Manuscript received in the office of the Petroleum Branch May 23, 1951. FIG. 1 - FRICTION FACTOR AS A FUNCTION OF REYNOLDS NUMBER
Paper presented at the Fall Meeting of the Petroleum Branch in Okla-
WITH RelATIVE ROUGHNESS AS A PARAMETER."
homa City, Okla., Oct. 3-5, 1951. 115-G
Vol. 192, 1951 PETROLEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME 317
T.P. 3217 THE CALCULATION OF PRESSURE DROP IN THE FLOW OF NATURAL GAS
THROUGH PIPE
Values of f are correlated as functions of the Reynolds The iipecific volume V can be expressed in terms of the gas
1)pv € law:
number - and relative roughness - . Care must be taken ZRT
~ 1)
to avoid confusion as quite often a multiple of four times f
v=---
Mf'
. . . . . . . . (5)
is plotted as a function of the Reynolds number and relative Where
roughness (/' = 41).' Z = Compressibility factor
Substituting Equation (3) in Equation (2) and simplifying R = Gas constant 1544
gives: T= Temperature oR
M = Molecular weight of gas
P
p ..
I
' VdP P= Pressure, lb / sq ft
L=----- . . . . . . . . . . . (4) Then:
4 f v' z
1+--
2 g,D
IP,P' RT
VdP = - -
M
IP,p, -- dP
P
. . . . . (6)

4 .2
!

4 .0

~~
3.8 &"" ~ ~%
~
~~ ~ ~~
r::
3.6

~~ ~ ~ ~ =-:: ~
~ ::::----:
~
r::
3.4

..d: ~ ~
~
~ ~ ==---:
::::::----:: V ~
~ ::::::-:::: ~
~~
3.2

~ ~~ V ~ ~ :::::: ~ ----- ~ ::--

V ~ ----- V-- --------
3.0
...- --- ~;.-----
--------
~ ~ v-::: ~ ~ ~ ~ --------- ::=== V ..----------- -----
~ --------
r«' -- ~ ----- ,,---:
2.8
----
r:; ..----
A ~~ ~~~ ~
~ -------- ~
~
..----
-------- V
2.6

::--- ------ -------- v ----- --------

~~
~/ ~ V ------ V- V V
..---- ~
v;: ~v-- -----V----V
2.4 -------- --- -------- --------
~~VV --------V
2.2
---- ----- ------ l---' ~ ---- --------
~ ~Y
I
V
2.0
V v
V ----- ~
I
l
A~ /
,/'
V V
1.8
~
/
V
----- I
i

/
J ------ ! i
1.6 .----- -----
~ I
i
1.4

1.2 II I
I
I

1.0 /1II :

I
!
0.8

0.6 l I
I
iI

0.4
I I
I
1

I
I
I
0.2
I

0.0
o
I 0.5 lO 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 ~.O 7.0 8.0 9.0 Iv.v
PSEUDO REDUCED PRESSURE p.

FIG. 2 - VARIATION OF f0.2

Pc Z
- dP c WITH p,..
Pc

318 PETROlEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME Vol. 192, 1951

 FRED H. POETTMANN T.P. 3217

Table I
Pr Z.
Values of I0.2 - dPr
Pr
Pseudo Pseudo
Reduced Pseudo Reduced Temperature Tr Reduced Pseudo Reduced Temperature Tr
Pressure Pressure
Pr 1.05 1.10 1.15 1.20 1.25 1.30 1.35 Pr 1.05 1.10 1.15 1.20 1.25 1.30 1.35
0.2 o o o o o o o 9.1 2.524 2.693 2.849 2.972 3.074 3.159 3.246
0.3 0.350 0.350 0.350 0.350 0.350 0.350 0.350 9.2 2.536 2.706 2.861 2.985 3.085 3.170 3.257
0.4 0.615 0.619 0.623 0.626 0.628 0.630 0.632 9.3 2.549 2.718 2.872 2.997 3.097 3.182 3.268
0.5 0.805 0.816 0.826 0.834 0.839 0.844 0.848 9.4 2.561 2.731 2.884 3.010 3.108 3.193 3.279
9.5 2.573 2.743 2.896 3.022 3.120 3.204 3.290
0.6 0.955 0.971 0.985 0.998 1.011 1.022 1.032
0.7 1.078 1.100 1.124 1.145 1.162 1.178 1.190 9.6 2.585 2.755 2.908 3.034 3.131 3.216 3.302
0.8 1.175 1.207 1.239 1.264 1.285 1.300 1.313 9.7 2.597 2.767 2.919 3.045 3.142 3.228 3.314
0.9 1.25·6 1.300 1.335 1.365 1.386 1.403 1.417 9.8 2.610 2.780 2.931 3.057 3.153 3.239 3.326
1.0 1.327 1.375 1.420 1.455 1.479 1.500 1.415 9.9 2.622 2.792 2.942 3.068 3.164 3.251 3.338
10.0 2.634 2.804 2.954 3.080 3.175 3.263 3.350
1.1 1.380 1.438 1.435 1.528 1.552 1.573 1.591"
1.2 1.433 1.500 1.550 1.600 1.625 1.645 1.666 10.1 2.646 2.816 2.966 3.092 3.187 3.274 3.361
1.3 1.463 1.545 1.602 1.657 1.684 1.709 1.731 10.2 2.658 2.828 2.978 3.103 3.199 3.286 3.372
1.4 1.492 1.590 1.654 1.713 1.742 1.772 1.795 10.3 2.671 2.840 2.989 3.115 3.211 3.297 3.382
1.5 1.510 1.620 1.690 1.757 1.791 1.824 1.848 10.4 2.683 2.852 3.001 3.126 3.223 3.309 3.393
10.5 2.695 2.864 3.013 3.138 3.235 3.320 3.404
1.6 1.527 1.649 1.726 1.800 1.839 1.875 1.900
1.7 1.544 1.670 1. 754 1.834 1.876 1.917 1.943 10.6 2.707 2.876 3.025 3.150 3.246 3.332 3.416
1.8 1.560 1.690 1.782 1.867 1.913 1.958 1.985 10.7 2.719 2.888 3.037 3.161 3.258 3.343 3.428
1.9 1.575 1.708 1.808 1.896 1.944 1.993 2.022 10.8 2.732 2.900 3.048 3.173 3.269 3.355 3.440
2.0 1.590 1.725 1.833 1.924 1.975 2.027 2.059 10.9 2.744 2.912 3.060 3.184 3.281 3.366 3.452
11.0 2.756 2.924 3.072 3.196 3.292 3.378 3.464
2.1 1.604 1.743 1.854 1.947 2.003 2.057 2.092
2.2 1.617 1.761 1.876 1.971 2.031 2.086 2.125 11.1 2.768 2.93·6 3.084 3.208 3.304 3.389 3.475
2.3 1.631 1.779 1.897 1.994 2.059 2.116 2.157 11.2 2.780 2.948 3.096 3.220 3.315 3.401 3.486
2.4 1.644 1.797 1.919 2.018 2.087 2.145 2.190 11.3 2.793 2.960 3.108 3.231 3.327 3.412 3.497
2.5 1.658 1.815 1.940 2.041 2.115 2.175 2.223 11.4 2.805 2.972 3.120 3.243 3.338 3.424 3.508
11.5 2.817 2.984 3.132 3.255 3.350 3.435 3.519
2.6 1.672 1.830 1.958 2.0·61 2.137 2.198 2.249
2.7 1.685 1.845 1.976 2.081 2.159 2.221 2.275 11.6 2.829 2.996 3.144 3.267 3.361 3.446 3.529
2.8 1.699 1.860 1.994 2.101 2.180 2.245 2.302 11.7 2.841 3.008 3.156 3.279 3.373 3.456 3.540
2.9 1.712 1.875 2.012 2.121 2.202 2.268 2.328 11.8 2.854 3.020 3.168 3.290 3.384 3.467 3.550
3.0 1.726 1.890 2.030 2.140 2.224 2.291 2.354 11.9 2.866 3.032 3.180 3.302 3.396 3.477 3.561
12.0 2.878 3.044 3.192 3.314 3.407 3.488 3.571
3.1 1.740 1.904 2.046 2.157 2.243 2.311 2.376
3.2 1.754 1.918 2.062 2.175 2.261 2.331 2.397 Pseudo
3.3 1.767 1.932 2.078 2.192 2.280 2.350 2.419 Reduced Pseudo Reduced Temperature Tr
3.4 1.781 1.946 2.094 2.210 2.298 2.370 2.440 Pressure
3.5 1.795 1.960 2.110 2.227 2.317 2.390 2.462 Pr 1.40 1.45 1.50 1.60 1. 70 1.80 1.90
3.6 1.808 1.974 2.125 2.243 2.333 2.407 2.480
3.7 1.822 1.988 2.140 2.259 2.349 2.424 2.498 0.2 0 o o o o o o
3.8 1.835 2.002 2.155 2.275 2.365 2.440 2.517 0.3 0.350 0.350 '.350 0.350 0.350 0.350 0.350
3.9 1.849 2.016 2.170 2.291 2.381 2.457 2.535 0.4 0.633 0.634 0.635 0.636 0.637 0.638 0.639
4.0 1.862 2.030 2.186 2.306 2.397 2.474 2.553 0.5 0.851 0.854 0.856 0.860 0.862 0.864 0.866
4.1 1.875 2.044 2.201 2.321 2.413 2.490 2.569 0.6 1.040 1.045 1.048 1.049 1.049 1.050 1.050
4.2 1.889 2.058 2.216 2.336 2.429 2.506 2.586 0.7 1.199 1.203 1.207 1.210 1.211 1.213 1.214
4.3 1.902 2.073 2.230 2.351 2.444 2.523 2.602 0.8 1.322 1.332 1.340 1.347 1.352 1.357 1.359
4.4 1.916 2.087 2.245 2.366 2.460 2.539 2.619 0.9 1.429 1.440 1.450 1.462 1.472 1.480 1.485
4.5 1.929 2.101 2.260 2.381 2.476 2.555 2.635 1.0 1.530 1.541 1.551 1.568 1.580 1.590 1.598
4.6 1.942 2.115 2.274 2.395 2.491 2.570 2.651 1.1 1.606 1.616 1.631 1.653 1.667 1.676 1.684
4.7 1.955 2.128 2.288 2.409 2.507 2.586 2.666 1.2 1.682 1.690 1.710 1.737 1.753 1.761 1.770
4.8 1.969 2.142 2.301 2.423 2.522 2.601 2.682 1.3 1.746 1.758 1.779 1.810 1.828 1.836 1.845
4.9 1.982 2.155 2.315 2.437 2.538 2.617 2.697 1.4 1.810 1.825 1.847 1.882 1.903 1.911 1.920
5.0 1.995 2.169 2.329 2.451 2.553 2.632 2.713 1.5 1.867 1.884 1.906 1.938 1.962 1.973 1.984
5.1 2.009 2.183 2.342 2.465 2.567 2.646 2.728 1.6 1.923 1.943 1.964 1.993 2.021 2.035 2.047
5.2 2.024 2.197 2.355 2.479 2.581 2.661 2.743 1. 7 1.969 1.991 2.012 2.043 2.072 2.089 2.102
5.3 2.038 2.210 2.369 2.492 2.595 2.675 2.758 1.8 2.014 2.038 2.060 2.093 2.123 2.142 2.157
5.4 2.053 2.224 2.382 2.506 2.609 2.690 2.773 1.9 2.054 2.079 2.100 2.136 2.165 2.187 2.204
5.5 2.067 2.238 2.395 2.520 2.623 2.704 2.788 2.0 2.093 2.119 2.140 2.178 2.207 2.231 2.250
5.6 2.079 2.251 2.408 2.533 2.636 2.718 2.801 2.1 2.126 2.153 2.176 2.215 2.248 2.272 2.292
5.7 2.091 2.264 2.421 2.547 2.650 2.731 2.815 2.2 2.160 2.187 2.212 2.252 2.!88 2.313 2.334
5.8 2.102 2.277 2.435 2.560 2.663 2.745 2.828 2.3 2.193 2.222 2.249 2.288 2.329 2.354 2.375
5.9 2.114 2.290 2.448 2.574 2.677 2.758 2.842 2.4 2.227 2.256 2.285 2.325 2.369 2.395 2.417
6.0 2.126 2.303 2.461 2.587 2.690 2.772 2.855 2.5 2.260 2.290 2.321 2.362 2.410 2.436 2.459
6.1 2.139 2.316 2.474 2.600 2.703 2.785 2.869 2.6 2.288 2.318 2.350 2.392 2.442 2.469 2.492
6.2 2.152 2.328 2.486 2.612 2.716 2.799 2.882 2.7 2.316 2.347 2.379 2.423 2.474 2.502 2.525
6.3 2.165 2.341 2.499 2.625 2.729 2.812 2.896 2.8 2.344 2.375 2.407 2.453 2.506 2.534 2.557
6.4 2.178 2.353 2.511 2.637 2.742 2.826 2.909 2.9 2.372 2.404 2.436 2.484 2.538 2.567 2.590
6.5 2.191 2.366 2.524 2.650 2.755 2.839 2.923 3.0 2.400 2.432 2.465 2.514 2.570 2.600 2.623
6.6 2.204 2.379 2.536 2.662 2.768 2.852 2.936 3.1 2.423 2.455 2.489 2.540 2.597 2.628 2.652
6.7 2.217 2.391 2.548 2.675 2.781 2.864 2.949 3.2 2.446 2.478 2.512 2.565 2.623 2.657 2.681
6.8 2.229 2.404 2.560 2.687 2.794 2.877 2.963 3.3 2.469 2.502 2.536 2.591 2.650 2.685 2.709
6.9 2.242 2.416 2.572 2.700 2.807 2.889 2.976 3.4 2.492 2.525 2.559 2.616 2.676 2.714 2.738
7.0 2.255 2.429 2.584 2.712 2.820 2.902 2.989 3.5 2.515 2.548 2.583 2.642 2.703 2.742 2.767
7.1 2.268 2.442 2.597 2.724 2.832 2.915 3.002 3.6 2.535 2.568 2.603 2.664 2.726 2.766 2.792
7.2 2.281 2.454 2.609 2.737 2.844 2.928 3.014 3.7 2.556 2.588 2.624 2.686 2.748 2.791 2.817
7.3 2.294 2.467 2.622 2.749 2.856 2.941 3.027 3.8 2.576 2.609 2.644 2.708 2.771 2.815 2.843
7.4 2.307 2.479 2.634 2.762 2.868 2.954 3.039 3.9 2.597 2.629 2.665 2.730 2.793 2.840 2.868
7.5 2.320 2.492 2.647 2.774 2.880 2.967 3.052 4.0 2.617 2.649 2.685 2.752 2.816 2.864 2.893
7.6 2.333 2.505 2.660 2.786 2.892 2.979 3.065 4.1 2.634 2.667 2.703 2.771 2.836 2.885 2.915
7.7 2.346 ~.517 2.672 2.799 2.904 2.991 3.077 4.2 2.651 2.685 2.721 2.789 2.856 2.907 2.937
7.8 2.359 2.530 2.685 2.811 2.916 3.003 3.090 4.3 2.669 2.702 2.740 2.808 2.875 2.928 2.958
7.9 2.372 2.542 2.697 2.824 2.928 3.015 3.102 4.4 2.686 2.720 2.758 2.826 2.895 2.950 2.980
8.0 2.385 2.555 2.710 2.836 2.940 3.027 3.115 4.5 2.703 2.738 2.776 2.845 2.915 2.971 3.002
8.1 2.398 2.568 2.723 2.848 2.952 3.039 3.127 4.6 2.719 2.754 2.793 2.863 2.933 2.990 3.022
8.2 2.411 2.580 2.736 2.861 2.964 3.051 3.139 4.7 2.735 2.770 2.810 2.881 2.952 3.009 3.041
8.3 2.424 2.593 2.748 2.873 2.977 3.064 3.151 4.8 2.752 2.786 2.826 2.899 2.970 3.027 3.061
8.4 2.437 2.605 2.761 2.886 2.989 3.076 3.163 4.9 2.768 2.802 2.843 2.917 2.989 3.046 3.080
8.5 2.450 2.618 2.774 2.898 3.001 3.088 3.175 5.0 2.784 2.818 2.860 2.935 3.007 3.065 3.100
8.6 2.462 2.631 2.787 2.910 3.013 3.100 3.187 5.1 2.799 2.834 2.876 2.952 3.024 3.082 3.118
8.7 2.475 2.643 2.799 2.923 3.025 3.112 3.199 5.2 2.814 2.850 2.892 2.968 3.042 3.099 3.136
8.8 2.487 2.656 2.812 2.935 3.038 3.124 3.211 5.3 2.830 2.865 2.908 2.985 3.059 3.117 3.153
8.9 2.500 2.668 2.824 2.948 3.050 3.136 3.223 5.4 2.845 2.881 2.924 3.001 3.077 3.134 3.171
9.0 2.512 2.681 2.837 2.960 3.062 3.148 3.235 5.5 2.860 2.897 2.940 3.018 3.094 3.151 3.189

Vol. 192, 1951 PETROLEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME 319

T.P. 3217 THE CALCUlATION OF PRESSURE DROP IN THE FLOW OF NATURAL GAS
THROUGH PIPE
Table I (Continued)
Pseudo Pseudo
Reduced Pseudo Reduced Temperature T .. Reduced Pseudo Reduced Temperature Tr
Pressure Pressure
P.. 1.40 1.45 1.50 1.60 1.70 1.80 1.90 P .. 2.00 2.20 2.40 2.60 2.80 3.00
5.6 2.874 2.912 2.955 3.037 3.110 3.168 3.206 2.6 2.508 2.523 2.544 2.562 2.574 2.593
5.7 2.888 2.926 2.970 3.049 3.125 3.185 3.224 2.7 2.541 2.559 2.581 2.599 2.612 2.630
5.8 2.902 2.941 2.985 3.065 3.141 3.201 3.241 2.8 2.575 2.594 2.617 2.637 2.651 2.668
5.9 2.916 2.955 3.000 3.080 3.156 3.218 3.259 2.9 2.608 2.630 2.654 2.674 2.689 2.705
6.0 2.930 2.970 3.015 3.096 3.172 3.235 3.276 3.0 2.641 2.665 2.691 2.712 2.728 2.743
6.1 2.943 2.984 3.029 3.111 3.187 3.250 3.292 3.1 2.670 2.694 2.722 2.744 2.759 2.775
6.2 2.956 2.997 3.043 3.125 3.202 3.266 3.308 3.2 2.700 2.723 2.753 2.775 2.790 2.806
6.3 2.970 3.011 3.056 3.140 3.218 3.281 3.323 3.3 2.729 2.752 2.783 2.807 2.821 2.838
6.4 2.983 3.024 3.070 3.154 3.233 3.297 3.339 3.4 2.759 2.781 2.814 2.838 2.852 2.869
6.5 2.996 3.038 3.084 3.169 3.248 3.312 3.355 3.5 2.788 2.810 2.845 2.870 2.883 2.901
6.6 3.009 3.051 3.098 3.183 3.262 3.327 3.370 3.6 2.813 2.836 2.872 2.910 2.911 2.929
6.7 3.022 3.064 3.112 3.197 3.276 3.341 3.385 3.7 2.839 2.862 2.899 2.950 2.938 2.957
6.8 3.034 3.077 3.126 3.210 3.291 3.356 3.399 3.8 2.864 2.888 2.925 2.990 2.966 2.984
6.9 3.047 3.090 3.140 3.224 3.305 3.370 3.414 3.9 2.890 2.914 2.952 3.030 2.993 3.012
7.0 3.060 3.103 3.154 3.238 3.319 3.385 3.429 4.0 2.915 2.940 2.979 3.070 3.021 3.040
7.1 3.073 3.116 3.167 3.251 3.332 3.399 3.443 4.1 2.938 2.963 3.002 3.081 3.045 3.064
7.2 3.085 3.129 3.180 3.264 3.345 3.413 3.457 4.2 2.960 2.985 3.025 3.092 3.069 3.088
7.3 3.098 3.141 3.194 3.278 3.359 3.427 3.472 4.3 2.983 3.008 3.049 3.103 3.094 3.112
7.4 3.110 3.154 3.207 3.291 3.372 3.441 3.486 4.4 3.005 3.030 3.072 3.114 3.118 3.136
7.5 3.123 3.167 3.220 3.304 3.385 3.455 3.500 4.5 3.028 3.053 3.095 3.125 3.142 3.160
7.6 3.135 3.180 3.233 3.317 3.398 3.468 3.514 4.6 3.048 3.074 3.117 3.147 3.164 3.182
7.7 3.147 3.192 3.246 3.330 3.411 3.482 3.528 4.7 3.068 3.095 3.139 3.168 3.186 3.203
7.8 3.160 3.205 3.260 3.344 3.424 3.495 3.541 4.8 3.088 3.115 3.161 3.190 3.209 3.225
7.9 3.172 3.217 3.274 3.357 3.437 3.509 3.555 4.9 3.108 3.136 3.183 3.211 3.231 3.246
8.0 3.184 3.230 3.287 3.370 3.450 3.522 3.5-69 5.0 3.128 3.157 3.205 3.233 3.253 3.268
8.1 3.197 3.242 3.299 3.382 3.462 3.534 3.581 5.1 3.146 3.177 3.225 3.253 3.274 3.288
8.2 3.209 3.254 3.311 3.394 3.474 3.546 3.594 5.2 3.164 3.196 3.244 3.273 3.295 3.308
8.3 3.222 3.266 3.323 3.407 3.486 3.559 3.606 5.3 3.182 3.216 3.264 3.294 3.315 3.328
8.4 3.234 3.278 3.335 3.419 3.498 3.571 3.619 5.4 3.200 3.235 3.283 3.314 3.336 3.348
8.5 3.247 3.290 3.347 3.431 3.510 3.583 3.631 5.,5 3.218 3.255 3.303 3.334 3.357 3.368
8.6 3.259 3.302 3.359 3.443 3.523 3.595 3.643 5.6 3.235 3.273 3.321 3.352 3.375 3.386
8.7 3.270 3.315 3.370 3.456 3.535 3.607 3.655 5.7 3.252 3.291 3.339 3.370 3.393 3.405
8.8 3.283 3.327 3.382 3.468 3.548 3.619 3.1;6·6 5.8 3.270 3.309 3.356 3.389 3.412 3.423
8.9 3.293 3.340 3.393 3.481 3.560 3.631 3.1378 5.9 3.287 3.327 3.374 3.407 3.430 3.442
9.0 3.305 3.352 3.405 3.493 3.573 3.643 3.690 6.0 3.304 3.345 3.392 3.425 3.448 3.460
9.1 3.317 3.364 3.417 3.505 3.585 3.655 3.702 6.1 3.321 3.362 3.409 3.442 3.466 3.477
9.2 3.329 3.376 3.429 3.517 3.597 3.667 3.714 6.2 3.337 3.379 3.426 3.459 3.483 3.'94
9.3 3.340 3.388 3.440 3.530 3.608 3.678 3.725 6.3 3.354 3.395 3.443 3.476 3.501 3.511
9.4 3.352 3.400 3.452 3.542 3.620 3.690 3.737 6.4 3.370 3.412 3.460 3.493 3.518 3.528
9.5 3.364 3.412 3.464 3.554 3.632 3.702 3.749 6.5 3.387 3.429 3.477 3.510 3.536 3.545
9.6 3.376 3.424 3.475 3.565 3.644 3.713 3.760 6.6 3.402 3.444 3.493 3.526 3.551 3.561
9.7 3.388 3.435 3.487 3.576 3.656 3.724 3.772 6.7 3.417 3.459 3.508 3.542 3.567 3.577
9.8 3.399 3.447 3.498 3.588 3.667 3.736 3.783 6.8 3.432 3.475 3.524 3.557 3.582 3.592
9.9 3.411 3.458 3.510 3.599 3.679 3.747 3.795 6.9 3.447 3.490 3.539 3.573 3.598 3.608
10.0 3.423 3.470 3.521 3.610 3.691 3.758 3.806 7.0 3.462 3.505 3.555 3.589 3.613 3.624
10.1 3.434 3.482 3.532 3.622 3.702 3.769 3.817 7.1 3.477 3.520 3.570 3.604 3.628 3.639
10.2 3.446 3.494 3.544 3.633 3.714 3.780 3.828 7.2 3.491 3.534 3.584 3.618 3.643 3.654
10.3 3.457 3.506 3.555 3.645 3.725 3.790 3.840 7.3 3.506 3.549 3.599 3.633 6.659 3.670
10.4 3.469 3.518 3.567 3.656 3.737 3.801 3.851 7.4 3.520 3.563 3.613 3.647 3.674 3.685
10.5 3.480 3.530 3.578 3.668 3.748 3.812 3.862 7.5 3.535 3.578 3.6?'S 3.662 3.689 3.700
10.6 3.492 3.541 3.588 3.679 3.758 3.823 3.873 7.6 3.548 3.591 3.642 3.676 3.703 3.714
10.7 3.504 3.552 3.598 3.689 3.769 3.834 3.883 7.7 3.562 3.605 3.656 3.690 3.718 3.728
10.8 3.515 3.562 3.609 3.700 3.779 3.844 3.894 7.8 3.575 3.61B 3.670 3.704 3.732 3.742
10.9 3.527 3.573 3.619 3.710 3.790 3.855 3.904 7.9 3.589 3.632 3.684 3.718 3.747 3.756
11.0 3.539 3.584 3.629 3.721 3.800 3.866 3.915 8.0 3.602 3.645 3.69K 3.732 3.761 3.770
11.1 3.551 3.595 3.639 3.732 3.811 3.877 3.926 8.1 3.615 3.658 3.711 3.745 3.774 3.783
11.2 3.562 3.605 3.650 3.743 3.822 3.888 3.937 8.2 3.627 3.671 3.723 3.758 3.788 3.796
11.3 3.574 3.616 3.660 3.753 3.832 3.899 3.947 8.3 3.640 3.684 3.736 3.771 3.801 3.810
11.4 3.585 3.626 3.671 3.764 3.843 3.910 3.958 8.4 3.652 3.697 3.748 3.784 3.815 3.823
11.5 3.597 3.637 3.681 3.775 3.854 3.921 3.969 8.5 3.665 3.710 3.761 3.797 3.828 3.836
11.6 3.607 3.648 3.692 3.786 3.865 3.932 3.980 8.6 3.677 3.722 3.773 3.810 3.840 3.849
11.7 3.617 3.658 3.702 3.797 3.876 3.943 3.991 8.7 3.690 3.734 3.786 3.823 3.853 3.862
11.8 3.628 3.669 3.713 3.808 3.886 3.955 4.003 8.8 3.702 3.746 3.798 3.835 3.865 3.875
11.9 3.638 3.679 3.723 3.819 3.897 3.966 4.014 8.9 3.715 3.758 3.811 3.848 3.878 3.888
12.0 3.6'8 3.690 3.734 3.830 3.908 3.977 4.025 9.0 3.727 3.770 3.823 3.861 3.890 3.901
9.1 3.739 3.782 .3.835 3.873 3.902 3.913
Pseudo 9.2 3.750 3.794 3.847 3.885 3.915 3.925
Reduced Pseudo Reduced Temperature Tr 9.3 3.762 3.806 3.0!'i9 3.897 3.927 3.938
Pressure 9.4 3.773 3.818 3.871 3.909 3.940 3.950
Pr 2.00 2.20 2.40 2.60 2.80 3.00 9.5 3.785 3.830 3.883 3.921 3.952 3.962
-------------------------- 9.6 3.797 3.842 3.895 3.933 3.964 3.974
0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.7 3.809 3.854 3.907 3.945 3.976 3.986
0.3 0.350 0.350 0.350 0.350 0.350 0.350 9.8 3.820 3.865 3.918 3.957 3.987 3.999
0.4 0.639 0.640 0.640 0.640 0.640 O.HO 9.9 3.832 3.877 3.930 3.9·69 3.999 4.011
0.5 0.867 0.868 0.869 0.869 0.869 0.869 10.0 3.844 3.889 3.942 3.981 4.011 4.023
0.6 1.050 1.051 1.051 1.052 1.052 1.052 10.1 3.855 3.900 3.953 3.992 4.023 4.035
0.7 1.216 1.218 1.219 1.220 1.220 1.220 10.2 3.867 3.911 3.965 4.004 4.035 4.046
0.8 1.360 1.363 1.364 1.364 1.364 1.364 10.3 3.878 3.923 3.976 4.015 4.046 4.058
0.9 1.489 1.492 1.494 1.495 1.495 1.495 10.4 3.890 3.934 3.988 4.027 4.058 4.069
1.0 1.602 1.607 1.608 1.609 1.610 1.610 10.5 3.901 3.945 3.999 4.038 4.070 4.081
1.1 1.691 1.699 1.702 1.706 1.709 1.711 10.6 3.912 3.956 4.010 4.049 4.081 4.092
1.2 1. 780 1. 790 1. 795 1.802 1.808 1.812 10.7 3.923 3.967 4.021 4.060 4.093 4.104
1.3 1.858 1.868 1.875 1.883 1.890 1.896 10.8 3.933 3.978 4.031 4.071 4.104 4.115
1.4 1.935 1.945 1.954 1.964 1.972 1.980 10.9 3.944 3.989 4.042 4.082 4.116 4.127
1.5 1.997 2.010 2.019 2.027 2.036 2.045 11.0 3.955 4.000 4.053 4.093 4.127 4.138
1.6 2.059 2.074 2.083 2.090 2.100 2.110 11.1 3.966 4.011 4.064 4.104 4.138 4.149
1.7 2.116 2.131 2.141 2.148 2.159 2.169 11.2 3.977 4.022 4.075 4.116 4.150 4.160
1.8 2.172 2.188 2.198 2.205 2.217 2.227 11.3 3.988 4.033 4.087 4.127 4.161 4.172
1.9 2.219 2.237 2.247 2.2S6 2.267 2.279 11.4 3.999 4.044 4.098 4.139 4.173 4.183
2.0 2.265 2.285 2.295 2.307 2.317 2.330 11.5 4.010 4.055 4.109 4.150 4.184 4.194
2.1 2.307 2.326 2.337 2.350 2.361 2.375 11.6 4.022 4.067 4.121 4.161 4.195 4.205
2.2 2.349 2.366 2.380 2.394 2.404 2.420 11.7 4.03& 4.079 4.132 4.172 4.206 4.?16
2.3 2.391 2.407 2.422 2.437 2.448 2.465 11.8 4.0&;) 4.090 4.144 4.183 4.217 4.227
2.4 2.433 2.447 2.465 2.481 2.491 2.510 11.9 4.057 4.102 4.155 4.194 4.228 4.238
2.5 2.475 2.488 2.507 2.524 2.535 2.555 12.0 4.069 4.114 4.167 4.205 4.239 4.249

320 PETROLEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME Vol. 192, 1951

 FRED H. POETIMANN T.P. 3217

The absolute temperature T was removed from within the T

integral sign by assuming a constant average temperature in T,=-- (8)
Te
the flow string. This is not a serious assumption since temper-
ature usually varies as a straight line function of depth.
p •. =
Pseudo reduced pressure
T, = Pseudo reduced temperature
The compressibility factors for natural gases are correlated =
P e Pseudo critical pressure
as a function of pseudo reduced pressure and temperature. Te = Pseudo critical temperature in degrees absolu.te
P Differentiating Equation (7)
p, = - (7)
Pc PedP, = dP
and substituting Equations (7) and (9) in Equation (6) ;
Table II - Flow String Weights and Sizes Equation (6) can be expressed in reduced form.

Nominal API Weight Outside In.ide

RT
--
IPI Z
- dP = - -
RT IPrl '7

~ dP (10)
Size Rating Per Ft Diameter Diameter 111 P, P 111 P.·, P, '
In. In. In. In.
By arbitrarily setting a lower pressure limit of P, of 0.2
2.3 or 2.4 1.660 1.380
2.9 or 2.748 1.900 1.610 the value of the integral can be evaluated:

= IP"
z:j§" 4.00 2.375 2.041
2% 4.5 or 4.7 2.375 1.995
-Z dP ~ elP •. =
2% 5.897 2.875 2.469
P P., p,
2% 6.25 or 6.5 2.875 2.441

I0.2Pr, Z
3% 7.694 3.500 3.068
3% 8.50 3.500 3.018 dP, - dP, (11)
31112 9.30 3.500 2.992
3 12 10.2 3.500 2.922 p. P,
4
4
4 112
9.26 or 9.50
1LOO
10.98
4.000
4.000
4.500
3.548
3.476
4.026
Values of I0.2P..
Z
- elP ..
P,
have been determined in both
4112 11. 75 4.500 3.990
4% 12.75 4.500 3.958 graphical (Fig. 2) and tabular form (Table I) from the com-
4%, 16.00 4.750 4.082 pressibility factor chart for natural gases as functions of re-
4%, 16.50 4.750 4.070
5 12.85 5.000 4.500 duced temperature and pressure.' A similar function was used
5 13.00 5.000 4.494 by Fowler' in the direct solution for calculating the static
5 15.00 5.000 4.408
4.276
bottom hole pressures of gas wells. Fowler's curves were cal-
5 18.00 5.000
5 21.00 5.000 4.154 culated for methane.
51,4 16.00 5.250 4.648
5% 17.00 5.500 4.892 The integrated average value of velocity y can also be
5% 20.00 5.500 4.778
expressed as a function of
5%, 14.00 5.750 5.290
5%, 17.00 5.750 5.190 Z
5o/.i 19.50 5.750 5.090 - dP
5%, 22.50 5.750 4.990 p, ..
6 20.00 6.000 5.350
6% 20.00 6.625 6.049
vw
6% 24.00 6.625 5.921 v=-- (12)
6% 26.00 6.625 5.855 A
6% 28.00 6.625 5.791 where
29.00 6.625 5.761
6~~
6%
7 20.00 7.000 6.456
W = Pounds gas flowing per second
6%
6%
7
7
22.00
24.00
7.000
7.000
6.398
6.336
A = Cross sectional area of flow path in sq ft
·6% 7 26.00 7.000 6.276
6% 28.00 7.000 6.214 (13)
6% 7 30.00 7.000 6.154
API 7% 34.00 7.625 6.765
7% 8 26.00 8.000 7.386
API 8% 28.00 8.125 7.485
API 8Y. 32.00 8.125 7.385
1.8
API 8Y. 35.50 8.125 7.285
API
API
8 1/s
8 1/s
39.5 or 40.00
42.00
8.125
8.125
7.185
7.125 /
814
8'4
8%
8%
24.00
28.00
8.625
8.625
8.097
8.017 I.S
I /
8'4
814
8%
8%
32.00
32.00
8.625
8.625
7.921
7.907
r---- ~- -- -.~
//
814 8% 36.00 8.625 7.825 V
8'4 8% 38.00 8.625 7.775
8'4 8% 43.00 8.625 7.651 ./
8'4
8%
8%
9
44.85
34.00
8.625
9.000
7.625
8.290 /
8%
8%
9
9
38.00
40.00
45.00
9.000
9.000
9.000
8.196
8.150
8.032
/
8% 9
8% 9 54.00 9.000 7.812
r----
/V
API 9% 43.80 9.625 8.755 V'"
API 9% 47.20 9.625 8.681
API 9 5/, 53.60 9.625 8.535 ./
API 9% 57.40 9.625 8.451 /0
9'4 9% 36.00 9.625 8.921
9%
9'YH
10
10
10
10%
33.00
60.00
32.75
10.000
10.000
10.750
9.384
8.780
10.192
I
/ I
I

10
10
10%
10%.
35.75
40.00
10.750
10.750
10.136
10.054
V
API
10
API
10*
100/;
10%.
40.50
45.00
45.50
10.750
10.750
10.750
10.050
9.960
9.950
V 20 40 60 eo 100 120 140
10 10% 48.00 10.750 9.902 BARRELS CONDENSATE PER MILLION STD. CU. fT. GAS

API 100/, 51.00 10.750 9.850

10 10% 54.00 10.750 9.784
FIG. 3 - GRAVITY RATIO VS STOCK-TANK YIELD OF CONDENSATE:

Vol. 192, 1951 PETROLEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME 321

f.P. 3217 THE CALCULATION OF PRESSURE DROP IN THE FLOW OF NATURAL GAS
THROUGH PIPE

IP,P' vdP ( W
A
) (..!!!
M
) IPr, ~ dP r
Pr, P r
Where:
L = depth in ft
Q = MMcfjD of gas at 14.65 and 60°F
f=---- (14)
P,-P, 6.P D = diameter of tubing in ft
= =
L.P p,-p, Pc (L.P r) in psia
1
Z dPr]: (15)
G = gas gravity (air 1) =
(LeP) , Pr Thus an expression relating the difference in elevation L
between any two pressure limits P, and P, as a function of

.y' = (
W
A
)t(MRT )' (!:;.P) , [IPr, ZP,. dP r -
1
0.2
IPr. Z
0.2- P r dP r
], flow rate, gas gravity, tubing diameter, average flowing tern·
perature, and correlating factor / is available.
(16) Values of / can be obtained from Fig. 1, which is a plot of
=
f' 4/, as a function of Reynolds number and relative rough-
Z
RTavg
Let L,=~ [ IPr,
0.2
ZIP,. Z
- dP,-
p,
-
0.2 P,.
dPr ]. (17) ness. Values of I Pr
0.2
-
P,
dP r can be obtained from Fig. 2

or Table I, whichever is most convenient. The incrementll of

53.241 P Z pseudo reduced pressure and temperature of Table I are such
-ZdP,.-
IP"
Tavg
Ls = [I " dP, ] . (18) that linear interpolation may be used. Table II lists the perti·
G 0.2 p, 0.2 p,
nent data on the various flow string sizes.
Where: G equals gas gravity (air = 1) The literature contains many equations for the determina·
Then substituting Equations (10), (16) and (18) in Equa- tion of the value of /. At present it appears that one of the
tion (4): best ways to determine / is by the relative roughness method:
L. To use the relative roughness method it is necessary to estab-
L = ---------- (19)
, 4/
1 T---'
(Ls)' W)'
(A
lish a value for the absolute roughness of the pipe wall.
This can best be accomplished by an analysis of experimental
2 g,D (6.P),
flow data. Cullender and Binckley3 have shown from data
Further simplification results in:
presented in U. S. Bureau of Mines Monograph 6,' that an
Ls
L = - - - - - - - 'G'
- -(L)"
-- (20) absolute roughnesll of 0.0006 in. is satisfactory for clean pipe.
1 + 3.8085 X 10.
/Q 6
- - ._ - - '-
The faCtor / can be expressed as a power function of the
D' (L.P)' Reynolds number and pipe diameter for a given absolute

Table III - Comparison of Observed Data and Calculated Results, Flow of Gas In Vertical Pipe
Part A - Dry Gas Wells
Specific Tubing Sand Face Press ure
Tubing Size Gravity Pressure Ps P,
Test In. Q L Tavg of Flowing Pw Observed Calculated Deviation
No. Nominal ID MMcf/D Ft OF Fluid Psia Psia Psia Psia Per Cent

1 2'/2 2.441 5.109 5190 92 0.600 1253.0 1495 1490 - 5 -0.334

2 2% 2.441 9.514 5190 94 0.600 1112.4 1478 1483 + 5 +0.338
3 2V. 2.441 14.068 5190 96 0.600 832.0 1475 1500 +25 +1.695
4 2% 2.441 6.299 4922 91 0.605 1297.4 1593 1554 -39 -2.448
21/2 2.441 5.695 5195 92 0.595 1210.0 1462 1455 - 7 -0.479
2% 2.441 9.298 5195 93 0.595 1084.4 1452 1451 - 1 -0.069
, 2% 2.441 13.176 5195 94 0.595 802.4 1438 1412 -26 -1.808
~ 2~", 2.441 4.827 4750 93 0.602 1188.4 1411 1392 -19 -1.346
9 2% 2.441 8.025 4750 93 0.602 1099.4 1411 1389 -22 -1.559
10 2% 2.441 13.680 4750 95 0.602 764.4 1401 1382 -19 -1.356
11 2% 2.441 2.432 4764 90 0.599 1102.4 1260 1261 + 1 +0.079
12 21~ 2.441 4.127 4764 90 0.599 1043.4 1216 1236 +20 +1.618
13 2' • 2.441 6.167 4764 90 0.599 923.4 1156 1148 - 8 -0.692
14 2% 2.441 3.810 5242 93 0.591 1433.4 1690 1654 -36 -2.130
-1.837
15
16 2~
2 2
2.441
2.441
5.379
7.663
5242
5195
93
92
0.591
0.595
1302.4
919.4
1579
1257
1550
1220
-29
-37 -2.943
17 21~ 2.441 10.598 5195 92 0.595 680.4 1247 1173 -76 -6.308
18 2 , 2.441 11.841 5195 92 0.595 650.4 1247 1227 -20 -1.604
19 '
2112 2.441 4.384 5195 92 0.595 1028.4 1240 1223 -17 -1.371
20 2% 2.441 6.585 5195 92 0.595 966.4 1230 1226 - 4 -0.325

Part B - Distillate Wells

Specific
Tubing Size Gas/Oil °API Gravity Ps Ps
Test In. Q [, Tav~ Ratio Gravity of Flowing Pw Observed Calculated Deviation
No. Nominal ID MMcf/D Ft OF MCF/Bbl Liquid Fluid Psia Psia Psia Psia Per Cent
21 2.0 1.995 4.461 5529 122.5 341.2 47.7 0.7083 1873 2266 2307 +41 +1.809
22 2.0 1.995 3.765 5529 122.5 341.2 47.7 0.7083 1951 ( ?) 2276 2370 +94 +4.130
23 2.0 1.995 3.055 5529 121.0 341.2 47.7 0.7083 1953 2287 2348 +61 +2.66,
24 2.0 1.995 2.675 9110 157.5 40.7 54.0 0.7163 1979 2688 2593 -95 -3.534
25 2% 2.441 4.803 8226 164.0 65.8 51.3 0.761 2272 2893 2944 +51 + 1.763
26 2'12 2.441 3.207 8226 161.0 65.8 51.3 0.761 2320 2902 2970 +~8 +2.343
27 2112 2.441 1.338 8226 160.0 65.8 51.3 0.761 2373 2911 3003 +92 +3.160
28 2.0 1.995 5.153 5790 121.5 787.89 35.3 0.604 2122 2(;60 2556 - 9 -0.351
29 2.0 1.995 3.522 5790 119.0 787.89 35.3 0.604 2202 2593 2580 -13 -0.501
30 2.0 1.99:; 2.760 5790 118.5 787.89 ~5.3 0.604 2232 2601 2593 - 8 -0.308
31 2.0 1.995 2.046 5790 117.5 787.89 ·35:3 0.604 2260 2605 2610 + 5 +0.192

322 PETROlEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME Vol. 192, 1951

 FRED H. POETTMANN T.P. 3211

roughness.' For an absolute roughness of 0.0006 in. and in and D'·OJ' of Equation (22) by'
terms of Q, G, D and viscosity 1-': D'·oo,= (D,+D,)l.U35 (D,-DJ 3 .'" (2.)1
7.7302 x 10·' Q.o.", D·o.", G· o. o" Where D, =
Internal diameter of casing in ft
f == -oO{jS
I-' .
(21) D, =
External diameter of tubing in ft
Substituting Equation (21) into Equation (20), gives: The use of Equation (22) is perhaps best explained by a
numerical example.
L.
L =---------------------------- (22) Example: Calculate the sandface pressure of gas·distillate
1 + 2.94409 X 10. 8 well from the following surface measurements:
D'·O"' 1-'.0.065 (6P), Q =
5.153 MMcf/D
where I-' = viscosity in 'Pounds per foot second. =
D 1.995 in. 0.1663 ft =
Gravity separator gas 0.600 =
Gravity distillate 35.3 API = 0

Separator gas/liquid ratio = 787.89 Mcf/bbl

Comparison with Field Data Depth of well 5,790 ft =
In order to present an idea of the deviation of the calcu· Hottom hole temperature = 160°F
lated results from field measurements for a given set of con· Well head tiow temperature 83°F =
ditions, Table III was prepared. Comparisons were made on 20 'l'ubing pres~ure = ~,122 psia
flowing conditions in dry gas wells from a given field and 11 Viscosity = 0.0185 centipoise (Figs. 5 and 6)
flowing conditions in distillate wells from different fields. = L~432 x 10 " Ib/ft·sec
160 + 83
Equation (22) was used to calculate the pressure traverses.
Only sandface pressures were compared. The deviations shown
A\erage flow string temperature
2
121.5°F = =
reflect to a considerable degree the accuracy of the data used 581.5°R =
in making the calculations and the accuracy of the recorded Gas gravity of flow stream from Equation (23)
flowing pressures, not the accuracy of the mathematical devel· 4,591 G.
opment. In the cases of the dry gas wells, for example, most Gg +
of the deviations are negative, indicating that perhaps for
R.
G=-------
the tubing in this field, the absolute roughness and thus the 1,123
factor f were slightly underestimated. However, the agreement 1+---
R.
between the calculated and observed results is good. ( 4,591) (0.8483)
The application of Equation (20) or (22) to distillate wells 0.600 +
787,890
may be somewhat limited by the amount of liquid in the flow G=_·
string. However, it is of interest to note that for a ratio as 1,123
low as 40,000 cu ft per bbl, reasonable agreement is still 1+
787,890
obtained. The higher the gas/oil ratio the more accurate one G = 0.604
can expect the calculated results to be. It is likely that the
procedures can be applied to wells with ratios considerably
lower than 40,000 cu ft per bbl without appreciable error in
the computed results. Table III also summarizes the data used 700
to calculate. the pressure traverses.
The gas gravity G of Equation (20) or (22) can be calcu· CO
I.flSC£LLAN£OUS
A
~. d••
lated from the composition of the flow stream or experiment·
ally measured. In the case of distillate wells, if the composi.
65 0 No
£NSA ,£
'YELL'LU/OS
-.r-
- -
tion is not available, gas gravity may be calculated from the
following equation:" 60 0

4,591 Ge
G +---
g R.
55 6
G=------ (23)
1,]23
1+-
V
R. V
50 0 /'
where:
Ge
V
Separator gas gravity '" /
G. Specific gravity of condensate
'"a: .,~
R. gas/liquid ratio. cu ft/bbl
Rzasa and Katz' developed a simple correlation based on
:>
!;(
0:",
450

...~",-~O
(, //"
't
Wz ~:lfl,..\)\O'"
field data, Fig. 3, from which can be estimated the well fluid ~;z -II~I,..I,..
~~ 400 ,...o;~

gravity of distillate wells, if Equation (23) is not used. .JD: ~cP~O~~51

~:!J #
The pseudo (molal average) critical temperature and pres·
sure of the gas may be calculated from the gas composition.
>-..,
58350 V
0 0 1/
If composition is not available, Fig. 4 may be used to estimate o
:>
w
the pseudo critical temperature and pressure.' VI
<l.

The viscosity of the natural gas may be obtained from Figs. 300
o.~ 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2
5 and 6.' GAS GRAVITY (AIR-I)
In the case of flow through the annulus, D' of Equation (20)
must be replaced by' FIG. 4 - PSEUDO CRITICAL PROPERTIES OF CONDENSATE WELL FLUIDS
D'= (D,+D,)'(D,-D,)' (24) AND MISCELLANEOUS NATURAL GASES.'

Vol. 192, 1951 PETROLEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME 323

T.P. 3217 THE CALCULATION OF PRESSURE DROP IN THE FLOW OF NATURAL GAS
THROUGH PIPE
Pseudo critical temperature and pressure from Fig. 4 Fig. 7 shows a plot of this pressure traverse. At a depth of
Pc =
671 psia 5,790 £t the sandface pressure is 2,556 psia as obtained by
Tc 360 R = 0
plotting the traverse on large scale graph paper.
Pseudo reduced temperature
T 581.5
T ,. = -- = - - = 1.615 CALCULATION OF STATIC BOTTOM-HOLE
Tc 360.0
PRESSURES OF GAS WELLS
Calculate L, for various downhole pressures
4
1 2 3 4 5 Fowler suggested the use of factors similar to those listed
in Table I or plotted on Fig. 2 in a method involving the
direct solution of the static bottom hole, pressures of gas wells.
L
P p,
P J
I
' - dP,
0.2 P,.
P
.2
Z
" -dP,.
P,.
- IP" 2-
I
=-dP, (Equation
.2 p, to:
F or zero flow rate (Q 0) Equations (20) and (22) reduce =
18)
--
2122 3.162
23~O 3.428
2.564
2.632
--
0.068
--
3183.7
L = L = ~.241 Tayg
. G
[I0,2P" ;:; dP,.-
P,.
I 0.2P "2
-Z dP,.
P,.
1
2600 3.875 2.734 0.170 8709.7 (26)
By rearranging.
Column 1 shows the various downhole pressures for which p" Z
Ls is to be calculated. Column 2 is the pseudo reduced pres· IJ.2 P,.
_
- dP,. -
LG
0.2 P,.
53.241 TaYg
dP,. +IP"2 Z-
(27)
sure and is column 1 divided by 671 psia. C..lumn 3 was
Equation (27) is a direct solution for the static bottom hole
obtained from Table I by interpolation. Column 4 is the value
pressure.
of
p"
Ip,.,
Z
- dP,. between the downhole pressure and the tub-
P,. The factor corresponding to tubing pressure I0.2p,., Z
-
p,.
dP,.
ing pressure. Column 5, L, is calculated from Equation (I8).
LG
The various depths L corresponding to the pressures P of can be obtained directly from Table I or Fig. 2, - - - -
53,241 T."
column 1 are then calculated from Equation (22).
can be evaluated directly, the sum of the two then gives the
P L
2,122
2,300
0
2,445
factor I0.2p,., Z
-
p,
dP,. corresponding to the bottom hole pres-

2,600 6,365 sure. The pseudo reduced bottom hole pressure can be ob·

0.50 0.60. 0.70. 0.80. (l90. lCC 110.

..., .I
0.9
"'...,...- I--"' V)
w
!'~."" :.......- / V)

o
<?~">? ........-:: / .,/ ...........
0.6 ~
a.

6C"F ,/ ;-Y
,..,...- V
./
/ /" V z
w
u
~..., -:....- ~ ../ / /"
..:
/ 04 ~
09'3'~"'" V V .......- / ' /" /"
~
-- ~V
::::.:.- t:::: ~ f-" V
..,...- f-"" V
V /' ~
, / /: / '
/
>-
I-
iii
o
.- - f--

V
f/
~
~ ~v\o...
u
V)
:>
.000 V v:; I
/'
~>/lo
,?,<,p.<;,~
1)2
w
3o
1000 -r-- \ V)
I 700

~
.00
.00 I 14.7
14.7 '-
.I 0.1
.0.9
.08
......
II>
fo--. //"
!:l 1)7

~ 1)6 !'~ ...... V ............ ./

,.....,.., --::.- V
~ k>!'~ '/- V V /'
~ .05
u
...,
100C·F
.... ,/ V /'
~...04
/ V ..,...- /" V/
V
..-' I - ' / V V V /.
~ !!! ..... ,.....,.., /'
.O~~ V V ,.....,.., /'
/
f-""
>- 4022- V .......- ,/ ~ /'
l-

S .0.2
Moo ~
/
V ,.....,.., -;
V)
:> 2000 f.--
~
.....-- //
,,;aP
~5~ ~f.V\U'·
w I!tOO f-- Ii
I-

~
1000
00 I',
co
.«
.0. I0..50. 0..60.
"'.7

0.70. 0..80.
0..90
'- -- - lOO LlC
.0.1 ':-:--...J.._':-...J..--::=-...J..--::=-...J..--::=-....L..----:=-....L..---:-~.....L~
0..50 0..60 0..70. 0..80. 0..90. 1.0.0. 1,10.
GAS GRAVITY (AIR= 1.00) GAS GRAVITY (AIR= 1.0.)

FIG. 5 - VISCOSITY OF NATURAL GAS! FIG. 6 - VISCOSITY OF NATURAL GAS.'

324 PETROLEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME Vol. 192, 1951

 FRED H. POETTMANN T.P. 3217

tained from Table I or Fig. 2. Multiplying this pseudo reduced 2700

pressure by the pseudo critical pressure gives the static bot-
tom hole pressure.
Example: Calculate the static bottom hole pressure of a gas 2600
,/
well having a depth of .5.790 ft. The gas gravity is 0.600 and BOTTOM HOLE PRESSURE /
II,e pres~ure at the well head is 2,300 psia. The average tem-
perature of the flow Hring is 11 7"F. 2500
/ "J

From Fig. 4 V I
T,. =
358'R /
V 1
2400
I',. = 672 psia
l' 117 + 460
T,. = -:- = -~--- = 1.612
/. i I

1, 3.58 2300
V I
p,,, = -
-
2300
672
= 3.423
V
/v r
/ ~I
From Table I 2200

I
p" z.
- dP,. = 2.629
V ~i
..J

0.2 P, V ~I
2100 ~
LG
~:
(5,790) (.600)
- - - - - - = 0.113
S.~.241 T,," (S3.211) (S77) '"I
TI'erefore from Equation (27): 2000

I
p" Z.
- dP .. =
2.629 + 0.113 2.742 = ! --
0.2 P
From Tahle I 2.742 at a T, of 1.612 corresponds to a P, of 0 1000 2000 3000 ·4 <Xl 5000
I i
6000 700 o
DEPTH-FEET
3.918
f' = (3.918) (672) = 2.633 psia FIG. 7 - PRESSURE TRAVERSE OF flOWING GAS WELl.

where
HORIZONTAL FLOW OF GAS Q = MMcf/D of gas at 14.65 and 60°F
Equations for use in estimating the capacity of pipe lines D =
Diameter of tubing in ft
quite often disregard the deviation of the natural gas from !:,P = 1', - P, in psia
ideal gas behavior. For low pressure., this error is not serious. G = Gas gravity (air = 1)
For high pressures, this deviation from ideality must be taken T"g =
Average flowing temperature
into consideration. An equation can be derived which makes L = Length of line in ft
use of the factors tabulated in Table I or of Fig. 2. Expression of the f factor in terms of Q, G, D, and 1-', Equa-
Starting with the general flow equation and assuming no tion (21), and substitution into Equation (32), results in:
djfference in elevation (!:'h =
0). no external work (W, 0) = Q=
and a negligible kinetic energy term, then:
p, 6.43732 X 10' D,··58 (/::;.P) , ]V'"'
IP,
VdP + W t 0 = (28)
[ L T,,,.• G+o.", l-'+o.o"'[IP " !.. dP, _IP"
---- - -
~ dP,]
(33)

it ita, been shown in the foregoing sections that: 0.2 p, 0.2 P,.

IP,
p
, 53.241 T","
VdP =
Z. [II'..,
P" ~
-- dP,. - I - dP r
J where I-' = viscosity in Ib/ft-sec
G 0.2 p, 0.2 p,. Example: Calculate the capacity of a pipe line COll';lstmg
. . . . . . . (29) of 50 miles of 26 in. OD pipe having an ID of 25,44 in. The
and natural gas has a specific gravity of 0.6124. The temperature
1f1, = ~ (~.241 ,Ta vg )' of the flowing gas is 60°F. The upstream pressure is 825 psia
2 g,D G and the downstream pressure 565 psia.

[ I0.2p" z.
-- dP -
P,. '
"
0.2
IP ~-
dP ]'
P,.'
(W)'
A
-
1
-~-.
(!:'P) ,
(30)
The analysis of the gas is:
Component Mole Per Cent
by substitution of Equations (29) and (30) into Equation CO, 0.90
(28) and division by Equation (29) N, 1.38
CH, 91.75
l-~ (53.241 Tav g ) C,H" 4.31
2 g,D G C,H, 1.08
P ,.,
I0.2 Z
- dP,. -
p,
IP'"
0.2
~ dP,
-
P,.
] - -1- -
(t:cP)' ( --AW)'_-0. (31)
iC,H ,•
nC,H'0
0.17
0.21
iC,H" 0.02
Simplification of Equation (31) then results in: nC,H" 0.02

Q =
4,976.18

[ IL T"," G [I P '"
0.2
:"·~p~-JP~:· -z
P,. 0.2
L;J'] ".:
p,
(~2)
C"HH
G.H,,, pIli,
O.ll
O.OS

100.00
Vol. 192, 1951 PETROlEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME 325
T.P. 3217 THE CALCULATION OF PRESSURE DROP IN THE FLOW OF NATURAL GAS
THROUGH PIPE
Pseudo critical temperature, 358.4°R 200
Pseudo critical pressure, 674.0 psia
p,., = --- = 0.298
671
Pseudo reduced temperature, 1.45 1000
Pseudo reduced pressures, P"l
825
= -- = 1.224 p, ..
-
=-
671
=
1.490
674 From Table I or Fig. 2
565
Pr,
674
= -- = 0.8:{8 1 0.298 Z
- dP,. = 0.343
0.2 P,.
From Table I or Fig. 2 b
Prl Z
I - dP r = 1.706 at P'l
11.490
0.2 p,
- dP, = 1.920
0.2 P r From Equation (34)
I0.2Pr,
Z
- dP r
Pr
=
1.373 at Pr,
HP = 0.08S3I T [I P
" Z dP, -I P
"
0.2 P,. 0.2
From Fig. 5 at average pressure
f.l. =
0.0135 centipoise HP = 0.08:;31 (S60) (0.343-1.920)
f.l. =
9.072 x 10. 6 Ib/ft sec H P = - 7S.34 hp per 1.000.000 standard cu ft of gas per day.
From Equation (33) In other words. the theoretical isothermal horsepower nec-
e~sary to compress 1.000.000 standard cu {t of gas per day is
Q= 7S.34 hp.
(6.43732 X 105) (2.12)5.058 (260)' ] 0."";'
[,(5280) (50) (520) (0.6124+ 0.•35 (9.072xlO- 6 ) +0.065 (1.706-1.373)
CONCLUSION
Q == (14.32489 X 10')°·516' Equations have been derived for the calculation of. the
Q = 462.0 MMcf/D sand face pressure of flowing gas wells. the static bottom hole
pressure of gas wells. and the capacity of gas transmission
lines, which take into consideration the variation of the oom-
CALCULATION OF ISOTHERMAL HORSE- pressibility factor of the gas with pressure. This variation with
POWER REQUIRED TO COMPRESS A pressure has been put into both graphical and tabular form.
These fact.ors can also be used to calculate rigorously the
NATURAL GAS theoretical isothermal horsepower necessary to compress a
Quite often it is necessary to calculate the isothermal horse- natural gas. Examples demonstrating the use of the various
power required to compress a natural gas taking into consid- equations are given. In the case of the sand face pressure of
eration the deviation from ideal gas behavior. Starting with flowing gas wells, comparison of the calculated results with
the general flow equation, for any compression operation, field measured results are made for 31 different flowing con-
there is no difference in elevation (L::,.h = 0), there is a neg- ditions, for 11 dry gas and distillate wells. The agreement
between observed and calculated results is good.
L::,.v' )
ligible kinetic energy term ( - - = 0 and no energy loss,
2gc
(Wf = 0), then: ACKNOWLEDGMENT
p,
IP, VdP + W. = 0 The author wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to M. H.
Cullender and C. W. Binckley of the Natural Gas Department
p,
W, = Ip, VdP
of the Phillips Petroleum Co. for the aid extended him during
the development of this paper. to the Railroad Commission of
Since by definition, W, is work done by the fluid while in Texas for providing the data on the distillate wells and to the
flow, work done on the fluid by an external source would then hlanagement of the Phillips Petroleum Co. for permission to
be numerically negative. publish this report.
From Equation (29)

53.241 T
VdP = -Z dP,- [IP'" dPr]
IPr, ~ REFERENCES
G 0.2 P,. 0.2 p,. 1. Beal, C.: Trans. AIME (1946) 165, 94.
Expressing the work W, in terms of theoretical isothermal 2. Brown, G. G., Katz, D. L.. Oberfell, G. G.. and Alden,
horsepower required to compress 1,000.000 standard cu ft of R. c.: Natural Gasoline and the Volatile Hydrocarbons,
gas per day (60°F, 14.65 psia), results in: N.G.A.A. (1948).
3. Cullender, M. H., and Binckley. C. W.: Phillips Petroleum
HI' = 0.08531 T [I Prl
0.2
Z
- dP, -
P,.
IPr,
0.2
Z
-
P,.
]
dP r . (34) Co. Report Presented to the Railroad Commission of Texas
Hearing, November 9, 1950. Amarillo, Tex.
Example: Calculate the theoretical isothermal horsepower 4. Fowler, F. C.: The Petro Engr. (1947) 19, No.3, 88.
necessary to compress 1.000.000 standard cu ft per day of a 5. Moody. L. F.: Trans. ASME (1944) 66,671.
natural gas of 0.600 gravity (air = 1) from 200 to 1.000 6. Railroad Commission of Texas: Back Pressure Test for
psia at 100°F. Natural Gas Wells. State of Texas.
7. Rawlins. E. L.. and Schellhardt, M. A.: U. S. Bureau of
From Fig. 4
Mines Monograph 7 (1936).
T,. = 358°R 8. Rzasa, M. J., and Katz, D. L.: Trans. AIME (1945) 160,
P,. =
671 psia 100.
100 + 460 9. Johnson, T. W., and Berwald, W. B.: U. S. Bureau of Mines
T,. = - - - - = 1.564
3S8 Monograph 6 (1935), * * *
326 PETROLEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME Vol. 192, 1951
THE CALCULATION OF PRESSURE DROP IN THE FLOW OF NATURAL GAS
THROUGH PIPE

FRED H. POETTMANN, PHILLIPS PETROLEUM CO., BARTlESVILLE, OKLA., JUNIOR MEMBER AIME

(Published as T.P. 3217, Page 317)

DISCUSSION and a downstream pressure of 565 psia to be 462 MMcfjD.

By W. C. Mosteller, Southern Counties Gas Co. of California,
Los Angeles, Calif.
Poettmann develops by mathematical manipulation of basic
equations a means of taking into account the deviation of
natural gas from ideal gas behavior. Specific attention is given
to:
a. Calculation of pressure loss (or sand surface pressure)
of flowing gas wells;
b. Flow of gas in pipe lines;
<c. Calculation of isothermal horsepower required to com-
press natural gas.
I believe the author's flow equation derivation is not mathe-
matically rigorous_ This applies to his integration process and
treatment of average velocity in Equations (4), (14), (28),
(29), (30) and (31) _ More detailed comment of the author's
mathematics is given in Appendix 1 below.
Under some conditions the author's flow equations will give
correct results; under others, they will not. For instance, in
Poettmann's pipe line example, he computes the flow through
"a 50·mile 26·in. line with an upstream pressure of 825 psia
368 PETROLEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME
Calculation by a formula derived through rigorous mathe-
matics would, in this case, also give a flow of approximately
462 MMcf/D. If, in this pipe line, however, the upstream
pressure had been 825 psia and the downstream pressure 135
psia, the author" would have computed a flow rate of 54")
MMcf/D; whereas the" correctly computed flow rate is 624
MMcfjD (using the author's friction factor in each computa-
tion) .
W. O. Clinedinst' developed a pipe line flow formula along
a line of thought similar to that of Poettmann's. Although
Clinedinst did not present his material in such a convenient
tabular form as Poettmann's Table 1, Clinedinst's formula
is derived by more exacting mathematics. Later, Joffe' ex-
tended Clinedinst's work to provide computation charts that
are more convenient to read and use. P. MacDonald Biddison'
developed a simplified procedure for making the deviation
correction applicable to pipe lines operating at 2.000 psig or
less.
In Poettmann's development of his equation for gas flowing
from wells, the kinetic energy factor is eliminated on the as·
Vol. 192, 1"951
sum~tion that it is negligible. I am of the opmlOn that the
kinetic energy factor would not be negligible in all compu-
tations involving flowing gas wells.
In my opinion, Poettmann's Table III, which purports to
illustrate th~ accuracy of his vertical pipe flow equation, is
misleading. I believe that the percentage .accuracy figures
given in the last column of this table are hot indicative of the
accuracy of his flow formula since these percentages are based
upon the total observed pressure and not the relation between
the computed pressure drop and the observed pressure drop.
Poettman's formula for isothermal horsepower requirements
to compress natural gas is developed in a manner which i;;.
mathematically precise. In my opinion, however, actual ga,
compression is more closely represented by adiabatic condi-
tions instead of isothermal.
REFERENCES
1. Clinedinst, W. 0.: "Flow Equations for Gas Considering
Deviations from Ideal Gas Laws," The Oil and Gas Journal
(April 7, 1945).
2. Joffe: "Gas Flow in Long Pipelines," Chemical Engineering
(August, 1949).
3. Biddison, P. MacDonald: "Gas Flow Computations," 36th
Annual Convention Natural Gas Dept., American Gas Asso-
ciation, Dallas, Tex. (1941). Full paper later printed for
public distribution by American Gas Association.
APPENDIX 1
Illustration of Non-Rigorous Mathematics
In Paper, "The Calculation of Pressure Drop in the Flow
of Natural Gas Through Pipe"
Correct vertical flow equation - neglecting kinetic energy
effect:
V (dP)
L= ( ,
41u'
1+--
2gD
p,
This cannot be reduced to
fp,P' V (dP)
L=-----
4fli
1+---
2gD
with the value of 11 determined by separate integration as the
author performs in his Equations (14) through (16).
Correct gas flow equation - horizontal flow:
V (dP)
4f u'
2gD
p,
Vol. 192, 1951 PETROLEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME
This cannot be reduced to
jP' V (dP)
P,
L=----~
4 IIi'
2gD
with the value of 11 determined by Eeparate integration as the
author performs in his Equations (4) through (16).
AUTHOR'S REPLY TO MR. MOSTELLER
The primary purpose of the paper was to present a proce-
dure for calculating the sandface pressure of flowing gas wells.
The other procedures available are those of the Bureau of
Mine~ Monograph 7, and a recent paper by R. V. Smith.' In
these equations compressibility is either ignored or a constant
"effective" compressibility factor was used, the value of "effec·
tive" compressibility being left up to the judgment of the user.
The calculation of static bottom hole pressure (which was
overlooked by Mosteller), the equation for horizontal flow,
and the isothermal horsepower equation were added only to
illustrate other possible uses of the factors.
I would ve.ry much like to see a vertical flow equation
mathematically rigorously derived involving the compressi-
bility factor. The use of a constant velocity, whether an inte-
grated average velocity or otherwise, in the energy loss term
is not new, and if used as such, Equation (4) is correct as
written since the term can then be removed from within the
integral sign, for the same reason the so-called constant "effec-
tive" compressibility factor in other flow equations' was re-
moved from within the integral sign. The use of a constant
average velocity in the energy loss term is no more theoreti-
cally correct than assuming a constant "effective" compressi-
bility, but if it provides us with a workable equation it5
assumption is justified. If the calculated results agree with
the field measurements the equation is justified. Mosteller's
comments concerning Table III are not valid. A gas man is
interested in the absolute value of the sand face pressure, not
the pressure drop, for purposes of calculating back pressure
curves. Therefore, comparisons of the sand face pressures were
made. It i; the absolute pressure that determines the physical
properties of the flowing fluid, not the pressure drop.
I am aware of Clinedinst's development of a horizontal flow
equation. It does not assume an average velocity in the energy
loss term and as such is more rigoroug. It does assume a zero
kinetic energy term. Its use is definitely preferred over Equa-
tions (32) or (33) of the paper. The Equations (32) and (33)
have not been tested against field'·data. Clinedinst's develop-
ment cannot be applied to vertical flow and result in a simple
workable equation.
The assumption of a negligible kinetic energy term in the
vertical flow of gas is valid. We have ample quantitative evi-
dence to support this assumption. If Mosteller has quantita-
tive evidence to the contrary, I would like to see it. Smith'
has published some specific data, where, for the wells in ques-
tion, the kinetic energy amounted to only 0.05 per cent of the
total available energy.
Mosteller is concerned over the equation for calculatin~
isothermal horsepower. I am familiar with the fact that actual
gas compressions are polytropic and tend to approach adia-
batic conditions. The equation presented is rigorous and rep-
resents the minimum value of the horsepower requirements
that we would like to approach, adiabatic compression giving
369
us the maximum horsepower requirements. The adiabatic com- If we can assume v constant and equal to f by the sallie
pression requirements of a real gas can be calculated very logic that Z was assumed to be constant and removed frmu
simply from an enthalpy-entropy diagram of the gas! From a within the integral sign, in other flow equations,' then:
p
practical sense, the use of the isothermal horsepower equation
may be somewhat limited, but that is no reason for not taking fP, , VdP
full cognizance of its existence, since it does represent the L=---
lower limit of horsepower requirement. Isothermal horsepower 4jf'
is extensively used in gas-lift calculations in calculating lift 1+---
2g,D
efficiencies.
REFERENCES
L=
/'
P,
1+--
VdP
4fv'
2g D
1. Smith. R. V.: "Determining Friction Factors for Measuring
Productivity of Oil Wells," Trans. AIME (1950) 189, 73.
2. Brown, G. G.: "A Series of Enthalpy-entrophy Charts for
Natural Gases," Trans. AIME (1944) 160,68. ** *

370 PETROLEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME Vol. 192, 1951

 THE ,CALCULATION OF PRESSURE DROP IN THE FLOW OF NATURAL GAS
THROUGH PIPE
FRED H. POETTMANN, PHILLIPS PETROLEUM CO., BARTlESVILLE, OKLA., JUNIOR MEMBER AIME
(Published as T.P. 3217, Page 317, Vol. 192)
DISCUSSION
By R. V. Smith, U. S. Bureau of Mines, Bartlesville, Okla.
An equation, such as Poettmann has presented, * for comput-
ing the pressure drop for the flow of natural gas through pipe.
must evaluate adequately the available energy derived from
the flow process and the energy used in overcoming the fric-
tion between the moving fluid and the pipe wall. The available
energy is determined by the flow process that follows a path
fixed by conditions of temperature, compressibility, and phase
changes of the fluid during this process. The energy consumed
in overcoming friction is determined by the friction coefficient,
which is the dimensionless correlating function using Poett-
mann's nomenclature.
In a flowing gas well, the decreaEe in pressure as the fluid
moves from the bottom to the top of the well allows the fluid
to expand while the decrease in temperature usually found in
gas wells allows the fluid to contract. In low-pressure gas
wells with relatively low reservoir temperatures, the flow proc-
ess is principally expansion; but in wells producing from high-
temperature reservoirs at relatively high pressures, the tem-
perature decrease may cause a contraction in the volume of
the fluid that is greater than the expansion caused by the
decrease in pressure.
In order to determine the available energy from the flow
process, the integral, J vdp, must be evaluated between the
proper limits of pressure over the actual path of the flow
'This paper was published in Vol. 192 (1951) of AIME Transactions.
rather than in the present volume as are the other papers here discussed.
316 PETROLEUM TRANSACTIONS, AIME
process. Poettmann has approximated this evaluation by assum-
ing that the flow process is always an expansion at an average
temperature and by assuming that compressibility of the fluid
changes only with pressure. However, his treatment of com-
pressibility is an important step toward solution of the problem
of calculating subsurface pressures in flowing gas wells. and
Z
the values of rP r
'0.2 P,.
- dP,.. given in Table I, makes his method
especially usable.
Friction coefficients, based on an absolute roughness of
0.0006 in. for the pipe used in gas wells, probably are more
repre,entative of conditions found in gas wells than are obtain-
able using other published values. However, it must be pointed
out that an average absolute roughness value cannot apply
equally to all gas wells without consideration of pipe age and
corrosive conditions to which the pipe may have been exposed.
With reference to Equation (15) in the paper, the author
has assumed that [J vdl]' may be used in place of J v'dl or
their equivalents, as is usually done in the development of
flow equations. As the two expressions are not identical, the
author should explore the significance of such an assumption
and show the limits wherein the assumption may be used
without appreciable error.
In presenting a method for calculating subsurface pressures
in flowing gas wells that provides for the variation of com-.
pressibility with pressure, Poettmann has made an important
contribution toward solving a complicated problem. In addi-
tion. he is to be commended for presenting his method in a
convenient, usable form . * * *
Vol. 195, 1952