Production EngineeringWell Performance
Souders-Brown Maximum Gas Velocity for Separator Formula
Souders-Brown Maximum Gas Velocity for Separator calculates maximum allowable superficial gas velocity for well performance workflows in production engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (K_S, rho_L, rho_G) 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, V_Gmax equals 1.525615 ft/s.
K_Sft/s
0.35
rho_Llbm/ft3
50
rho_Glbm/ft3
2.5
Inputs
K_S
ft/sSouders-Brown Design Parameter
rho_L
lbm/ft3Liquid Density at Separator Conditions
rho_G
lbm/ft3Gas Density at Separator Conditions
Outputs
V_Gmax
ft/s
Maximum Allowable Superficial Gas Velocity
K_S
ft/s
Souders-Brown Design Parameter
rho_L
lbm/ft3
Liquid Density at Separator Conditions
rho_G
lbm/ft3
Gas Density at Separator Conditions
Source and review
reviewedJohn M. Campbell / PetroSkills. Gas-Liquid Separators Sizing Parameter; Souders and Brown, 1934.
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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