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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


(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:

( )
2
1
g
4
1
g L
4
1

1.92

= = Minimum gas velocity in units of
ft
s

= Surface Tension in units of
dynes
cm

=
L
Liquid Phase Density in units of
lbm
ft
3

=
g
Gas Phase Density in units of
lbm
ft
3



Assuming that the surface tension, , of condensate is 20
dynes
cm
and that of water is 60
dynes
cm
,
and Liquid Phase Density,
L
, of condensate is 45
lbm
ft
3
and that of water is 67
lbm
ft
3
,
and assuming the gas gravity is 0.6 and gas temperature is 120
o
F,

the above equation can be expressed as a function of pressure, where p is in units of psia.


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

=
( )
( )
2
1
4
1
CONDENSATE
0.0031p
0.0031p 45
4.02

=

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.
Provided By Echometer and PLTech LLC
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
Turner Unloading Rate for Well Producing Water
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
Flowing Pressure (psi)
R
a
t
e

(
M
c
f
d
)
4-1/2 OD 3.958 ID
3-1/2 2.992
2-7/8 2.441
2-3/8 1.995
2-1/16 1.751






Turner Unloading Rate for Well Producing Water
Coiled Tubing
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
Flowing Pressure (psi)
R
a
t
e

(
M
c
f
d
)
2.875 OD 2.499 ID
2.375 2.063
2.00 1.732
1.50 1.25
1.25 1.06