Production EngineeringHydraulic Fracturing
Wellbore Pressure Loss Due to Friction - Turbulent Flow Formula
Wellbore Pressure Loss Due to Friction - Turbulent Flow calculates wellbore friction pressure loss for hydraulic fracturing workflows in production engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (f, L, rho, v, d) are known and the assumptions behind the cited hydraulic fracturing 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_wb equals 1,779.069767 psi.
fdimensionless
0.006
Lft
5000
rholb/gal
8.5
vft/s
30
din
5
Inputs
f
dimensionlessFanning Friction Factor
L
ftPipe Length
rho
lb/galLiquid Density
v
ft/sAverage Velocity
d
inInner Diameter of Pipe
Outputs
DeltaP_wb
psi
Wellbore Friction Pressure Loss
f
dimensionless
Fanning Friction Factor
L
ft
Pipe Length
rho
lb/gal
Liquid Density
v
ft/s
Average Velocity
d
in
Inner Diameter of Pipe
Source and review
reviewedSaydam, T. 1967. Principles of Hydraulic Fracturing. ARI Publishing Co., Page 31.
Source