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Oil-Well Perforation Pressure Drop Formula

Δpp=A(qoN)+B(qoN)2\Delta p_p=A\left(\frac{q_o}{N}\right)+B\left(\frac{q_o}{N}\right)^2

Oil-Well Perforation Pressure Drop calculates pressure drop across perforations for well performance workflows in production engineering.

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How engineers use this formula

Use this formula when the listed inputs (q_o, N_perf, mu_o, B_o, L_p, k_pd, r_p, r_pd, rho_o) 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_p equals 132.783802 psi.

q_obbl/day

500

N_perfcount

40

mu_ocP

1.2

B_obbl/STB

1.2

L_pft

0.5

k_pdmD

100

r_pft

0.02

r_pdft

0.25

rho_olbm/ft^3

50

Inputs

q_o

bbl/day

Oil Flow Rate Through Perforations

N_perf

count

Number of Perforations

mu_o

cP

Oil Viscosity

B_o

bbl/STB

Oil Formation Volume Factor

L_p

ft

Perforation Length

k_pd

mD

Perforation Damaged-Zone Permeability

r_p

ft

Perforation Radius

r_pd

ft

Perforation Damaged-Zone Radius

rho_o

lbm/ft^3

Oil Density

Outputs

DeltaP_p

psi

Pressure Drop Across Perforations

Source and review

reviewed

Bell, W.T., Sukup, R.A., and Tariq, S.M. Perforating, Henry L. Doherty Memorial Fund of AIME, SPE, Page 61.

Source

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