PETE 411

Well Drilling

Lesson 13
Pressure Drop Calculations
API Recommended Practice 13D
Third Edition, June 1, 1995

1
 Homework

 HW #7. Pressure Drop Calculations

 Due Oct. 9, 2002

 The API Power Law Model

2
 Contents

 The Power Law Model

 The Rotational Viscometer
 A detailed Example - Pump Pressure
 Pressure Drop in the Drillpipe
 Pressure Drop in the Bit Nozzles
 Pressure Drop in the Annulus

 Wellbore Pressure Profiles

3
 Power Law Model
K = consistency index
n = flow behaviour index
=K n

SHEAR
STRESS

psi

0
SHEAR RATE,  , sec-1
4
 Fluid Flow in Pipes and Annuli

LOG
(PRESSURE)
(psi)

LOG (VELOCITY) (or FLOW RATE)

5
 Fluid Flow in Pipes and Annuli
Laminar Flow Turbulent

LOG

(SHEAR
STRESS)

(psi)
n
1

LOG ( SHEAR RATE ), ( RPM or sec 1 )

6
 Rotating
Sleeve
Viscometer

7
Rotating Sleeve Viscometer
(RPM * 1.703)

VISCOMETER SHEAR RATE

RPM sec -1

3 5.11
ANNULUS
100 170.3
BOB
300 DRILL 511
600 STRING 1022

SLEEVE API RP 13D

8
 API RP 13D, June 1995
for Oil-Well Drilling Fluids

 API RP 13D recommends using only FOUR of

the six usual viscometer readings:
 Use 3, 100, 300, 600 RPM Readings.
 The 3 and 100 RPM reading are used for
pressure drop calculations in the annulus,
where shear rates are, generally, not very high.
 The 300 and 600 RPM reading are used for
pressure drop calculations inside drillpipe,
where shear rates are, generally, quite high.
9
 Example: Pressure Drop Calculations
 Example Calculate the pump pressure in
the wellbore shown on the next page, using the
API method.

 The relevant rotational viscometer readings

are as follows:
 R3 = 3 (at 3 RPM)
 R100 = 20 (at 100 RPM)
 R300 = 39 (at 300 RPM)
 R600 = 65 (at 600 RPM)

10
 Pressure Drop PPUMP

Calculations

Q = 280 gal/min
r = 12.5 lb/gal

PPUMP = DPDP + DPDC

+ DPBIT NOZZLES

+ DPDC/ANN + DPDP/ANN
+ DPHYD
11
 OD = 4.5 in
Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft
Power-Law Constant (n):
 R 600   65 
np  3.32 log    3.32 log    0.737
 R 300   39 

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

5.11R600 5.11* 65 dyne sec n

Kp  np
 0.737
 2.017
1,022 1,022 cm2

Average Bulk Velocity in Pipe (Vp):

0.408Q 0.408 * 280 ft

Vp    8.00
D2 3.78 2
sec
12
 OD = 4.5 in
Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft
Effective Viscosity in Pipe (mep):
np 1 np
 96 Vp   3np  1
m ep  100 K p    
 4n 
 D   p 

0.737 1 0.737
 96 * 8   3 * 0.737  1
m ep  100 * 2.017      53 cP
 3.78   4 * 0.737 

Reynolds Number in Pipe (NRep):

928 D Vpr 928 * 3.78 * 8.00 * 12.5

NRep    6,616
m ep 53

13
 OD = 4.5 in
Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft
NOTE: NRe > 2,100, so a
fp 
Friction Factor in Pipe (fp): NRep
b

log np  3.93 log 0.737  3.93

a   0.0759
50 50

1.75  log np 1.75  log 0.737

b   0.2690
7 7

a 0.0759
So, fp  b
 0.2690
 0.007126
NRep 6,616
14
 OD = 4.5 in
Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft
Friction Pressure Gradient (dP/dL)p :

fp Vp r
2
 dP  0.007126 * 82 * 12.5 psi
     0.05837
 dL dp 25.81D 25.81* 3.78 ft

Friction Pressure Drop in Drill Pipe :

 dP 
DPdp    DL dp  0.05837 * 11,400
 dL dp

DPdp = 665 psi

15
 OD = 6.5 in
Pressure Drop In Drill Collars ID = 2.5 in
L = 600 ft
Power-Law Constant (n):
 R 600   65 
ndc  3.32 log    3.32 log    0.737
 R 300   39 

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

5.11R600 5.11* 65 dyne sec n
K dc  np
 0.737
 2.017
1,022 1,022 cm2

Average Bulk Velocity inside Drill Collars (Vdc):

0.408Q 0.408 * 280 ft

Vdc    18.28
D2 2.5 2
sec
16
 OD = 6.5 in
Pressure Drop In Drill Collars ID = 2.5 in
L = 600 ft
Effective Viscosity in Collars(mec):
np 1 np
 96Vp   3np  1
m edc  100 K p    
 4n 
 D   p 

0.737 1 0.737
 96 * 18.28   3 * 0.737  1
m edc  100 * 2.017      38.21 cP
 2.5   4 * 0.737 

Reynolds Number in Collars (NRec):

928 D Vdc r 928 * 2.5 * 18.28 * 12.5

NRedc    13,870
m edc 38.21
17
 OD = 6.5 in
Pressure Drop In Drill Collars ID = 2.5 in
L = 600 ft
NOTE: NRe > 2,100, so a
fdc 
Friction Factor in DC (fdc): NRedc
b

log ndc  3.93 log 0.737  3.93

a   0.0759
50 50

1.75  log ndc 1.75  log 0.737

b   0.2690
7 7

a 0.0759
So, fdc  b
 0.2690
 0.005840
NRedc 13,870
18
 OD = 6.5 in
Pressure Drop In Drill Collars ID = 2.5 in
L = 600 ft
Friction Pressure Gradient (dP/dL)dc :

fdc Vdc r
2
 dP  0.005840 * 18.282 * 12.5 psi
     0.3780
 dL dc 25.81Ddc 25.81* 2.5 ft

Friction Pressure Drop in Drill Collars :

 dP 
DPdc    DL dc  0.3780 * 600
 dL dc

DPdc = 227 psi

19
 Pressure Drop across Nozzles

DN1 = 11 32nds (in)

156 r Q 2
DN2 = 11 32nds (in)
DPNozzles 
D
N1
2
 DN2  DN3
2 2
2
DN3 = 12 32nds (in)

156 * 12.5 * 2802

DPNozzles 
11 2
 11  12
2

2 2

DPNozzles = 1,026 psi

20
Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE
Annulus

Q = 280 gal/min

r = 12.5 lb/gal 8.5 in

DHOLE = 8.5 in
ODDC = 6.5 in
L = 600 ft

21
 Pressure Drop DHOLE = 8.5 in
ODDC = 6.5 in
in DC/HOLE Annulus L = 600 ft
Power-Law Constant (n):
 R100   20 
ndca  0.657 log    0.657 log    0.5413
 R3   3 

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

5.11R100 5.11* 20 dyne sec n
K dca  ndca
 0.5413
 6.336
170.2 170.2 cm2

Average Bulk Velocity in DC/HOLE Annulus (Va):

0.408Q 0.408 * 280 ft
Vdca    3.808
D2  D1
2 2
8.5  6.5
2 2
sec
22
 Pressure Drop DHOLE = 8.5 in
ODDC = 6.5 in
in DC/HOLE Annulus L = 600 ft
Effective Viscosity in Annulus (mea):
na 1 na
 144Va   2na  1
m ea  100 K a    
 D2  D1   3na 

0.5413 1 0.5413
 144 * 3.808   2 * 0.5413  1
m ea  100 * 6.336     55.20 cP
 8 . 5  6 . 5   3 * 0 . 5413 

Reynolds Number in Annulus (NRea):

928 D2  D1  Var 928 8.5  6.5  * 3.808 * 12.5

NRea    1,600
m ea 55.20
23
 Pressure Drop DHOLE = 8.5 in
ODDC = 6.5 in
in DC/HOLE Annulus L = 600 ft
NOTE: NRe < 2,100
Friction Factor in Annulus (fa):
24 24
fa    0.01500
NRea 1,600

fa Va r
2
 dP  0.01500 * 3.8082 * 12.5 psi
     0.05266
 dL a 25.81D2  D1  25.818.5  6.5 ft

 dP 
DPdc / hole   DL dc / hole  0.05266 * 600
 dL dc / hole

So, DPdc/hole = 31.6 psi

24
 Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus

q = 280 gal/min

r = 12.5 lb/gal

DHOLE = 8.5 in
ODDP = 4.5 in
L = 11,400 ft

25
 Pressure Drop DHOLE = 8.5 in
ODDP = 4.5 in
in DP/HOLE Annulus L = 11,400 ft
Power-Law Constant (n):
 R100   20 
ndpa  0.657 log    0.657 log    0.5413
 R3   3 

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

5.11R100 5.11 * 20 dyne sec n

K dpa  ndpa
 0.5413
 6.336
170.2 170.2 cm2
Average Bulk Velocity in Annulus (Va):
0.408Q 0.408 * 280 ft
Vdpa  2   2.197
D2  D1
2
8.5  4.5
2 2
sec
26
 Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
Effective Viscosity in Annulus (mea):
na 1 na
 144 Va   2na  1
m ea  100 K a    
 D2  D1   3na 
0.5413 1 0.5413
 144 * 2.197   2 * 0.5413  1
m ea  100 * 6.336     97.64 cP
 8 . 5  4 .5   3 * 0.5413 

Reynolds Number in Annulus (NRea):

928 D2  D1  Var 928 8.5  4.5  * 2.197 * 12.5

NRea    1,044
m ea 97.64
27
 Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
NOTE: NRe < 2,100
Friction Factor in Annulus (fa):
24 24
fa    0.02299
NRea 1,044

fa Va r
2
 dP  0.02299 * 2.1972 * 12.5 psi
     0.01343
 dL a 25.81D2  D1  25.818.5  4.5 ft

 dP 
DPdp / hole    DL dp / hole  0.01343 * 11,400
 dL  dp / hole

So, DPdp/hole = 153.2

psi psi
28
 Pressure Drop
Calculations
- SUMMARY -
PPUMP = DPDP + DPDC + DPBIT NOZZLES

+ DPDC/ANN + DPDP/ANN + DPHYD

PPUMP = 665 + 227 + 1,026

+ 32 + 153 + 0

PPUMP = 1,918  185  2,103 psi

29
 2,103 psi
PPUMP = DPDS + DPANN + DPHYD

DPDS = DPDP + DPDC + DPBIT NOZZLES P

=
= 665 + 227 + 1,026 = 1,918 psi 0

DPANN = DPDC/ANN + DPDP/ANN

= 32 + 153 = 185

DPHYD = 0

PPUMP = 1,918 + 185

= 2,103 psi
30
 2,103 psi
What is the BHP?
P
BHP = DPFRICTION/ANN + DPHYD/ANN =
0

BHP = DPDC/ANN + DPDP/ANN

+ 0.052 * 12.5 * 12,000

= 32 + 153 + 7,800 = 7,985 psig

BHP = 185 + 7,800

BHP = 7,985 psig

31
 "Friction" Pressures

2,500
DRILLPIPE
"Friction" Pressure, psi

2103
2,000

1,500 DRILL COLLARS

1,000
BIT NOZZLES

500 ANNULUS

0
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Distance from Standpipe, ft
32
 Hydrostatic Pressures in the Wellbore

9,000
BHP
Hydrostatic Pressure, psi

8,000
7,000
6,000
DRILLSTRING ANNULUS
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Distance from Standpipe, ft
33
 Pressures in the Wellbore

10,000
9,000
8,000
CIRCULATING
Pressures, psi

7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2103
2,000
STATIC
1,000
0
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
Distance from Standpipe, ft
34
 Wellbore Pressure Profile

2103
0

2,000
DRILLSTRING
4,000
Depth, ft

6,000
ANNULUS
8,000

10,000

(Static)
12,000
BIT
14,000
0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000
Pressure, psi
35
 Pipe Flow - Laminar
In the above example the flow down the
drillpipe was turbulent.
Under conditions of very high viscosity,
the flow may very well be laminar.
NOTE: if NRe < 2,100, then
Friction Factor in Pipe (fp):

fp Vp r
2
fp 
16  dP 
Then and   
NRep  dL  dp 25.81D

36
 Annular Flow - Turbulent
In the above example the flow up the annulus
was laminar.
Under conditions of low viscosity and/or high
flow rate, the flow may very well be turbulent.
NOTE: if NRe > 2,100, then Friction Factor in the Annulus:

log na  3.93 1.75  log na

a b
50 7

a  dP  fa Va r
2
Then fa  and   
N bRea  dL a 25.81D2  D1 

37
 Critical Circulation Rate
Example
The above fluid is flowing in the annulus
between a 4.5” OD string of drill pipe
and an 8.5 in hole.
The fluid density is 12.5 lb/gal.

What is the minimum circulation rate that

will ensure turbulent flow?
(why is this of interest?)

38
 Critical Circulation Rate
In the Drillpipe/Hole Annulus:
928 D2  D1  Var
NRea 
m ea

Q, gal/min V, ft/sec Nre

280 2.197 1,044
300 2.354 1,154
350 2.746 1,446
400 3.138 1,756
450 3.531 2,086
452 3.546 2,099
452.1 3.547 2,100
39
 Optimum Bit Hydraulics

 Under what conditions do we get the best

hydraulic cleaning at the bit?
 maximum hydraulic horsepower?
 maximum impact force?

Both these items increase when the circulation

rate increases.
However, when the circulation rate increases, so
does the frictional pressure drop.

40
41
n = 1.0

_
dpf fr v 2

dL 25 .8 d 42
 Importance of Pipe Size
_ 1.75
dp f r 0.75 v m 0.25
Eq. 4.66e
  1.25
dL 1800d

dp f r 0.75q1.75 m 0.25
or,  4.75
dL 8,624d

*Note that a small change in the pipe diameter results in

large change in the pressure drop! (q = const.)

Decreasing the pipe ID 10% from 5.0” to 4.5” would result in an

increase of frictional pressure drop by about 65% !!
43
Dpf = 11.41 v 1.75
turbulent flow

Dpf = 9.11 v
laminar flow

Use max. Dpf value44