Celculation of Static Press',,;re Gradients iu Gas WelliS

By M. J. RZASA· AND D. L. KATZ,· MEMllER A.I.M.E.

(New York Meeting. February 1945)

ABSTRACT P2 = picssure at boUma (/ w;;'I,

'i'm;; derivations of three methods of com·
puting the :;tatic pressure gradients in n~tural
gas wp.l1s have been presented to show the
aS3umptions made. Charts were developed from
which the pressure gradients may be read when
the .vell·head pressure, the well fluid gravity,
depth, ~ nd the average wdl temperature are
given. A chart for estimating the well fluid
gravity from the condensate content and sepa-
lb. per sq. in. abs.
G = gas gravity
X = depth of well, ft.
Au alternate method is to compute the
average density of the gas in the w.::ll and
multiply by the well depth ill a ms.nncr
similar to that used for liquid gradients.
DERIVATION OF FORMULAS

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ratlJC gas gra.vity is included. The effect of the
increased average well temperatuce after flow A static pressure gradient is a special
on the calculation of the static pressure case of the general fluid-flow equation.
gradient is discussed. Consider a pound of fluid flowing in a
vertical column from point I to point 2,
INTRODUCl'ION
Fig. I. By an energy balance for fluid
Reservoir pressures have been calculated flowing from ! to 2:
.;com weil-heed pressures for gas wells for
'11any years. As tne pressure measurements
become more accurate, the need for a
:-eH!l.blc calcdation of the static pressure
c(rac1ient ofle!l arises. This paper will
develop the several methods for computing in which U = internal
energy, ft-Ib. per
the pressure gradient in gas wells and make lb.
'l. comparison between them. P = pressure, lb. per sq. ft.
The method of calculating static pressure V = volume, cu. ft. per lb.
gradients in common use is Eq. I (ref. I) u = average linear velocity, ft.
or its counterpart which includes a factor per seC.
for the deviation of the gas from the ideal X = height above datum, ft.
gas law. q = heat absorbed by fluid, ft-
lb. per lb.
W = work done by system, ft-Ib.
per lb.
in which PI = pressure at well head, lb. An energy balance on the fluid itself gives:
per sq. in. abs.
U = JTdS - fPdV + etc. bJ
Manuscript received at the office of the
Institute Nov. 6. 1944. Issued as T.P. 1814 in in which T = temperature, deg. R.
PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY. March 1945. S = entropy, ft~lb. per deg. R.
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Michigan. per lb.
leo

COPYRIGHT, 1944 AND 1945, BY THE

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGICAL ENGINEERS
(INCORPORATED)
 , - 1
. '--1-
t+t- H
!
,
"1
"
, .~
I ~
i j
2000
.... !
i
w
w . , : , . I
,
, !
~

~ !--+-t-t--'-.1......l-j.--I-+-+-I-4-++-++--'-++-~~~-:++-t-lM E THO b' I' II , ~

.E,~ ~~ RIM ~ NTA ~r+-t

j/---t-+-+-'l'-<:!-'+"I~#-....-+-++++--H-t--++++-+-+-~'=t~t-ttt"i=~.::;~-tti
4000 i

~~~ ~~~~~~~Hr.i4-~+~~:4-~,~~~~~4~~~++~-~~Hr~-~+~
'"

....--
or
M E ~ HOD . II ' -t,-++--+--1"~N--H--H-t-+-!-t-t-++--r++-H

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H-i-H-+++-t-H-t-+-!-H-+++-H 1 -j'

~
k.II , ,
a 6000

2100 2800 2900 3000 3100

PRESSURE: LBS,jS~.IN.
Fw. r.-DEPT.H-PF,ESSURE GRADIENT IN GAS WEH..
I02 CALCULATION OF STATIC PRESSURE GRADIENTS IN GAS WELLS

etc. = increase in all forms of This equation gives the true pressure
energy other than heat and gradient as a function of the specific
. compression volume of the fluid throughout the wen.
If friction losses are defined as W" then If actual values of V were available
fTdS = WI +q throughout the well, the solution for P
would be found such that the area under
A combination of Eqs. 2, 3, and 4 gives the the curve of V versus P from PI to P 2 would
general fluid-flow equation: equal the depth of the well X. In the
2
absence of experimental values for V, the
J VdP + Au
2g
+ AX + W, + W. gas law and compressibility factor may be
+ etc. =" [sl used to compute the specific volume.
The limitations that may be placed on the
general equation when considering a static PV = ZNRT
or motionless column of fluid are:
u = o. No velocity. in which P = pressure,

W. = o. No work done. V = volume,

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W, = o. No friction loss.
Z = compressibility factor,
Etc. = o. Energy other than heat and
N = number of mols per lb ..
R = gas constant per mol,
compression neglected.
T = absolute temperature.
With these limitations, Eq. 5 reduces to Combining Eqs. 6 and 7:
Eq.6:

h 2
VdP +AX = 0 [6] it
(2ZNRT dP
P
= X [81

TABLE I.-Example Calculltion for Method I

(2 ZNRT dP = X [81
]I P
Given: Well A
PI = 2600 lb. per sq. in. abs.,
Depth-temperature data,
X = 7500 ft.,
PPe = 663.8 lb. per sq. inch,
pTe = 385.6° R.,
G = 0.744
By approximate methods, or a series of trials on this method, the depth-pressure curve is obtained.

Well Well
Depth. Pres- Tem- 0.498ZT Cum.
sure. p. perature. T. 0.498ZT --P- Area, Area
Pt •• Deg. Pr Tr Z --p- M' Sq. Ft. X Or
X Lb. fer T. R. Av. Calc.
Shs~' Deg. F.
- - - - - - - - - --- --- --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
0 2.600 77 537 3.9 2 I.39 0.701 0.0721
1.000 2.691 IIO 570 4.05 I. 48 0.765 0.0806 91 0.0764 1,000 1,000
2.000 2.774 144 604 4.18 I.56 0.807 0.0874 83 0.0839 1,002 2,002
3,000 2.852 159 619 4.30 1.61 0.829 0.0895 78 0.0887 996 2.99 8
4.000 2.929 174 634 4·41 1.64 0.842 0.0906 77 0.0900 99 8 3.996
S,OOO 3.005 190 650 4·52 I. 69 0.86! 0.0926 76 0.0916 1,002 4.998
6.000 3.079 206 666 4.64 I. 73 0.~80 0.0947 74 0.0936 998 5.996
7.000 3.15 2 221 6SI 4·75 I.77 0.894 0.0961 73 0.0953 1,000 6.996
7.500 3.188 228 688 4.80 1.79 0.901 0.0967 36 0.0963 500 7.49 6

N= I =006
(0.744)(29.0) . 4 3
R = 10.73 NR = 0.498
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0.07t±±:tJ::tj:±±:j±±:±±tt±tltl±ttttttt::ttJ:t:J:j:tl:±±ttllitl±tl±tt±:t::ttJ:±t±±t±±t±:J:t:ttj
2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 3100 3200 3300
PRESSURE LBS./SQ.IN. ABS.
FIG. 2.-CURVE OF EQUATION 8.

H
o
w
104 CAT,C'ULA'fION OF STATIC YRESSm:m GRADIENTS IN GAS WET.LS

Method I in the calculation by Eq. g of the correct

In Eq. 8, R is constant and N is constant depth from the integral that is the area
if the gas gravity is uniforrn throughout under the curve of Fig. 2.
the wdl, hIt Z, T, and Pare v?J'hbles. To Jdeihod II
solve the integral, Z and T must he
evaluated for each preRsure. The solution An equation may be derived that has the
for this method requires the desired pres- form of .Eq. 1. if T and Z are assumed COT!-
sure---gradient curve to evaluate Z and gtant ~md may be removed f.rom the
hellC!' b'~comes a trial and error solution. mtegral:
Tahle I present1' the final soluthn a!t'2C" II
serbs of trials for the pll;:ssure gradient in ~,
g~s well using Eq. 8.
The data for well A from Eilel'ts and
Schellhardt 2 were used for the measured
R. earranging,
static pressure and temperat1ue r,radi\,:llt. P2 X
The composition of the 'Nell fluid wes given, In _po = Z~;;:;R7'

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- 1 alV,!.. 4!:
which permitted calculatio71 of ltfl gravity
or
G ::tn,l the ps~udo(1itical te;'Tnatuf8 x
{:T. ~.;;,J prc;sure pP•. . P2 _.. PI = PI (eZoNP.T. - . ) r·,,]
The well prC3"'lfCS ::;,t e'1::h depth in
r::bl,~ I were estimated by prior cdcuja-- TABLE 3 . --Example Calculation for
tifJt1S, The proof that they are correct lies Method III
AP (x -- 0.00931 -"~~-) ., Q,oT8'I4Pl i~52, IX3bl
1. <1Za J' aZel
'fABLE 2.-Example Calculation for Given: Well A
Method 11 PI = 2600 lb. per sq. in. ah;,
o.o1874GX G = 0,744
p, - 1', = Pl(e ---;r"z-;;- - ,) [n) X ,...." 7500 f~.
T. "' r 52.5°)1'. = 612.SoR.
PP. ~, 663.;S Ib, per sq. in. "bs,
Given: Well A pT, .~ 385.6°R.
1'1 = .600 lb, per sq. in, "bs. First TriQ.f
G ~, 0.744 Assu:mc
X = 7500, ft.
T" = 152.5° P. sa 61.2.5° R~ P. = 3100 lb. per sq. in, abs,
pp, ~ 663.8 lb, pel sq. ir.. rIbs. P. = 2850 lb. per sq~ in. abs.
3RS.6Ci R.
T • •~ ~ •.?:'.2 ,-, L59
-{I"'PC ::::"'! 23
Pr" 5<?, = 4.30
,';rsl Trial 663.3 385,6
: '5Sk,l.. '~ Zo ~ 0.820
P, ::....., ,::\:100 Ili. p:~r sq. i~. nbs. Po = 285(, XG (7500) (0.744)
ToZ. (612,5)(O-il~0) = IO
P '-' 3.~,~~ ,~ /•. 30
6(>::t.~·
T. = ~~~
J8~,0-
= 1.50
[Q

AP(r _. (0,C0937)(Il<).ro»
Z] = O.~10 = (0. 018 74)(r1O.IO)(2600)
('l.O,87.I) (0.744) (7 $00)
0.3960 AI' = 541
AI' = 604lb, per sq, in.
_1100 _. 2600 = 26oo(e"----(u,iJ,.;;)-(f.;·~,Sr'-· -- ,)
"4,i,.~,(er ~ .. I;' Sc:;otuf 7 vial, since Za. t9.ken :~.t in.correct P n
500 .., ,,6o<>(o,?~.36) .. 53, lb, per St!. As~-. ..1Il"C~
1', = 32(14 lb. per sq, in, abs.
5;uond Trial P. l 290'2 Ih4 per sq. in, abs.
o;'";!.
A:;sufi.e
1', ,..~ .1I8.~ lb. per sq. ~n. 2'01.:;21 P ... ~"! 7.'3~'~" Pr ,-~ ~?~~~ = 4.17 T· 0'- I.~9
PI" ot:lI _~1
6·)3_8
IV 4.,a6 'J', = J.~0 Za ..,. 0.821

Z:J .:= t).8~I -lE-

.•z. = {J.s_()&(0.~4;42.
(OIl.SJ\O .•,.!)
= JtO.09
(0,01&74) (0.744) (7500)
',\1>(1 .- (O.O'l9.n)(1H) "0)
3r82 - 260c = 2600(. - ",;;"1)'(612.5)'-'" I)
= (o .. oI874)(BO.09)(2~QO)
""" 2(}'''''G(~ 0."010 ~. I~ "·~96[ t!.P ~, 540.0
~ 2600(C.~2;j9) .~
P. -.~ 582
582
260\)+
582 lb. per sq, in, P, = 602 + %600 AP ~, 602 lb. per sq. in.
TO 318a lb. P~" sq. in. abs. cakul",ted by methd, II. • ~ 320. lb. per sq. it). ~.b •• cnlc:ulated by m.ethod IH,
Mt:a~u:~-~d .~H.-CfSU.Jf.! at 'j :-itt;} ft. .l\.1casl.I,:t:{I, 1.-H"'cs~ur\! J,t 7Sou fL
:.-~ 3193 lh. per s~. ~ti.• airs -- 3 !93 lb. pcr ~lq. in. abf>~
 M:. Jo RZASA AND D, L. KATZ lOS

This equation may be simplified, since sure constant or to use an average value of
I > V in Eq. 6.
G =< - 9 N for one pound of flUId con-
h2
:2 00

sidered, and R = 1544 with P in units of VdP = Va f,2 dP = Vg(P: - PI)

pl)unns per square inch
= ['$ -:- P x = X [12
O.01874~ p ..
P~ - Pl = P1(e Z.T. - I) [II
in which p" is the density of the fluid at the
Table :2 gives an example calculation of this average pressure. Since Po may be obtaine~

I.
:-m
.1:;
1.5 ::;-

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~~
!-t:
->
- .~
~ .. ~ l' '\ +....-- t
.1-
'~4f I

oc '!ci:
~.j>'
".
10."

CII
0< 1.3
SCI
...1«
I&.~
.J~ T
w~
3:1.&.1
If)

1·°0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

BARRELS CONDENSATE PER MILLION STD. CU. FT. GA.S
FIG. 3.--GRAVITY RATIO VERSUS S'l'QCK-T!l.NK YrELD 01' CONDENSATE.

method, using the same data as Table 1. by use of th~ comp1"cssibHity fa.<::tor, gP.;;
This equation must be solved by trial and gravity, ten.perature, !.'md pres:~~re, thz
error for Zo since it depends on an assumed following equation results:
average pressure. 144(PI - PI) X 359 X To X 14.7 X Z«
. 29.0 X G X 492 X (PI M/2)+
Method III = X [I3~
If the temperature and compressibility in which P represents units of pounds per
factor are assumed constant, it sbould square inch,
make llttle difference to assume the pres-
106 CALCULATION OF STATIC PRESSURE GRADIENTS IN GAS WELLS

approximation is usually sufficient. If

P, T, and Z are stright-line functions of
depth, the equation is exact. If variations
occur, the solution may be made for
increments of depth with ·more accurate
results.
Table 3 gives an example calculation
for this method. The calculated bottom-
hole pressures (lb. per sq. in. abs.) by
the three methods are tabulated as follows:

Experimental Method Method Method

This equation is relatively easy to solve Pressure 2 I II III
and involves a trial and error for the 3 1 93 3 188 3 202

""O:w
J ...

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Ct»J 700
Ct»..J
wo
a::Ct»
0.10
~<
..._z
0:-
"
65

Uej
Oct»
0':
JCt»
wlO
~..J

350 MISCELLANEOUS GASES (4)

• SATURATED GASES (3)
CONDENSATE WELL EFFLUENTS

~,~~~~~~IH~YH~m~m~m~1H~ml~HI~lll~IHi~mJ
Q50 0.55 0.60 0.65 0.70 0.75 0.80
GAS GRAVITY (AIR = I•
FIG. 4.-PSEUDOCRmCAL CONDITIONS AS FUNCTIONS OF GAS GRAVITY.

compressibility factor Zo. However, the The results indicate that the simpler meth-
change in Z. with pressure at the usual ods II and III are essentially equivalent. *
well conditions is not large and a second • See Addendum.
 M. J. RZASA AND D. L. KATZ 10 7

GRAVITY OF WELL FLUIDS quantity of condensate and gas-phase

composition in a well would be very
A dry g~s well producing no ,-ondensate complicated, either the well-effluent gravity
will have the same gas gravity in the well or an average gravity for the well-fluid
as at the gas meter and presents no problem gas phase will be used.

PRESSURE GRADIENT ~P) LBS./SQ. IN.

2500 2000 1750 750 500 250

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o 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000
AvERAGE WELL PRESSURE .~ +~) LBS./SQ. IN. ASS.
FIG. 5.-PRESSURE GRADIENT AS A FUNCTION OF AVERAGE WELL PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE FOR
0.60 GRAVITY GAS.

in finding the correct gravity. The gas
composition in a well that produces
condensate may be computed by adding
the condensate to the gas separated. If
the well fluid were a single phase through-
out the well, the molecular weight of the
well effluent gives the true gas gravity for
the static column. When condensation
takes place within the well bore due to
temperature and pressure changes, the gas
gravity G becomes a variable and N
in Eqs. 8 through 10 is also a variable.
Since the procedure for predicting the
A simple procedure for estimating the
well fluid gravity is desired. The infor-
mation normally available for a condensate
well is the condensate yield in barrels of
stock-tank liquid per million cubic foot
of separator gas and the metered gas
gravity. Fig. 3 has been prepared using
actual data on 15 condensate wells for
which the well effluent and separator-gas
compositions were known in addition to
the stock-tank yield of condensate. The
curve appears to be of fairly general appli-
cation, even though there are three vari-
108 CAi,CULATION OF STATIC PRESSURE GRADIENTS IN GAS WJ<;U,s

ables, separator pressure, liquid gravity, pseudocritical temperatures and pressures

and liquid molecular weight, which could are a function of gas gravity for natural
cause different .gravity ratios for a given gases. Saturated gases at high pressure
stock-tank yield of condensate. The IS or condensate well effluents would have
PRESSURE GRADIENT CAP). LBS./SQ. IN.
;zsoo

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o 1000 2000 3000 1;;t;'OO . -- XI 6000 1000 8000 9000 10000
AVERAGE WELl.. PRESSURil: ~ "'"f-) LBS./SQ. IN. ASS.

FIG. 6.-PRESSURE GlU,mEN'l' AS A FUNCTION 0:" ,WERAGE WELL PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE FOR
0.65 GRA'ITY GAS.

condmsa.te wells include a wide variety
d aU three of these variables, with no large
net deviation from a single curve.
PSEUDO CRITICAL CONDITIONS
In addition to the well fluid gravity, the
pseudocritical conditions must be known
to predict the compressibility factor for
any pressure-gradient calculation. If well
effluent analyses are known, the pseudQ-
critical conditions may be computed
directly as molal average critical tem-
peratures and pressures for the pure
constituents. It has been shown. that
sligntly different curves of gas gravity
versus pseudocritical temperature and
pressure than single-phase natural gase~
at low pressure.
Fig. 4 gives the pseudocritical conditions
for saturated gases 3 and condensate weB
effluents. The curve developed for miscel-
laneoLls natural gases 4 is also shown.
CHARTS FOR CAI.CULATlNG GRADIENTS
Since any well having a fixed well-heat1
pressure, gas gravity, and well tempera-
tures will have a definite static pre!lsnre
gradient, it wOl1ld seem that charts could
 M. J. RZASA AND D. L KAT/, 109

be develop~d to give the gradient as a represent tbe dendty of the well fluid but
function of well-head pressure Ph average on an odd scale to make the depth lines
temperature T G, ga.s gravity G, and depth straight. Since the average pressure in a
X. By Eq. ISb, lli> is a function of average well. is not known, a trial and error soluti>JH

PRESSURE GRADIENT CAP) LBS./SQ. IN.

2.500 2250 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 o

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o 1000 2000 3000 4()OO
t.vEHAGE WELL PRESSURE
'
r.
.50 )0 6000
t.Ae'
2 J•
600C:
LBS./SQ. IN. ASS.

Fw. 7.-PRESSURE GRADIENT AS A FUNCTION OF AVERAGE WELL PRESSURE .'ND l'EMPEl?I'l:fLJli.E 1'O!:
0.70 GRAVITY GAS.

pressure P a , depth X, gas gr:wity G, and
average temperature T a , as Z. is a de-
pendent variable.
Figs. 5 through 9 have been prepared
using Eq. ISb for gases of gravities 0.60,
0.65, 0.70, 0.75, and 0.80 with AP (l
function of depth at t.he average pressure
and the avcrage temperaiure in the well
These gases are assumed to follow the
pseudocritical conditions of Fig. 4 and ti)
have compressibility factors of referencell
?, !'lld 1. 'T'he onUn~ tcs Oll thCcf' cr.arts
is involved when computing the bottom-
hole pressure P2 from the well-head
pressure Pl,
To assist in this calculation, Fig. Ie>
has been prepared.. The d:art gives th"
pressure gradient bY for gasef o~ 0.70
gnwity, using a diiIerent avenge tempera-
ture for tach depth. '.Uw depth-tempera-
ture relationship used is l:t3"F. at 4000 ft .•
208''F. ;;.t 8000 ft .. lol.nd 282~F. at 1:2,000 it.
For wells that have this temperlltur~
gmdient and ". wdl fllli,l Itr:lV;ty of ,> ';0.
IIO CALCULATION OF STATIC PRESSURE GRADIENTS IN GAS WELLS

Fig. 10 gives an accurate calculated gradi- By Fig. 10, the approximate gradient
ent. For wells having different temperatures corresponding to 2600 lb. per sq. in. abs.
ur gas gravities, Fig. 10 should be used is 610 lb. per sq. in. and p .. = 2905 lb. per
only to approximate the IIp in order to sq. in. abs. From Figs. 7 and 8,

PRESSURE GRADIENT CAP) LBS./SQ. IN.

2500 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 o

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o 1000 2000 3000 5000 <6000 7000 8000 9000 10000
AVERAGE WELL PRESSURE (1'1 t ~ LBS./SQ. IN. ABS.

FIG. 8.-PRESSURE GRADIENT AS A FUNCTION OF AVERAGE WELL PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE FOR
0.75 GRAVITY GAS.

obtain the average pressure (Pi +M/2)
= P .. in the well, which in turn is used in
Figs. 5 through 9.
EXAMPLE USES OF CHARTS
Using the data. on well A, compute the
pressure at 7500 ft. for a well having a
tubing-head pressure of 2585 lb. per sq.
in. gauge. The well fluid gravity is 0.744
and the average well temperatur~is 153°F.
IlP for 0.70 gravity gas = 565 lb. per sq.
in.
M for 0.75 gravity gas = 615 lb. per sq.
in.
Interpolatingforo.744gravity,IlP = 609
lb. per sq. in.
P 2 at 7500 ft. = 320y lb. per sq. in. abs.
Experimental value = 3193 lb. per sq. in.
abs.
 M. J. RZASA AND D. L. KATZ III

As a second example, compute the From Fig. 9 at 135°F. and 8000 ft.,
reservoir pressure at 8000 ft. for a well t:.P = 820 lb. per sq. in.
producing 40 bbl. of stock-tank condensate Repeating at PIS of 3225 lb. per sq. in.
per million standard cubic feet of gas. abs., /l.P = 825 lb. per sq. in.

PRESSURE GRADIENT CAP) LBS./SQ.

2000 17~0 ISOO 1250 1000 2S0 o

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o 1000 2000 3000 4000 SOOO eooo 7000 8000 9000 10000
AVERAGE WELL PRESSURE (F: +~) LBS.lSQ. IN. ABS.

FIG. 9.-PRESSURE GRADIENT AS A FUNCnoN OF AVERAGE WELL PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE

FOR 0.80 GRAVITY GAS.

The well-head pressure is 2800 lb. per sq.
in. gauge, the separator-gas gravity is
0.670, and the temperature of the well
bore at 4000 ft. is 135°F.
From Fig. 3, the well fluid gravity is
estimated to be I.I9 X 0.670 = 0.789.
From Fig. 10, the approximate gradient
corresponding to .2815 lb. per sq. il,l. abs.
is 765 lb. per sq. in. and PIS = 3198 lb. per
sq. in. absolute.
Reservoir pressure = 2815 + 825 = 3640
lb. per sq. in. absolute.
EFFECT OF FLOW ON EARTH-TEMPERATURE
GRADIENT
In estimating the average well tempera-
ture, the usual procedure is to assume a
straight-line relationship between the reser-
voir temperature and a well-head tempera-
ture of 60° to 70°F., depending upon the
112 (;Ai,-:LiI,A:fION OJ!' STATIC PRESSURE GRAL)U:N'fS IN GAS WELL"

locality. If the well bore is in thermal average weH temperature from well history
equilibrium with the earth, this procedure and flowing well-head temperat.ure,
give~ results little uifier"nt from the The effect of a change in the a wrage
measured temperature gradient, well temperature due to heat tr:ll1;>Icl

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800 800 1000 1200 1400 1800 1800 2000 2200
PRESSURE GRADIE:NT 'loP) L,BS./SQ. IN.
FIG. lO .. --PRESSURE GRADIENTS FOR 0.70 GRAVITY GAS AND CIVEN EARTH-TEMPERATURE CRADIENT.

During flow, the well bore and surround- from the natural gas may be shown by
ing earth gradually increase in temperature using higher average temperatures for
over the normal earth gradient. Harbert, well A. For a well-head pressure of 2600
Cain, and Huntington b have indicated the lb. per sq. in. abs., a gas gravity of 0.744
;,;atuT':' of this problem by la.i)oratory and a reservoir temperature of z23°F.,
!U"asllreme::lts. A well that has been the following values for /J.P
fiC)wing prior to mea~urement of the
ASSt1nled Surface Average Wen
well-hc:1d pressure will have a higher Temperature, Temperature,
liP fro . .l1 Ili~s,
Deg, F. 7 and 8
a\""rage ",'en t,emperature than at thermal Deg. F.
equilibrium. Ft!rther reiinemellts in the _._---- - - - - -
calcuiation of pressure gradients in gas
wells that have been flowing just prier to
measurement of well-head preszure will
include some procedure for estimating the
 M. J. RZASA AND n. L KATZ II;

are found by interpolating between Figs. 7 factors by which 1'1 is multiplied t.o givl'
and 8 for a series of well temperatures. KG
These results indicate fnat the l~.lt:tl­ P2 -. PI. Let 0.oI~74 r-7' = c, then tOl
.~~

la.don of pressure gradients in Eas well~

I>:~ ,l.l.ve been shut in only 24 hr. after a
method n the hctm b';c()!n~:: (.~<, -. tj . ; ,
.' \
period of flow may not be accurate if the
equilibrium earth-temperature gradient is
for method III it becomes (,1 -
..-.~--)
0.5C
used. A direct compari:;on of the two faci"rs h;
several values of care ,,5 f(lJl0ws:
R.a\,ylins and Schellhardt: U. S. Bur. Hine,; c
Monog:'aph 7 (19.16). c
2. Eilmts and Schellhardt: U. S. Bur. Mines I - 0.5C
R.I. 3402 (1938). ---~------.--- --~-.-.----- .. --- -.--- --------~-

3. Standing and Katz: Trans. A.l.M.E. (1942) 0.05 0.05 1 3 0.05 1 .3

146, 140. 0.10 0. 1052 0. X0 5 2
4. Katz: Ref. and Nat. Gasolille Mfr. (1942)
.1 (6), 58. 0.20 0.221 0.2222
5. Hnrbert. Cain. and Huntington: ldd. and 0.30 0.35 0 0·353
Eng. Chem. (1941) 33, 257.
0.40 0.49 2 0·500

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0.649 c.o67
ADDENDUM ---~~-
A more accurate comparison of methods These prove that the two metho,1s
II and III may be made by comparing the should give practically identical results.