Provided By Echometer and PLTech LLC

(Lynn Rowlan, Echometer Co., Lynn@Echometer.com)

( James F. Lea, PLTech LLC (806) 239 2963, jamesflea@aol.com)

Turner Critical Velocity for Gas Wells

The Turner Equation for calculating minimum gas velocities correlated to well data with surface pressures generally much more than 1000 psi:

= 1.92

g ) 4
1 1 2 g

= Minimum gas velocity in units of = Surface Tension in units of

ft s

dynes cm

L = Liquid Phase Density in units of

lbm ft 3 lbm g = Gas Phase Density in units of 3 ft

dynes dynes and that of water is 60 , cm cm lbm lbm and Liquid Phase Density, L , of condensate is 45 3 and that of water is 67 3 , ft ft o and assuming the gas gravity is 0.6 and gas temperature is 120 F, Assuming that the surface tension, , of condensate is 20 the above equation can be expressed as a function of pressure, where p is in units of psia.

WATER

(67 0.0031p ) 4 = 5.34 1 (0.0031p ) 2

1

(45 0.0031p ) 14 CONDENSATE = 4.02 (0.0031p ) 12

When water and condensate both present, use the water equation. When you flow above the critical velocity (see graphs on opposite side) it is predicted that droplets are being carried up by the gas velocity and are not accumulating in the well. If you are flowing below the critical velocity, then you are predicting that droplets are not being carried upward and are accumulating in the well. The well may or may not cease to flow even if you are below the critical rate but flowing below the critical rate, will decrease production.
Turner, R. G.; Hubbard, M. G. and Dukler, A. E. Analysis and Prediction of Minimum Flow Rate for the Continuous Removal of Liquids from Gas Wells, J. Petroleum Technology, Nov. 1969. pp.1475-1482.

ECHOMETER COMPANY 5001 DITTO LANE WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS 76302 USA PHONE: 940/767-4334 FAX: 940/723-7507 E-MAIL: info@echometer.com www.echometer.com

Provided By Echometer and PLTech LLC

Turner Unloading Rate for Well Producing Water

3000

2500

2000

4-1/2 OD 3-1/2 2-7/8 2-3/8 2-1/16

3.958 ID 2.992 2.441 1.995 1.751

Rate (Mcfd)

1500

1000

500

0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500

Flowing Pressure (psi)

Turner Unloading Rate for Well Producing Water Coiled Tubing

1200

1000

800

2.875 OD 2.499 ID 2.375 2.063 2.00 1.732 1.50 1.25 1.25 1.06

Rate (Mcfd)

600

400

200

0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500

Flowing Pressure (psi) ECHOMETER COMPANY 5001 DITTO LANE WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS 76302 USA PHONE: 940/767-4334 FAX: 940/723-7507 E-MAIL: info@echometer.com www.echometer.com