— \aus Practical Use of Recent Research in Multiphase Vertical and Horizontal Flow 1 base A. R HAGEDORN" Junin HeABERS Ae ‘ce BROWNS ese Aine ABSTRACT A recent correlation for multiphase vertical flow by Hagedorn and Brown” has been used to examine the ef fect of numerous variables such at pipe size, gas-liquid ratio, liquid flow rate, liquid viscosity, liquid surface ten- sion, oil API gravity, water cut, etc., on flowing pressure gradients. ‘Most previous correlations were derived by uzing a form of the general energy equation which assumed negligible changes in kinetic energy. Under certain flow conditions this can lead 0 serious errors in predicting pressure tra- verses. Examples of traverses calculated both with and without the kinetic energy term are included here. The Chew and Connally correlation jor calculating changes in viscosity with changing presture and tempera ‘tare has heen extended 20 that the effect of a changing vie. ety with depth on pressure gradients con alo be predic. “sxample lasing the eect of bing see show the importance of this correlation in determining pipe sizes {Jor tndal well completions. Limitations on produton rates in small pipe sizes from excessive friction losses can be predicted th grestor aceurery The combined use of a vericalflow correlation with a horizontabfow correlation provides a method for determin. ing the maximum flow rate possible from both flowing and gas-lift wells. Examples are included to iustrate application of the combined use of vertical and horizontal flow correlations ‘in optimizing production rates and minimising excessive costs from over injection of gas in gas-lift wells. INTRODUCTION ‘The problems of multiphase vertical and horizontal flow are immediately encountered in any producing well. Fig. 1" shows dures stages of production: low in porous medium, vertical flow and horizontal flow. All three stages affect the production rate from a well UTS te eee ae 5 SET OE Kaa al ating ld ‘Presently ameclind with Gheron Rasmrch Co, La Habra, Cait ‘Now asocaiad wih Bay Proiocion Reearh Ca, Howton, Te. ‘ePresently Hand of Ptrleum Bagioacing Det, U. of Tle, ‘alarencen Hen ated of pepe Lf we are confronted with a particular well and consider only the variables involved in the vertical and horizontal ‘ages of Fig. 1, we should be capable of calculating the foing bouomicle pesmre aeceary © produce a pr~ tioular Slow rato. A change in any of the variables resulta {n'a new solution to the problem. Recent approaches in developing horizontal and vetial- ftow correlations have improved to the extent thatthe 30- lution ‘can now be obtained with more confideace than previously. YERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL FLOW CORRELA Sine Poetinann and Carpeater'’ erga! work ia mu- tiphase vertical low, there heve been many sAditional ver. tialfiow correlations developed which have grealy ism Proved the accuracy of pressureloss calculations. These CONTINUOUS TWO-PHASE FLOW PROBLEM —> GAS eet | FLOW IN POROUS MEDIUM —+| Fis, 1~Taars Stusss oF Prooocrion. ‘eprintad from Apel 1066, Ine of JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGYinclude work by Gilbert," Ros,* Gaither et al," Fancher and Browa' and Hagedorn and Browa.*" In horizontal flow, correlations have been developed by Lockhart and Marti- li, Alves” Chisholm and Laird,” Baker." Beadle, Har- aod Brown’ and oumerous others. ‘purpose of this paper is not to argue the pros and ‘the numerous correlatious available and the ranges are applicable. Our purpose is to show vuhOltafet Sowing well no show imum use of these correlations in pre- ‘of naturally flowing and continuous- . The authors have selected the vertical- tion of Hagedorn and Brown” and the rather “zontalflow correlation of Beadle, Harlan " However, it should be Kept in mind that ‘examples used herein could be solved with lations, with varying degrees of accuracy. ER 5s i £ i oF i i i HI greprep ie VERTICAL FLOW ‘Typical flowing wells have been selected to show how variables such as tubing size, surface Dow rate, gas-liquid ratio, liquid density, water-oil ratio, liquid viscosity, liquid surface tention and the kinetic energy term in the general energy equation affect flowing pressure gradients. The well properties chosen are indicated in Figs. 2 through 7, 9 and 11 through 16. EFFECT OF TUBING SIZE Fig. 2 shows the effect of tubing size on flowing pres- sure gradients for a production rate of 200 STB/D of 35° ‘API oil. The variation in viscosity with depth due to gas in solution and changing temperature hat been accounted for in the correlation.”* The flowing pressure at a depth of 10,000 ft necessary to produce this well against a wellbead pressure of 150 psig varies from 3,175 psig for I-in. (1.049 ID) tubing to 1,130 psig for 3-ia (2.992 1D) tubing. Al- though larger tubing sizes show an advantage in lowering the flowing botiom-hole presure, they may he prohihiive due to an ultra-slim hole completion ‘or to the income from the increased production rate not offsetting the in- creased cost of larger tubing. ERFECT OF TUBING SIZE ON GRADIENT REVERSAL Gradient reversal or turn-over is a reality in flowing and gue-lft well, It isa common occurrence in wels with tmall-diameter tubing producing low liquid rates at high gasliquid ratios. The gradient reversal is a result of the low density region existing at low pressure levels. ‘The total flowing pressure gradient at any poiat in the tubing string can be expressed as the sum of the density, fiction and acceleration gradients." As the pressure de- creases with length up the tubing string, the density of the mixture also decreases. However, the mixture velocity in- creases and at low pressore levels the sum of the friction and acceleration gradients increates at a greater rate than the density gradient decreases. The result is an increased pressure lose near the surface. Fig. 3 shows the effect of this reversal. It is particular- ly evident in the I-in. tubing and practically eliminated in tubing sizes larger than 2% i. (2441 TD). EFFECT OF SURFACE RATE Sbly would change: For the at of conditions Usted on Fig. 4, © owing botiombole’presure of 3450 pug i re : ee ° T T | = 200 8t8/D ' "APL = 35 + 1 wor = 0 = e 2 GLR = 500 SCF/STB 4 2 t = 38 dynes/em eS 4 3 | 7% + 0.65 3 § ‘pe varies wih PAT \ = i + ‘ c = Ea 100+ .014 (0) °F Sa 5 S 3 8 8 Zs 2 4 = = | PRESSURE (100P61) ue6 B6 ‘2, 8 3 @=100 S18 /0 2 Z| wor 0 7 %; 7 F GLR = 3000 SCF/STB 4 \ % cf aPl = 38 8 Me, 8 G+ 35 dynesvem _ oo = y % = 0.65 9 aX 5 je varies with PAT | wre) | Wee, t] et [T= 100 + .016(0) *F 5 ie 10 ol Veh Ni" . 0 5 1 15 20 25 3 PRESSURE (100 PSI) Fic, 2-Erricr o Tunine Suz. 35 Armin, 1966 0 5 WG 15 20 2 30 35 PRESSURE (100 PSI) Fue. 8_Revecr o Tuam Sere om Gnapranr Revrsast.quired to flow 2,000 STR/D, compared to 1,650 psig for 200-STR/D. Although SO STR/D requires 1,200 psig, thie rate is probably inthe range where most correlations break down. {nthe very low liquid rats in all tubing sizes, a so-called ‘heading penomenon is Known to occur, and thus far all attempts to describe it analytically™“* have been unsuc- ‘coesful. Fig. $ shows the affect of flow rate through 114-in. (1.380 1D) tubing. EFFECT OF GASLIQUID KATIO The effect of gas-liquid ratio on flowing pressure grad- ieats for a flow tate of 200 STB/D of 35" API vil through 1%-in. tubing is shown in Fig. 6. The same gea- eral trend would occur for all pipe sizes. As the exsliquid ratio increases, the flowing bottom-hole pressure necessary to produce the rate decreases. However, a point is reached where any increase Is the gas-iguld ratio actually increases the flowing bottorm-hole pressure. This is a result of both the gradient reversal near the surface and the incressed friction losses over the entire tubing length, and is much more prevalent in small-diameter tubing. In this particular example, for a gavliquid ratio of 3,000 scf/STB a flowing botiom-hole pressure of 1,600 gs needed, and for a gas-liquid ratio of 5.000 /STB, a flowing bottom-hole pressure of 1,650 psig required. For the set of conditions used, there exists 4 gas-liquid ratio between 5,000 and 3,000 sct/STB which will result in «minimum ‘flowing bottom-hole_ pressure. “The operator who continues to increase his injection-gas volume to gain more production should note that a point in reached where additional gar will actually increase the flowing botiom-bole pressure, thus decreasing the produc- tion rate. WOR = 0 TUBING SIZE = 2° 1 GLR = 500 SCF/STB Note Reversal , tueine size = iS” 4 WOR = 1000 : CLR + 1000 ScF/sTB Te 07% 2085 | Ow = 72 dynes/em 3 T= 100 + .016(0) °F Y GQ 4 ee Y Ke DEPTH (1000 FT) g++ tol o # 8 2 16 20 26 28 PRESSURE (100 PS!) Fic. S-Brracr or Paoouctiom Rare om Presront GRADENTS. + 200 ST8/D TUBING ‘WOR = 0 % = 35 dyensem T= 0.65 it ie par * “APL = 35 2 Oy * 35 dynes/em 2 7 = 0.65 A \ | a varies with PAT 3 T= 100+.016(0) °F 3 100+ .016(D) °F = a DEPTH (1000 FT) DEPTH (1000FT) 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 oS 0 5 20 2 30 35 Oo Oneal eh 130135, PRESSURE (100 PSI) PRESSURE (100 PSI) Fic. (-Enracr of Fiow Rare. Fie, 6Errecr or Gus Lago Rano. JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGYEFFECT OF LIOUID DENSITY ‘Fig. 7 shows the effect of API gravity (liquid density) vhen the viscosity is held i | i sure level alo iacreases. As solution gas iacceases aid Ure formation volume factor increases, the liquid holdup factor increases Fig. 8). The larger holdup values increase the ‘mixture density and the two-phase friction factors. Solu- tion gas also es an effect on mixture velocity. Thus, all ° Frusine a= 200sTe0 | size=it 1 GLR = 1000 SCF/STB G, = 35 dynes fem 2 G * 72 dynes/em wor = 0 7 y= 0.65 _ T+ 100 +.014(0) =, Hg |Oep (CONSTANT) s 8 &, BRINE WATER I Tq 107 Ed FRESH WATER S %o= 1.00 7 PL GRAVITY = 10 8 35° ° a 10 50: o 5 1 1 20 2 30 35 PRESSURE (100 PSI) Fic, 7Ervect or API Graver, CORRELATION BASED On: a Tustne sizes: 1im.— 2. VISCOSITIES» 0.96 p= 110 ep WOLOUP FACTOR /'¥ rr a a Jee (8b) 9" 2m, a" [aka (ree) Fic. 8 HotoorFucron Commarton, are affected by the amount of solution gas. The effect of solution gas on surface tension is discussed later. Fig. 7 indicates that the over-all effect of solution gas is not a significant ax the change in liquid. density. When ‘comparing the fresh water curve to the 10° API oil curve (came density), it appears at first that the solution gas actually decreases the total lowing gradient; however, the difference in surface tension tends to make the water grad- jent heavier. The amount of solution gas in the water is negligible compared to the oil. ° i 200 ST8/0 | Tupino size « 1° e GLR + 1000 Sck/STB “APL + 35 G + 35 dynes/em e G * 12 omnes/ em Hy * 1.Ocp (CONSTANT) T= 100 +.014(D) "F T+ 0.65 aees OEPTH (1000 FT) WoR 1000 o 4 6 2 6 0 24 2 PRESSURE (100 PSI) Fie. 9-Errecr or WOR, (1) pom = ayy + (1x) te (2) um * sig" ry 3 aw VISCOSITY OF THE MIXTURE, pm ° 0 50 10 CONCENTRATION, x Fic, 10—Conranison oF Retarionsures Paspicrine Viscostries or Maxum,DEFTH (1000 FT) DEPTH (1000 FT) > = o 7 @* 200 sTB/D GLR = 1000 SCF/STB G+ 35 dynes/om Me vories with PAT 2 16 20 26 PRESSURE (100 PSI) Fre, N—Errect or Viscostry WOR 0 TUBING SIZE = If" T= 100 +.016(0) °F. TT [Tuas a+ 200 st8/0 | sve If ] GLR = 1000 ScF/STB “APL + 35 WOR 0 T+ 0.65 r- T= 100+ .014(D) °F A vories with PBT O% + Te dgues/em TO FRESH WATER or) 4 1-0, = 12 dynessem an conity was calculated by Eq. 2 of Fig. 10, defining x as. the up. ‘Volumetric concentration of liquid, i.e, liquid hold- ity oil is attributed to the effect of viscosity. Actual prac- attests 10 the difficulty in producing highly viscous EFFECT OF LIQUID SURFACE TENSION ‘No attempt was made to vary the surface tension of the liquid phase with increasing gar in solution." However, the = ing. DEPTH (1000 FT) flowing botiom-hole pressures required to a ‘API oll at a rate of 200 STB/D through 144-in. tub- ‘Assuming a homogeneous gas-liquid mixture with It HOTE REVERSAL q+ 100 ST8/0 | Twaine size = 1!" WOR 0 SLR = 3000 SCF/ STB “APL = 35 % - 35 dynes/em 7+ 0.65 wee UOep (CONSTANT) 100 + .014(0) "F o 5 0 5 2 2 30 PRESSURE (100 PS!) Fic, 12—Envucr or Sunrace Taasion. 35 10 1 C4 meee cee eo oa 7b PRESSURE (100 PSI) Fie. 1bErvece or Kuwente Eweacy. JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOCYquid as the continuous phase, a larger surface tension would rewilt in greater boldup’ values and higher Dow- ‘ing bottom-hole pressures. EFFECT OF KINETIC ENERGY Early investigators“ chose to neglect the kinetic en- ergy term in the energy equation when developing their correlations. However, as discussed previously, the accel- eration gradient which results from the Kinetic energy term cannot be neglected in small-diameter pipes and at high sas-liquid ratios, particularly at low pressure and low den- sity levelx The connibution by the Kineuc energy rerm to the flowing pressure gradient at low pressure levels is shown In Fig’ 13 for s rate of 100 STRIT at * prediquid ratio of 3,000 sof/STB in 1%-in, tubing. ‘TYPICAL WORKING CURVES ‘Typical working curves (Fig. 14) can be prepared which are applicable for most field problems. To make the curves as general as possible, viscosity, temperature and surface teasion have been assumed to be constant. Also, the grad- Jent reversal has been removed for clarity. By Including ‘gradient reversal, a plot such as Fig. 15 would be obtained. Obviously this wonld he more dificult to work with, How ever, if the curves were presented as in Fig. 16, gradient reversal could be included with no resulting problem in clarity. HORIZONTAL FLOW Although numerous correlations have been developed for horizontal two-phase fow, none will accurately predict pressure losses for all ranges of flow. The complexity and umber of possible Bow petteras makes the problem more difficult to describe than vertical flow. Additional research WOR-O TuBING Size = 1 500 STB/D *API= 35% = 0.65 Oy = 32 dynesyem Ha 1Oep (CONSTANT) Ts 140°F DEPTH (1000 FT) o 4 +8 2 6 2 24 2 PRESSURE (100 PS!) Fre, 1¢Terican, Verticat Passsuns Travense Conves (emmour Remove). DEPTH (1000 FT) DEPTH (1000 FT) WOR=O TUBING SIZE = 1 a= 500 STB/D CAPL=35 7+ 0.65 G% + 32 dynes/em a+ 1.0¢p (CONSTANT) 4 8 12 16 20 24 2 PRESSURE (100 PSI) Fic, 15—Vextycax Passsune Taavease Conves ‘Hsveasar Inetoon). “ALR 1000 ScF/STB TUBING SIZE * I (Aa 1.0¢p (CONSTANT) = 32 dynes/en “API= 35 WOR =O Tye 0.65 a et oe) PRESSURE (100 PSI) Fic, 16—Venricat. Passsuns Travense Conves (Gtevensar next)”LENGTH (1000 FT) LENGTH (1000 FT] q+ 1000 stB/0 FLOWLINE SIZE «2° WOR = 1000 Te = 1.07 H+ 0.65 T 2 130°F 2 3 4 5S 6 7 PRESSURE (100 PSI) Fie. 17—Errecr of Gat-Liqu> Rano. ° i Re 2 3 | | 4 =. 5 yi 6 4 | 7 4 = 1000 stB/D GLR = 1000 SCF/STB WOR = 1000 Te * 1.07 9 7+ 0.65 + 1 = 130° 10 Lf sf} 100200 300 400 500 600 700 PRESSURE (PSI) Fic, 18—Ermect or Fomine Size is being conducted at the present time to, develop accurate correlations. Until these correlations are avs able, itis impossible to analyze the effects of many of ‘variables involved. For simplicity, the Beadle, Harlan and Brown" correlation has been used. The effect of goe-liquid ratio on horizontal losses is shown in Fig. 17 for a flow rate of 1,000 STB/D (water) through 2-in. flowline. If the flowline length, sepa- ator pressure, production rate, gas-liquid ratio and fuid operties are’ known, the flowing wellbead pressure re- Guired to move the fluids through the Dowlive to Uke sep- arator can be calculated. Fig. 18 shows the effect of pipe size on the horizontal flowing pressure gradient. The pressure loss for a given length of flowline decreases with increasing flowline diam- ter. For example, a production rate of 1,000 STB/D in ‘2 4,000-ft line flowing against atmospheric pressure would require a wellhead pressure of 100 psig in a +n. line and (660 psig in a 2-in. line. gel COMBINING HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL ‘GRADIENT CURVES FLOWING WELL The usual method of presenting horizontal and vertical two-phase flow correlations is in the form of flowing pres- ‘sure gradient or traverse curves. Most production engineers se faunlias with the verticalllow curves, some wilh the hhorizontal-low curves, but very few are familiar with the problems which can be solved using them together. In a flowing well the variables which affect production rate can be classified into two groups: those which can be controlled and those over which there is litle or no control. ‘The first group includes tubing size and leogth, flowline size and length, curface restrictions and posibly the sepa- ator pressure. The second group includes the reservoir aan ‘TuaIne Se + 2 DEPTH + 8000 FT. FLOWLINE'SIZE » 2° 4 FLOWLINE LENOR + 3000 FT. WOR = 1.0 4 GLR * 800 s0R/ST5 Pas * 4000 PSI 20 4+ 1.0 Bb/0/ PSI 2200 2000) t200| re00 Fro yea 4(8t8/0) 1200 1000 800 400, ‘01002003000 $00 E00 Too Dy (PSI Fic, 19-Maxnmun Proouctign Rare Possinus Frost Flowrne Wen. JOURNAL OFstatic the fiuid properties and the productivity index If well sumulation methods are not considered. Given a complete set of conditions, and assuming no wellhead reition or surlae choker, there i only one ie ae ae od boro ow clodatony—tne maicume Prediction this rate depends upon the relibility of the data and cor- relations used. ‘Fig. 19 shows a typical plot of how this problem can be solved for the conditions given. The solution involves us- ing both the horizontal and the vertical flowing preasure gradient curves. In Fig. 19 production rate is plotted vs flowing wellhead pressure for horizontal fow (neglecting vertical fow) and for vertical flow (neglecting horizontal flow). The intersection of the two curves represents the ‘only solution which wil sausfy both vertical and horizon- tallow conditions. Since neither wellhead restrictions nor surface chokes were considered, this also represents the ‘maximum production rate. The solution is seen to be a production rate of 1,152 STB/D against a flowing wellhead pressure of 480 psig. To establish the curves arrived at from the vertical and horizontal flowing pressure uaverses, the following proce dures were followed." VERTICAL—FLOW CUKVE PROCEDUKE 1. A flow rate somewhere in the neighborhood of the ‘expected production rate is eslected. 2. From the static bottom-hole pressure, assumed flow rate and PI. the flowing bottom-hole pressure is deter- mined. 3, The vereal flowing preaure traverse for the parti ‘cular production rate and gatliquid ratio is selected. From the equivalent depth corresponding to the intersection of depth. This will be the flowing wellhead pres- sure, and is to be plotted as one point of pressure ve rate on the vertical-iow curve. 4. This procedure is repeated for hoth lower and high- tr flow rates. ‘S.A line is constructed through these points. HORIZONTAL—FLOW CURVE PROCEDURE 1. Use the horizontal flowing presture traverses which correspond to the same flow rates and gas-liquid ratio as ‘wed in establishing the line from the vertical Rowing pressure traverses, 2. For a particular flow rate, find the length correspond- ing to the intersection of the horizontal fowing pressure traverse with the separator pressure. To this length, add the length of the surface flowline. Find the pressure cor- responding to the pew length. This pressure represents the flowing wellhead pressure necessary to move the fuids to the separator, and is to be plotted as one point of pressure 4s rae on the horizontalfiow curve. 3. Repeat this procedute for each rate, 4. Construct a line through these points. The effect of flowline size on the maxiasum px rate is shown in Figs. 20 and 21. In Fig. 20 8 series lines similar to those of Fig. 19 are plotted. Each size clearly results in a pew solution. Fig. 21 shows a plot ‘of these intersections. Note that as the fowline size’ in- ‘steues, the maximum production rate also increases, considering larger flowline diameters than shown, a point ‘where any further increase in size would result in a neg- ligible increase in the production rate is eventually reached. In this region the production capacity of the vertical tub- {ng is approached for the particular set of conditions used. aH zeoof ——tupine size - 2° 4 009; FLOWLINE LENGTH = 3000 FT. 2aoo}. DEPTH = 8000 FT. 4 L mower J +10 BbI/0/ PSI soor Mpize 8878/0) py (PSI) rs * 4000 PS! pap + 80 PSI z zeoot tn Oy 4 meole a 20 GLR * 500 SCF/STB 134338 rook. i403 ee 1520166. S 1600 1360131 1400 f- FLOWLINE LENGTH 600 = 3000 FT. DEPTH = 8000 FT, ole J+ 1.0 Bbi/0/Psi ~)800 tye + 4000 P51 - r00- Pap * 80 PSI 4005 WOR * 1.0 5 took GLR + $00 SCF/STB_I309 = tooo} 200 sooL__L 1 ‘00 300" soa 00600700 Oy (PSH) Fie, 20-Errecr or Fromme Sax (FLowine Wait). ED 30 40 FLOWLINE SIZE (inches) Fic. 21—Ervact or Frowuine Su (Fuowine Wei).‘The effect of vertical tubing size on maximam - tion rate ean be seen in Figs. 22 and 23. Fig. 22 repre- sents a series of solutions similar to that obtained in Fig. 19. Fig. 23 shows a plot of these intersections. Here again the production rate increases with increasing tubing size. 2600, FLOWLINE SIZE = 2° FLOWLINE LENGTH = 3000 FF. 2400} DEPTH + 8000 FT. J +10 ebi/o/ Pst Pex * 4000 PSt fap +80 PSI WOR + 1.0 GLA + 500 scr/sTe 2200) 100 200-300-400 500 600700 600 yr (PSI) Fie, 22—Ervecr or Tune Size (Fuowine We). 2200 FLOWUME Size 2000 41.0 881707681 a) ee * 4000 P31 100 Lo SLR « 500 scr/sto 490 5 !00 § s000 200 (st9/0) 600 400 200 TUBING SIZE (inches) Fie. 22_Ervecr or Tomine Suze (Fiowine Wert). has been given here to well allowables. GASLIFT WELL ‘The continuous-flow gasift problem requires a longer ‘aud more tedious solution, An additonal variable, the DEPTH (1000 FT) san oO 4 a Bw 10 PRESSURE (100 P81) Fie, 24—Tyricat Phor Taar Most Be Mane ror Eacu Liqup Hare (Gaslare Wenn). 1000) > beevn + 2000 7 900) owuine sae + 214° 7 rome cower = 4000 7 @ 800) 00] 600) 500) eae Fy (PSI) 400 300) OPERATING Dy = 230-4 200 100 { Gmox jane > < 635. 600 SN 0 ‘400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 9 (ST8/0) Fic. 25 Maxneone Proopcrion Rare Possisur Frox 4 Gastar Wee, JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHROLOCYtion, but above this point the gasdiquid ratio increases ‘dus to the gas injected. To complicate matters, an optimum uid rato exists and the injection of more or less gas flow curve are obtained from flow rate curves like Fig. 24 The huriontal-fow curves are Copstracted tn the fame ‘way as in Fig. 19 except that one curve is drawn for each [Peliquid ratia used for the vertical ow curves. ‘The intersection of a horizontal-iow curve with a ver- ticaliow curve of the same gas-Kauid ratio represents one possible solution. For the example used, the, maximam Production rate from the well s 635 STB/D at a flowing ‘wellbead pressure of 230 pig and = producing periiquld Tatio of 1000 scf/STB. Any decrease or increase In in- jected g2s wil caute a decrease in prodacton rate, Holden" has extended the preceeding method to ac- count forthe effec of surface flowline size. Using a difer- sat st ot wel condom, sis a plo sin Pi 25 were ‘onto one chart Fig. 26). This Thoms Lov te matin Production is vee wh See Tine sie. The following tabulation summarize the results a8 found in this solution. Flowline ‘Size Gin) a 305 os 448 3 585 aM 60 4 735 infinite 910 ‘As noted from this tabulation, the maximum rate pos- sible is not reached tntl there is no surface retrction at all. Also, the maximum production rate for all flowiine sizes from 2 to 4 in, does not occur at the minimum flow- ing gradient attainable in the tubing string, Le, the ratios range from 1,200 to 1,500 sef/STB. The minimum flowing Fie, 6—Errecr or Fiowuine Sux (Gas Lirr Wen). sradient in the tubing string occurs at approximately 3,009 sct/STB. However, as this gas is brought to the surface and put through the horizontal flowline, it increases the flowing wellhead pressure required to move the fuids to to give the minimum flow. ing is detrimental in increas ing the flowing wellhead pressore and therefore maximum production occurs at a lower gas-liquid ra ‘The example problems of Figs 25 and 26 were worked for an unlimited gas supply. Fig. 27 shows another prob- lem worked in which the available gas'was limiied {0 1.5 MMcf/D. The problem was worked with vertical-Aow ‘curves only, astuming a short surface lowline of negligible effect. Flow rate is plotted against gas-liquid ratio available and gas-liquid ratio required. The point of intersection of the «wo curves predicts the exact How rate and gusliquid ratio at which this well wll produce. CONCLUSIONS 1, Vertical and horizontal two-phase flow correlations ‘can be used to accurately predict production rates possible from both flowing and gas-lift well 2. These correlations and the methods of solution can bbe extended for predicting vertical and horizontal pressure losses for all types of artificial lift. 3. The flowing life of a well and its inflow performance characteristics can be determined accurately. 4, Vertical and horizontal two-phase flow correlatio canbe used 1 determine the effects of fuld properties on ‘well behavior. [REFERENCES Magadan, A. Res al Study of Preure Gradients ‘Oeserring Dung Vetcal Tyo Pine Flow a Seal Dame Conduite", PRD Bissertation, The U. of Texas (1964). 3600) Tupine Size = 24° DEPTH - 10,000 FT. 3200) Pes +3200 PSI Py + 100 PSI 2800) J * 10 BbI70/PS! WOR + 19 — 2400 FORMATION GLA, é = 75 SCF/STB & 2000 OPERATING PRESSURE 8 AVAILABLE GAS VOLUME = ‘600 St LS MMCE/O 3 xo * 1200 hy TRIECTION B00P Gtr « 688 = 400!-gial aeauiRed, : ol =pa80-t} 400° 800 1200 1600 2000 2400 2800 a (ST8/0) Fre, 57-Maxmwue Paooucrion Rays rom a Linney Avatiases ‘Gas Vouwe (GasLirr Went).4 fecth garetts Ses spe Shanes sir PH Potom oe Ppt TEE ALBA spacey ene pli ae ara et ‘Fluid Flow in’ Small Vertical Conduits Inch ig Aor Coyote’ Jour: Par Pech Mar, 188) ‘Prediction of Presse *Pubing’, Soc. Pees Eng “Erie tla ba ata B Lockhart, R. W. and Martineli, R. C.: “Proposed Correlation ‘of Dass or ealermal Tre Phase Tore Compeneat Flow Sn Pipe Lina, Chem: Eng. Prog. (1959) 48, 39. pag in # inne on * Ss Chim Bag Prog TBS) 80, 10, Chink, D. and Lain, A, D. Ks “Two-Phase Flow in Re Ribera ts asi) Boze ch 1. Bakar, Ovid: “Efect of ills o» Two-Phase Presare Drop GUE cerfour No Ml, 951) I. 12, Baker, Ovid: “I ‘of Pipelines for the Simultaneous Flow SE and Gash Ott Cae Tour 1530) 35) Nee a 1a 12. Baker, Ovid; “Malate Flow in Pipelines”, Oi! & Gas Jour TREE Ree) a 1 Baal, Gas, J, and Brom, KE “Erlatin of Sr Buck Pre: for Cantonnes Sod itcrmitent Flow Gos i You at Toh (ase, 193) a3 15 Gey 0 amd Coal ye “sara etal tate Crate AatTsksyae 36 Bron KE, Dao T Cand Ball J.P: “Praca Uo of jrown, K. E., rill, J. ‘Recent Developments in sal and Vercal 7, Somhwestern Petroleum ‘Short Course (April, 1968) 17.Holden, William: private communication. the JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY