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Pressure Drop Across Perforations in Gas Wells Formula

psf=pwb2+A(qgn)+B(qgn)2p_{sf}=\sqrt{p_{wb}^2+A\left(\frac{q_g}{n}\right)+B\left(\frac{q_g}{n}\right)^2}

Pressure Drop Across Perforations in Gas Wells calculates sandface pressure for well performance workflows in production engineering.

Calculate

How engineers use this formula

Use this formula when the listed inputs (q_g, n, mu_g, Z, T, L_p, k_pd, r_p, r_pd, gamma_g, p_wb) 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, p_sf equals 2,101.819712 psi.

q_gbbl/day

5000

ncount

40

mu_gcP

0.02

Zdimensionless

0.9

TR

640

L_pft

0.5

k_pdmD

100

r_pft

0.02

r_pdft

0.25

gamma_gdimensionless

0.65

p_wbpsi

2000

Inputs

q_g

bbl/day

Gas Flow Rate Through Perforations

n

count

Number of Perforations

mu_g

cP

Gas Viscosity

Z

dimensionless

Gas Compressibility Factor

T

R

Reservoir Temperature

L_p

ft

Perforation Tunnel Length

k_pd

mD

Damaged-Zone Permeability

r_p

ft

Perforation Radius

r_pd

ft

Damaged-Zone Radius Around Perforation

gamma_g

dimensionless

Gas Specific Gravity

p_wb

psi

Wellbore Pressure

Outputs

p_sf

psi

Sandface Pressure

p_wb

psi

Wellbore Pressure

Source and review

reviewed

Perforating, Bell, W. T., Sukup, R. A., Tariq, S. M. (1995)

Bell, W.T., Sukup, R.A. and Tariq, S.M. 1995. Perforating, SPE Reprint Series, Page 62.

source conflict
Source

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