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2 ��� TM3104.nb
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Wellbore flow can be divided into several broad categories, depending on the flow geometry, the fluid
properties, and the flow rate. The flow geometry of interest in the wellbores is usually flow through a
circular pipe, though flow in an annular space, such as between tubing and casing, sometimes occurs.
◼ Single Phase Flow (gas or liquid only, e.g. injection wells)
◼ Multiphase Flow (at least two phases)
◼ Oil + Gas Flow
◼ Gas + Water Flow
◼ Oil + Gas + Water Flow
◼ Liquid/Gas + Solid?
Our objectives: predict the pressure as a function of position between the bottomhole location
and the surface.
TM3104.nb ��� 3
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Incompressible?
Newtonian Fluid?
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In circular pipe, generally characterized by Reynold’s Number, NRe = (ρ u D) / μ (that is the ratio
between inertial forces to the viscous forces)
Laminar Flow : Fluid moves in distinct laminae, with no fluid motion transverse to the bulk flow direc-
tion.
Turbulent flow : Characterized by eddy currents that cause fluctuating velocity components in all direc-
tions.
Both will strongly influence the overall pressure drop, e.g. frictional pressure drop.
Example 1:
For the injection of 1.03 - specific gravity water (ρ = 64.3 lbm/ft3) in an injection well with 7 - in., 32 - lb/ft
casing, construct a graph of Reynolds number versus volumetric flow rate (in bbl/d). The viscosity of the
water at bottomhole conditions is 0.6 cp. At what volumetric flow rate will the transition from laminar to
turbulent flow occur?
Note that in this example I consistently calculate everything in SI unit!
SG = 1.03;
OD = 7 inch;(* casing weight of 32 lbft,
we get ID = 6.094 inch from API casing table *)
ID = 6.094 inch;
μ = 0.6 cp;
ρ = SG ρw;
1
A= π ID2 ;
4
NRe μ
Recall: NRe = ρ u D / μ, rearranging: u = ρD
If u = q / A, then the transition to turbulent occured at
NRe μ A
q= ρD
where NRe = 2100
2100 μ A
q= ;
ρ ID
qlaminar-turbulent 80.9804 bbl/d
TM3104.nb ��� 5
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The pressure drop over a distance, L, of single-phase flow in a pipe can be obtained by solving the
mechanical energy balance equation:
ⅆp u ⅆu g 2 ff u2 ⅆL
ρ
+ gc
+g + gc D
+ ⅆWs = 0
c
If the fluid is incompressible (ρ = constant), and there is no shaft work device in the pipeline (a pump,
compressor, turbine, etc.):
g ρ 2 ff ρu2 L
Δp = p1 - p2 = gc
ρΔz + 2 g Δu2 + gc D
c
or
g
ΔpPE = gc
ρ Δz, where
Δz = L sin θ
ρ
ΔpKE =
2 gc
Δu2
ρ
ΔpKE =
2 gc
u22 - u12
The velocity only varies only with the cross-sectional area of the pipe. Since A = π D2 4, then
4q
u= π D2
, therefore
8 ρ q2 1 1
ΔpKE = 2
π g c D2 4 - D41
8 ��� TM3104.nb
TM3104.nb ��� 9
SG = 0.93;
D1 = 4 inch;
D2 = 0.5 D1;
qo = 2000 bbl day;
ρo = SG ρw;
u2 = 4 qo π D22 ;
u1 = 4 qo π D12 ;
ρo
ΔpKE = u22 - u12 ;
2
u1 1.48931 ft/s
u2 5.95726 ft/s
ΔpKE 0.208046 psi
10 ��� TM3104.nb
2 ff ρ u 2 L
ΔpF =
gc D
where ff is the Fanning friction factor.
For laminar flow, the frictional pressure drop is only a function of NRe , where:
16
ff =
NRe
In turbulent flow, the friction factor may depend on both the Reynolds number and the relative pipe
roughness, ε.
The relative roughness is the amount of surface roughness that exists inside the pipe.
ε = k / D, where k is the absolute roughness of the pipe
TM3104.nb ��� 11
u = 4 q π ID2 ;
ρ u ID
NRe = ;
μw
u 2.33477 ft/s
NRe 35 657.2
Flow is Turbulent
QUIZ
Suppose that 1100 bbl/d of brine (γw = 1.03 and μw = 1.1 cp) is being injected through 1000 ft length of 9
5/8-in., 47-lb/ft and 1000 ft length of 5-in., 20.3 lb/ft casings in a well that is deviated 50° from vertical.
The casings relative roughness is 0.0015.
a. Calculate the overall pressure drop in 9 5/8-in casing (psi)
b. Calculate the overall pressure drop in 5-in casing (psi)
c. Calculate the overall pressure drop of the system (psi)
Solution:
Note that in this example I consistently calculate everything in SI unit!
To calculate the friction factor, first we need to determine if the flow is laminar or turbulent using NRe
14 ��� TM3104.nb
4q
u1 = ;
π ID12
ρ u1 ID1
NRe1 = ;
μ
To calculate the friction factor, first we need to determine if the flow is laminar or turbulent using
NRe
4q
u2 = ;
π ID22
ρ u2 ID2
NRe2 = ;
μ
ρ
ΔpKE = u22 - u12 ;
2
ΔpTotal = ΔpPE1 + ΔpF1 + ΔpPE2 + ΔpF2 + ΔpKE
ΔpKE 0.00367958 psi
ΔpTotal - 573.884 psi