Cairo University, Faculty of Engineering

Petroleum Engineering Department

Course name: Production Engineering (1) – PEN 303
Sheet-4 (Choke Performance)
1- A well is producing 100 bbl/day gross with a GLR of 700 cu ft/bbl. If the bean size is ¼
in., calculate the THP from Gilbert’s monogram and by using the empirical formula of
Gilbert.

Answer: Using gilbert empirical choke performance formula Ptf = 435 R0.546 q / S 1.89
THP = 189.7 psig

2- A well is producing through a 1/4-in. choke at 100 bbl/day with a THP of 150 psi. What
the GLR is as calculated from Gilbert’s monogram and by using the empirical formula of
Gilbert. What would be the GLR if, all other things being equal, the choke size were
17/64 in.?

Answer: Using choke performance formula

GLR (at bean size 0.25") = 0.455 mcf/bbl

GLR (at bean size 17/64") = 0.562 mcf/bbl

3- A well producing from a pay zone between 5000 and 5050 ft is completed with 2 7/8 in.
tubing hung at 5000 ft. The well has a static BHP of 2000 psi and a PI of 0.3 bbl/day/psi
and produces with the GOR of 300 cu ft / bbl and a water cut of 10%. At what rate will
the well flow with a THP of 100 psi? Using the data from this problem what size of
bean is required in the flow line to hold a THP OF 100 psi? What would be the
production rate on a ¼-in. bean?

Answer: Using Gilbert chart

q Pwf Eq. Depth THP Depth THP

50 1833.33 7200 2200 390
100 1666.67 7050 2050 320
200 1333.33 6500 1500 200
400 666.67 4200 -
600 0 -
 (at THP = 100 psig, q = 275 bbl/day)

Using the choke formula

(at THP = 100, S = 29 (1/64) inch)

(at S = 0.25 inch = 16 (1/64) inch, q = 190 bbl/day)

4- A certain well is completed with 7500 ft of 3.5-inch tubing in the hole, the tubing shoe
being located just above the top perforation. The well is flowing 130 bbl/day of oil with
a water cut of 25% and a GOR of 1200 cu.ft/bbl. If the well's static pressure is 2800 psig
and its gross PI is 0.32 bbl/day.psi, Estimate the size of choke in the flow line. At what
oil rate would the well flow if a 1/2-inch. bean were substituted for the current one?

Answer: Using Gilbert chart

q Pwf Eq. Depth THP Depth THP

50 2643.75 11250 3750 625
100 2487.5 12300 4800 600
200 2175 12500 5000 575
400 1550 10850 3350 320
600 925 5800 -
 qgross = 173.33 bbl/day
THP (at q = 173.33) = 595 psig, S = 15.57 = 16 (1/64) inch
At S= 0.5 inch = 32 (1/64) inch, qgross = 445 bbl/day, qoil = 334 bbl/day

5- A well was completed with 7" casing - perforated from 7216 to 7253 ft - with 7000 ft of
2.375" tubing in the hole. The well was flowing steadily at 320 bbl/day of clean oil with
GOR of 800 ft3/bbl against an (11/16) inches choke when a smaller choke was
accidentally inserted in the flow line. When the well stabilized against the new choke, it
was flowing with a THP of 300 psig and a CHP of 993 psig. Determine the new bean
size, the well's static pressure, and the PI. (Assume no annulus packer)
Answer:

For the 1st condition (the well was flowing steadily at 320 bbl/day of clean oil with GOR
of 800 ft3/bbl against an (11/16) inches choke)

Using gilbert empirical choke performance formula Ptf = 435 R 0.546 q / S 1.89
Then THP= 96.5 psi
By using 1st method for tubing size 2.375’’ , GLR =0.8 mcf/bbl and THP =96.5 psi

q THP Equivalent Depth Total D Pwf

50 96.5 1000 8000 1063
100 96.5 1250 8250 950
200 96.5 834 7834 800
400 96.5 900 7900 740
600 96.5 1200 8200 875
 For the 2nd condition (when a smaller choke was accidentally inserted in the flow line.
When the well stabilized against the new choke, it was flowing with a THP of 300 psig
and a CHP of 993 psig)

By using CHP formula: Pwf (psia) and CHP in psia

Pwf = CHP*(1+ D1.5/100)

Pwf=1195 psia

Then pwf =1180 psig

By using 1st method for tubing size 2.375’’ , GLR =0.8 mcf/bbl and THP =300 psi

q THP D eq Total D Pwf

50 300 3125 10125 1550
100 300 3750 10750 1250
200 300 3700 10700 1180
400 300 3500 10500 1220
600 300 4000 11000 1300

2000
1800 f(x) = − 3.375 x + 1855
1600
1400
1200
Pwf (Psi)

1000 1st condition

2nd Condition
800
IPR
600 Linear (IPR)
400
200
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
q (STB/day)

Then by the intersection of given flow rate with the outflow curve for the 1 st condition and
also by the intersection of calculated Pwf with the outflow curve for the 2 nd condition, we
can get the IPR.

Ps=1855 psi

Well’s Potential = 550 STB/day

The new choke size could be obtained by using formula of choke, then S= 19/64 inches.

6- A well completed over the interval 2994 to 3032 ft (below Kelly bushing) has 2 3/8 in
tubing hung at 3000 ft. the well is flowing 320 bbl/day, zero water cut, at a GOR of 400
cu ft/bbl with a THP of 500 psig. The static pressure is 1850 psig at 3000 ft. what would
be the effect of changing the choke size to ½ in?
Answer
By using method 1 for tubing size (2 3/8 inches and GLR of 0.4 mcf/bbl)

q THP equivalent D Tota pwf

lD
50 500 3500 6500 1100
100 500 3500 6500 1050
200 500 4000 7000 950
400 500 4000 7000 1000
600 500 3750 6750 1050

By plotting the outflow curve and determining the point of q =320 STB/day.
We can get the IPR.

2000
1800 f(x) = − 2.78130060621341 x + 1850.00553240504
1600
1400
1200
pwf (Psi)

1000
800
600
400
200
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
q (STB/day)

To determine the THP due to use of ½ in bean size

By using method 2
q pwf (IPR) equivalent D Remaining D THP
50 1710.935 8750 5750 950
100 1571.87 9300 6300 1000
200 1293.74 8750 5750 720
400 737.48 5200 2200 250

And by using the formula of choke we can get the THP and flow rate due to ½ choke
size
Q = 436 STB/day
THP=160 psi