PETE 411

Well Drilling
Lesson 13
Pressure Drop Calculations
API Recommended Practice 13D
Third Edition, June 1, 1995
13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 1 of 43

Contents
The Power Law Model
The Rotational Viscometer
A detailed Example - Pump Pressure

Pressure

Drop in the Drillpipe

Pressure Drop in the Bit Nozzles
Pressure Drop in the Annulus

Wellbore Pressure Profiles

13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 2 of 43

Power Law Model

K = consistency index
n = flow behaviour index

=Kn

SHEAR
STRESS

psi
0

SHEARRATE,,sec1
13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 3 of 43

Fluid Flow in Pipes and Annuli

LOG
(PRESSURE)
(psi)

LOG(VELOCITY)(orFLOWRATE)
13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 4 of 43

Fluid Flow in Pipes and Annuli

Laminar Flow

Turbulent

LOG
(SHEAR
STRESS)
(psi)

n
1
LOG ( SHEAR RATE ),

13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

( RPM or sec 1 )

Slide 5 of 43

Rotating
Sleeve
Viscometer

13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 6 of 43

Rotating Sleeve Viscometer

(RPM * 1.703)
VISCOMETER
RPM

SHEAR RATE

3
100

ANNULUS

5.11
170.3

300
600

DRILL
STRING

511
1022

BOB

SLEEVE
13. API Pressure Drop

sec -1

API RP 13D
PETE 411

Slide 7 of 43

API RP 13D, June 1995

for Oil-Well Drilling Fluids

API RP 13D recommends using only FOUR of

the six usual viscometer readings:
Use 3, 100, 300, 600 RPM Readings.
The 3 and 100 RPM reading are used for
pressure drop calculations in the annulus,
where shear rates are, generally, not very high.
The 300 and 600 RPM reading are used for
pressure drop calculations inside drillpipe,
where shear rates are, generally, quite high.

13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 8 of 43

Example: Pressure Drop Calculations

Example

Calculate the pump pressure in

the wellbore shown on the next page, using the
API method.

The relevant rotational viscometer readings

are as follows:

R3 = 3
R100 = 20

R300 = 39
R600 = 65

13. API Pressure Drop

(at 3 RPM)
(at 100 RPM)
(at 300 RPM)
(at 600 RPM)
PETE 411

Slide 9 of 43

Pressure Drop
Calculations

PPUMP

Q = 280 gal/min

= 12.5 lb/gal
PPUMP = PDP + PDC
+ PBIT NOZZLES
+ PDC/ANN + PDP/ANN
+ PHYD

13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 10 of 43

Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe

Power-Law Constant (n):
R 600
np 3.32 log
R 300

OD = 4.5 in
ID = 3.78 in
L = 11,400 ft

65
0.737
39

3.32 log

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

Kp

5.11R 600
1,022

np

5.11 * 65
dyne sec n

2.017
0.737
1,022
cm2

Average Bulk Velocity in Pipe (Vp):

0.408Q
Vp
D2
13. API Pressure Drop

0.408 * 280
ft

8.00
2
3.78
sec
PETE 411

Slide 11 of 43

OD = 4.5
Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe in ID =
3.78 in
Effective Viscosity in Pipe ( ep):L = 11,400
ft
np
n 1

ep

96 Vp

100 K p
D

3np 1

96 * 8
ep 100 * 2.017

3.78

4np

0.737 1

3 * 0.737 1

4 * 0.737

0.737

53 cP

Reynolds Number in Pipe (NRep):

NRep

928 D Vp
ep

13. API Pressure Drop

928 * 3.78 * 8.00 * 12.5

6,616
53
PETE 411

Slide 12 of 43

Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe

NOTE: NRe > 2,100, so

fp

Friction Factor in Pipe (fp):

a

log np 3.93

50

1.75 log np

So,

13. API Pressure Drop

a
NRep

NRep

log 0.737 3.93

0.0759
50

1.75 log 0.737

0.2690
7

fp

OD = 4.5
in ID =
3.78 in
L = 11,400
ft

0.0759

0.007126
0.2690
6,616
PETE 411

Slide 13 of 43

Pressure Drop In Drill Pipe

Friction Pressure Gradient
(dP/dL)p :
dP

dL

dp

fp Vp

25.81D

OD = 4.5
in ID =
3.78 in
L = 11,400
ft

0.007126 * 8 2 * 12.5
psi

0.05837
25.81 * 3.78
ft

Friction Pressure Drop in Drill

Pipe : dP

Pdp

dL

13. API Pressure Drop

L dp

0.05837 * 11,400

dp

Pdp = 665
psi

PETE 411

Slide 14 of 43

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars

Power-Law Constant (n):
ndc

R 600
3.32 log
R 300

65
0.737
39

3.32 log

OD = 6.5
in ID =
2.5 in
L = 600
ft

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

K dc

5.11R 600
1,022

np

5.11 * 65
dyne sec n

2.017
0.737
1,022
cm2

Average Bulk Velocity inside Drill Collars (V

Vdc

0.408Q

D2

13. API Pressure Drop

0.408 * 280
ft

18.28
2
2 .5
sec
PETE 411

Slide 15 of 43

OD = 6.5
Pressure Drop In Drill Collars in ID =
2.5 in
Effective Viscosity in Collars( ec):L = 600
ft
np
n 1

edc

edc

96 Vp

100 K p
D

3np 1

96 * 18.28
100 * 2.017

2 .5

4np

0.737 1

3 * 0.737 1

4 * 0.737

0.737

38.21 cP

Reynolds Number in Collars (NRec):

NRedc

928 D Vdc

edc

13. API Pressure Drop

928 * 2.5 * 18.28 * 12.5

13,870
38.21
PETE 411

Slide 16 of 43

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars

NOTE: NRe > 2,100, so f a
dc
N
Friction Factor in DC (fdc): Re

OD = 6.5
in ID =
2.5 in
L = 600
ft

dc

log ndc 3.93

a
50

log 0.737 3.93

0.0759
50

1.75 log ndc

b
7

1.75 log 0.737

0.2690
7

So,

fdc

13. API Pressure Drop

a
NRedc

0.0759

0.005840
0.2690
13,870
PETE 411

Slide 17 of 43

Pressure Drop In Drill Collars

Friction Pressure Gradient
(dP/dL)dc :
dP

dL

dc

f V
dc dc
25.81Ddc

OD = 6.5
in ID =
2.5 in
L = 600
ft

0.005840 * 18.28 2 * 12.5

psi

0.3780
25.81 * 2.5
ft

Friction Pressure Drop in Drill

Collars :dP

Pdc

dL

13. API Pressure Drop

L dc

0.3780 * 600

dc

Pdc = 227
psi

PETE 411

Slide 18 of 43

Pressure Drop across Nozzles

PNozzles

156 Q 2
2

N1

PNozzles

DN2 DN3

DN1 = 11 32nds
2

(in) DN2 = 11
32nds (in) DN3 =
12 32nds (in)

156 * 12.5 * 280 2

11

11 12
2

2 2

PNozzles = 1,026
psi
13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 19 of 43

Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE
Annulus
Q = gal/min

= lb/gal
DHOLE = 8.5
in
ODDC = 6.5
in
L Drop
= 600
13. API Pressure

8.5
in

PETE 411

Slide 20 of 43

Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE Annulus

DHOLE = 8.5
in
ODDC = 6.5
Power-Law Constant (n):
in
L
=
R100
20
0.657 log
ndca 0.657 log
0.5413
600 ft
R
3

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

K dca

5.11R100
5.11 * 20
dyne sec n

6.336
ndca
0.5413
170.2
cm2
170.2

Average Bulk Velocity in DC/HOLE Annulus (

Vdca

0.408Q

2
2
D 2 D1

13. API Pressure Drop

0.408 * 280
ft

3.808
2
2
8 .5 6 . 5
sec
PETE 411

Slide 21 of 43

Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE Annulus

DHOLE = 8.5
in
ODDC = 6.5
Effective Viscosity in Annulus (inea):
L
=
na
na 1
2na 1
144 Va
600 ft

ea 100 K a
D 2 D1
3na

ea 100 * 6.336

144 * 3.808

8 .5 6 .5

0.5413 1

2 * 0.5413 1

3 * 0.5413

0.5413

55.20 cP

Reynolds Number in Annulus (NRea):

NRea

928 D2 D1 Va
ea

13. API Pressure Drop

928 8.5 6.5 * 3.808 * 12.5

1,600
55.20
PETE 411

Slide 22 of 43

Pressure Drop
in DC/HOLE Annulus
NOTE: NRe < 2,100
Friction Factor in
24
24
Annulus
fa
(fa): 0.01500
NRea

dP

dL

1,600
2

fa Va

25.81 D2 D1

Pdc / hole

DHOLE = 8.5
in
ODDC = 6.5
in
L
=
600 ft

dP

dL

So,
13. API Pressure Drop

0.01500 * 3.808 2 * 12.5

psi

0.05266
25.81 8.5 6.5
ft

L dc / hole

0.05266 * 600

dc / hole

Pdc/hole = 31.6
psi
PETE 411

Slide 23 of 43

Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
q = gal/min

= lb/gal
DHOLE
ODDP

= 8.5 in
= 4.5 in

L
=
11,400 ft
13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 24 of 43

Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
Power-Law Constant (n):
ndpa

R100

0.657 log
R3

DHOLE
ODDP

= 8.5 in
= 4.5 in

L
=
11,400 ft

20
0.5413
3

0.657 log

Fluid Consistency Index (K):

K dpa

5.11R100
170.2

ndpa

5.11 * 20
dyne sec n

6.336
0.5413
170.2
cm2

Average Bulk Velocity in Annulus (Va):

Vdpa

0.408Q
2
2
D2 D1

13. API Pressure Drop

0.408 * 280
ft

2.197
2
2
8 .5 4 .5
sec
PETE 411

Slide 25 of 43

Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
Effective Viscosity in Annulus ( ea):
ea

ea

144 Va

100 K a
D2 D1

144 * 2.197
100 * 6.336

8.5 4.5

na 1

0.5413 1

2na 1

3na

na

2 * 0.5413 1

3 * 0.5413

0.5413

97.64 cP

Reynolds Number in Annulus (NRea):

NRea

928 D2 D1 Va

ea

13. API Pressure Drop

928 8.5 4.5 * 2.197 * 12.5

1,044
97.64
PETE 411

Slide 26 of 43

Pressure Drop
in DP/HOLE Annulus
NOTE: NRe < 2,100
Friction Factor in
24
24
Annulus
fa
(fa): 0.02299
NRea

dP

dL

1,044

fa Va

25.81 D2 D1

dP

dL

0.02299 * 2.197 2 * 12.5

psi

0.01343
25.81 8.5 4.5
ft

Pdp / hole

So,
13. API Pressure Drop

L dp / hole

0.01343 * 11,400

dp / hole

psi
Pdp/hole = 153.2
psi
PETE 411

Slide 27 of 43

Pressure Drop
Calculations
- SUMMARY PPUMP = PDP + PDC + PBIT NOZZLES
+ PDC/ANN + PDP/ANN + PHYD
PPUMP = + +
+ + +

PPUMP =
psi
13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 28 of 43

PPUMP = PDS + PANN + PHYD

2,103 psi

PDS = PDP + PDC + PBIT NOZZLES

P
=
0

= 665 + 227 + 1,026 = 1,918

psi
PANN = PDC/ANN + PDP/ANN
= 32 + 153 = 185
PHYD = 0

PPUMP = 1,918 + 185

= 2,103 psi
13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 29 of 43

What is the BHP?

2,103 psi

P
=
0

BHP = PFRICTION/ANN + PHYD/ANN

BHP = PDC/ANN + PDP/ANN
+ 0.052 * 12.5 * 12,000
= 32 + 153 + 7,800 = 7,985 psig

BHP = 185 + 7,800

BHP = 7,985 psig

13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 30 of 43

"Friction" Pressures

"Friction" Pressure, psi

2,500

DRILLPIPE

2,000
1,500

DRILL COLLARS

1,000

BIT NOZZLES

500

ANNULUS

0
0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

Distance from Standpipe, ft

13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 31 of 43

Hydrostatic Pressures in the Wellbore

Hydrostatic Pressure, psi

9,000

BHP

8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000

DRILLSTRING

ANNULUS

4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

Distance from Standpipe, ft

13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 32 of 43

Pressures, psi

Pressures in the Wellbore

10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0

CIRCULATING

STATIC

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

Distance from Standpipe, ft

13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 33 of 43

Wellbore Pressure Profile

0
2,000

DRILLSTRING

Depth, ft

4,000
6,000

ANNULUS
8,000
10,000

(Static)

12,000

BIT
14,000
0
13. API Pressure Drop

2,000

4,000

6,000

Pressure, psi
PETE 411

8,000

10,000
Slide 34 of 43

Pipe Flow - Laminar

In the above example the flow down the
drillpipe was turbulent.
Under conditions of very high viscosity,
the flow may very well be laminar.
NOTE: if NRe < 2,100, then
Friction Factor in Pipe (fp):
Then

16
fp
NRep

13. API Pressure Drop

and
PETE 411

dP

dL

dp

fp Vp
25.81D
Slide 35 of 43

Annular Flow - Turbulent

In the above example the flow up the annulus
was laminar.
Under conditions of low viscosity and/or high
flow rate, the flow may very well be turbulent.
NOTE: if NRe > 2,100, then Friction Factor in
the Annulus:
log na 3.93
a
50

Then
13. API Pressure Drop

fa

a
N bRea

1.75 log na
b
7

and
PETE 411

dP

dL

fa Va

25.81 D2 D1
Slide 36 of 43

Critical Circulation Rate

Example
The above fluid is flowing in the annulus
between a 4.5 OD string of drill pipe
and an 8.5 in hole.
The fluid density is 12.5 lb/gal.
What is the minimum circulation rate that
will ensure turbulent flow?
(why is this of interest?)
13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 37 of 43

Critical Circulation Rate

In the Drillpipe/Hole Annulus:
NRea

Q, gal/min
280
300
350
400
450
452

452.1
13. API Pressure Drop

928 D2 D1 Va

ea

V, ft/sec

Nre

2.197
2.354
2.746
3.138
3.531
3.546

1,044
1,154
1,446
1,756
2,086
2,099

3.547
PETE 411

2,100
Slide 38 of 43

Optimum Bit Hydraulics

Under what conditions do we get the best

hydraulic cleaning at the bit?

maximum hydraulic horsepower?

maximum impact force?

Both these items increase when the circulation

rate increases.
However, when the circulation rate increases, so
does the frictional pressure drop.
13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 39 of 43

13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 40 of 43

n = 1.0

_
2

13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

dp f
f v

dL Slide
25.418ofd43

Importance of Pipe Size

_ 1.75

Eq. 4.66e

or,

dp f
0.75 v
0.25

dL
1800d1.25

dp f
0.75 q1.75 0.25

4.75
dL
8,624d

*Note that a small change in the pipe diameter results in

large change in the pressure drop! (q = const.)
Decreasing the pipe ID 10% from 5.0 to 4.5 would result in an
increase of frictional pressure drop by about 65% !!
13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide 42 of 43

pf = 11.41 v 1.75
turbulent flow

pf = 9.11 v
laminar flow

13. API Pressure Drop

PETE 411

Slide value
43 of 43
Use max. p
f