Production EngineeringWell Performance
Darcy-Weisbach Tubing Friction Pressure Drop Formula
Darcy-Weisbach Tubing Friction Pressure Drop calculates friction pressure drop for well performance workflows in production engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (f_D, rho, L, v, D_i) are known and the assumptions behind the cited well performance relationship match the engineering case being checked.
Assumptions
- Input values are representative for the well, reservoir, fluid, or equipment case being evaluated.
- The declared units match the field-unit constants used in the formula.
- The cited formula applies to the selected petroleum engineering workflow.
Limitations
- The calculation does not replace a full engineering model or operating procedure.
- Accuracy depends on the source correlation, assumptions, input quality, and unit consistency.
Common mistakes
- Mixing unit systems without converting the inputs.
- Using default example values as field recommendations.
- Applying the formula outside the source assumptions.
Default example
Using the default inputs, DeltaP_f equals 66.317162 psi.
f_Ddimensionless
0.02
rholbm/ft3
50
Lft
5000
vft/s
5
D_iin
2.441
Inputs
f_D
dimensionlessDarcy Friction Factor
rho
lbm/ft3Fluid Density
L
ftTubing Section Length
v
ft/sAverage Flow Velocity
D_i
inTubing Inside Diameter
Outputs
DeltaP_f
psi
Friction Pressure Drop
D_ft
ft
Tubing Inside Diameter
v
ft/s
Average Flow Velocity
Source and review
reviewedPenn State PNG 301. Darcy-Weisbach equation for single-segment oil production wells.
SourceRelated formulas and calculators
Effective Wellbore Radius of a Well in Presence of Uniform Flux Fractures
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Effective Wellbore Radius of a Horizontal Well – Method 1 (Anisotropic Reservoirs)
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Effective Wellbore Radius of a Horizontal Well – van der Vlis et al. Method
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