PIPESIM

PIPESIM* production system analysis software

Version 2010.1

User Guide

PIPESIM User Guide

Copyright 2010 Schlumberger. All rights reserved.

No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or translated in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, without the prior written permission
of Schlumberger Information Solutions, 5599 San Felipe, Suite 1700, Houston, TX 77056-2722, USA.
Use of this product is governed by the License Agreement. Schlumberger makes no warranties, express,
implied, or statutory, with respect to the product described herein and disclaims without limitation any
warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Schlumberger reserves the right to revise
the information in this manual at any time without notice.

PIPESIM User Guide

Table of Contents
User Guide ........................................................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
Company profile ................................................................................................................................................. 1
Getting Started ................................................................................................................................................... 1
Modules .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
PIPESIM Hot Keys ............................................................................................................................................. 3
File Hot Keys .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Simulation hot keys ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Windows Hot Keys ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Tools Hot Keys ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Editing or General Hot Keys ........................................................................................................................... 4
Main Toolbar ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Toolbox .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Single branch Toolbox ................................................................................................................................... 5
Network Toolbox ............................................................................................................................................ 7
Wizard Feature .................................................................................................................................................. 8
Steps .............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Find .................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Finding an object in a network model ............................................................................................................. 9
PIPESIM versions .............................................................................................................................................. 9
PIPESIM Suite (Build26) to PIPESIM Conversion ......................................................................................... 9
Building Models ............................................................................................................................................. 12
Steps in building a model ................................................................................................................................. 12
Basic overview ............................................................................................................................................. 12
Creating a new model .................................................................................................................................. 12
Adding objects to a model and connecting them ......................................................................................... 13
Adding data to an object .............................................................................................................................. 13
Minimum data ............................................................................................................................................... 13
Duplicating an object .................................................................................................................................... 13
Disconnecting objects .................................................................................................................................. 13
Saving the model ......................................................................................................................................... 14
Network Models ............................................................................................................................................... 14
Creating a network model ............................................................................................................................ 14
Network Operations ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Source .......................................................................................................................................................... 14
Sink .............................................................................................................................................................. 15
Branch .......................................................................................................................................................... 16
Network Separator ....................................................................................................................................... 16
Production Well ............................................................................................................................................ 17
Injection Well ................................................................................................................................................ 18
Well Curves .................................................................................................................................................. 19

PIPESIM User Guide

Boundary Conditions .................................................................................................................................... 20

Network Constraints ..................................................................................................................................... 21
Network Estimates ....................................................................................................................................... 21
Single Branch Models ...................................................................................................................................... 22
Well Performance Analysis Overview .......................................................................................................... 22
Pipeline tools ................................................................................................................................................ 61
Source, Sink and Boundary Conditions ....................................................................................................... 87
Flow Correlations .......................................................................................................................................... 89
Selecting a flow correlation .............................................................................................................................. 89
Source .......................................................................................................................................................... 89
Correlation ................................................................................................................................................... 89
Defining Flow Correlations ............................................................................................................................... 90
Tuning flow correlations ............................................................................................................................... 90
Data matching .............................................................................................................................................. 90
Flow Correlation comparison ....................................................................................................................... 90
Suggested correlations ................................................................................................................................ 90
Configuration File for user specified flow correlations ..................................................................................... 91
Fluid modelling .............................................................................................................................................. 93
Modeling systems ............................................................................................................................................ 93
Water Systems ............................................................................................................................................. 93
Gas Condensate Systems ........................................................................................................................... 93
Dry Gas Systems ......................................................................................................................................... 93
Default fluid Data ............................................................................................................................................. 94
Local Fluid Data ........................................................................................................................................... 94
Black Oil Fluid Modeling .................................................................................................................................. 95
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 95
Black Oil Data Sets ...................................................................................................................................... 95
Black Oil Options .......................................................................................................................................... 96
Calibrate a Fluid to match lab data .............................................................................................................. 97
Bubble point calibration data ........................................................................................................................ 98
Gas Phase Contaminants .......................................................................................................................... 101
Black Oil Thermal Data .............................................................................................................................. 101
Compositional Fluid Modeling ........................................................................................................................ 101
Compositional Template ............................................................................................................................ 101
Specifying the Composition ........................................................................................................................ 108
Compositional using MFL file ..................................................................................................................... 113
Compositional Flashing .............................................................................................................................. 113
External PVT tables ....................................................................................................................................... 115
Steam ............................................................................................................................................................ 115
Single branch steam .................................................................................................................................. 116
Network model steam ................................................................................................................................ 116
Stock tank Conditions .................................................................................................................................... 116
Flowing Conditions ..................................................................................................................................... 117
Examples ................................................................................................................................................... 117

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Options ......................................................................................................................................................... 117

Common Options ........................................................................................................................................... 117
Project Data ............................................................................................................................................... 117
Units ........................................................................................................................................................... 117
Heat Transfer Options ................................................................................................................................ 118
Engine Options ........................................................................................................................................... 119
Output Options ........................................................................................................................................... 120
Erosion and Corrosion Options .................................................................................................................. 123
Engine Preferences .................................................................................................................................... 125
Network Options ............................................................................................................................................ 126
Speed up the calculation engine ................................................................................................................ 126
Network Iterations ...................................................................................................................................... 127
Fluid Models ............................................................................................................................................... 128
View Options .................................................................................................................................................. 129
View Properties tab .................................................................................................................................... 129
Objects tab ................................................................................................................................................. 130
General Tab ............................................................................................................................................... 130
Viewing a large model ................................................................................................................................ 131
Viewing flowline data .................................................................................................................................. 131
Database ...................................................................................................................................................... 131
New ESP/Pump/Compressor Curve .............................................................................................................. 131
ESP ............................................................................................................................................................ 132
Generic Pump ............................................................................................................................................ 132
Compressor/Expander ............................................................................................................................... 132
New Reciprocating Compressor Curve ...................................................................................................... 132
User Curves ............................................................................................................................................... 133
Gas Lift Valve List .......................................................................................................................................... 134
Flow Control Valves ....................................................................................................................................... 135
How to add an FCV to a completion .......................................................................................................... 135
Operations ................................................................................................................................................... 136
Common Operations ...................................................................................................................................... 136
Check model .............................................................................................................................................. 136
Run Model .................................................................................................................................................. 136
Abort Run ................................................................................................................................................... 136
Terminate Run ........................................................................................................................................... 136
Single Branch ................................................................................................................................................ 137
No Operation .............................................................................................................................................. 137
System Analysis ......................................................................................................................................... 137
Pressure/Temperature profile .................................................................................................................... 138
Flow correlation comparison ...................................................................................................................... 138
Data matching ............................................................................................................................................ 139
Nodal Analysis ........................................................................................................................................... 140
Horizontal length ........................................................................................................................................ 142
Reservoir tables ......................................................................................................................................... 143

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Well Performance Curves .......................................................................................................................... 144

Gas Lift rate vs Casing head pressure ....................................................................................................... 144
Artificial Lift System Performance curves ................................................................................................... 145
Wax Deposition .......................................................................................................................................... 146
Sensitivity variables .................................................................................................................................... 151
User variable .............................................................................................................................................. 151
Network Operations ....................................................................................................................................... 152
Restart Model ............................................................................................................................................. 152
Gas Lift Optimization .................................................................................................................................. 153
Artificial Lift analysis .................................................................................................................................. 153
How to create artificial lift performance curves .............................................................................................. 153
General Gas Lift ............................................................................................................................................. 154
Gas Lift Operations - Deepest Injection Point ............................................................................................ 154
Gas Lift Operations - Bracketing ................................................................................................................ 155
Gas Lift Operations - Lift Gas Response Curves ....................................................................................... 156
Gas Lift Design ........................................................................................................................................... 157
Gas Lift Diagnostics ................................................................................................................................... 170
Gas Lift Theoretical background ................................................................................................................ 171
Gas lift instability ........................................................................................................................................ 172
Annular Gas Pressure Design Method ....................................................................................................... 174
Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP) ............................................................................................................ 175
General ...................................................................................................................................................... 175
ESP System Components: Motor .............................................................................................................. 175
ESP System Components: Pumps ............................................................................................................ 176
Motor Selection .......................................................................................................................................... 178
ESP Database ............................................................................................................................................ 179
Selection .................................................................................................................................................... 179
Stage-by-stage modeling ........................................................................................................................... 179
Install a Pump ............................................................................................................................................ 179
ESP Design ................................................................................................................................................ 180
ESP System Components: Cable .............................................................................................................. 180
Errors ......................................................................................................................................................... 181
ESP Design ................................................................................................................................................ 181
ESP / Compressor / Pump data entry ........................................................................................................ 181
Rod Pump Module ......................................................................................................................................... 181
About Rod Pump Module ........................................................................................................................... 181
Getting Started ........................................................................................................................................... 182
RP Operation Menu ................................................................................................................................... 183
Components and Options .......................................................................................................................... 186
Rod Pump Design ...................................................................................................................................... 187
Selection of Design Methods ..................................................................................................................... 188
Rod Pump Diagnostics ............................................................................................................................... 188
Operations .................................................................................................................................................. 189
Rod Pump Database Configuration ........................................................................................................... 189
Open Project .............................................................................................................................................. 189

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Basis Input Data in PIPESIM ..................................................................................................................... 189

RP Application from PIPESIM drop-down Menu ........................................................................................ 189
Optimization Design ................................................................................................................................... 189
Operation Diagnostics ................................................................................................................................ 190
Database .................................................................................................................................................... 191
Reports ......................................................................................................................................................... 191
Plotting ........................................................................................................................................................... 191
Single branch plots ..................................................................................................................................... 191
Network plots ............................................................................................................................................. 192
PsPlot ......................................................................................................................................................... 192
Report Tool Details .......................................................................................................................................... 84
Network Report Tool ...................................................................................................................................... 198
Exporting to Excel ...................................................................................................................................... 199
Expert Mode ................................................................................................................................................. 199
Expert Mode ................................................................................................................................................. 199
Calculation engine ...................................................................................................................................... 199
Network models ......................................................................................................................................... 199
Single branch models ................................................................................................................................. 199
How to work in Expert mode .......................................................................................................................... 200
Batch mode .................................................................................................................................................... 200
How to batch run a number of models, using Expert Mode ....................................................................... 200
Run Multiple Models ..................................................................................................................................... 200
Expert Data Entry .......................................................................................................................................... 201

Case studies ................................................................................................................................................... 203

Condensate Pipeline Case Study ............................................................................................................. 204
Task 1. Develop a Compositional Model of the Hydrocarbon Phases ........................................................... 204
Task 2. Identify the Hydrate Envelope ........................................................................................................... 205
Task 3. Select a Pipeline Size ....................................................................................................................... 206
Completing the component ........................................................................................................................ 207
Task 4. Determine the Pipeline Insulation Requirement ................................................................................ 208
Task 5. Screen the Pipeline for Severe Riser Slugging ................................................................................. 210
Modified model ........................................................................................................................................... 211
Task 6. Size a Slug Catcher .......................................................................................................................... 212
Data Available ................................................................................................................................................ 213
Layout ........................................................................................................................................................ 213
Boundary Conditions .................................................................................................................................. 214
Pure Hydrocarbon Components: ................................................................................................................ 214
Petroleum Fraction ..................................................................................................................................... 214
Aqueous Component ................................................................................................................................. 214
Pipeline Sizes Available ............................................................................................................................. 215
Pipeline Data .............................................................................................................................................. 215
Pipeline Insulation Study Data: .................................................................................................................. 215
Data for Risers 1 and 2 .............................................................................................................................. 216

PIPESIM User Guide

Well Performance Case Study - Oil Well Design ...................................................................................... 216

Task 1. Develop a Calibrated Blackoil Model ................................................................................................ 217
Calibration .................................................................................................................................................. 218
Task 2. Develop a Well Inflow Performance Model ....................................................................................... 221
Task 3. Select a Tubing Size for the Production String ................................................................................. 222
Completed Model ........................................................................................................................................... 222
Data Available ................................................................................................................................................ 223
Reservoir Conditions .................................................................................................................................. 223
Stock Tank Oil Properties .......................................................................................................................... 224
Bubble Point Properties ............................................................................................................................. 224
Blackoil Calibration Data ............................................................................................................................ 224
Deviation Survey ........................................................................................................................................ 224
Multiphase flow correlation ......................................................................................................................... 224
Network Analysis Case Study - Looped Gathering Network .................................................................. 225
Task 1. Build a Model of the Network ............................................................................................................ 225
Defining a composition ............................................................................................................................... 227
Task 2. Specify the Network Boundary Conditions ........................................................................................ 231
Task 3. Solve the Network and Establish the deliverability ........................................................................... 231
Data Available ................................................................................................................................................ 233
Completion and Tubing Data ..................................................................................................................... 234
Pure Hydrocarbon Components (Wells 1 and 2) ....................................................................................... 235
Petroleum Fraction (Wells 1 and 2) ............................................................................................................ 235
Aqueous Component (Wells 1 and 2) ........................................................................................................ 235
Pure Hydrocarbon Components (Well 3): .................................................................................................. 235
Petroleum Fraction (Wells 3) ...................................................................................................................... 236
Aqueous Component (Well 3) .................................................................................................................... 236
Data for Looped Gathering Lines (B1, B2, B3, and B4) ............................................................................. 236
Data for Deliver Line (B5: ........................................................................................................................... 237
Boundary Conditions .................................................................................................................................. 237
User Equipment DLL Case Study - User Pump ........................................................................................ 238
Task 1. Write a DLL to define a piece of equipment for use with PIPESIM ................................................... 238
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 238
How to write a DLL ..................................................................................................................................... 239
Note on Fortran .......................................................................................................................................... 239
Note on C/C++ ........................................................................................................................................... 239
PIPESIM flash ............................................................................................................................................ 240
Exporting routines ...................................................................................................................................... 241
Build the DLL .............................................................................................................................................. 241
Task 2. Build a single branch model and use the DLL .................................................................................. 241
Place the built DLL in the PIPESIM programs directory ............................................................................. 241
Inform PIPESIM of the equipment DLL and its entry points ....................................................................... 241
Build a single branch model with an Engine Keyword Tool to represent the piece of equipment .............. 242
Note on Network models ............................................................................................................................ 243
Task 3. Run the model and verify that the DLL worked ................................................................................. 243

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Field Data Matching Case Study ................................................................................................................ 245

Measured Data .............................................................................................................................................. 246
Model Setup ................................................................................................................................................... 247
Task 1. IPR matching .................................................................................................................................... 247
Task 2. Optimizing Flow Correlation & Heat Transfer Coefficient ................................................................. 247
Load Measured Data .................................................................................................................................. 248
Setup Optimizer Options ............................................................................................................................ 248
Select flow correlation parameters and U factor ........................................................................................ 249
Task 3. Validate Match .................................................................................................................................. 249
Task 4. Determine Choke Settings ................................................................................................................ 250
Liquid Loading Analysis Case Study ........................................................................................................ 250
Task 1. Set up the Liquid Loading Model ...................................................................................................... 250
Task 2. Control Liquid Loading Options in PIPESIM ..................................................................................... 251
Task 3. Analyze Well for Liquid Loading ........................................................................................................ 251
Task 4. Determine Critical Gas Rate to Prevent Well Loading ...................................................................... 251
Ramey Heat Transfer Model Case Study .................................................................................................. 252
Task 1. Set up Ramey Heat Transfer Properties ........................................................................................... 252
Task 2. Set up Detailed Heat Transfer for the Tubing ................................................................................... 253
Task 3. Run the Model and View Results ...................................................................................................... 255

Support and Contact Information .......................................................................................................... 256

Support .........................................................................................................................................................
SIS web and phone support ..........................................................................................................................
On-site support ..............................................................................................................................................
SIS Education ...............................................................................................................................................
See Also: .......................................................................................................................................................

256
256
256
256
256

How To Reach Us ........................................................................................................................................ 256

Technical Description ................................................................................................................................. 257

Flow Modelling ............................................................................................................................................ 257
Flow Correlations ........................................................................................................................................... 257
Flow Regimes ............................................................................................................................................ 257
Horizontal Multiphase Flow Correlations .................................................................................................... 258
Vertical Multiphase Flow Correlations ........................................................................................................ 261
Friction and Holdup factors ........................................................................................................................ 264
Single Phase Flow Correlations ................................................................................................................. 265
Swap Angle ................................................................................................................................................ 269
Cunliffe's Method ....................................................................................................................................... 270
Liquid by Sphere ........................................................................................................................................ 270
Liquid Loading ............................................................................................................................................ 273
Inflow performance relationships (IPRs) ........................................................................................................ 274
Inflow Performance Relationships for Vertical Completions ...................................................................... 274
Inflow Performance Relationships for Horizontal Completions .................................................................. 301
Oil / Water Relative Permeability tables ..................................................................................................... 314

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Coning ........................................................................................................................................................ 315

Chokes, Valves and Fittings .......................................................................................................................... 316
Choke ......................................................................................................................................................... 316
Choke Subcritical Flow Correlations .......................................................................................................... 319
Choke Critical Pressure Ratio .................................................................................................................... 321
Choke Critical Flow Correlations ................................................................................................................ 322
Flow Control Valves Mechanistic Theory ................................................................................................... 324
Fittings ........................................................................................................................................................ 325
Compressors, Pumps and Expanders ........................................................................................................... 327
Centrifugal Pumps and Compressors ........................................................................................................ 327
Reciprocating Compressor Operation ........................................................................................................ 330
Expanders .................................................................................................................................................. 330
Multiphase Boosting Technology ................................................................................................................... 332
Positive Displacement Type ....................................................................................................................... 336
Dynamic Type ............................................................................................................................................ 340
Helico-Axial Type ....................................................................................................................................... 340
Contra-Rotating Axial Type ....................................................................................................................... 342
Alternative approach .................................................................................................................................. 342
Guide to Multiphase Booster Efficiencies ................................................................................................... 343
Heat Transfer Modelling ............................................................................................................................. 344
Energy Equation for Steady-State Flow ......................................................................................................... 344
Heat Transfer Coefficient ............................................................................................................................... 345
Resistances in series ................................................................................................................................. 345
Resistances in parallel ............................................................................................................................... 346
Heat transfer models .................................................................................................................................. 347
Note ............................................................................................................................................................ 348
Internal Fluid Film Heat Transfer Coefficient ................................................................................................. 348
KREITH8 .................................................................................................................................................... 348
Single Phase General Correlations ............................................................................................................ 349
Multiphase Correlations ............................................................................................................................. 351
Calculation of Conductive Heat Transfer Coefficients ................................................................................... 352
Wax Heat Transfer Coefficient ................................................................................................................... 352
Pipe wall heat transfer coefficient .............................................................................................................. 352
Conductive layer heat transfer coefficient .................................................................................................. 353
Calculation of Convective Heat Transfer Coefficients ................................................................................... 353
Convection in a fluid filled vertical annulus ................................................................................................ 354
Convection in a fluid filled horizontal annulus ............................................................................................ 354
Fully exposed pipe ..................................................................................................................................... 355
Heat Transfer Between a Horizontal Flowline and the Ground Surface ........................................................ 355
Fully Buried Ground Heat Transfer Coefficient .......................................................................................... 355
Partially Buried Ground Heat Transfer Coefficient ..................................................................................... 356
Heat Transfer Between a Vertical Well and the Surrounding Rock ............................................................... 358
Ramey Model ............................................................................................................................................. 358
Fluid Modelling ............................................................................................................................................ 359

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Black Oil Fluid Modeling ................................................................................................................................ 360

Black oil Correlations ................................................................................................................................. 361
Solution Gas-oil Ratio ............................................................................................................................... 363
Oil Formation Volume Factor ..................................................................................................................... 367
Oil Viscosity ................................................................................................................................................ 368
Gas Compressibility ................................................................................................................................... 374
Gas Viscosity ............................................................................................................................................. 377
Surface Tension ......................................................................................................................................... 378
Black Oil Enthalpy ...................................................................................................................................... 378
Black Oil Mixing .......................................................................................................................................... 380
Compositional Fluid Modeling ........................................................................................................................ 101
Cubic Equations of State ............................................................................................................................ 387
Non-cubic Equations of State ..................................................................................................................... 390
Components for Cubic Equations of State ................................................................................................. 392
Components for Non-Cubic Equations of State ......................................................................................... 397
Viscosity Models for Compositional Fluids ................................................................................................. 368
Solid Precipitation ...................................................................................................................................... 400
Fluid Property Table Files .............................................................................................................................. 403
Internal fluid property tables ....................................................................................................................... 404
Liquid Properties ............................................................................................................................................ 404
Liquid Viscosity and Oil/Water Emulsions .................................................................................................. 404
Liquid-gas Surface Tension ....................................................................................................................... 408
Solids Deposition Modelling ...................................................................................................................... 409
PIPESIM-DBR Wax Deposition Models ......................................................................................................... 409
Single phase (oil) Wax Deposition Model .................................................................................................. 409
Two Phase (Gas/Oil) Wax Deposition Model ............................................................................................. 409
Nomenclature ............................................................................................................................................. 410
Workflows .................................................................................................................................................... 411
Solvers ........................................................................................................................................................... 411
Tolerance Equations .................................................................................................................................. 411
Addressing Network Speed Issues ................................................................................................................ 411
Typical and Default Data ............................................................................................................................. 417
Limits ............................................................................................................................................................. 417
General ...................................................................................................................................................... 417
Pipeline and facilities .................................................................................................................................. 417
Well Performance ....................................................................................................................................... 417
Network ...................................................................................................................................................... 417
Tubing and Pipeline Tables ........................................................................................................................... 418
Tubing/Casing Tables ................................................................................................................................ 418
Pipeline tables ............................................................................................................................................ 423
Typical Values ............................................................................................................................................... 427
Fluid Properties .......................................................................................................................................... 427
Roughness ................................................................................................................................................. 428
Thermal Conductivities ............................................................................................................................... 428

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Permeability ............................................................................................................................................... 429

Drainage Radius ........................................................................................................................................ 430
Fittings ........................................................................................................................................................ 430
Glossary ....................................................................................................................................................... 432
Roman Letters ............................................................................................................................................... 432
Greek Letters ................................................................................................................................................. 434
Subscripts ...................................................................................................................................................... 435
Conversion Factors ..................................................................................................................................... 436
Length ............................................................................................................................................................ 436
Volume ........................................................................................................................................................... 436
Mass .............................................................................................................................................................. 436
Time ............................................................................................................................................................... 436
Gravity ........................................................................................................................................................... 437
Pressure ........................................................................................................................................................ 437
Energy ........................................................................................................................................................... 437
Power ............................................................................................................................................................. 437
Dynamic viscosity ......................................................................................................................................... 437
Permeability ................................................................................................................................................... 437
References ................................................................................................................................................... 437

Keyword Index ............................................................................................................................................... 450

Keyword List ................................................................................................................................................ 450
A .................................................................................................................................................................... 450
B .................................................................................................................................................................... 450
C .................................................................................................................................................................... 450
D E ................................................................................................................................................................. 451
F ..................................................................................................................................................................... 451
G .................................................................................................................................................................... 451
H .................................................................................................................................................................... 451
I ...................................................................................................................................................................... 452
J ..................................................................................................................................................................... 452
K .................................................................................................................................................................... 452
L ..................................................................................................................................................................... 452
M .................................................................................................................................................................... 452
N .................................................................................................................................................................... 452
O .................................................................................................................................................................... 453
P .................................................................................................................................................................... 453
Q R ................................................................................................................................................................ 453
S .................................................................................................................................................................... 453
T ..................................................................................................................................................................... 453
U .................................................................................................................................................................... 454
V .................................................................................................................................................................... 454
W ................................................................................................................................................................... 454

PIPESIM User Guide

XYZ ................................................................................................................................................................ 454

Input Files and Input Data Conventions .................................................................................................... 454
General .......................................................................................................................................................... 454
Statements ..................................................................................................................................................... 454
Delimiters ....................................................................................................................................................... 455
Examples ................................................................................................................................................... 456
Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................. 456
Example ..................................................................................................................................................... 456
Numeric data ................................................................................................................................................. 456
Example ..................................................................................................................................................... 456
Units Description ............................................................................................................................................ 457
Character Input .............................................................................................................................................. 457
Example ..................................................................................................................................................... 457
Comment Statements and Blank Lines ......................................................................................................... 457
Example ..................................................................................................................................................... 458
Multiple Value Data Sets ............................................................................................................................... 458
Examples ................................................................................................................................................... 458
Input Files ...................................................................................................................................................... 459
General ...................................................................................................................................................... 459
The main input ('.PSM' or '.PST') file .......................................................................................................... 459
Included files and the INCLUDE statement ................................................................................................ 459
AUTOEXEC.PSM ....................................................................................................................................... 460
modelname.U2P or branchname.U2P ....................................................................................................... 460
General Data ................................................................................................................................................ 461
HEADER - Job Accounting Header (Required) ............................................................................................. 461
Example ..................................................................................................................................................... 461
JOB - Job Title (Optional) .............................................................................................................................. 461
CASE - Case Title (Optional) ......................................................................................................................... 462
UNITS - Input and Output Units (Optional) .................................................................................................... 462
Example ..................................................................................................................................................... 462
OPTIONS Calculation Procedure Options (Optional) .................................................................................... 462
RATE: Fluid Flow Rate Data .......................................................................................................................... 470
ITERN Iteration Data (Optional) ..................................................................................................................... 471
INLET System Inlet Data ............................................................................................................................... 474
PRINT Output Printing Options (Optional) ..................................................................................................... 474
Per-case output page options .................................................................................................................... 475
Attributes .................................................................................................................................................... 477
Point report subcodes ................................................................................................................................ 478
One-off output pages ................................................................................................................................. 480
PLOT Output Plotting Options (Optional) ...................................................................................................... 481
NOPRINT Output Print Suppression Options (Optional) ............................................................................... 484
BEGIN , END - Block delimiters ..................................................................................................................... 484
Example ..................................................................................................................................................... 485

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PUSH - Remote Action Editing (optional) ...................................................................................................... 486

PLOTFILEDATA ............................................................................................................................................ 487
EXECUTE - deferred execution of a statement ............................................................................................. 487
USERDLL - Equipment .................................................................................................................................. 488
Flow Modeling ............................................................................................................................................. 488
FLOW CORRELATION DATA ....................................................................................................................... 488
VCORR Vertical Flow Correlation Options ................................................................................................. 489
HCORR Horizontal Flow Correlation Options ............................................................................................ 491
SPHASE Single Phase Flow Options (Optional) ........................................................................................ 493
USERDLL - Flow Correlations ................................................................................................................... 495
SYSTEM DATA ............................................................................................................................................. 496
Changing Parameters within the System Profile ........................................................................................ 497
CHOKE (Optional) ...................................................................................................................................... 497
COMPCRV and PUMPCRV: Compressor and Pump performance curves ............................................... 501
COMPLETION Completion Profile Delimiter .............................................................................................. 502
COMPRESSOR Compressor (Optional) .................................................................................................... 504
CORROSION ............................................................................................................................................. 505
RODPUMP: Rod- or Beam-pump .............................................................................................................. 505
EROSION Erosion Rate and Velocity (Optional) ....................................................................................... 506
EQUIPMENT Generic Equipment .............................................................................................................. 507
EXPANDER Expander (Optional) .............................................................................................................. 509
FITTING : Valves and Fittings .................................................................................................................... 510
FMPUMP (Optional) ................................................................................................................................... 512
FRAMO 2009 (Optional) ............................................................................................................................ 512
HEATER Heater/Cooler (Optional) ............................................................................................................ 513
GASLIFT: Multiple Injection Ports in Gaslifted Wells ................................................................................. 513
INJPORT Gas Lift Injection Valve .............................................................................................................. 517
INJGAS: Injection Gas (Optional) and INJFLUID: Fluid Injection .............................................................. 519
MPBOOSTER (Optional) ........................................................................................................................... 521
MPUMP Multiphase Pump (Optional) ........................................................................................................ 522
NODE System Profile Data (Required) ...................................................................................................... 523
PIPE: Pipe or Tubing cross-section dimensions (Required) ...................................................................... 525
PUMP Pump (Optional) .............................................................................................................................. 527
COMPCRV and PUMPCRV: Compressor and Pump performance curves ............................................... 501
REINJECTOR (Optional) ........................................................................................................................... 530
RODPUMP: Rod- or Beam-pump .............................................................................................................. 505
SEPARATOR Separator (Optional) ........................................................................................................... 531
SLUG Slug Calculation Options (Optional) ................................................................................................ 532
WELLHEAD Wellhead Profile Delimiter ..................................................................................................... 533
WELL PERFORMANCE MODELING ............................................................................................................ 533
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 534
WELLPI Well Productivity Index (Optional) ................................................................................................ 535
WPCURVE (Optional) ................................................................................................................................ 536
VOGEL Vogel Equation (Optional) ............................................................................................................. 536
FETKOVICH Fetkovich Equation (Optional) .............................................................................................. 536

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JONES Jones Equation (Optional) ............................................................................................................. 536

IFPPSSE : Data for the Pseudo Steady State Equation (Optional) ........................................................... 537
WCOPTION Well Completion Data (Optional) ........................................................................................... 538
IPRCRV or IFPCRV: Inflow Performance Curve ........................................................................................ 541
IFPTAB Inflow Performance Tabulation (Optional) .................................................................................... 543
CONETAB Coning Relationship Tabulation (Optional) .............................................................................. 544
BACKPRES Back Pressure Equation (BPE) (Optional) ............................................................................. 545
HORWELL Horizontal Well Inflow Performance ........................................................................................ 545
LAYER Reservoir Layer Properties ............................................................................................................ 547
RESERVOIR .............................................................................................................................................. 549
PERMCRV: Curves of Relative Permeability versus Saturation (Optional) ............................................... 549
PERMTAB: Tabulation of Relative Permeability versus Saturation (Optional) .......................................... 550
HVOGEL (Optional) ................................................................................................................................... 551
FORCHHEIMER (Optional) ........................................................................................................................ 551
FRACTURE: Data for Hydraulic Fracture ................................................................................................. 551
TRANSIENT: Data for the Transient Inflow equation (Optional) ................................................................ 551
HEAT TRANSFER DATA ............................................................................................................................. 553
Notes on Heat Transfer Output Printing ........................................................................................................ 553
HEAT Heat Balance Options (Optional) ........................................................................................................ 553
Heat transfer mode .................................................................................................................................... 556
COAT Pipe Coat and Annular Space Medium Data (Optional) ..................................................................... 556
Example ..................................................................................................................................................... 557
TCOAT Pipe Coat Thickness Data (Optional) ............................................................................................... 557
KCOAT Pipe Coat Thermal Conductivity Data (Optional) ............................................................................. 558
Files ............................................................................................................................................................ 559
Example ..................................................................................................................................................... 559
FLUID Fluid Thermal Conductivity Data (Optional) ....................................................................................... 560
CONFIG: Pipe Heat Transfer Configuration Data (Optional) ......................................................................... 561
Pipeline burial depth examples ...................................................................................................................... 562
Fluid Modeling ............................................................................................................................................. 562
BLACK OIL DATA .......................................................................................................................................... 562
BLACKOIL: Black Oil Fluid definitions ....................................................................................................... 563
PROP Fluid Property Data (Optional) ........................................................................................................ 565
LVIS: Liquid Viscosity Data (Optional) ....................................................................................................... 566
CPFLUID: Fluid Heat Capacity Data (Optional) ......................................................................................... 571
CPFLUID: Fluid Heat Capacity Data (Optional) ......................................................................................... 571
TPRINT Black Oil Table Printing (Optional) ............................................................................................... 572
CALIBRATE: Black Oil Property Calibration (Optional) ............................................................................. 572
CONTAMINANTS Gas phase contaminants data (optional) ...................................................................... 574
COMPOSITIONAL DATA .............................................................................................................................. 574
AQUEOUS: Aqueous Component Specification ........................................................................................ 574
COMPOSITION: Compositional Fluid Specification ................................................................................... 575
LIBRARY: Library Component Specification .............................................................................................. 578
MODEL: Model Properties Specification .................................................................................................... 578

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PETROFRAC: Petroleum Fraction Specification ....................................................................................... 579

TPRINT Tabular Data Print Options (Optional) .......................................................................................... 579
File Formats ............................................................................................................................................... 580
PIPESIM OPERATIONS OPTIONS .............................................................................................................. 583
NAPLOT: Nodal Analysis ............................................................................................................................... 583
NAPOINT System Analysis Point .................................................................................................................. 587
MULTICASE Introduction and Summary ....................................................................................................... 587
General Rules for use with MULTICASE ................................................................................................... 588
Explicit Subcodes .......................................................................................................................................... 588
General Purpose Subcodes ........................................................................................................................... 591
Examples ................................................................................................................................................... 591
Combining MULTICASE and CASE/ENDCASE ............................................................................................ 592
Multiple Case and PS-PLOT .......................................................................................................................... 593
Reservoir Simulator Tabular Data Interface .................................................................................................. 594
ASSIGN Changing Profile Data by Assignment ............................................................................................ 595
Example ..................................................................................................................................................... 595
OPTIMIZE ...................................................................................................................................................... 596
Examples ................................................................................................................................................... 596
Wax deposition and Time Stepping modeling options ................................................................................... 146
Time subcodes ........................................................................................................................................... 597
Termination subcodes ................................................................................................................................ 598
Wax subcodes ............................................................................................................................................ 599
BP, DBRS or DBRM method subcodes ..................................................................................................... 600
Shell subcodes ........................................................................................................................................... 601
PIPESIM-Net keywords ............................................................................................................................... 603
SETUP ........................................................................................................................................................... 603
Subcodes ................................................................................................................................................... 603
BRANCH ........................................................................................................................................................ 606
Subcodes ................................................................................................................................................... 606
SOURCE ....................................................................................................................................................... 608
Subcodes ................................................................................................................................................... 608
SINK .............................................................................................................................................................. 611
Subcodes ................................................................................................................................................... 611
JUNCTION ..................................................................................................................................................... 612
Subcodes ................................................................................................................................................... 612
NSEPARATOR ............................................................................................................................................. 613
Subcodes ................................................................................................................................................... 613

Open Link ........................................................................................................................................................ 615

Third party applications ............................................................................................................................. 616
Index .................................................................................................................................................................. 617

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User Guide
Introduction
PIPESIM was originally developed by a company called Baker Jardine. Baker Jardine was formed in 1985
to provide software and consultancy services to the oil and gas industry. In April 2001, Baker Jardine was
acquired by Schlumberger.
Schlumberger has invested in the redevelopment of the world's leading Production Engineering software
to ensure that it can cope with the fast moving computer industry. PIPESIM couples a leading-edge
Graphical User Interface (GUI) with a field-proven computation engine.

Company profile
Schlumberger has wide experience in the design and optimization of oil and gas production systems
particularly in the transportation of live hydrocarbon fluids, a vital element in the production and processing
of hydrocarbons. The development of efficient gathering and transportation systems requires a combination
of detailed theoretical knowledge and practical experience of the complex behavior of multiphase
hydrocarbon mixtures.
Schlumberger is at the leading edge of software development for the oil and gas industry with the Avocet
Production Software Suite that includes PIPESIM, OFM and DECIDE!. These tools have been successfully
applied to numerous systems for the modelling and data management of new and existing oil and gas
production and distribution systems for most major oil companies.
PIPESIM is a steady-state, multiphase flow simulator used for the design and diagnostic analysis of oil and
gas production systems. PIPESIM software tools model multiphase flow from the reservoir to the wellhead.
PIPESIM also analyzes flowline and surface facility performance to generate comprehensive production
system analysis.
Schlumberger is actively involved in research and development of new of multiphase fluid flow technologies,
and has managed a diverse range of joint industry projects in this field.

Getting Started
Training courses on the use of PIPESIM can be arranged. Please contact your local Schlumberger Support
office.
New users should read the following sections in the user guide/help system:

Case Studies (p.203) (either Oil Well Design (p.216) or Condensate Pipeline (p.204)) for details on
how to build models.

Using model wizard (p.8) to build a model.

Modules
PIPESIM includes the following modules:

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Well Performance analysis

A multiphase flow model with Nodal and System Analysis capabilities. Typical applications of the model
include:

Well design

Well optimization

Well inflow performance modeling

Gas Lift Design

Gas lift performance modeling

ESP performance modeling

Horizontal well modeling (including optimum horizontal completion length determination)

Injection well design

Annular and tubing flow

Reservoir VFP table generation

Modeling the sensitivity of a well design

Comparing measured data with calculated data

Pipeline and Facilities

A multiphase flow model with System Analysis capabilities. Typical applications of the module include:

Multiphase flow in flowlines and pipelines

Point by point generation of pressure and temperature profiles

Calculation of heat transfer coefficients

Flowline and equipment performance modeling (system analysis)

Modeling the sensitivity of a pipeline design

Comparing measured data with calculated data

Network analysis module

Features of the network model include:

unique network solution algorithm to model wells in large networks

rigorous thermal modeling of all network components

multiple looped pipeline/flowline capability

well inflow performance modeling capabilities

rigorous modeling of gas lifted wells in complex networks

comprehensive pipeline equipment models

gathering and distribution networks

Options common to most modules

The following options are widely available in the modules:

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Open Link
A collection of COM modules (and documentation) that allow the PIPESIM technology to be driven
by 3rd party applications, for example Microsoft Excel, VBA, and so on. This toolkit is provided free
of charge. Documentation is provided with this install.
Compositional
The fluid can be characterized by fully specifying the individual components. The leading edge PVT
packages from Schlumberger (SIS / E300 Flash and DBR Flash), Infochem (Multiflash), and NIST
(Refprop) are available.
OLGA-S 2000
A multiphase flow correlation (2-phase and 3-phase options) developed by Scandpower, Norway.
HYSYS.PROCESS Link
Links to Aspentech's HYSYS Process Simulator by using a HYSYS extension, at a cost. Go to the
Aspentech website for more details

PIPESIM Hot Keys

Hot keys are short cuts for menu options.

File Hot Keys

The following specific hot keys are available:
Create New Well Model

CTRL+W

Create New Pipeline Model

CTRL+B

Create New Network model CTRL+N

Open model

CTRL+O

Open engine file for text edit CTRL+T

Save model

CTRL+S

Close PIPESIM

ALT+F4

Export to Engine file

CTRL+E

Purge Engine Files

CTRL+Y

Simulation hot keys

The following specific hot keys are available:
Run model

CTRL+G

Restart Model (applicable only for PIPESIM Net models) CTRL+R

Windows Hot Keys

The following specific hot keys are available:

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New Model Window

CTRL+W

Close Active Window

CTRL+F4

Go to Next Window

CTRL+F6 or CTRL+TAB

Go to Previous Window CTRL+SHIFT+F6 or CTRL+SHIFT+ TAB

Tools Hot Keys

The following specific hot keys are available:
Print

CTRL+P

Access Help F1

Editing or General Hot Keys

The following hot keys are available:
Access Pull-down menus ALT or F10
Cut

CTRL+X

Copy

CTRL+C

Paste

CTRL+V

Delete

Del

Select All

CTRL+A

Find

CTRL+F

Sticky key mode

SHIFT

Zoom in

SHIFT+Z

Zoom out

SHIFT+X

Zoom Full View

SHIFT+F

Restore View

SHIFT+R

Main Toolbar
The main toolbar (like all toolbars in PIPESIM) is a docking toolbar. That is, it can be re-positioned on the
screen.

From left to right, the icons are:

1. New model (p.8)
2. Single Branch Wizard (p.8)
3. Open an existing model,
4. Save active model (p.14)
5. Save as (p.14)
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6. Save all open models (p.14)

7. Find (p.131)
8. Boundary Conditions (p.87)
9. Cut
10.Copy
11.Paste
12.Run Model (p.136)
13.Restart (p.152)
14.Abort Run (p.136)
15.View summary file
16.View Output file
17.View System plot
18.View profile plot
19.View flow regime map
20.Report Tool (p.198)
21.Export engine files (for FPT)
22.Help
See also: Well Performance (p.22), Pipeline tools (p.61) and Network (p.14)

Toolbox
All tools can be accessed using the Tools menu.
See also Hot Keys (p.3), Main toolbar (p.4), Wells (p.22), Pipeline tools (p.61), Network (p.14)
components, Case studies (p.216), and How to add objects (p.13)

Single branch Toolbox

Button

Function

Select

Returns the mouse pointer to its original function. If you place an

object, such as a node, in the work area, further clicks will continue
to place objects of that type until the select arrow button is pressed.

Text

Adds a text box to the model. Any number of text boxes can be
added to the model. The size and color of the text and the
background can be changed.

Node (p.87)

Allows two connection objects to be connected together where no

equipment is located between them. In the network module,
boundary nodes are used to identify the "ends".

Boundary Node (p.87)

Boundary conditions must be provided at the source or sink so that

the system can be solved.

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Button
Source (p.87)

Vertical Completion (p.29)

Horizontal Completion (p.23)

Pump (p.86)

Multiphase Booster (p.72)

Separator (p.85)

Function
The generic source object is a means by which you can specify
explicit upstream boundary conditions of pressure and temperature
in a given model.
The vertical completion component models flow from the reservoir
to the bottom hole using an Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR).
A multilayer reservoir model (p.23) can be defined by several
layers (completions) which, can, if required, be separated by a
section of tubing.
A horizontal completion with multiple sources along the horizontal
wellbore. This takes into account reservoir drawdown and wellbore
pressure drop.
The basic pump model uses centrifugal pump equations to
determine the relationship between inlet pressure and temperature,
outlet pressure and temperature, flowrate, shaft power, hydraulic
power and efficiency.
The 'generic multiphase booster' module is based on splitting the
multiphase fluid in its constituent liquid and gaseous phases at
booster suction.
Placing a separator in the model removes up to 100% of the gas,
water or liquid (oil plus water) phase.
Either centrifugal or reciprocating compressors can be modeled.

Compressor (p.62)
Expander (p.64)

Heat Exchanger (p.68)

The basic expander model uses centrifugal expander equations to

determine the relationship between inlet pressure and temperature,
outlet pressure and temperature, flowrate, shaft power, and
efficiency.
A heat exchanger in the model allows a fluid temperature and/or
pressure change to be modelled.
A choke is a device that restricts the flow rate through the system.

Choke (p.316)
Injection Point (p.71)
Equipment (p.507)

Placing an injection point in the model allows a side stream to be

modelled.
Simulates a generic unit operation in which the pressure and/or
temperature of the stream are modified.

Multiplier/Adder (p.81)

A rate change device in the model that can increase or decrease

the fluid flowrate at that point in the system

Report (p.84)

Placing a report tool in the model gives additional reporting of the

conditions at that point in the model.

Engine Keyword Tool (p.64)

Placing an Engine Keyword Tool (EKT) in the model allows access

to the PIPESIM Input Language

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Button
Nodal analysis Point (p.59)
Connector

Flowline (p.65)

Function
Defines where the system is to be broken in two for the Nodal
Analysis operation
Allow two objects to be connected by a "zero-length" flowline. This
is normally used to connect two items of equipment together where
there is no significant pressure or temperature change between
them.
Placing a flowline in the model allows the modeling of horizontal or
near-horizontal flow (up or downhill).

Tubing (p.48)

Placing the tubing object in the model allows the modeling of vertical
or near-vertical flow (production or injection) in a well bore.

Riser (p.82)

Placing a riser in the model allows the modelling of vertically or nearvertical flow (up, down or inclined).

Network Toolbox
Button
Select arrow

Function
Allows the user to select, drag and drop any object in the working
window
Allows a text box to be added to the model.

Text
Junction

Branch (p.16)
Network Separator (p.16)

A junction is a location in the model where two, or more, branches

meet. The fluid from the incoming branches are then mixed at the
junction. The junction itself has no associated pressure drop,
temperature change, and so on.
A branch is an object that connects two junctions or a sources/sink to
a junction.
A point in the network where a stream removed from a separator can
be reinjected into another branch. Sometimes this is also known as a
reinjector.

Source (p.14)

A source is a point where the fluid enters the network. Normally used
to represent a surface inflow point as opposed to a production well. A
network model can have any number of sources.

Sink (p.15)

A sink is a point in the network where the fluid leaves the system.
Normally used to represent a surface outflow point as opposed to an
injection well.
A production well is a well where the fluid enters the network.

Production well (p.17)

A injection well is a well where the fluid exits the network.
Injection well (p.18)

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Button
Fold

Function
Allows parts of network to be "collapsed" in to a sub-network of the
main model. This could be used to divide a large model into a number
of smaller sections. Place a folder on the model window and doubleclick to enter. A sub-network can then be built in the folder. Doubleclick on any "white" background in a folder to take you up a level. Links
can be made into the folder by connecting a node to the folder via a
branch. The "dangling" end of the branch within the folder must then
be connected.

Wizard Feature
The wizard can be used to create the following new models:

Well Performance Analysis - Production well

Well Performance Analysis - Injection well

Surface and Facilities Model

Steps
To open the wizard, click the Single Branch Wizard button on the Main Toolbar (p.4). The wizard involves
the following steps:
1. Supply general project information.
2. Select the model type required.
3. Select the operation type and, if it's Nodal Analysis, the Nodal Analysis point.
4. (Optional) specify the model file name and directory.
5. Select the units (p.117) to use.
6. Select the fluid model type, one of the following:

Black Oil

Compositional

PVT File

7. Select the following flow correlations (also friction and holdup factors, and swap angle):

Vertical flow

Horizontal flow

Single phase

8. Identify the model source, one of the following:

vertical completion

generic source

horizontal completion

9. Identify Pipes and Equipment objects to include in the model, by using one of the following methods:

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Double-click on the object type to add it to the model.

Highlight the object then use the Add Pipe>> or Add Equip>> button.

Note: Objects MUST be added in the correct order (from source to sink), for example, tubing, flowline,
riser, choke, compressor, and so on.
10.(For an injection model only) Identify the model sink.
11.The required objects are connected in the model window. If the model window appears to be blank,
scroll down to locate the model.
12.Click Finish to close the wizard.
Note: Do not forget to save the model.

Find
Use the Find tool to find quickly any object (well, source, flowline, and so on) in a PIPESIM model.

Finding an object in a network model

To find an object, do the following:
1. Launch the Find tool from the main toolbar (p.4) or by using Edit Find.
2. The Find dialog lists object types (branch, well, source, sink, junction).
3. Do one of the following:

enter the object name in the text box and click Find. The appropriate part of the tree structure opens
to show it selected.

select the object type in the tree and then select the actual object, by name.

4. The chosen object is highlighted in the model and the screen display updated.
5. The Edit button can be used to modify the data.

PIPESIM versions
Only one version of PIPESIM can be installed on a machine at a time. To install a new version, first uninstall any existing version. PIPESIM models (unless they are very old) are forward compatible. For
example, a model created using PIPESIM 2009.1 can be read and used with PIPESIM 2010.1. However,
models are not back-compatible. Once it has been saved with a version of PIPESIM it can not then be read
by older versions. Very old versions of PIPESIM may need to be converted (p.9) before they can be
used.

PIPESIM Suite (Build26) to PIPESIM Conversion

The converter has been tested with PIPESIM Suite Build 26. Previous versions may not convert correctly.
The following Build 26 files can be converted:

PIPESIM: *.PSW

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PIPESIM-Net: *.NET and *.PSW

The following do not need conversion. They can be loaded directly in PIPESIM:

Compositional: *.PVT. These do not need to be converted. Load the PVT file directly into PIPESIM using
the Setup Compositional.... Import menu option.

Plotting: *.PLT and *.PLC. PLOT (PLT, PLC) files do not need to be converted. Load the plot file directly
into the PsPlot tool.

What is not converted

PIPESIM models cannot be converted to PIPESIM Suite models.
The following options from Build 26 input files are not converted:

The Black box object does not exist in PIPESIM. It is converted into a heat exchanger.

Gas Lift Design

Horizontal completion data

PIPESIM operations

Upstream inheritance is not supported. Therefore any models that use this feature will have data
(normally flowline ID) missing.

Pre-conversion preparation
Before conversion, do the following:

Back up your data.

Load the PIPESIM Suite model into Build 26 and run the model with Build 26 to verify that the results
are correct.

Note: The converter does not prompt for file save; any existing previous conversion is overwritten.
Converting a model
Do the following:
1. Select File Import Build26.
2. Open the required Build 26 model (*.psw or *.net). The file is converted and written to the same directory
as the build 26 input, along with a log file.
3. For a large PIPESIM-Net model, if an Out of Memory error appears, use the conversion utility instead.
Using the conversion utility
Use this external method of file conversion if there's an Out of Memory error (due to a large file), or if a
number of models are to be converted and used in PIPESIM at a later date. Do the following:
1. From the Windows Start menu, select Programs Schlumberger PIPESIM Utilities B26 to
P2K Converter.
2. This opens the Network File Converter dialog. In its Options menu, choose whether to overwrite
existing files. This must be off (don't overwrite) if the file is being converted because of a an out of memory
error.
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3. From the converter's File menu, choose the Build 26 file (*.psw or *.net) to convert
4. If an Out of Memory message appears, click Cancel and rerun the conversion. With the option not to
overwrite, the converter starts from where it last stopped. Otherwise it restarts completely..
5. When the model has been successfully converted, all the *.bps files in the directory can be deleted.
Post-conversion QC
After conversion:

The log file *.lgg for PIPESWIM, or *.p2k for PIPESIM-Network, is in the same directory as the PIPESIM
model.

The new model is saved to the same directory as the Build 26 model. The file extension for a PIPESIM
single branch model is .bps., and .bpn for a PIPESIM Network model. All input data is now saved in one
file.

The PIPESIM file might be large. All flowlines are converted as if they were defined in PIPESIM as
detailed profiles, that is the node data is imported. This is done so that no important data is lost. This
can be reversed in PIPESIM by using Setup Flowline Properties Simple profile. All detailed
profiles are then ignored.

Check the default units. The converter saves the model in Engineering units.

Run the new model in PIPESIM and verify that the results are the same as those produced by the
PIPESIM Suite. There may be small differences due to changes in the calculation engine. If you are
unsure about any results, please contact PIPESIM support.

If you have any problems with the file conversion, please send a copy of the file(s) to PIPESIM
support.

Check the default units. The converter will save the model in Engineering units.

Run the new model in PIPESIM

Verify that the results are the same as those produced by the PIPESIM Suite. There may be small
differences due to changes in the calculation engine. If you are unsure about any results, please contact
PIPESIM support.

If you have any problems with thefile conversion, please send a copy of the file(s) to PIPESIM support

Troubleshooting
If the results from PIPESIM Suite and PIPESIM are not the same, please try the following before contacting
the PIPESIM support.
1. Units settings -Save (a copy) of the PIPESIM Suite model with the following settings:
a. Set the units to standard Eng or SI, that is not customized. Use Setup units Eng.
b. Set the option to write file with default units, using Preferences Options General Write file
with default units.
c. All units can be restored later in PIPESIM.
d. Repeat the conversion.
2. Language -Save (a copy) the PIPESIM Suite model with the following settings

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a. Set the language to English by using Setup Preferences Language English or Setup
Preferencias Idioma English.
b. Repeat the conversion.
3. Contact PIPESIM support with a copy of your input file(s). Do not forget that for PIPESIM-Net models
both the *.net and *.psw files are needed.

Building Models
Steps in building a model
This topic outlines the basic steps involved in building models.

Basic overview
The steps in building a PIPESIM model are slightly different for each module, but all involve the following
basic steps:
1. Select units.
2. Set fluid data and (optionally) calibrate it.
3. Define components of the model.
4. Add well components (completion, tubing).
5. Add pipeline components.
6. Add field equipment.
7. Set heat transfer options.
8. Select flow correlations.
9. Save the model.
10.Perform an operation.
11.Analyze the graphical and tabular results.
12.Use the schematic.

Creating a new model

To create a new model, select File New and then select from the following:

pipeline and facilities model

well performance model (production and injection wells)

network model (more than one well or source)

Alternatively, use the wizard (p.8).

A model is made up of "node" and "connection" type objects.
Before an operation (p.136) can be performed on the model it must be saved. Single branch models have
the file extension .bps and network models, .bpn.

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Adding objects to a model and connecting them

The objects in the toolbox (p.5) are defined as either node or link objects, as follows:

node objects for example, source, sink, junction/node, completion, equipment, Nodal analysis point,
report tool, and so on. Add node objects to the model first. Select a node object in the toolbar then click
to place it in the model window. To add a number of the same type of node object, press the SHIFT key
to turn the selector into a "sticky" mode where the same object is added to the model window whenever
the mouse button is pressed.

link (connection) objects for example, tubing, flowline, riser, connection, and so on. Link type objects
are used to connect two node type objects. The node objects must have already been added. Select
the link object from the toolbox. Hover the mouse over a node object, then press and hold done the (left)
mouse button and "drag" the resulting link to another node object.

Adding data to an object

After adding the object to the model, double-click it to open its data entry screen. All the data in an object
is self-contained and does not affect, or rely, on data from any other object.

Minimum data
Missing data is reported at the following levels:

Dialog

Object

Folder

All dialogs that have data entry fields display a red box around any mandatory data. This shows the minimum
data required. The red box disappears when the data is entered.
In the model objects and folders that have data missing are displayed with a red box around them. Missing
data includes data in dialog fields with a red box, the fluid model, and boundary conditions. Again, once the
necessary data has been entered, the red box disappears.
Data range checks are made on some data entry fields.

Duplicating an object
The Edit Copy and Edit Paste (or Ctrl+c, Ctrl+v) commands can be used to copy an object and all its
associated data. The only data that is changed in the copy is the identifier of the object.
This option works in both single branch and network mode. It also works on multiple selections, so you can
duplicate more than one object at a time.

Disconnecting objects
To disconnect objects, do the following:
1. Select the link (connection) object. End markers (small squares) appear at each end of the object.
2. Select the end marker (small square). The pointer changes into an arrow.
3. Press the left mouse button and hold it down while dragging the link to its new node object.

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Saving the model

The PIPESIM models are stored in binary data files with the following extensions:

.bps - single branch model

.bpn - network model. A network model is stored in a single input file. It is not necessary to store each
network model in a separate directory. However, it is important to note that each individual branch has
its own output files. Thus, using separate directories ensures that the output files are not overwritten.
Using separate directories may be useful in the following cases:

If results from models having the same well/branch names are to be compared.

If models having the same well/branch names are to be run simultaneously.

Network Models
Network models contain multiple single branch models, linked at junctions. They can be used to model parts
of, or complete, production or injection systems, from the reservoir to the final delivery point(s).

Creating a network model

To build a network model, perform the following basic steps:
1. Select a units (p.117) set.
2. Develop the network model. The basic building blocks sources, sinks, branches and junctions can
be found in the Network Toolbox (p.7). Branches can be built up of equipment items, using the Single
branch Toolbox (p.5). Prebuilt single branch models of wells and flowlines can also be used.
3. Set the fluid properties (p.93) .
4. (Optional) Calibrate the fluid (p.360).
5. Set the boundary conditions (p.20).
6. Save the model (p.14).

Network Operations
Operations for network models differ from those available for single branch models. They are:

Run Model (p.136)

Restart Model (p.152)

Gas Lift Optimisation

Linking to reservoir models

Source
A source is a point where fluid enters the network. A network model can have any number of sources. A
production well (p.17) can be used instead of a source.
Right-click on a source to display the following menu:
Data

Access the Source Properties (p.15) and Fluid Model (p.128) tabs

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Fluid Model

Access the Fluid Model tab

Active

If active is selected, the source is included in the model at run time,

otherwise it is left out. This flag can be used to determine the effects of
switching off parts of the network without having to delete any data.

Plot Results

Plots the results for the branch containing this source.

Cut / Copy / Paste / Delete

Allows items in the network diagram to be cut, copied, pasted and deleted.

Move to Top / Move to Back For use when several icons are overlaid, this moves the selected icon to
the top or bottom.
Source Properties tab
Double-click a source to open the Source Properties tab, where you can set the following parameters:
Temperature

Fluid Temperature at the inlet

Pressure/Flowrate Boundary Condition Specify the boundary condition in terms of a fixed pressure
and/or flowrate. The flowrate type can be selected. The
flowrate can be entered in either stock tank or flowing
conditions by using the "@" button.
PQ Curve

Specify the boundary conditions in terms of a Pressure versus

Flowrate (PQ) curve (there must be at least 2 data points and
a maximum of 30)

Type

Flow type for the PQ Curve flowrate data.

Sink
A sink is a point in the network where the fluid leaves the system. It is normally used to represent a surface
outflow point as opposed to an injection well. A network model can have any number of sinks (p.87). An
injection well (p.18) can be used instead of a sink.
Right-click on a sink to display the following menu:
Data

Access the Sink Properties (p.16) tab

Active

If active is selected, the sink is included in the model at run time, otherwise
it is left out. This flag can be used to determine the effects of switching off
parts of the network without having to delete any data.

Plot Results

Plots the results for the branch containing this sink.

Cut / Copy / Paste / Delete

Allows items in the network diagram to be cut, copied, pasted and deleted.

Move to Top / Move to Back For use when several icons are overlaid, this moves the selected icon to
the top or bottom.

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Sink Properties tab

Double-click a sink to open the Sink Properties tab, where you can set the following parameters:
Pressure Outlet pressure
Flow rate Flowrate in Liquid/Gas/Mass units at stick tank conditions. The flowrate can be entered in
flowing conditions by the "@" button.

Branch
A branch is an object that connects two junctions or a sources/sink to a junction. The branch can contain
flowlines, equipment, and so on. Production wells (p.17) and injection wells (p.18) are special types of
branches that combine a branch with a source (p.14) or sink (p.15).
Right-click on a branch to display the following menu:
Data

Gives access to the Branch Properties (p.16), Limits (p.21) and Flow
Correlations (p.89) tabs.

Flow Correlations

Gives access to the Flow Correlations tab.

Import Single Branch Model Allows a model already defined in a single branch mode to be imported.
The file name of the model to import will be requested.
Active

If active is selected, the branch is included in the model at run time,

otherwise it is left out. This flag can be used to determine the effects of
switching off parts of the network without having to delete any data.

Switch Flowline Geometry

Changes the assumed direction of flow for this branch.

Plot Results

Plots the results for this branch.

Cut / Copy / Paste / Delete

Allows items in the network diagram to be cut, copied, pasted and deleted.

Move to Top / Move to Back For use when several icons are overlaid, this moves the selected icon to
the top or bottom.
Branch Properties tab
Double-click a branch to open the Branch Properties tab, where you can set the following parameters:
Block

Determines whether the branch is allowed to flow in both directions. Block reverse acts as a
non-return valve.

Estimates Estimates of the Pressure and/or flowrate for the branch (optional).

Network Separator
A point in the network where a stream removed from a separator can be reinjected into another branch.
Sometimes this is also known as a re-injector.

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The network separator (reinjection node) acts in a similar manner to a junction. It links to the following
branches:
Incoming / feed stream branch
The branch upstream of the network separator, that is before separation takes place.
Outgoing main stream branch
The branch where the main fluid, that is the remaining fluid after separation, goes.
Outgoing separated stream branch
The branch where the separated fluid goes.
Note: This branch MUST not be connected directly to a sink. Place a node before the sink and
add a dummy branch.
The following must be defined:

The incoming feed stream and the separated stream branches.

Type of separator (liquid, gas, or water) and its efficiency.

Note: There will be a pressure discontinuity between the separator and the separated branch inlet. This
represents the pump, compressor, or choke required to adjust the stream's pressure to that necessary to
balance the remainder of the network.
See also: How to add objects (p.13), Separator Details (p.86)

Production Well
A production well is a well where the fluid enters the network. A network model can have any number of
production wells. A well can also be modelled using a well head performance curve (p.19). This aids in
the solution time of the network.
A production well is a combination of a source (p.14) and a branch (p.16), and has similar data requirements.
Right-click on a production well to display the following menu:
Data

Gives access to the Production Well Properties (p.18), Limits (p.21),

Fluid Model (p.128), Flow Correlations (p.89) and Estimates (p.21)
tabs.

Fluid Model

Gives access to the Fluid Model tab.

Flow Correlations

Gives access to the Flow Correlations tab

Import Single Branch Model Allows a model already defined in a single branch mode to be imported.
The file name of the model to import will be requested.
Active

If active is selected, the well is included in the model at run time, otherwise
it is left out. This flag can be used to determine the effects of switching off
parts of the network without having to delete any data.

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Plot Results

Plots the results for this well.

Cut / Copy / Paste / Delete

Allows items in the network diagram to be cut, copied, pasted and deleted.

Move to Top / Move to Back For use when several icons are overlaid, this moves the selected icon to
the top or bottom.
Production Well Properties tab
Right-click on a production well and select Data to open the Properties tab, where you can set the following
pressure and flow boundary condition parameters:
Block

Determines whether the well is allowed to flow in both directions. Block reverse acts as a
non-return valve and will stop the well from becoming an injection well. If the solution
algorithm determined that a production well, with block reverse set, was an injector then it
will be shut-in.
Note: If Multilayer (p.45) production wells are used in a Network model, then the well
should have the block reverse flow option set to prevent cross-flow.

Pressure

Inlet pressure, normally the static reservoir pressure.

Flow rate

Flowrate in Liquid/Gas/Mass units at stick tank conditions. The flowrate can be entered in
flowing conditions by the "@" button.

Well Curves Models the well using a well head performance curve (p.19).

Injection Well
A network model can have any number of injection wells.
Note: Multilayer (p.45) Injection wells cannot be modelled in this version of PIPESIM. If multilayer
production wells are used in a Network model, set the well's Gives access to option.
An injection well is a combination of a sink (p.15) and a branch (p.16), and has similar data requirements.
Right-click on an injection well to display the following menu:
Data

Gives access to the Injection Well Properties (p.19), Limits (p.21), Flow
Correlations (p.89) Estimates (p.21) tabs.

Flow Correlations

Gives access to the Flow Correlations tab.

Import Single Branch Model Allows a model already defined in a single branch mode to be imported.
The file name of the model to import will be requested.
Active

If active is selected, the source is included in the model at run time,

otherwise it is left out. This flag can be used to determine the effects of
switching off parts of the network without having to delete any data.

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Plot Results

Plot the results for this well.

Cut / Copy / Paste / Delete

Allows items in the network diagram to be cut, copied, pasted and deleted.

Move to Top / Move to Back For use when several icons are overlaid, this moves the selected icon to
the top or bottom.
Injection Well Properties tab
Right-click on an injection well and select Data to open the Properties tab, where you can set the following
pressure and flow boundary condition parameters:
Block

Determines whether the well is allowed to flow in both directions. Block reverse acts as a nonreturn valve and will stop the well from becoming a producer. If the solution algorithm
determined that an injection, with block reverse set, was a producer then it will be shut-in

Pressure Outlet pressure, normally the static reservoir pressure.

Flow rate Flowrate in Liquid/Gas/Mass units at stick tank conditions. The flowrate can be entered in
flowing conditions by the "@" button.

Well Curves
A production well in a network model can be modeled using a well performance curve of flowrate versus
[outlet] well head pressure - example curve (p.144). These well performance curve(s) are stored in ASCII
files and can be created using a PIPESIM operation (p.136) or any another suitable Nodal analysis
package.
This option has been introduced for the following reasons:

To reduce the time required to solve large networks. A significant amount of time is spent computing
well bore pressure losses.

To ensure that the well operates in its stable region.

To interface with 3rd party applications so that they can create these well curves, that is Shell's WePs
module.

To ease debugging when wells do not flow and the network solution does not converge . In this case
the individual well curves can be examined to insure that the well will flow at the required pressure.

To simulate a well, right-click on it and select Data. On the Properties tab, select the Well Curves check
box. Each production well can be simulated by one of the following options:
Create (during network run) only when necessary
The time stamp of the last created performance curve is checked. The curve is regenerated
automatically, if necessary. Once the file has been created, it can be viewed using the Plot button.
Create on every network run
The performance curve is always regenerated. This is time consuming.
Online
Model the well online (the default). The well's details must be included in the PIPESIM Network
model.

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Offline from a well performance curve file

The curve is generated by the simulator automatically, as it is needed. The well's details must be
included in the PIPESIM Network model.
With the curve(s) being pre-generated, the well's details need not be included in the PIPESIM
Network model. The data file may contain a number of well head curves over a range of values,
for example, reservoir pressure, watercut, and so on, so that it need only be recreated if the
operating conditions are outside the specified ranges. Before the network can be solved, the exact
value to use during the simulation must be defined.
Data Entry
If use Well Curves is selected.
Use File
Use a specific performance curve file for this well. A single file can be used by a number of wells. The file
can contain data over a range of values or a single point. Once you specify the file, the options are as
follows:
Sensitivities
Interrogates the performance curve file to determine what range of values it was created over. A
specific value for each variable must then be defined. Extrapolation is not allowed.
Plot Interpolated Curve
Plots the resulting interpolated curve that will be used during the simulation.
Plot
Plots all curves in the file.

Boundary Conditions
The network engine solves the mass, momentum and energy conservation equations for the fluid pressures,
flow rates and temperatures, in a network. Users must specify acceptable boundary conditions. To view
and/or modify boundary conditions, select Setup Boundary Conditions.... This also displays the number
of boundary conditions that are required and the number that have been set.
Hydraulic boundary conditions (pressure and flow)
The requirements are as follows:

The number of boundary conditions required for a model is known as the model's Degrees of Freedom.
This is equal to the total number of boundary nodes. That is, number of wells (production and injection)
+ number of sources + number of sinks.

A boundary condition specifies the pressure (P) or flowrate (Q). For sources, a pressure-flowrate curve
(C) can be specified.

At least one pressure boundary condition must be specified.

Normally there should be one boundary condition (P, Q or C) for each boundary node. However, you
can specify two boundary conditions, pressure and flow rate (PQ) at some sources or production wells,
and specify no boundary conditions at some sinks, as long as the total number of boundary conditions
equals the Degrees of Freedom.

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Note: Use this flexibility with care as it may produce networks that cannot be solved.
Temperature boundary conditions
Users must specify the fluid temperature at all sources and the reservoir temperature for all production
wells. The fluid temperatures at all sinks and injection wells are always calculated. Energy will be transferred
from the fluid to the environment by heat loss, so ambient temperatures and heat loss properties must be
specified for each branch in a network.
Input fluids
The Fluid model (p.128) must be specified for each production well and each source.

Network Constraints
To set network constraints, select Setup Flowrate Limits....
You have two options:

Set flowrate limits for each branch in a network model. The flowrate limits apply both to forward and
reverse flows. So a flow limit of 20 STB/d will limit the flow to 20 STB/d independently of whether the
flow is backward or forward.

Set flowrate limits for an individual network branch (network connector - flowline). Right-click on the
branch and select data, then click on the Limits tab.

The following flowrate limits can be set:

Mass (p.470)

Liquid (p.470)

Water

Oil

Gas (p.470)

Network Estimates
Each time the network is solved, an initial estimate of the unknown boundary condition (inlet pressure, outlet
pressure or flowrate) in each branch is required.
Internal default estimates are provided as follows:

Production/injection well static pressure = 5,000 psia

Source/sink/node pressure = 1,000 psia

Flowrate = 10 lb/s

However, it is possible to speed up network convergence by providing good estimates of the unknown
boundary condition in each branch. User estimates can be supplied locally and globally, and four hierarchy
options are available to specify which estimates should be used. To do this, select Setup Estimates.
The following parameters are available:
Do not use any estimates
The internal default values, shown above, are used. This is sufficient in most cases. (Default)

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Use local if present else use global

If local estimates have been set, use these. Otherwise, use the global values (if set), otherwise use
the internal defaults.
Use local everywhere
If local estimates have been set, use these. Otherwise, use the internal defaults.
Use global everywhere
If global estimates have been set, use these. Otherwise, use the internal defaults.
Set the local estimates by using the Pressure and Flowrate fields.
To aid convergence and speed of solution, the results from a previous converged solution can be used as
initial estimates. To do this, use the restart (p.152) feature. This overrides all settings here, including the
internal defaults.

Single Branch Models

Well Performance Analysis Overview
Well Performance analysis involves modeling a production or injection well, including any artificial lift.
Well Performance Specific Operations
The following operations are available:

Nodal Analysis (p.140)

Reservoir tables (p.143)

Optimum horizontal well length (p.24)

Artificial Lift Performance (p.153)

Pressure Temperature Profile (p.138)

Gas lift rate vs casing head pressure (p.144)

Flow correlation comparison (p.138)

Systems Analysis (p.137)

Well Performance
Perform the following basic steps to build a well model (single or multiple completion):
1. Select the units (p.117) set to use.
2. Specify the well's completion type, one of the following:

Vertical (p.29)

Multiple (p.23)

Horizontal (p.23)

3. Add the necessary components to the model (tubing, choke, and so on) and define the necessary data.
4. Define the fluid specification (black oil (p.360) or compositional (p.101)).
5. (Optional) Calibrate the fluid (p.360).

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6. Define suitable vertical correlations (p.489) and Horizontal correlations (p.491).

7. Save the model (p.14)
Multilayer Reservoir IPR
A Multilayer reservoir model can be defined by several layers (completions). These can, if required, be
separated by sections of tubing.
In a multilayer model, each layer can have the following:

A different IPR method.

Different fluid model properties. That is, each layer can have a different watercut, GOR, or a different
composition, and so on.

Different fluid types for each layer. Oil and gas layers can be mixed.

Note: Multilayer Injection wells cannot be modeled in this version of PIPESIM. If multilayer production wells
are used in a Network (p.14) model, set the Block Reverse Flow option for the well.
More details (p.45)
Horizontal Well Completion
This refers to a horizontal completion with multiple sources along the horizontal wellbore, taking into account
reservoir drawdown and wellbore pressure drop. The horizontal well performance models included in
PIPESIM allow the user to accurately predict hydraulic wellbore performance in a horizontal completion. As
such, they are an integral part of the reservoir-to-surface analysis.
A horizontal well model can be used in all Operations modes. However, you may be especially interested
in investigating the productivity of a horizontal completion using the Optimum Horizontal Completion Length
(p.24) option.
Reservoir inflow and wellbore pressure drop equations are solved to calculate the changing production rate
along the well length. More details (p.301)
Distributed PI mode
In Distributed PI mode the inflow performance is expressed as a Productivity Index (PI) per unit length
which can be assigned explicitly (Distributive PI) or calculated using the following:

Steady-State (oil reservoirs)

Steady-State (gas reservoirs)

Pseudo-Steady-State (oil reservoirs)

Pseudo-Steady-State (gas reservoirs) productivity equations.

In this mode the pressure drop along the horizontal completion is computed.
These equations take account of the effect of the vertical/horizontal permeability ratio, completion skin, and
reservoir thickness.
Single point PI mode
In Single Point PI mode inflow is assumed to be at the heel of the well only (no pressure drop along the
horizontal completion is computed). The following IPRs are available:
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Pseudo Steady-State (oil reservoirs)

Pseudo Steady-State (gas reservoirs)

Steady-State (oil reservoirs)

Steady-State (gas reservoirs)

Horizontal completion length

Using the Optimum Horizontal Completion analysis option, PIPESIM accurately predicts the hydraulic
wellbore performance in the completion. This is an integral part of PIPESIM's reservoir-to-surface analysis.
The technique subdivides the horizontal completion into vertical cross-sections and treats flow
independently from other cross-sections. This multiple source concept leads to a pressure gradient from
the blind-end (Toe) to the producing-end (Heel) which, if neglected, results in over-predicting deliverability.
The reduced drawdown at the Toe results in the production leveling-off as a function of well length and it
can be shown that drilling beyond an optimum length would yield no significant additional production.
Several IPRs are available. These are solved with the wellbore pressure drop equations to yield the
changing production rate along the well length.
Note: To use the Optimum Horizontal Completion option, you must include a horizontal well completion
in the system model.
How to determine the optimal horizontal completion length
Follow these basic steps to determine the optimal horizontal completion length:
1. Build the well performance model (p.22), include the horizontal completion.
2. Select the Horizontal completion length operation.
3. Enter the required data.
4. Run (p.136) the operation.
5. Save the model (p.14).
Horizontal Completion data entry
To access this area, double-click a horizontal completion.
Properties Tab
Use this tab to set up the Reservoir data and IPR model.
Reservoir data
The reservoir boundary conditions must be specified:
Static Pressure:
The static reservoir pressure
Temperature
The reservoir temperature

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IPR Model
Select Distributed or Single Point model and select the model type, one of the following:
Distributed PI (Finite Conductivity)
The complete length of the horizontal section is modeled. See Well bore... (p.65)
Single Point PI (Infinite Conductivity)
The input data is used to compute an equivalent straight line PI value and this is then used as single
point inflow.
Model type is the type of IPR model to use for calculation. Each option requires a different set of parameters,
as described below.
SS Oil (Joshi) and SS Gas (Joshi)
Reservoir Size
Rextn
External boundary radius of the drainage area
Thickness
Reservoir thickness
Well Location
Eccen
Well bore eccentricity. This is the offset of the well from the center of the pay zone.
Reservoir Properties
Kx
Permeability in the x-direction, that is Kh
Ky
Permeability in the y-direction, that is parallel to the well
Kz
Permeability in the z-direction, that is Kv
Well Properties
Length
Length of the horizontal well (completion). Assuming that the horizontal completion is exactly
horizontal. A profile for the horizontal section can be entered using the Well bore... button. The
length must not be greater than the reservoir diameter (that is twice the reservoir extension radius
Rextn).
Rw
Sandface radius, that is. pipe+annulus+cement

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Skin
Mechanical skin factor. Can be entered or computed. To compute the skin, select the Calculate
Skin check box. This activates the Options (p.28) button. If the value is computed, sensitivity
cannot be performed directly on the skin value.
Single Point PI only
The following data are required for single point PI only:
Fluid properties
At reservoir conditions (the first two parameters are alternatives):
OFVF
Oil Formation Volume Factor (oil well)
Gas Z
gas compressibility factor (gas well)
Viscosity
fluid viscosity
Calculate PI
Compute the single point PI values from the data supplied.
Distributed PI only
Well bore... (p.65)
PSS Oil (Babu and Odeh) and PSS gas (Babu and Odeh)
Reservoir Size

Note: this is referenced only in PSS gas.

X dim
drainage width perpendicular to the well

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Y dim
drainage width parallel to the well
Thickness
reservoir thickness
Well Location (based on the well midpoint)
Note: this is referenced only in PSS gas.
X well
x coordinates of the horizontal well trajectory.
Y well
y coordinates of the horizontal well trajectory.
Z well
z coordinates of the horizontal well trajectory.
Reservoir Properties
Kx
Permeability in the x-direction, that is Kh
Ky
Permeability in the y-direction, that is parallel to the well
Kz
Permeability in the z-direction, that is Kv
Well Properties
Length
length of the horizontal well (completion). (This assumes that the horizontal completion is exactly
horizontal.) A profile for the horizontal section can be entered using the
Well bore... (p.65)
button.
Rw
Sandface radius. That is, pipe+annulus+cement
Skin
Mechanical skin factor. Can be entered or computed. To compute the skin, select the Calculate
Skin check box . This activates the Options (p.28). If the value is computed, sensitivity cannot
be performed directly on the skin value.
Single Point PI only
The following data are required when you specify Single Point PI as the IPR model:

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Fluid properties
enter these for reservoir conditions
OFVF
Oil Formation Volume Factor (oil well)
Gas Z
gas compressibility factor (gas well)
Viscosity
fluid viscosity
Calculate PI
Click this button to compute the single point PI values from the data supplied.
Distributed PI only
The following data are required when you specify Distributed PI as the IPR model and select Distributed
PI as the model type:
Distributed PI
Enter a straight line PI value for liquid or gas.
Well bore... (p.65)
Click the button to set the properties.
Horizontal Completion Well Properties Options
This dialog opens when you select the Calculate skin check box on the Properties tab and click the
Options button.
Damaged Zone
Diameter
Diameter of the damaged zone around the well bore. The default is the well bore radius, that is the
damaged zone does not exist
Permeability
Permeability of the damaged zone around the well bore. The default is the formation permeability.
Gravel Pack
Permeability
Permeability of the gravel pack. The default is estimated according to the sieve size.
Tunnel
Length of the tunnel. This is usually the sum of the thickness of cement, casing and annulus. The
default =0
Compacted zone
Diameter
Diameter of the compacted zone (or crushed zone) around the perforation. The default is the
diameter of the perforation (that is, the compacted zone does not exist).
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Permeability
Permeability of the compacted zone (or crushed zone) around the perforation. The default is the
permeability of the damaged zone.
Perforation
Diameter
Diameter of the perforation into the formation. The default = 0.5 inches, 12.7 mm
Length
Length of the perforation into the formation. The default = infinity (which results in a zero skin due
to perforation)
Shot Density
Shot density. The default = 4 shots/ft ,13.12 shots/m
Calculate Skin
Calculate
Click the Calculate button to compute the skin from the data supplied. This overwrites any value
already set.
Vertical Well Completion
The vertical completion component models flow from the reservoir to the bottom hole using an inflow
performance relationship. More details (p.274).
The following data must be entered:
Reservoir Data

Static Pressure

Temperature

Note: The pressure may be a calculated variable, provided that the other two boundary conditions, flowrate
and outlet pressure, are entered.
IPR Model
Inflow Performance Relationship (p.274)
Relationship between completion drawdown and flowrate.
Flow Control Valve (FCV)
The default is a completion without FCV. To use an FCV, select the check box and click FCV
Properties to configure it.
Local fluid properties
Local Fluid properties that pertain to this completion.

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Note: Vertical completions can be "stacked" to form a multiple completion well and (optional) tubing can
be placed between the completions. Thus each completion can have its own fluid properties.
PI Data
Data required
The following parameters are required for a PI (p.275) IPR.
PI coefficient
A function of bottom hole flowing pressure (Pwf) , Static reservoir pressure (Pws) and Flowrate (Q).
Vogel Below bubble point correction
Use this in cases of undersaturated reservoirs where wellbore pressure may be above or below
the bubble point. Note: The "Well PI with Vogel correction below the bubble point" completion model
is only intended for use when the reservoir pressure is above the bubble point. If the static reservoir
pressure is below the bubble point, then you should use a different completion model, for example
Vogel (p.276) or Fetkovich (p.277) which are intended for saturated fluids.
Calculate/Graph button
The required parameters can be computed from multi-rate test (p.35) data.
Vogel's Equation Data
The Vogel equation (p.276) was developed to model saturated oil wells.
Data required
If you select Vogel's Equation as the IPR Model on the Vertical Completion Properties tab, the following
parameters are displayed:
Abs. Open Flow Potential
The maximum liquid flowrate that the well could deliver if the bottom hole pressure was 0.
In the Absolute Open Flow Potential section, enter the following data that will be used to calculate the
AOFP:
PI Coefficient
The value is usually around 0.8 (the default).
Q
The actual flowrate of the well from a well test.
Pwf
Flowing bottom hole pressure
Pws
Static Reservoir pressure
Calculate AOFP
use the above data to compete the AOFP. This overwrites any values already entered for the AOFP.

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Fetkovich's Equation Data

Fetkovich's equation (p.277) is a development of the Vogel equation to take account of high velocity effects.
Data required
If you select Fetkovich's Equation as the IPR Model on the Vertical Completion Properties tab, the
following parameters are displayed:
Open Flow Potential
The well's maximum flowrate.
n exponent:
Calculate/Graph button
The required parameters can be computed from multi-rate test (p.35) data.
Jones' Equation Data
Data required
If you select Jones' equation (p.277) as the IPR Model on the Vertical Completion Properties tab, the
following parameters are displayed:
Fluid type; Liquid or Gas:
Changes the units of the A and B coefficients
A (turb)
turbulent coefficient, must be => 0
B (lam)
laminar coefficient, must be => 0
Calculate/Graph... button
The required parameters can be computed from multi-rate test (p.35) data.
Jones 4-point test
To run a Jones 4-point test, do the following:
1. Select Jones IPR
2. Click Calculate Graph....
3. Select multipoint (p.35)
4. Enter the static reservoir pressure.
5. Enter the reservoir temperature.
6. Enter up to 4 test rates and associated test pressures.
7. Press the Plot IPR or Plot fit button and the coefficients A and B will be computed.
8. Select OK
Backpressure Data
Rawlins and Schellhardt developed the Backpressure equation in 1935.

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Data required
If you select Backpressure equation (p.278) as the IPR Model on the Vertical Completion Properties tab,
the following parameters are displayed:
C
Constant (intercept at log flow rate = 1.0)
n
Inverse Slope. For pure laminar flow n=1 and 0.5 for completely turbulent flow. n is limited to
0.5<n<1
Calculate/Graph button
Click this to compute the required parameters C and n from multi-rate test (p.35) data. At least
three data sets must be supplied.
4-point test
To run a Back Pressure 4-point test, do the following:
1. On the Vertical Completion Properties tab, select Backpressure IPR.
2. Select Calculate Graph..
3. Select multipoint (p.35).
4. Enter the static reservoir pressure.
5. Enter the reservoir temperature.
6. Enter up to 4 test rates and associated test pressures.
7. Click Plot IPR or Plot fit. The coefficients C and n will be computed.
8. Click OK.
Pseudo Steady State Equation / Darcy Data
The Pseudo steady-state equation (p.279) assumes that the fluid is single phase, that laminar flow exists,
and that the fluid is (essentially) incompressible. The equation is based on single phase flow, therefore you
are prompted to select the basis for the equation; either Liquid or Gas.
A Vogel correction is available for liquid flow below the bubble point. For gas systems, you can choose to
use gas pseudo pressure or a pressure squared approximate (only reliable for low pressure systems).
Data required
If you select Pseudo Steady-State as the IPR Model on the Vertical Completion Properties tab, the
following parameters are displayed:
Basis of IPR calculation
Specify whether the calculations are to be performed on a Liquid or Gas basis. Your selection changes the
following parameter choices.
Use Vogel below bubble point
Apply the equation for calculating the productivity above the bubble point and the Vogel relationship
to calculate the IPR curve below the bubble point.

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Note: This check box is available only if you selected Liquid as the IPR Basis.
Use pseudo pressure method
Note: This check box is available only if you selected Gas as the IPR Basis.
Reservoir Thickness
Average formation thickness.
Wellbore Diameter
Default 6 inches.
Permeability
This is the average formation permeability. Typical values (p.429).
Reservoir Size/Shape
Take into account the effect of the shape of the reservoir (and the position of the well relative to boundaries),
by way of a shape factor. The default is a circular reservoir shape (shape factor 31.62).
Drainage Radius
Radius of external boundary of drainage area. Default 2,000 feet. Typical values (p.430).
Shape factor
Identify the physical location of a well in relationship to the reservoir boundaries. Default 31.62
circular reservoir, see figure below.
Reservoir Area
Area of the reservoir. Typical values (p.430).

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Figure 1.1. Shape Factors

See Earlougher (1977) (p.441) for reference.
Skin
Skin value has two components, a Mechanical (constant) term and a rate dependent term. (For example,
if the rate is 20 mmscf/d, the constant skin is 3, and the rate dependent skin is 0.1/mmscf/d, the total skin

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would be 5). Both mechanical and rate dependent skin terms can be entered or calculated (from completion
description).
Mechanical Skin
Enter Skin
Dimensionless constant skin factor
Calculate skin
Model the completion in detail and thus compute the skin factor using completion options
(p.39). If the skin is computed, sensitivity cannot be performed directly on the skin value, but
sensitivities can be performed on any completion description parameter (for example shots per
foot, perforation depth, and so on).
Rate Dependent Skin
Enter Skin
Dimensionless Rate dependent skin factor
Calculate
Calculate the rate dependent skin terms for all the components specified in the completion options
(p.39) description.
Forchheimer Equation Data
Data required
If you select Forchheimer's equation (p.278) as the IPR Model on the Vertical Completion Properties
tab, the following parameters are displayed:
F (turb)
Turbulent coefficient, this must be => 0
A (lam)
Laminar coefficient, this must be => 0
Calculate/Graph button
The required parameters can be computed from multi-rate test (p.35) data.
Multi-rate
In addition to the standard IPR equations, test data can be utilized so that the inflow can be matched to
actual measured data. A minimum of three data points is required. Two types of multi-rate test are available:
Multipoint (default)
A 'flow-after-flow' test sequence. Static pressure is taken as a constant throughout the test period.
The flowrate (Q) and corresponding flowing bottom hole pressure (Pwf) are required. These are
entered into the spreadsheet.
Isochronal
This type of test is normally performed in reservoirs with low permeability where the time taken to
reach stabilized flow conditions is unacceptably long (such as low permeability sands). Isochronal
testing is performed by periods of flowing followed by shutting-in of a well (normally with increasing

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rate). The wellbore flowing pressure is recorded during each flow period at a specific time (for
example if the time is 4 hours, then the test is referred to as a 4-hour isochronal test). Due to the
long stabilization time normally associated with the isochronal test, reservoir conditions need not
return to the original static pressure. Hence a different static reservoir pressure is recorded. The
flowrate (Q), flowing bottom hole pressure (Pwf) and static reservoir pressure (Pws) are required.
These are entered into the spreadsheet.
Once the test data has been entered it can be plotted using either;
Plot IPR
plots the actual IPR to be used, with the test data superimposed.
Plot Fit
plots the log log fit, with the test data superimposed.
The IPR constants (for example PI, A and B, C and n, and so on) will be computed and displayed in the
Fitted constants section.
Select the Chart Print option to print or export the plot.
Hydraulic fracturing
The Hydraulic Fracture IPR type uses a digitized, constant rate, finite-conductivity, closed square,
fractured well type-curve to calculate the effect of a vertically drilled well that has been hydraulically
fractured. These type curves were taken from Schlumberger's FracCADE program. The well is assumed to
be in the center of a square reservoir with an aspect ratio of 1:1.
The type curves used in the calculation are taken from Reservoir Stimulation 2 nd Edition by Econimides
and Nolte, Chapter 8 by Hai-Zui Meng and SPE paper 16435 and were best suited for tight gas wells. Type
curves are generated using single-phase fluid, two-dimensional finite difference simulators for some ranges
of system properties (permeability, porosity, fluid viscosity, total system compressibility) and the
characteristic length of the system, fracture half-length. These are then used to compute Dimensionless
time (valid range: 10e-5 - 10e3), Dimensionless wellbore pressure, and Dimensionless fracture conductivity
(valid range 0.1 - 500).
Data required
To set up hydraulical fracture, select Hydraulic Fracture (p.299) as the IPR Model on the Vertical
Completion Properties tab. The following parameters are displayed:
Basis of IPR calculation
Specify whether the calculations are to be performed on a Liquid or Gas basis.
Use Vogel below bubble point
Apply a type-curve equation for calculating the productivity above the bubble point, but the Vogel
relationship to calculate the IPR curve below the bubble point. This is not recommended if the water
cut exceeds 60%.
Note: This check box is available only if you selected Liquid as the IPR Basis.

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Reservoir Permeability:
Average formation permeability. For a gas well, this is gas permeability. For an oil well, this is total
liquid permeability. The default is infinity. Typical values (p.429).
Reservoir Thickness:
Average formation thickness. The default is infinity.
Reservoir Radius
Radius of external boundary of drainage area. The default is 2,000 feet. Typical values (p.430).
Wellbore Diameter
The default is 3 inches
Fracture Half Length
The length of the fracture extending out in one direction from the wellbore. That is, half the total
facture length.
Fracture Permeability
The effective permeability to the primary fluid of the fracture proppant used in fracturing the reservoir
Fracture Width
The average fracture width of a fracture in a hydraulically fractured reservoir
Transient model check box
Select the Transient model check box to model a well that has not reached pseudo steady state conditions.
This displays the following additional parameters:
Time
Producing time during the transient period in which the inflow performance is calculated
Porosity
Amount of pore space in the producing formation as a percentage of total bulk volume. Porosity =
Pore volume/Bulk volume.
Total Compressibility
Total compressibility of the reservoir system
See also other IPR methods (p.274)
References
Some additional references for the model are given below:
1. Nolte, K.G. (1991) "Fracture Design and Validation With Uncertainty and Model Limitation" JPT,
September 1991.
2. Elbel, Jack (1992) "Evaluation of Apparent Fracture Length Indicated from Transient Tests" Journal of
Canadian Petroleum Technology, December,1992.
3. Cinco-Ley, H., Samaniego, F. and Dominguez, N. (1978) "Transient Pressure Behavior for a Well with
a Finite-Conductivity Vertical Fracture," SPEJ, Aug. 1978, pp. 253-264.
4. Meng, H-Z, Brown, K.E. (1987) Coupling of Production Forecasting, Fracture Geometry Requirements
and Treatment Scheduling in the Optimum Hydraulic Fracture Design, SPE 16435.

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5. Cinco-Ley, H., Ramey H.J., Samaniego, F. and Rodriquez F. (1987) "Behavior of Wells with LowConductivity Vertical Fracture," SPE 16776.
Transient IPR Data
Data required
If you select Transient (p.284) as the IPR Model on the Vertical Completion Properties tab, the following
parameters are displayed:
Basis of IPR calculation
Specify whether the calculation are to be performed on a Liquid or Gas basis. Your selection changes the
following parameter choices.
Use Vogel below bubble point
Apply a type-curve equation for calculating the productivity above the bubble point and the Vogel
relationship to calculate the IPR curve below the bubble point. The Vogel correction is not
recommended if the water cut exceeds 60%.
Note: This check box is available only if you selected Liquid as the IPR Basis.
Use pseudo pressure method
Using (Pres2 - Pbhp2) for the delta P term in the pseudo steady state equation for Gas is correct
only for low pressures (< ~ 2,000 psia).
Note: This check box is available only if you selected Gas as the IPR Basis.
A more accurate way is to use (MPres - MPbhp) instead where MP is the pseudo pressure (which itself is
a function of pressure, Z factor and viscosity). This is more valid over the entire range of pressures (although
the difference is small).
Permeability and other Parameters
To plot the IPR, click Plot IPR. Enter the following parameters:
Reservoir Permeability
Average formation permeability. The default is infinity. Typical values (p.427).
Reservoir Thickness
Average formation thickness. The default is infinity.
Wellbore Diameter
The default is 6 inches.
Drainage Radius
Radius of external boundary of drainage area. The default is 2,000 feet. Typical values (p.430)
Time
Duration of the drawdown period in hours.

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Porosity
Average porosity of the reservoir rock.
Total Compressibility
Saturation weighted compressibility of the entire reservoir-liquid system (ct = coSo + cwSw + cf )
Skin parameters
Skin value has two components, a Mechanical (constant) term and a rate dependent term (for example if
the rate is 20 mmscf/d and the constant skin is 3, and the rate dependent skin is 0.1/mmscf/d, then the total
skin would be 5). Both mechanical and rate dependent skin terms can be entered or calculated (from
completion description).
Mechanical Skin.
Choose from the following:
Enter Skin
Dimensionless constant skin factor.
Calculate
Model the completion in detail and thus compute the skin factor using completion options
(p.39). If the skin is computed then sensitivity cannot be performed directly on the skin value, but
sensitivities can be performed on any completion description parameter (for example shots per
foot, perforation depth and so on).
Rate Dependent Skin.
Choose from the following:
Enter Skin
Dimensionless Rate dependent skin factor.
Calculate
Calculate the rate dependent skin terms for all the components specified in the completion options
(p.39) description.
Completion Options
Both the Pseudo Steady State (p.32) and the Transient (p.284) IPRs use a skin factor to determine the
flow into the well. PIPESIM allows you to enter a skin factor, or to calculate it using Completion Options.
To use Completion Options, first select one or both of the Calculate radio buttons in the Mechanical
Skin and Rate Dependent Skin boxes.
Skin factor
The skin factor is calculated by summing contributions from five different components:
Damaged Zone Skin
models the effect of reduced (or improved) permeability in a zone around the well. The diameter
and permeability of the damaged zone must be supplied, otherwise they will default to the well bore
diameter and the formation permeability, and the damaged zone skin will be zero.

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Partial Penetration / Deviation Skin

models geometrical effects, such as partial penetration of the reservoir layer and deviation of the
well from vertical. If the open interval is equal to the reservoir thickness and the well is vertical (0
degrees deviation) then the partial penetration / deviation skin will be zero.
Gravel Pack Skin
models the effect of a gravel pack in the well bore, between a screen and the reservoir.
Perforation Skin
models the effects of perforations. A compacted zone around the perforations is included.
Frac Pack Skin
models a well that has been fractured.
The Skin factor can be either negative (enhanced inflow) or positive (reduced inflow).
Completion models
In Completion Options you can select one of five completion models. Skin components appropriate to
each completion model are calculated, as detailed in Vertical Well mechanical skin factor calculation
(p.290). You can choose to turn off any component of the skin.
Completion
model

Damaged
Zone Skin

Partial
Gravel
Penetraion / Pack Skin
Deviation Skin

Open Hole

Assumes the
well is not
lined or
cemented

Yes

Yes

Open Hole
Gravel Pack

Assumes the
well bore is
Open Hole,
with the
addition of a
gravel pack

Yes

Yes

Perforated

Assumes the Yes

well is lined or
cemented,
and
perforated

Yes

Gravel Packed
and Perforated

Assumes the Yes

well is lined or
cemented,
and
perforated,
with the
addition of a
gravel pack

Yes

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Perforation
Skin

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Frac
Pack
Skin

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Frac Pack

Assumes the
well is lined or
cemented,
perforated
and has been
fractured.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

The data entered in the Completion Options dialog is passed to the engines to calculate the IPR during
simulation. An approximate value of the skin used during the simulation can be determined by clicking on
the Calculate Skin button. This value may not be exact, since some of the skin calculations may depend
on fluid properties which are only calculated during the simulation.

Figure 1.2. Open Hole Completion

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Figure 1.3. Open Hole Gravel Pack Completion

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Figure 1.4. Perforated Completion

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Figure 1.5. Gravel Packed and Perforated Completion

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Figure 1.6. Frac Pack Completion

Multilayer Reservoir IPR
A multilayer reservoir model is easy to construct. If the fluids from multiple layers are NOT commingled, the
individual layers can be treated as two separate wells and modeled in the Network model connected at the
wellhead. Otherwise the Well Performance module can be used to model the commingled flow.
Any number of reservoir intervals (layers) can be added to the model. The layers can be either stacked on
top of each other (that is with common flowing bottom hole pressure) or separated by a length of conduit
(such as tubing or casing) if required.

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Note: As of release 2008.1, multi-layer injection well models can be simulated in PIPESIM.
Layers
A completion icon represents each layer:

Therefore, if required, each layer can have a different Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) and also a
different fluid model.
If (for simplicity) you wish to stack the reservoir layers on top of each other, connect the layers using the
connector icon as shown below. (The connector icon has no dimensions associated with it).

In this case no elevational difference is assumed between the layers. They will all have the same flowing
("bottom hole") pressure (PWF). However, each layer can have a different static pressure, IPR and fluid
model defined.

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Using Conduits
A more realistic model defines a conduit between the reservoir layers as shown below. This ensures the
layers are positioned at different elevations. Therefore, elevational and frictional pressure drops are
calculated between the layers, and each layer has a different production pressure (PWF).

Tubing icons or even riser icons can represent the conduit between the layers. Care should be taken when
defining the dimensions of the conduits between the layers. Each icon will have to be defined independently.
It is only important to ensure that the relative distance from top to bottom of each icon (that is between each
completion) is correct. Therefore, for example, each tubing icon can be assumed to start from a depth
reference of zero. Alternatively the TVDs and MDs at the tubing/layer junctions can be made to match, so
each deeper tubing object would be made to start at the deepest point of the adjoining shallower tubing.
Make sure also that the correct ambient temperature(s) for each conduit is specified.
By default PIPESIM allows back flow (that is reverse flow) into (or, in an injection well, out of) any layer. To
block back flow in any layer, the appropriate keyword can be set (LAYER INJECT = NO (p.547)) by placing
an EKT (p.64) upstream of the completion in question.

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Tubing Tool
Placing a tubing object in the model allows modeling of vertical or near-vertical flow (production or injection)
in a well bore. Heat transfer (p.70) can be modeled by either entering or computing an overall heat transfer
coefficient (U value) using the Ramey Model (p.51). The tubing object is a connection (p.13) object, so
must be placed between two node (p.13) objects.
Normally only one tubing object is required for a well model. The exception is when multiple completions
are modeled.
The tubing can be defined as either of the following types of model:

simple (p.48) model there is only one complete pipe object

detailed (p.50) model PIPESIM creates objects for all pipe nodes

Data entered under the simple model can be converted to a detailed model using the Convert to detailed
model button at any time. In this case, a detailed description of the simple model is created.
Note: If different data is entered in both the simple and detailed models, PIPESIM uses the data in the
Preferred Tubing model that was selected when the Tubing Tool dialog was closed.
Use the detailed profile model if any of the following situations apply:

The well is highly deviated

It has more than four changes in tubing size

A geothermal gradient is known

The overall heat transfer coefficient is not the same as the default (0.2 Btu/hr/ft2), or needs to vary through
the depth of the tubing

More than one piece of downhole equipment needs to be modeled. That is, there are multiple gas lift
injection points.

See also: Coiled Tubing/Velocity String (p.57)

Simple Profile Model
The tubing (p.48) object, once added to the model (p.13), requires the following information:

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Perforations
This data determines the extent of the tubing modeled. That is, the MD/TVD is taken as the fluid inflow
point. Enter the following parameters:
MD (Measured depth)
total length of the tubing to the perforations. This will always be equal to, or greater than, the TVD
TVD
true vertical depth
Reservoir Temperature
fluid temperature

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Tubing sections
Note: Up to four tubing items can be defined. If more are required, use the detailed model (p.50) profile.
Enter the following parameters for each section:
From MD
start MD for this tubing's section. This is computed automatically from the initial MD or from the last
set tubing depth, that is the "to MD column".
To MD
end MD for this tubing's section. This MUST always be entered.
ID
inner diameter of the tubing section.
Convert to Detailed model
The data entered into the simple model can be exported to the detailed (p.50) model using the Convert
to detailed model button.
Note: Any data already entered under the detailed model is overwritten.
Summary table
Summary table (p.53)
Detailed profile model
To configure a tubing (p.48) object, once added to the model (p.13), double-click the tubing, select Detailed
Model, and use the following tabs.
Deviation Survey Tab
Set two of the MD, TVD and angle for at least two data points. Compute the third using the Calculate button.
(Default = compute angle). The wellbore profile can be copied from any other spreadsheet application. If
the well profile is straight, the deviation survey can be omitted.
Geothermal Survey Tab
Enter ambient temperatures at various depths (the depths can be either based on MD or TVD). If the Input
U value radio button is selected, also enter the overall heat transfer coefficient values (U-values) at the
various depths. The minimum data you must enter is at the well head and bottom hole. If you want the Uvalues to be calculated, select the Calculate U Value radio button; the U Value column is greyed-out so
that you cannot enter any values. Click Heat Transfer Properties to enter the Tubing Heat Transfer
Properties (p.51) for the heat transfer calculation.
Tubing Configurations Tab
Up to 200 changes of tubing configuration can be modeled. The data entered here determine the extent of
the tubing modeled. That is, the bottom of the last tubing section is taken as the fluid inflow point.
The parameters are as follows:

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Bottom MD
Measured Depth of the bottom of the tubing.
ID
tubing inside diameter, See also tubing tables (p.418)
Wall Thickness
tubing thickness, default 0.5 inches 12.7 mm. See also tubing tables (p.418)
Roughness
absolute pipe roughness, default 0.001 inches, 0.0254 mm. See also Roughness tables (p.428)
Casing ID
casing ID is only required if the flow type is set to "Annular" or "Tubing+Annulus" flow or the Alhanati
(p.172) instability check is to be made. See also Casing tables (p.418).
Flow Type
flow path up the tubing. Select one of the following options:

Tubing (default)

Annulus or

Tubing+Annulus.

The label is optional, but allows key points in the profile to be highlighted in the output report.
Downhole Equipment Tab
Select the type, position (in terms of its MD), properties and optional label of any downhole equipment. Click
Properties to configure each item of equipment, as follows:

Gas Lift Injection Properties (p.55) button

ESP Properties (p.179) button

Choke Properties (p.316), button

SSSV (p.316). Enter the bean ID using the Properties button.

Separator Properties (p.85) button

Keyword Tool Properties (p.64) button

Injector Properties (p.71) button

Gas lift valves

Click G/L Valve system (p.55) to enter Gas lift valves.
Note: Using Gas lift injection points is different from adding Gas Lift valves. The valve option takes into
account the physics of the gas lift system, whereas the injection point assumes that the amount of gas
supplied can always be injected. See Gas Lift system (p.154) for more details.
Wellbore Heat Transfer
Various input data can be entered in the Tubing Heat Transfer Properties dialog to compute the overall
heat transfer coefficient (p.345).
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To open this dialog, open a detailed tubing model, select the Geothermal Survey tab and click Heat
Transfer Properties.
Ground Properties
The parameters are as follows:
Thermal Conductivity
The ground/rock thermal conductivity (default = 1.5 BTU/hr/ft/F).
Specific Heat Capacity
The ground/rock specific heat capacity (default = 0.2 BTU/lb/F).
Density
The ground/rock density (default = 140 lb/ft3)
Wellbore Properties
The parameters are as follows:
Production/Injection Time
The time the well has been producing/injecting (default = 168 hr).
Tubing Thermal Conductivity
The thermal conductivity of the tubing material (default = 35 BTU/hr/ft/F).
Completion Fluid Thermal Conductivity
The thermal conductivity of the completion fluid in the annular space between the tubing and the
casing (default = 3.2 BTU/hr/ft/F).
Casing Thermal Conductivity
The thermal conductivity of the casing material (default = 35 BTU/hr/ft/F).
Casing Thickness
The thickness of casing.
Cement Thermal Conductivity
The thermal conductivity of the cement between the casing and the rock/ground (default = 2 BTU/
hr/ft/F).
Cement Thickness
The thickness of cement.

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Figure 1.7. Typical Wellbore

Summary tubing table
To view this table, double-click a tubing object and click Summary Table in the dialog. The dialog has the
following three sections:
Configuration summary
There is just one parameter, as follows:
Spreadsheet
shows a summary of the nodes that will be used to model the well and any equipment or ID changes
in the tubing. The data cannot be changed here.
Options
The parameters are as follows:

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Distance between nodes

to speed up the calculations, increase the distance. To make the calculation more accurate,
decrease it. (Default =1,000 ft).
Refresh
update the spreadsheet after the node distance has been changed.
Schematic
This shows a schematic of the well with any equipment placement noted.
Gas Lift Properties
To open this dialog, double-click a tubing object. Select one of the following tubing models:

simple tubing model (p.48): Set the Artificial Lift method to Gas Lift, then click Properties under Artificial
Lift.

detailed tubing model (p.50) On the Downhole Equipment tab, add Gas Lift Injection.

Properties of the lift gas

The flow rate of the injected lift gas can be specified directly, or calculated to give specified values of the
stock tank GLR of the produced fluid. Select from the following options:
Injection Gas Rate:
The actual (fixed) amount of lift gas to be injected. PIPESIM will always inject this amount at the
specified depth regardless of whether or not the gas injection systems (that is the casing head
pressure or gas lift valve) can deliver this amount.
Set GLR to ...:
The injection rate will be calculated so that the stock tank gas lift ratio of the tubing fluid downstream
of the injection point is equal to this value. Note, if this value is less than the gas lift ratio of the
tubing fluid upstream of the injection, then gas will actually be removed.
Increase GLR by ...
The injection rate will be calculated so that the stock tank gas lift ratio of the tubing fluid is increased
by an amount equal to this value.
Sensitivity of the gas lift quantity
To perform sensitivity of the gas lift quantity, use the artificial lift operation (p.153).
Surface temperature
the temperature of the lift gas at the surface. This is used to compute the lift gas temperature at
the injection point. If the temperature is omitted, the lift gas temperature is assumed to be the same
as the production fluid temperature.
Injection gas
The following injection gas properties depend on the fluid model:
Blackoil fluid
Specify the gas specific gravity. If this is omitted, the specific gravity of the gas from the production
fluid is used (default 0.64).

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Compositional fluid:
Specify the composition of the injection gas fluid.
Optional data
This data does not affect the amount of gas that can be passed through the gas lift point. The data allows
further calculations to be performed. For example, if the Valve Port Diameter is provided, the pressure drop
across the valve and the Joule-Thomson temperature change are calculated. This data is also needed if
the Alhanati instability (p.172) check is required see OPTIONS (p.438).
Valve Port Diameter
The operating gas lift valve port (orifice) diameter.
Surface injection pressure
The gas lift injection surface pressure (upstream of the surface injection choke).
Set Gas Lift Injection point/points
The Gas Lift Injection points do not take into account the gas lift system. It is assumed that the quantity of
lift gas requested is fully injected into the production string at the specified depth(s) and that this takes no
account of the available injection pressure or valve details. You can specify different injection depths and
injection rates at each depth. To allow the program to calculate the injection depth, based on the available
injection pressure, use the Gas Lift valves (p.55) method.
PIPESIM offers the following options for setting the gas lift injection points.
If the depth(s) of injection and injection rate(s) are known, do the following:
1. Create a tubing object and double-click it to edit it.
2. In simple profile enter the gas lift depth and the gas lift properties.
3. In detailed profile set the Gas Lift injection points in the Downhole equipment tab and enter the gas lift
properties .
Gas Lift Valves
The actual gas lift valve depths are specified. For normal PIPESIM operations, gas is injected at the
specified rate at the deepest possible valve depth (taking into account the available injection pressure). For
the Gas Lift Diagnostics operation only, the actual gas throughput for each valve is calculated based on
the injection pressure, production pressure, valve details and valve status. For this operation, details of the
gas lift system are required (valve size, Ptro and so on). The valve throttling response is modeled (based
on the bellows load rate of the valve).
Allows gas lift valves to be selected from a database and placed in the tubing string.
Installed Design
Spreadsheet
This is a list of installed valves:
Valve MD
the depth of the valve

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Valve Choke size

(optional)
All other data is populated from the database when a valve is added by using the Add button.
Add (p.56)... (Valve Lookup)
add a valve from the database to the installed valve table. The valve will be added to the bottom
of the current list. To add [change out] a valve at a particular depth then double click the cell under
model or Port size that corresponds to the required depth.
Remove Selected Valve
remove the selected valve
Remove All Valves
remove all valves
Note: Take care with this option.
Gas Lift System Properties
Operating Injection Pressure
the available injection pressure
Injection Gas Rate
the specified injection gas rate for normal PIPESIM operations. (For the Diagnostics operation only,
this is the maximum amount of gas that can be injected through all valves).
Surface Injection Temperature
the temperature of the lift gas at the surface. This will then compute the lift gas temperature at the
injection point. If the temperature is omitted then the lift gas temperature will be assumed to be the
same as the production fluid temperature.
Minimum Valve Injection DP
a minimum differential between injection and production pressures to allow injection at a valve
depth.
Max Allowable Injection TVD
maximum possible injection depth (TVD). Normally the packer depth.
Gas specific gravity
the specific gravity of the lift gas. If omitted then the specific gravity of the gas from the production
strung will be used (default 0.64)
Valve database
Valve Database (p.134)
The database contains a list of the current valves available. To add your own valves to the database, use
Data New/Edit Gas Lift Valve...

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Spreadsheet
list all the valves in the database that match the criteria defined by the filter. A valve can be selected
by selecting the appropriate row.
Add valve
add the selected valve to the installed design table.
Filter
Use this to apply a filter to the listed valves.
Manufacturer
valve manufacturer filter
Type
Valve type filter

IPO

PPO

PPS

Orifice

Dummy

Size filter
Valve outer diameter
Series filter
series type
Refresh
update the spreadsheet listing by applying the filters
Remedial Coiled Tubing / Velocity String
This option allows the modeling of a remedial coiled tubing string inserted inside the tubing. You enter the
coiled tubing Outside Diameter and its injection gas rate (normally nitrogen). The PIPESIM model then
simulates an annular flow path between the coiled tubing string and the tubing specified in the Tubing
Configurations window.
Gas is injected into the produced fluid (at the depth of the coiled string) at the user specified gas injection
rate. You can also optionally enter the coiled tubing surface injection pressure (and coiled tubing ID).
PIPESIM will then calculate whether the injection pressure is sufficient to inject the specified gas rate or
not. If the pressure is not sufficient, then a warning message is written to the output and summary files,
however, the specified gas rate will still be injected. Therefore, PIPESIM will not calculate the coiled tubing
injection gas rate; it is user specified.
The remedial coiled tubing description in PIPESIM has no association (or functionality) with Gas Lift Design
routines. Therefore PIPESIM does not perform coiled tubing gas lift design. The gas lift mandrels and valves
will be assumed to be installed in the tubing specified in Tubing Configurations window.
To model coiled tubing, do the following:
1. Double-click the tubing object. Select Detailed Model.

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2. Select the Remedial Coiled Tubing option on the tubing's Downhole Equipment tab.
3. Properties

Bottom MD:

OD

Injection

4. Injection Gas Rate

5. GLR

Surface Injection Gas Temperature

Gas specific Gravity = 0.967 for N2

6. Coiled Tubing Pressure Drop Calculation (optional)

Coiled Tubing ID

Surface Injection Gas Pressure

7. To model a velocity string, set the gas injection rate to 0.

Tubing and Pipeline Tables
Equipment/Tubing sizing OR physical property sensitivity (1 parameter)
To size tubing or a piece of equipment, perform the following basic steps:
1. Build the required model, pipeline tools (p.61) or well (p.22).
2. Include one of the following:

tubing/flowline/equipment to be sized

the physical property to vary

3. Select the Pressure/Temperature profile (p.138) operation.

4. Select the sensitivity parameter.
5. Enter the data for the sensitivity parameter.
6. Run (p.136) the operation.
7. Save the model (p.14).
Equipment/Tubing sizing OR physical property sensitivity (multiple parameters)
To size tubing or a piece of equipment with multiple sensitivity parameters, perform the following basic
steps:
1. Build the required model, (p.22) pipeline tools (p.61) or well (p.22).
2. Include one of the following:

tubing/flowline/equipment to be sized

the physical property to vary

3. Select the System Analysis (p.137) operation.

4. Select the multiple sensitivity option.

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5. Select the x-axis parameter.

6. Enter the data for the x-axis parameters.
7. Select the multiple sensitivity parameters.
8. Enter the data for the sensitivity parameters.
9. Decide whether the sensitivity parameters are permuted or change in step.
10.Run (p.136) the operation.
11.Save the model (p.14).
Nodal Analysis Point
This defines where the system is to be broken into two for the Nodal Analysis (p.140) operation. Nodal
analysis breaks the system into two parts around a particular (solution) point and then computes the inflow
to and outflow from that point. The solution node is defined as the location where the pressure differential
upstream (inflow) and downstream (outflow) of the node is zero. This is represented graphically by the
intersection point of the inflow and outflow performance curves; this is the operating point. The Nodal
Analysis point must be connected between two objects.
Nodal Analysis is normally performed at the following locations:
Bottom hole
Place the Nodal Analysis point between the completion and the tubing.
Well head - upstream of any wellhead equipment
Place the Nodal Analysis point between the tubing and the equipment.
Well head - downstream of any wellhead equipment.
Place the Nodal Analysis point between the equipment and the following object (flowline, riser, and
so on).
Riser base
Place the Nodal Analysis point between the flowline and the riser.
See also: Connecting objects (p.13)
Modeling Wells
Besides standard production wells, you can model the following wells in PIPESIM:
Injection Well
To model an injection well, do the following:
1. Define the well (that is, its flowline, tubing, completion, fluid model, and so on), as for a production well.
2. Add a source (p.87) to the start of the system.
3. Set the well injectivity using the Well PI option in the Well completion dialog.
4. Define the operation. Remember that inlet conditions are now at the surface, and outlet conditions at
the completion or reservoir.
In the network module (p.18), injection wells are modeled explicitly using the Injection Well icon.

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Injection Performance
Perform the following basic steps to build an injection well model:
1. Select the units (p.117) set of your preference.
2. Add a source object at the inlet.
3. Add (p.13) the necessary components (p.22) to the model (tubing, choke, and so on) and defined the
necessary data.
4. Determine the completion of the well, one of the following:

Vertical (p.29)

Horizontal (p.23)

5. Define the fluid specification (black oil (p.360), compositional (p.101) or steam (p.115)). Water injection
systems can be modeled by black oil or compositional.
6. (Optional) Calibrate the fluid (p.360) .
7. Define the flow correlation to use.
8. Save the model (p.14).
Once the basic model has been developed, a number of operations can be performed, or the well model
can be utilized in additional PIPESIM modules.
Operations

Correlation matching (p.90)

Pressure/Temperature profile (p.138)

Physical property sensitivity - 1 parameter (p.58)

Physical property sensitivity - Multiple parameters (p.58)

Equipment/flowline sizing - 1 parameter (p.58)

Equipment/flowline sizing - Multiple parameters (p.58)

Nodal Analysis (p.140)

Multiple Completion Well

Model multiple completions by setting the following properties to different values for each layer:

Static pressure

Temperature

Depth

IPR specification

Fluid model

The IPR for each individual layer can be specified by using any of the standard completion (p.274) options.
Similarly the fluid description for each layer can be specified using the standard black oil (p.360) or
compositional (p.101) fluid description.
A multiple completion model is defined by adding the required number of completions to the model and
connecting with the tubing (p.48) object, (the length of each tubing string should be set to reflect the depth

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of the completions). If any completions are at the same depth then they can be connected using the
connector object rather than by the tubing object as the connector object has zero length.
When performing Nodal Analysis (p.140) on multiple completions the composite IPR curve will be created
(and shown) for the inflow performance. The individual layer IPR curves can however, be displayed using
the plot utility.
Note: Multilayer Injection wells cannot be modeled in this version of PIPESIM. If multi layer production
wells are used in a Network (p.14) model then the well should have the Block reverse flow option set.
Liquid Loading
Implementation
Turners Equation (Even More General) Equation is implemented in PIPESIM and you have the ability to
specify a correction factor (E). The default correction factor is 1.2, corresponding to Turners original model.
You can select E factors suggested by any of the authors listed in the table (p.273), or indeed their own E
factor between 0.1-10. This is done using the ELIQLOADING subcode of the OPTIONS (p.462) maincode.
You can control what velocity ratio

vt
vm

- or

vt
vg

- is reported using the LLVELOCITY subcode of the OPTIONS (p.462) maincode.

Inclination Angle
There is a critical pipe angle where the droplets fall back onto a liquid film on the lower section of the pipe
instead of falling back to the bottom of the well. Thus, the stable rate would depend on liquid film
characteristics rather than a force balance on a droplet. This my indicate that the liquid loading equations
are valid for vertical wells and should not be used beyond a certain angle. You can select a maximum pipe
angle to restrict vt calculation for vertical or near vertical section of well using the LLANGLE subcode of the
OPTIONS (p.462) maincode.

Pipeline tools
Pipeline and facilities specific operations
The operations specific to pipeline and facilities are the following:

Pressure Temperature Profile (p.138)

Flow correlation comparison (p.138)

Systems Analysis (p.137)

Once the basic model has been developed, the following operations can be performed, or the model can
be utilized in additional PIPESIM modules.

Correlation matching (p.90)

Pressure/Temperature profile (p.138)

Physical property sensitivity - 1 parameter (p.58)

Physical property sensitivity - Multiple parameters (p.58)

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Equipment/flowline sizing - 1 parameter (p.58)

Equipment/flowline sizing - Multiple parameters (p.58)

Multiphase booster design (p.72)

See also Hot Keys (p.3), Main toolbar (p.4), Well Performance (p.22), Network (p.14) components, case
studies (p.204) and How to add objects (p.13).
Pipeline and facilities model
Perform the following basic steps to build a pipeline and facilities model:
1. Select the units (p.117) set of your preference.
2. Add a source to the model.
3. Add (p.13) the necessary components to the model (flowline, equipment, and so on.) and defined the
necessary data.
4. Set heat transfer (p.70) options for each flowline.
5. Define the fluid specification (black oil (p.360) or compositional (p.101)).
6. (Optional) Calibrate the fluid (p.360).
7. Define suitable Horizontal correlations (p.117) and vertical correlations (p.117).
8. Save the model (p.14).
Compressor Details
Either centrifugal or reciprocating compressors can be modeled. The basic compressor model uses
centrifugal compressor equations to determine the relationship between inlet pressure and temperature,
outlet pressure and temperature, flowrate, shaft power, and efficiency. It is also possible to use built in, or
user developed compressor curves (p.133) to describe the relationship between differential pressure,
flowrate, and efficiency for a range of compressor speeds. Reciprocating compressors only work off user
entered performance curves (p.132). If compressor curves are used the compressor speed and number
of stages become additional factors.
Double-click the compressor to open its Properties tab. Enter at least one of the following parameters:
Discharge Pressure
Pressure at the compressor outlet (default 20,000 psia). This is not allowed in Network (p.14)
models.
Pressure Differential
Pressure increase (positive) or decrease (negative) across the compressor. The default is 10,000
psia.
Pressure Ratio
Discharge pressure / suction pressure ratio. (Pout/Pin) The default is 1,000.
Power (shaft power) (default unlimited).
Power of the compressor.
Route
Select one of the following options: (see also Reciprocating Compressor (p.63))

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Adiabatic compressor follows an adiabatic (no heat transfer) compression process (the
default). This is available for blackoil modeling and compositional modeling.

Polytropic compressor follows a polytropic compression process. This is available for black
oil modeling and compositional modeling. This is the default for the black oil model.

Mollier compressor follows an isoentropic (no change in entropy) compression process. This
is available for compositional models only, it is their default.

Efficiency (default 100%).

Efficiency of the compressor.
Honor Stonewall limit
If this is set, the compressor will honor the stonewall.
The remaining quantities are calculated using centrifugal compressor equations. If more than one value is
supplied, the parameter which leads to the smallest compressor differential pressure is used, and all other
supplied parameters are discarded.
See also: How to add objects (p.13)
User Curves
Select the User Curves check box to specify that a compressor curve is to be used. This displays the
parameters listed below:
Select
Select the compressor curve to use from the database (p.133).
Compressor type:
Specify Centrifugal or Reciprocating.
Speed
If a compressor curve is supplied, the speed can also be specified. This is used to adjust the
supplied curve against its specified speed. The adjustment is made using the so called affinity or
fan laws, which state that "capacity is directly proportional to speed, head is proportional to square
of speed, and power is proportional to cube of speed". See Data Entry (p.131) for entering curve
data. If a reciprocating compressor is selected, a variable speed device may be used and this
requires the minimum and maximum operating speed.
Reciprocating Compressor Details
Adding a new Reciprocating Compressor to the PIPESIM database
To add a new reciprocating compressor to the database:
1. Select Data New Reciprocating Compressor (only available in the single-branch menu).
2. Set the Abs. Min. Suction Pressure to zero and the Abs. Maximum Capacity to a value equal to or
less than the maximum flowrate on the suction pressure curves.

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3. Add at least two Suction Pressure versus FlowRate performance curves (p.132) for a range of discharge
pressures covering all likely eventualities. These two curves can be identical if required
Adding a Reciprocating Compressor to a PIPESIM-Net Model
The compressor must exist in its own PIPESIM-Net branch. That is, no other piping, equipment, and so on
can be present.
To add a compressor to a model, do the following:
1. Double-click on the compressor icon and select User Curves.
2. Choose the required reciprocating compressor from the PIPESIM database and enter the operating
speed.
3. Leave all other compressor parameters (Discharge Pressure, Pressure Differential, and so on) blank.
Note: If the model has two or more reciprocating compressors in series (for example, field compressors
followed by a plant compressor), any downstream compressor must have a greater capacity than the
upstream compressor. (Even if only fractionally greater, for example 10.00 mmscf/d followed by 10.01
mmscf/d.
Engine Keyword Tool
Placing an Engine Keyword Tool (EKT) in the model allows access to the PIPESIM Input Language
(p.450). This is a powerful input language that gives direct access to the calculation engine via the GUI,
reducing the need for you to embark on the more complex Expert mode, or Keyword mode. Expert mode
is where keywords are entered directly into a text file and the calculation engine processes the contents of
the file to produce results.
The EKT can be used in the following situations:

to access advanced features

to access new features that do not have an entry mechanism in the GUI yet.

See also adding keywords at the start of the model (p.450).

Expander Details
The basic expander model uses centrifugal expander equations to determine the relationship between inlet
pressure and temperature, outlet pressure and temperature, flowrate, shaft power, and efficiency. Built in,
or user-developed expander curves can be used to describe the relationship between differential pressure,

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flowrate, and efficiency for a range of expander speeds. If expander curves are used, therefore, the
expander speed and number of stages become additional factors.
Enter at least one of the following parameters:
Discharge Pressure
Pressure at the expander outlet (not allowed in Network (p.14) models). (The default is 20 psia.)
Pressure Differential
Pressure increase (positive) or decrease (negative) across the expander. (The default is 10,000
psia.)
Pressure Ratio
Inlet pressure / discharge pressure ratio.(Pin/Pout). (The default is 1,000.)
Power
Shaft power, the power of the expander. (The default is unlimited.)
Route
Adiabatic (p.330)
Polytropic (p.330)
default for black oil model
Mollier (p.330)
default for compositional models
Efficiency
Efficiency of the expander (default =100%).
The remaining quantities are calculated using centrifugal expander equations. If more than one value is
supplied, the parameter which leads to the smallest expander differential pressure is used, and all other
supplied parameters are discarded.
See also keywords (p.509)
User Curves
Select the User Curves check box to specify that an expander curve is to be used. This displays the
parameters listed below:
Select
Select the expander curve to use from the database (p.133).
% Speed
If an expander curve is supplied, the % speed may also be specified. This is used to adjust the
supplied curve against its specified speed. The adjustment is done using the so called affinity or
fan laws, which state that" capacity is directly proportional to speed, head is proportional to square
of speed, and power is proportional to cube of speed". See Data Entry (p.131) for entering curve
data.
Flowline Details
Placing a flowline in the model allows modeling of horizontal or near-horizontal flow (up or downhill). Heat
transfer (p.70) can be modeled by entering or computing an overall heat transfer coefficient (U value).
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Each flowline has fixed characteristics in terms of inner diameter, outer diameter, roughness, and so on. If
any of these dimensions changes along the pipeline length, add an additional flowline object to the model.
Double-click the flowline to view its Properties tab. The flowline's profile (distance elevation) can be defined
by either a simple (p.66) or detailed (p.67) model. Specify which to use, using the Preferred Pipe
Description list. The simple model is often used when an initial model is being developed and the exact
profile of the flowline is unknown. When additional data becomes available, you can switch to the detailed
model.
Simple model

For a simple model, provide the following information:

Rate of Undulations
An artificial factor that can be used to automatically introduce some undulations into the flowline,
this is often required for numerical stability. The value entered is the total change in elevation for
every 1,000 units (feet, m, and so on). Thus, a rate of undulations of 10 on a flowline 1,000 m long
would have a peak of 5 m at 500 m along the flowline. This is different to the manner in which this
was handled in the PIPESIM Suite. To model a totally flat flowline, set the rate to 0. Default = 10.
Horizontal Distance
the horizontal distance covered by the complete flowline, NOT the length of the pipeline!
Elevation Difference
the change in elevation between the start (source end for a single branch model) and the end of
the flowline object. Enter a negative value for a downhill flowline, a positive value for an uphill one.
Thus the elevation change is relative to the object, not from some datum.
Inner Diameter (ID)
the flowline inner diameter for the complete flowline. If this value changes significantly part way
along the flowline, add a second flowline object.
Wall Thickness
the wall thickness, excluding any coatings for the complete flowline. If this value changes
significantly part way along the flowline, add a second flowline object. Default = 0.5 inches, 12.7
mm.
Roughness
the absolute pipe roughness for the complete flowline. Typical values (p.428). If this value changes
significantly part way along the flowline, add a second flowline object. Default = 0.001 inches,
0.0254 mm

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Ambient Temperature
the surrounding ambient temperature for the complete flowline. If this value changes significantly
part way along the flowline, add a second flowline object..
Once the flowline details have been entered its profile can be plotted using the Schematic button.
Detailed model

For a detailed model, provide the following information:

Distance / Elevation
node points detailing the flowline profile. This can be cut and pasted from another spreadsheet
application. PIPESIM uses the difference in elevation between each point. Therefore the datum is
not important.
Ambient Temperature profile
this is optional except at the first and last nodes, which must have a temperature defined.
U Value
this is optional except at the first and last nodes, which must have a U value specified. If the option
to calculate the U value was selected, this column will show "calc".
Inner diameter (ID)
flowline inner diameter for the complete flowline. If this value changes significantly part way along
the flowline then a second flowline object should be added.
Wall Thickness
wall thickness, excluding any coatings for the complete flowline. If this value changes significantly
part way along the flowline then a second flowline object should be added. Default = 0.001 inches,
0.0254 mm
Roughness
absolute pipe roughness for the complete flowline. Typical values (p.428). If this value changes
significantly part way along the flowline then a second flowline object should be added. Default =
0.001 inches, 0.0254 mm.
Label
text field that can be used to identify key points in the flowline. These will then appear in the main
output file.
Once the flowline details have been entered its profile can be plotted using the Schematic button.

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Flowline Properties
Use Setup Flowline Properties.. to display, edit and sort flowline details in a model. The following
parameters can be edited using this view:
Distance
horizontal distance of the flowline. This cannot be changed if the detailed profile model has been
used to define the flowline.
Elevation Difference (+ve for uphill, -ve for down hill).
this cannot be changed if the detailed profile model has been used to define the flowline.
ID
Inside Diameter
Wall Thickness
pipe wall thickness
Roughness
pipe roughness
Ambient Temperature
surrounding ambient temperature. This cannot be changed if the detailed profile model has been
used to define the flowline
Use Detailed Profile
If this is set, the flowline has been defined in detail and the Distance, elevation difference and
ambient temp cannot be changed here.
Other data associated with a flowline can be edited by selecting the required flowline and using the
Edit... button. This displays the normal data entry screens for a flowline.
Heat Exchanger Details
Adding (p.13) a heat exchanger in the model allows a fluid temperature and/or pressure change to be
modeled. Double-click the Heat Exchanger to view the options.
Temperature Change
To model a temperature change, do the following:
1. Specify the temperature effects of the heat exchanger on the flowing fluid.
Note: The heating or cooling media itself is not modeled.
2. Select the parameter to use from the following and enter a value for it:
Discharge Temperature
a fixed flowing fluid outlet temperature
Temperature differential
temperature increase (positive) or decrease (negative) across the heat exchanger

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Duty
enthalpy change across the exchanger (positive values mean that heat is added to the fluid)
Pressure Change
To model a pressure change, do the following:
1. Specify the pressure effects of the heat exchanger on the flowing fluid.
2. Select the parameter to use from the following and enter a value for it:
Discharge Pressure
a fixed flowing fluid discharge (outlet pressure)
Pressure Drop
pressure decrease (negative) across the heat exchanger
See also: How to add objects (p.13)
Equipment
Adding an equipment item to the model allows simulation of a generic unit operation, in which the pressure
and/or temperature of the stream are modified.
To configure the equipment, double-click it to view its Properties tab.
Route
Specify the thermodynamic mode of operation of the equipment. This is used to calculate the fluid outlet
temperature. The options are:
Isenthalpic
Constant enthalpy (the default)
Isentropic
Constant entropy
Isothermal
Constant temperature
For instance, to simulate chokes and the Joule-Thomson cooling across pressure reduction valves, the
most appropriate choice is isenthalpic.
Temperature Change
Use this to specify the temperature effects of the equipment on the flowing fluid.
Note: The heating or cooling media itself is not modeled.
Select one of the following and enter a data value:
Discharge Temperature
a fixed flowing fluid outlet temperature
Temperature differential
temperature increase (positive) or decrease (negative) across the equipment

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Duty
enthalpy change across the equipment (positive values mean that heat is added to the fluid)
Pressure Change
Use this to specify the pressure effects of the equipment on the flowing fluid.
Select one of the following and enter a data value:
Discharge Pressure
a fixed flowing fluid discharge (outlet pressure)
Pressure Drop
pressure decrease (negative) across the equipment
See also: How to add objects (p.13)
Heat Transfer
Heat transfer between the fluid and surroundings occurs, depending upon the temperature gradient. To
configure this, right-click on a flowline and select Data, then select the Heat Transfer tab.
There are two options for modeling the heat transfer:

Input U value (p.70) you enter an overall heat transfer coefficient (U value) based upon the pipe
outside diameter.

Calculate U value (p.70) the heat transfer coefficient is calculated from entered pipe and conductivity
data.

Input U value
You can select the most appropriate U value, or use a default value for an insulated, coated or bare flowline.
Note: These values only apply when the simple view (p.66) is used. When the detailed view (p.67) is
selected, the U values are entered directly into the detailed view spreadsheet. The U value is based on the
pipe outside diameter and reported in the output file. To allow the value to be reported at a different reference
point, use the HEAT HTCRD (p.553) keyword through the EKT (p.64).
In addition the Inside Film Coefficient (IFC) can either be included in the overall U value, or calculated
separately and added to the U value.
Calculate U value
Detailed heat transfer input and output information can be obtained by selecting Setup Define Output
and then selecting the heat transfer options in the Define output (p.120) dialog.
Enter the following information to compute the overall Heat Transfer coefficient:
Pipe coatings
Up to 26 pipe coatings can be added in the table. For each pipe section, specify the following:

K (Thermal conductivity) of the material. Typical values (p.428)

Thickness of the pipe coating.

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Description - for reference purposes only.

Pipe overall outside Diameter

This is automatically computed from data supplied.
Pipe conductivity
The default is 35 Bth/hr/ft/F Typical values (p.428)
Ambient fluid
This only applies if the flowline is totally or partially exposed.
Ambient median
For a pipe that is exposed to different media along its length, use two (or more) pipe sections. Select
Air or Water.
Velocity
Average velocity of the surrounding median. (Default = 0.1 ft/s)
Pipe burial data
Burial
The burial depth of the flowline from the pipe's center line. Enter a positive value for buried pipe
and negative for a pipe elevated above the ground. Enter 0 for a half-buried pipe. More examples
(p.562)
Ground conductivity
This is for flowlines only.
Status
This changes, based on the entries above.
Injection Point
Placing an injection point in the model allows a side stream to be modeled.
Double-click the injection point and specify the following :
Fluid
fluid to be injected. Select the radio button for one of the following:

Black Oil (p.360)

Compositional (p.101)

PVT File (p.108)

MFL File (p.113)

Temperature
temperature of the incoming fluid at the injection point
Rate
incoming liquid/mass/gas rate (this can be entered at stock tank or flowing conditions using the "@"
button).

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In a network model a stream removed at the separator can be reinjected using the re-injection tool
(p.530).
Important Notes
Note the following:

The injected fluid type must be consistent with the main fluid type set in the model.

The injection fluid toolbox can be used anywhere within the model; at the surface, or in the tubing as a
downhole object.

Multiphase Boosters
Multiphase boosters can be used where the fluid contains both liquid and gas phases. A number of models
for booster performance are available, based on the different types of booster available on the market:

Generic Multiphase Booster (p.72)

Twin Screw Multiphase Booster

Nuovo Pignone (p.73)

User defined (p.74)

Generic (p.73)

Helico-Axial Multiphase Booster

Framo 2009 (p.75)

Framo 1999 (p.78)

Generic Multiphase Booster

The generic multiphase booster module is based on splitting the multiphase fluid in its constituent liquid
and gaseous phases at booster suction. Conventional pump theory is used to calculate the shaft power
required to raise the pressure of the liquid phase and conventional compressor theory is used to calculate
the shaft power required to raise the pressure of the gaseous phase. The total shaft power required by the
multiphase booster is the sum of the two computed shaft powers. The use of the generic multiphase booster
module is envisaged for preliminary checks only and can be used to benchmark the multiphase booster
power requirement.
As a rule, using the generic booster module with realistic values for pump efficiency and compressor
efficiency, a 'best case' estimate for multiphase boosting power is obtained. That is, using a specifically
designed multiphase booster, its power requirement will be higher than that calculated using the generic
booster module (up to 100% higher is possible). Realistic values for pump and compressor efficiency are
considered to be 75% for initial screening purposes.
Data Entry
Double-click the Multiphase booster to open its Properties tab. Enter one or more of the following
parameters:
Discharge Pressure
discharge pressure from multiphase pump (default 20,000 psia)
Pressure Differential
pressure differential across multiphase pump (default 10,000 psia)
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Pressure Ratio
the multiphase pump pressure ratio is the absolute discharge pressure divided by the absolute
suction pressure (pressure ratio is always greater than one) (default 1,000)
Power
power available for pump (default unlimited)
When differential pressure, pressure ratio, or discharge pressure is specified, the program calculates the
required power for multiphase boosting. Alternatively, when power is specified the program calculates the
differential pressure (or pressure ratio or discharge pressure) that can be developed by the booster. When
more than one variable is specified, the program determines the "most limiting specification" during the
course of the simulation, and recalculates the other parameters.
As the generic booster is modeled as a parallel pump/compressor, you can define both pump efficiency
and compressor efficiency as percentage values; the defaults are 100%. Typical efficiency values
(p.343)
The output provided using the generic multiphase booster option includes the calculated total power
requirement, as well as its constituent shares of compression power and pumping power. See also MPUMP
keyword (p.522).
Twin Screw Boosters
After adding a Multiphase booster, double-click it to open the Multiphase Booster dialog. In the
Properties tab, select a multiphase booster type from the list .
The following twin screw multiphase boosters are available:
Generic Twin Screw Multiphase Booster
In essence, this option provides the same functionality and input (p.72) as the generic type multiphase
booster, but rather than assuming a parallel pump/compressor process, actual twin screw multiphase
booster performance data is used to predict pump performance.
Based on actual pump operating conditions, the program selects a suitable pump from the generic database
available in PIPESIM and calculates performance accordingly. Note that, using the generic twin screw
multiphase booster option, you do NOT specify a pump model, but leave it to the program to select a
suitable pump for the operating conditions. If different operating conditions need to be investigated, the
program may select a different pump for each of these; if you want to investigate the performance of one
specific model under all these operating conditions, use one of the modeling options below.
Based on the calculations performed under this option, the main parameters characterizing the multiphase
booster operating point are provided in the output reports or plots. These include booster speed (as a % of
nominal speed), total volumetric flow rate at booster suction, gas volume fraction (GVF) at booster suction,
booster differential pressure, and booster power requirement. In addition, the program suggests which
pump to select from the generic pump database for a more detailed investigation.
Twin Screw Multiphase Booster
This option is based on nominal capacity data only, rather than offering a detailed model booster from vendor
catalogues or similar. This approach provides sufficient detail for you to make a first assessment, does not
require you to fully know all of the booster models available for use. It lets you progress your studies without
requiring detailed vendor information. If you wish to simulate a specific vendor model, use the user
defined curve.

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The generic database contains performance data for seven different twin screw multiphase booster models.
Rather than asking the program to select a suitable pump for investigated operating conditions, you can
preselect one of these seven boosters and assess its performance under different operating conditions.
This lets you, for example, study the effect of the same booster under different operating conditions (for
example, later in field life with lower reservoir pressure), or study the effect of changes to pump operations
(for example, the effect of changes in pump speed). Unlike the Generic Twin Screw Multiphase Booster
(p.73) option, this option therefore allows you to explore the operating envelope of a specific pump model.
The seven different twin screw multiphase boosters available from the generic database in PIPESIM are
characterized by their theoretical flow rate at 100% speed, typically referred to as 'booster capacity' or
'nominal capacity'. It is the flow rate of the selected booster when operated at 100% speed and zero
differential pressure (that is no internal leakage). The seven nominal capacities available are:

100 m3/h

250 m3/h

500 m3/h

700 m3/h

1000 m3/h

1400 m3/h

2000 m3/h

Select a booster from the Nominal Booster list.

In the % speed box, you can also specify booster speed as a percentage of nominal speed; the speed
range a specific booster model can operate at is typically from 50% to 110% of nominal booster speed.
Based on the calculations performed under this option, the main parameters characterizing the multiphase
booster operating point are provided in the output reports or plots. These include booster speed (in % of
nominal speed), total volumetric flow rate at booster suction, GVF at booster suction, booster differential
pressure and booster power requirement. PIPESIM also gives the option of downloading the simulation
output onto a multiphase pump process data sheet. This allows multiphase pump operating conditions to
be communicated and further information to be obtained directly from the vendors.
Note the following:

Performance curves in the PIPESIM generic database are provided for different values of booster speed,
suction pressure and GVF at suction. Where actual conditions do not exactly match the conditions for
which the performance curve is supplied, the program interpolates as appropriate.

Performance curves in the PIPESIM generic database are valid for a liquid viscosity of 6 cSt. For
viscosities different from this, the program incorporates a module to make the required corrections.

Vendor Twin Screw Multiphase Booster

Offering the same functionality and input (p.72) as the Twin Screw Multiphase Booster (p.73) option, you
can input this data as a user defined booster performance. Thus this entered data will allow you to model
a booster specifically of interest and determine the effects of changing operating parameters on system
and booster performance.
This option may be of specific interest when you need to assess the suitability of a multiphase pump of
which performance data is well known. This could be when you have received a technical proposal from a

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vendor, or when a booster has already entered field operation, but you want to explore the effects of
changing operating conditions or booster operations for that specific pump and system where the booster
is placed in.
Obtain the booster data file from the vendor. Enter the location of the file in the Full Path of Vendor File
box.
In the % speed box, you can also specify booster speed as a percentage of nominal speed; the speed
range a specific booster model can operate at is typically from 50% to 110% of nominal booster speed.
Note: Schlumberger does not supply any vendor data file, but please contact us for more details. See also
Vendor Performance Curve Format. (p.80)
Framo 2009 Helico-Axial Multiphase Booster
See also Multiphase Boosting Technology (p.332), FRAMO 2009 (Optional) (p.512).
The Framo 2009 pump model supersedes the earlier 1999 model (p.78). You can select the Framo 2009
Multiphase Booster from the list in the Multiphase Booster dialog box.
Pump performance is defined by pump data files provided by Framo (p.442). The pumps are classified
based on their nominal capacity and maximum pressure differential achievable. The nominal capacity refers
to the total volumetric flowrate (gas & liquid) at suction conditions and is thus dependent on suction pressure
and fluid properties. The quickest way to determine the pump requirements is to first model the system
using a generic multiphase pump (p.72) based on expected operating conditions and inspect the summary
or output file to determine the total volumetric flowrates at the suction.
The following pumps are available as part of the standard Framo catalog:
Pump

Impeller Diameter Nominal Capacity

Maximum DP

mm

in

m3 / h

m 3 / day

FRAMO Helico-Axial 310-250/180

310

12.2

250

6000

37739 180 2611

FRAMO Helico-Axial 310-400/180

310

12.2

400

9600

60382 180 2611

FRAMO Helico-Axial 310-500/45

310

12.2

500

12000

75478

FRAMO Helico-Axial 310-500/180

310

12.2

500

12000

75478 180 2611

FRAMO Helico-Axial 310-600/120

310

12.2

600

14400

90573 120 1740

FRAMO Helico-Axial 310-700/45

310

12.2

700

16800

105669 45

FRAMO Helico-Axial 310-800/120

310

12.2

800

19200

120764 120 1740

FRAMO Helico-Axial 310-900/45

310

12.2

900

21600

135860 45

653

FRAMO Helico-Axial 310-1100/45

310

12.2

1100

26400

166051 45

653

FRAMO Helico-Axial 310-1100/120

310

12.2

1100

26400

166051 120 1740

FRAMO Helico-Axial 360-1200/38

360

14.2

1200

28800

181146 38

551

FRAMO Helico-Axial 360-1500/38

360

14.2

1500

36000

226433 38

551

FRAMO Helico-Axial 360-1800/38

360

14.2

1800

43200

271719 38

551

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Note: The numbers in the pump name refer to impeller diameter (mm); nominal capacity (m3/hr); Max. dP
(bar).
New files can be added if they become available, as follows:
1. Add any new file to the Framo pump directory (for a default installation this is C:\Program Files
\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Data\framo09).
2. Update the index of pump files to reference the new file; see the file pipesim_framo.xml in the above
directory for more details.
Modeling the Pump
All types of multiphase boosters allow standard operating constraints to be defined. The user may enter
any combination of the following parameters or none at all. Note that the default values for all parameters
are unrealistically high; this ensures that each parameter will not be the limit on pump performance, unless
the user supplies a lower, more realistic value. If none of the parameters is specified, the limit of pump
performance will usually be the speed, and which will in this case be 100%; or otherwise the DP limit for
the specific pump model.

Discharge pressure: Pressure at the pump outlet. Not allowed in Network models and generally not
advisable to specify. The default is 20,000 psia.

Pressure differential: Pressure increase across the pump. The default is 10,000 psia.

Pressure ratio (Pout/Pin): Discharge pressure / suction pressure ratio. The default is 1,000.

Power (shaft power): Power available for the pump. The default is unlimited, though it may be constrained
by the selected pump model.

For example, when differential pressure is specified, the program will calculate the required power for
multiphase boosting, or alternatively when power is specified the program will calculate the differential
pressure that can be developed by the pump. When both values are specified, the program will determine
the "most limiting specification" during the course of the simulation, and recalculate the other parameter.
When none of the two operating parameters are specified, the program will calculate the differential pressure
that can be developed by the selected pump for the prevailing suction conditions.
There are several operating parameters specific to the Framo 2009 Multiphase booster which may be
optionally supplied. These include:

Tuning factor: This is a linear multiplier on calculated pump differential pressure used to match field
operating conditions. Allowable range is from 0.7 to 1.5.

Number of pumps in parallel: Used to simulate multiple identical pumps operating in parallel (equal flow
split between pumps). Allowable range is from 1 to 7.

Speed Limit: Allows the user to specify a maximum speed limit for the pump. Allowable range is from
20% to 100%.

Flow in recirculation: Allows the user to specify the quantity of flow in recirculation.

It should be noted that if the required flowrate through the pump is less than the minimum required the
amount of fluid recirculated through this pump to achieve the minimum rate is automatically added.
Output

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Based on the calculations performed, parameters characterizing the multiphase pump operating point are
provided in the summary and output reports and available as system plot variables. These include:

Pump speed

Total volumetric flow rate at pump suction

GVF at pump suction

Pump differential pressure

Power requirement

Fraction of the flow in recirculation (if applicable)

Minimum flowrate (with zero recirculation)

Additionally, the limiting constraint will be reported in the output report.

If Simulated Operating Conditions Performance Map is selected, a performance map file is created for
each case. These files can be viewed using PsPlot. The files are named "pump_n.pfm", where "pump" is
the pump model name, "n" is the case number, and ".pfm" is the file extension. The file created by the first
case can be plotted by right-clicking on the Multiphase Booster icon in the model view, and selecting the
option "Booster map". If you want to plot files from subsequent cases, you should select the desired file
from PsPlot's file > open menu.
Note: The pump name should be unique, otherwise plot files will over write each other. Alternatively the
user can rename the pump for each scenario to see the booster map for each case/scenario.
A performance map is valid for a given set of operating conditions, including:

Gas volume fraction

Suction pressure

Liquid density

Liquid viscosity

A typical performance map is shown below.

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The operating point is displayed on the map. Several scenarios are illustrated.

A. Pump is operating unconstrained. Pump speed is 100%.

B. Pump is limited by a speed constraint. Since the operating point falls to the left of the minimum flowrate
line, some fluid is being recirculated.

C. Pump is limited by a constraint on pressure differential. Pump speed is reduced.

D. Pump is limited by power available. Pump speed is reduced.

Framo 1999 Helico-Axial Multiphase Booster

The Framo 1999 model has now been superseded by the 2009 model (p.75).
You can select the Framo 1999 Multiphase Booster from the list in the Multiphase Booster dialog box.
When choosing the helico axial multiphase booster, you can enter the pump driver type, pump parameters
and pump operating conditions, as detailed below.
You can select one of three drive types from the dropdown-menu in the dialog box
Hydraulic Drive
characterizes Framo hydraulically driven multiphase pump, usable subsea and topsides/onshore
Electrical Air cooled drive
characterizes Framo E-motor driven multiphase pump, usable topsides/onshore only
Electrical Oil cooled drive
characterizes Framo E-motor driven multiphase pump, usable subsea and topsides/onshore
To define the size of the pump and number of stages, enter the following pump parameters:
Flowrate Parameter (FQ)
The pump flow parameter determines the size of the multiphase pump relative to a reference pump;
FQ=1 denotes a pump equal in size to the reference pump. The range of values for FQ is 0.1 to

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infinity, values FQ>1 typically indicate that more than one pump is in parallel operation. The default
value for FQ is 1.0.
Head Parameter (FZ)
The pump head parameter determines the number of stages inside the multiphase pump relative
to a reference pump; FZ=1 denotes a pump with a number of stages equal to the maximum number
of stages in the reference pump. The range of values for FZ is 0 to 1.0. The default value for FZ is
1.0.
Based on the values for FQ and FZ, the program will calculate the required booster speed for the prevailing
operating conditions. Booster speed is shown as pump speed parameter FN, being the speed expressed
as a fraction of the pump maximum continuous speed. FN is recommended to have values within the range
of 0.50 - 0.85.
A value for FN significantly larger than 0.85 means that the pump is running at an unnecessary high speed
because the actual multiphase flow rate is higher than the flow rate recommended for the selected pump.
It will not be harmful to run with FN>0.85, but there will be no extra margin to further increase speed should
operating conditions require it. Therefore, for initial screening purposes, a maximum value of FN = 0.85 is
rather prudent.
A value for FN smaller than 0.50 means that the pump is running at an unnecessary low speed because
the actual multiphase flow rate is lower than the flow rate recommended for the selected pump.
The differential pressure developed by the booster is proportional to pump head, which is dependent on
the number of stages and pump speed. With pump speed targeted to be between 50 and 85% of the booster
maximum continuous speed, changes to pump head are mainly implemented by changing the number of
stages within a pump. The number of stages is reflected in pump head parameter FZ; the larger the value
of FZ, the higher the number of stages.
The differential pressure developed by a single multiphase pump is set to be no greater than 70 bar, the
maximum available differential pressure for the multiphase booster.
Whereas the selection of pump driver type is straightforward, the selection of a suitable pump flow rate
parameter FQ and pump head parameter FZ is somewhat more complicated. For this reason, you have the
option to omit suggested values for FQ and FZ in the first instance, upon which the program (once a
simulation has been run) will recommend values for FQ and FZ. If FQ and FZ are entered by the user, the
program will perform the simulation on the basis of the pump model as defined by those parameters.
For pump operating conditions, you can enter any of the following values, or a combination of these:
Pressure Differential
pressure differential across multiphase pump
Power
power available for pump
When differential pressure is specified, the program will calculate the required power for multiphase
boosting, or alternatively when power is specified the program will calculate the differential pressure that
can be developed by the booster. When both values are specified, the program will determine the "most
limiting specification" during the course of the simulation, and recalculate the other parameter. When none
of the two operating parameters are specified, the program will calculate the differential pressure that can
be developed by the selected booster for the prevailing suction conditions and associated shaft power
requirement; the thus calculated operating point will be on the 'best efficiency line' as shown in the user
guide.

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Based on the calculations performed under the option 'helico-axial multiphase booster', main parameters
characterizing the multiphase booster operating point are provided to the output reports or plots, and include
booster speed parameter, total volumetric flow rate at booster suction, GVF at booster suction, booster
differential pressure and booster power requirement. In addition, PIPESIM has the option to download the
simulation output onto a multiphase pump process data sheet. This will therefore allow multiphase pump
operating conditions to be communicated and further information to be obtained by the user directly from
the vendors. See also FMPUMP (p.512) keyword.
Vendor Performance Curve Format for Twin Screw Multiphase Pumps
PIPESIM allows you to model the behavior of twin screw multiphase pumps by defining a set of performance
curves. These curves specify volumetric rate/dP performance and associated power requirement to account
for variations in pump speed, suction pressure and GVF at suction conditions. The following sensitivities
are suggested:
Gas Volume Fraction
0%, 20%, 50%, 70%, 85%, 95%
Speed
50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
Suction pressure
1 bara, 10 bara, 50 bara
The first line of the file must be:
Booster Performance Data

The second line of the file should be the vendor name.

The file then contains sets of curve data. The first line of the curve data should contain the pump model,
nominal flow rate in m3/h, the GVF, the speed in % and the suction pressure all in the correct order. This
is followed by data lines giving the points on the curves and should contain the pump differential pressure
(bar), volumetric flowrate (m3/h), and the power (kW).
Model
dP(bar)
"
"

NomQv(m3/hr) GVF Speed(%max) Psuction(bar)

Qvol(m3/hr) Power
"
"
"
"

At the end of the file a capital END must be present.

Typical Booster Performance Data File
Booster Performance Data
NUOVO_PIGONE
PSP250 2000 0 100 1
0 2001 150
10 1907 706
20 1842 1262
30 1787 1817
40 1735 2373
50 1684 2929
60 1633 3485

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70 1582 4041
PSP250 2000 20 100 1
0 2001 134
10 1997 702
20 1991 1259
30 1979 1815
40 1960 2371
50 1930 2927
60 1911 3483
70 1892 4039
...
END

Notes:
1. The data should always be separated by at least once character space.
2. Comment lines (beginning with a "!") and blank lines can be used to make the table easier to read. They
will be ignored by the program.
3. The Model name should contain at least one non numeric character to allow the program to determine
where each set of curve data begins and ends.
4. The maximum number of different nominal flow rates (NomQv) is 10.
5. The maximum number of different GVF values is 10.
6. The maximum number of different speed values is 10.
7. The maximum number of different suction pressure values is 10.
8. There must be one curve for each combination of nominal flow rate, GVF, speed and suction pressure.
9. There must be at least two points on each curve.
10.The total number of curve points must not exceed 10000.
11.There should be no stationary points on the curves, that is, for each curve the dP values should increase,
the Qvol values should decrease and the Power values should increase.
Multiplier/Adder Details
Only use a Multiplier/Adder in a single branch model, not in the network module.
A Multiplier/Adder is a rate change device that can increase or decrease the fluid flowrate at that point in
the system. All fluid properties remain the same as those upstream of the object. The flowrate units (for the
adder) are the same as those specified for the source flowrate (that is liquid or gas), as set by an operation.
For example, if the operation sets the flowrate as 1,000 STB/d then the adder will add x STB/d.
Double-click the Multiplier/Adder to set the following properties:
Adder
values > 0 apply a rate increase, < 0 apply a rate decrease
Multiplier
values > 1 apply a rate increase, < 1 apply a rate decrease.

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Note: This feature cannot be used when the feed flowrate is computed.
Riser Details
Placing a riser in the model allows the modelling of vertically or near-vertical flow (up, down or inclined).
Heat transfer (p.70) is modeled by either entering or computing an overall heat transfer coefficient (U value).
Note: The direction of the riser on the screen has no effect on the flow direction. If the riser is defined as
going downhill, the elevation difference MUST be set to a negative (-ve) value. To model a riser going uphill,
the elevation difference must be set to a positive (+ve) value. Take care to ensure that the correct sign is
used, as the definition of up or downhill depends on your starting point!

A riser can be defined by either a simple (p.82) or detailed (p.83) profile.

Simple profile
Provide the following information:
Horizontal distance
the horizontal distance covered by the complete riser, NOT the length of the riser!

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Elevation difference
the change in elevation between the start (source end for a single branch model) and the end of
the riser. Enter a negative value for a downhill riser and positive for an uphill one.
Inner diameter (ID)
the riser inner diameter for the complete riser. If this value changes significantly part way along the
riser then a second riser object should be added.
Wall Thickness
the wall thickness, excluding any coatings for the complete riser. If this value changes significantly
part way along the riser then a second riser object should be added.
Roughness
the absolute pipe roughness for the complete riser. Typical values (p.428). If this value changes
significantly part way along the riser then a second riser object should be added.
Ambient temperature
the surrounding ambient temperature for the complete riser. If this value changes significantly part
way along the riser then a second riser object should be added.
Once the riser details have been entered, its profile can be plotted using the Schematic button.
Detailed profile
Provide the following information:
Distance / Elevation
Node points detailing the riser profile. This can be cut and pasted from another spreadsheet
application.
Ambient temperature profile (optional), at the point specified.
First and last nodes MUST have a temperature defined.
Heat transfer profile (optional).
First and last nodes MUST have a U value specified defined. If the option to calculate the U value
has been invoked then this column will show "calc".
Inner diameter (ID)
the riser inner diameter for the complete riser. If this value changes significantly part way along the
riser then a second riser object should be added.
Wall Thickness
the wall thickness, excluding any coatings for the complete riser. If this value changes significantly
part way along the riser then a second riser object should be added.
Roughness
the absolute pipe roughness for the complete riser. Typical values (p.428). If this value changes
significantly part way along the riser then a second riser object should be added.
Label
A text field that can be used to identify key points in the riser. These will then appear in the main
output file.

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Once the riser details have been entered, its profile can be plotted using the Schematic button.
Gas lift in the riser
PIPESIM can be used to model the common situation of gas lifting at the riser base.This is becoming a
common technique in the industry.
As the riser object does not have a location to enter the gas lift location or the gas lift quantity, you may
insert a tubing to "represent" the riser. By doing this the gas injection location and quantity can be specified.
In the tubing dialog, set the parameters as follows:
1. wellhead TVD to 0 - represents the top of the riser
2. riser height in the (TVD) perforations field
3. Artificial lift to single injection point
4. gas lift injection point
5. gas injection quantity (under the single G'L valve button) or a sensitivity variable in one of the operations
6. Riser diameter (using tubing configuration)
7. Ambient temperature at the top and base of the riser (using the Ambient Temperature field on the
Tubing dialog, Properties tab).
8. For clarity the objects identified can be changed to, say, "Riser 1" from "Tubing 1".
Note: If the artificial lift operation is to be used then in addition to the above the "normal" tubing, must be
replaced with a riser object (this is due to the artificial lift dialog assuming that gas lift will be allocated to
the first tubing after the completion ) . Other operations allow the required tubing object to be set and do
not need this change.
Report Tool Details
Placing a report tool in a single branch model gives additional reporting of the conditions at that point in the
model. To do this, click the Report Tool icon on the main toolbar, then click on the model. Double-click the
Report Tool object to open its Properties tab. There is a check box for each report item available, as listed
below. Select the box for each item you want to report on.
Flow Map
This applies to multiphase flow regions only. If this box is ticked, a high resolution map is produced,
showing the multiphase flow regimes plotted against superficial liquid and gas velocities. Note that
the map is scaled so that the operating point is always inside it. To display a map, select
Reports Flow Regime Map and select it in the list of available maps. The list shows all available
maps for the case that has been run.
Phase Split
This applies to compositional cases only. If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file,
showing the constituents of each phase.
Stock Tank Fluid Properties
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing various fluid properties such as gas
and liquid volumetric flowrate at stock tank conditions.

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Flowing Fluid Properties

If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing various fluid properties such as gas
and liquid volumetric flowrate at flowing conditions.
Cumulative Values
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing properties, such as liquid holdup,
where the cumulative value may be of interest
Multiphase Flow Values
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing various multiphase fluid flow values
such as superficial gas and liquid velocities.
Slugging Values
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing various slug values such as slug
lengths and frequencies.
Sphere Generated Liquid Volume
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing various sphere generated liquid
values.
Heat Transfer Input Values
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing heat transfer input data. Typically,
the following are printed: Pipe and Coating Thicknesses and Thermal Conductivities, Soil Thermal
Conductivity, Burial Depth, Ambient Fluid Velocity, and Ambient Temperature.
Heat Transfer Output Values
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file showing heat transfer output data. Typically,
the following information is printed: Distance, Fluid Temperature, Fluid Enthalpy, and Heat Transfer
Coefficients.
Composition Details
This applies to compositional cases only. If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file
showing some compositional data such as water specific gravity.
Phase Envelope
This applies to compositional cases only. If this box is ticked, the fluid's phase envelope is
automatically computed and stored in the branch's plot file. In network cases, the file that contains
the phase envelope will be noted in the output file.
Separator Details
Placing a separator in the model removes up to 100% of the gas, water or liquid (oil plus water) phase. A
flash is performed to determine the quantity of each phase at the separator inlet. Double-click the separator
and set the following properties:
Type
Liquid, Gas or Water separator.
Efficiency
The efficiency or efficiency fraction refers to the amount of that material removed.
For example, a 90% efficient water separator removes 90% of the water. From that point onward only flow
of the remaining fluids will be modeled.
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Note: To remove both gas and water place two separators in the model.
See also: How to add objects (p.13)
Track all streams from separator
A stream can only be removed from the system by the separator. The removed fluid is normally lost to the
model, but it can be reinjected into the network by using the reinjection tool (p.530). All the fluid removed
at the separator is reinjected. (To only reinject a percentage of the removed fluid then the multiplier/added
(p.81) object should be used in the separated branch.
The following are required;

The branch that contains the separator of the fluid stream to reinject

The reinjection temperature. If this is omitted then the separator temperature is used

An estimate of the fluids flowrate (required)

Pump Details
The basic pump model uses centrifugal pump equations to determine the relationship between inlet
pressure and temperature, outlet pressure and temperature, flowrate, shaft power, hydraulic power and
efficiency. Built in or user-developed pump curves can be used to describe the relationship between
differential pressure, flowrate, and efficiency for a range of pump speeds. If pump curves are used, therefore,
the pump speed and number of stages become additional factors.
Enter at least one of the following parameters:
Discharge pressure
Pressure at the pump outlet. Not allowed in Network (p.14) models. The default is 20,000 psia.
Pressure differential
Pressure increase (positive) or decrease (negative) across the pump. The default is 10,000 psi.
Pressure ratio (Pout/Pin)
Discharge pressure / suction pressure ratio. The default is 1,000.
Power (shaft power)
Power of the pump. The default is unlimited.
Efficiency
Efficiency of the pump. The default is 100%.
User Curves
Select User Curves to use a performance curve for the pump. See data entry (p.131) for details of how to
enter pump curve data.
Speed
If a pump curve is supplied, the speed can also be specified. This is used to adjust the supplied
curve against its specified speed. The adjustment is made using the so called affinity or fan laws,
which state that "capacity is directly proportional to speed, head is proportional to square of speed,
and power is proportional to cube of speed".

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Stages
Number of stages of the pump.
The remaining quantities will then be calculated using centrifugal pump equations. If more than one value
is supplied, then the parameter which leads to the smallest pump differential pressure will be used, and all
other supplied parameters will be discarded.
The main pump equations used are as follows: Hydraulic Power
Flowrate x Differential Pressure Hydraulic
Power = Shaft Power x Efficiency
See also keywords (p.527).
Source
The generic source object is a means by which you can specify explicit upstream boundary conditions of
pressure and temperature in a given model. By its nature, the source component is generic and must be
placed upstream of the first component in any model. Examples of where a source component can be used
to emulate input boundary flow conditions include:

Wellhead conditions in a subsea production flowline system.

Export flow conditions from an offshore platform.

Production well test conditions at a down hole gauge.

Note: The generic source object can be used in place of a well performance model or horizontal well
performance model in cases where reservoir inflow is a fixed value relationship. More details (p.87).

Source, Sink and Boundary Conditions

In order to solve the system, boundary conditions must be provided at the source or sink. This means setting
values for the following:

Pressure

Flowrate

Temperature - always required at a source and always computed at the sink.

In a single branch model, the boundary conditions are: Inlet pressure, Outlet pressure, Flowrate and Inlet
temperature. Of these the inlet temperature and two of the others must be set. Set these either by using
the source dialog or from the operation that is being performed.
The Source dialog requires the following:
Properties
Pressure
Required, but can be overwritten by the operation (p.136).
Temperature
Required, but can be overwritten by the operation.
Fluid model
This is used to set local fluid data that overrides the global setting, that is:

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Water cut

GOR

Example
In the single branch mode there is no sink object. The outlet of the last object (furthest from a source object)
is defined as the sink point. For example, a model with a vertical completion tubing, choke and flowline, will
have the following;
Inlet pressure
Static reservoir pressure
Outlet pressure
Pressure at the end of the flowline
Flowrate
Flowrate (liquid, gas or mass) at the model's source.
Note: The flowrate may be different at the model's sink due to a rate change device added to the
model (for example, an adder (p.81), multiplier (p.81), side stream injection (p.71), and so on).
Any of the above values can be computed. For example:

Set: static reservoir pressure and outlet pressure. PIPESIM computes the maximum flowrate that can
be obtained.

Set: static reservoir pressure and flowrate. PIPESIM computes the outlet pressure. (This is the fastest
option)

Set: static flowrate and outlet pressure. PIPESIM computes the static reservoir pressure by using the
IPR after the bottom hole flowing pressure has been determined.

Inlet Pressure
This is the pressure that exists at the inlet to the first object in the model. This table shows examples:
In a model with:

The inlet pressure is:

Vertical Completion - Tubing - Choke the static reservoir pressure

Source - Flowline

the pressure inlet to the flowline

Source - Tubing - Vertical completion the well head pressure (this is an injection well)
Horizontal Completion - Tubing

the "toe" pressure

Outlet Pressure
This is the pressure that exists at the end of the last object in the model. This table shows examples:
In a model with:

The outlet pressure is:

Vertical Completion - Tubing - Choke - Flowline Riser

at the top of the riser

Vertical Completion - Tubing - Choke

downstream of the choke

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In a model with:

The outlet pressure is:

Source - Flowline

at the end of the flowline

Source - Tubing - Vertical Completion

the static reservoir pressure (this is an injection well)

Flowrate
This is the flowrate at the inlet to the first object in the model. The inlet conditions (pressure and temperature)
that the flowrate pertains to can be entered. The flowrate at the model outlet can differ from that at the inlet
if any of the following are used in the model:

Separator

Multiplier/Adder

Injection point

Flow Correlations
Select flow correlations using Setup Flow Correlations... Make the following selections for vertical and
horizontal correlation from either those supplied as standard or from a User Defined Correlations (p.495);

Selecting a flow correlation

Source
This defines the source of the correlation for either the vertical or horizontal correlation. Options are;
bja
The code for the correlation has been developed by Schlumberger and has been extensively tested.
(default)
tulsa
The code for the correlation was developed by the University of Tulsa, USA. The code is usually
of academic quality and may give errors.
OLGA-S 2000 2-phase
The OLGAS-2000 steady-state model. Only available if the OLGAS option has been purchased.
OLGA-S 2000 3-phase
The OLGAS-2000 steady-state model. Only available if the OLGAS option has been purchased.
An additional license needs to be obtained from Scandpower for this option.
Segregated Flow GRE
A model from BP. Available for general use.
See also User Defined Correlations (p.495)

Correlation
The available correlations depend on the "source" selected.

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The operation Flow Correlation Comparison (p.138) has been specifically developed to assist with this task
of determining the most suitable flow correlation from well test data.

Defining Flow Correlations

PIPESIM lets you define your own multiphase flow correlations and implement them directly. See User
Defined correlations (p.495) for further details on how to create your own flow correlation DLL.

Tuning flow correlations

Flow correlations can be adjusted (tuned) by using friction and hold up factors.

Data matching
If measured pressure data is available, the Data matching (p.139) operation can be used to calculate friction
and holdup factors automatically.

Flow Correlation comparison

The Flow correlation comparison (p.138) operation can be used to compare different flow correlations with
measured data. Unlike the Data matching (p.139) operation it does not try to tune any parameters, so will
be quicker to run.

Suggested correlations
If no production data are available, Schlumberger have found the following to give satisfactory results in
the past:
Single phase system
Moody (p.266)
Vertical oil well
Hagedorn and Brown (p.263)
Highly deviated oil well
Hagedorn and Brown (p.263) or Duns and Ros (p.262) or OLGA-S (p.264)
Gas/condensate well
Hagedorn and Brown (p.263)
Oil pipelines
Oliemans (p.261)
Gas/condensate pipelines
BJA Correlation (p.259)
Correlation

Vertical and
Predominantly
Vertical Oil Wells
(p.261)

Highly
Deviated
Oil Wells
(p.261)

Vertical Gas/
Condensate
Wells (p.261)

Oil
Pipelines
(p.258)

Gas/
CondensatePipelines
(p.258)

Duns and Ros

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

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Orkiszewski

yes

no

yes

no

no

Hagedorn and
Brown

yes

no

yes

no

no

Beggs and Brill

Revised

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Beggs and Brill

Original

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Mukherjee and
Brill

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Govier, Aziz and yes

Forgasi

yes

yes

yes

yes

NoSlip

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

OLGAS

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Ansari

yes

no

yes

no

no

BJA for
Condensates

no

no

yes

no

yes

AGA and
Flanigan

no

no

no

no

yes

Oliemans

no

no

no

yes

yes

Gray

no

no

yes

no

no

Gray Modified

no

no

yes

no

no

Xiao

no

no

no

yes

yes

Configuration File for user specified flow correlations

The userdll.dat is a text file containing PIPESIM installation configuration information. For a standard
installation of PIPESIM it can be found under C:\ Program Files\schlumberger\pipesim\data\. You may wish
to edit it after defining flow correlation(s) in a dll for use in PIPESIM. Editing of this file allows you to select
under Setup Flow Correlations, one or more of their defined flow correlations. Each dll requires a section
starting with:
[UserDLL_32_X]

where 'X' can be 1, 2, 3, ... 20 ; must be unique within this userdll.dat file. Each section contains lines that
start with the strings 'Filename=', 'Ident=', ; 'Title=', 'Copyright=', and 'ep1=', 'ep2=', and so on.
filename =
Specifies the filename: if no path provided, assumed to exist in same directory as PIPESIM
executables. Currently filenames must conform to ms-dos 8.3 name limits, so no long names,
special characters or; embedded spaces. In the near future 'long' names will be allowed.

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Title=
The title text describing the DLL, to be selectable from the Source field of the Flow Correlations
dialog.
Ident =
The SLB internal identifier string for this DLL. Must be unique within this userdll.dat file.
Copyright=
Specifies banner information to be displayed when one of these correlations is selected. First
character of banner is a line delimiter, repeat this as unnecessary to specify line breaks. Max length
254 characters.
epx =
Specifies an entry point selection in the DLL. The 'x' must be substituted for 1, 2, and so on, up to
20. This line contains 6 positional parameters separated by commas. Format is:
epx = ep_ident, ep_name, ep_link, ep_type, ep_desc, ep_opts

ep_ident : The SLB internal identifier for this selection. This string is stored in the .psm file, and
is also passed to the engine as the value of the PSNAME= keyword,. Thus it must be unique
within the userdll.dat file.

ep_name : The actual name of the subroutine or entry point as exported from the DLL: Casesensitive. N.B. The same ep_name may appear many times in different epx= lines with various
options and titles. This name is passed to the engine as the value of the EPNAME= keyword.

ep_link : 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, or 11, (LINKINFO as defined in demo32.for, in demo32.dsp, as shipped

with every PIPESIM export under C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Developer Tools
\User Flow Correlations\Fortran_code). This value is passed as-is to the engine with the LINK=
keyword.

ep_type := 3, horiz flow; = 2 , vert flow; = 1 , horiz + vert flow. This value is used to decide where
to display this correlation in the correlations dialog.

ep_desc : Text to appear in the PIPESIM GUI dialog to allow the user to select the correlation.
May include spaces and other punctuation, except commas. This text is also passed to the
engine, enclosed in quotes, as the value of the TITLE= keyword.

ep_opts : Keyword(s) for the PIPESIM engine and/or the particular correlation. This text must
be passed to the engine as-is, enclosed in quotes, as the value of the OPTIONS= keyword. The
engine recognizes the following:

+G : Correlation will handle single-phase gas

+L : Correlation will handle single-phase liquid

+OW : Correlation will handle oil & water with no gas

+WO : same as +OW

As an example:
[UserDll_32_3]
title = Olga-S 2000 Version 5.3 flow correlations, February 2008
filename = libolgas2000-5.3.dll

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ident = OLGA5.3
Copyright = $Olga-S 2000 Steady State Flow Correlations ver
$Copyright SPT Group AS $PO BOX 3 N-2007 Kjeller Norway $Tel
ep1 = olga3pb ,OLGAS2000_3P,7,1,OLGA-S 2000 V5.3 3-Phase,+G
ep2 = olga2pb ,OLGAS2000_2P,8,1,OLGA-S 2000 V5.3 2-Phase,+G

5.3, February 2008

+47 64 84 45 50
+L olga_key
+L olga_key

Fluid modelling
Fluids can be described using one of three different fluid models:

Black oil

Compositional

Steam

In a network model different fluid descriptions cannot be used. That is, the model must be either black oil,
compositional or steam. However, each source can have its own fluid properties or use shared (common)
data. Changes to the common (shared) data will results in all sources using that data being changed.

Modeling systems
You can model the following systems in PIPESIM:

Water Systems
Water systems can be modeled by specifying the fluid model as either:
Black Oil (p.96)
Set the water cut to 100% and specify the water S.G. All other properties will be ignored
Compositional (p.102)
Select the water component to water and set its molar rate to 1.

Gas Condensate Systems

Gas Condensate systems can be modeled by specifying the fluid model as either:
Black Oil (p.96)
Set the (oil/gas ration) OGR or (liquid/gas ratio) LGR, Gas S.G, watercut, water S.G. and API
Compositional (p.102)
Select the required components and set their molar rates.
See also: Gas Condensate IPR (p.274)

Dry Gas Systems

Dry Gas systems can be modeled by specifying the fluid model as either:
Black Oil (p.96)
Set the (liquid/gas ratio) LGR = 0, Gas S.G, watercut (to model a 2phase system) , water S.G.
Compositional (p.102)
Select the required components and set their molar rates.

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See also: Gas IPR (p.274).

Default fluid Data

Fluid properties (p.359) can be determined using one of the following types of fluid model:

Black oil fluids

Compositional fluids

Table fluids

There are four ways of defining a fluid, as follows:

Black oil data for black oil fluids

Compositional data for compositional fluids

PVT file this can contain table information, for table fluids, or compositional information, for
compositional fluids, or both

MFL file this is a Multiflash file for Multiflash compositional fluids

Black Oil data

Compositional data

Menu

Setup Black Setup Compositional

Oil...
Template... Setup
Compositional... (the
network default)

Black Oil Fluid

Yes

Compositional Fluid

Yes

Table Fluid

PVT file

MFL file

Setup PVT File...

Setup MFL
File...

Yes if the file

contains
compositional data

Yes

Yes if the file

contains property
tables

Table fluids are not suitable for mixing.

PVT files that contain compositional information can also be imported into PIPESIM and used as
Compositional data.

Local Fluid Data

Fluid data must be defined for each well, source or injection point in a simulation model. The fluid type (black
oil, compositional, or table fluid) must be the same as the default fluid (p.94) type for the simulation model.
A local fluid can be set to be the same as the default fluid, or can be locally defined.
To edit the local fluid:
1. Right-click on the source/completion icon.
2. In the menu displayed, select the Fluid Model option.
3. Set Use locally defined fluid model and click Edit to set the fluid properties.

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Alternatively, in a network model, select Setup Fluid Models.... To edit a fluid, double-click its row.
Local overrides
For black oil or compositional fluids, once a local fluid has been defined, the surface phase ratios can be
changed without editing the fluid properties
To set the phase ratios:
1. Right-click on the source / completion icon.
2. In the menu displayed, select the Fluid Model option and select Override fluid model parameters .
3. Enter the data.
Alternatively, in network models, select Setup Fluid Models....
This allows access to the watercut and GOR/GLR/OGR/LGR entry fields. Data entered here overrides the
local or default fluid data. This is especially useful for multi-zone wells or networked wells that have the
same [default] fluid properties but different watercut, and so on. For compositional fluids, the composition
will be modified to give the correct phase ratios, in a similar manner to GLR matching.

Black Oil Fluid Modeling

Introduction
Fluid properties can be predicted by blackoil correlations, which have been developed by correlating gas/
oil ratios for live crudes with various properties, such as oil and gas gravities. The selected correlation is
used to predict the quantity of gas dissolved in the oil at a particular pressure and temperature.
The black oil correlations have been developed specifically for crude oil/gas/water systems and are
therefore most useful in predicting the phase behavior of crude oil well streams. When used in conjunction
with the calibration options, the black oil correlations can produce accurate phase behavior data from a
minimum of input data. They are particularly convenient in gas lift studies where the effects of varying GLR
and water cut are under investigation. However, if the accurate phase behavior prediction of light
hydrocarbon systems is important, it is recommended that the more rigorous compositional model is
employed.
The Black Oil fluid description can be used for the following fluid types:

Water

Dry Gas

Condensate

Volatile Oil

Black Oil Data Sets

A name and optional description/comment must be entered for each black oil data set. A data set consists
on all the black oil properties including viscosity, coning data, calibration data, and so on.
PIPESIM also allows black oil data sets to be stored externally (p.118) [to the model in a database], if
required, so that it can be shared between sources in a single model, different models and different users
or groups, etc.

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Note: The external database base is used only as a data storage system to allow data to be transferred.
It should be regarded as allows the black oil data set to be imported and exported. The actual (black oil)
data for a source is stored locally with the source. For example the database could be located on a LAN
and the model on a PC. When the PC is disconnected from the LAN the model will still run as the black oil
data for the sources is stored within the model. Thus, if the database set is changed the local source data
is not affected.
Exporting a data set
To export a data set to the database:
1. Select Setup Black Oil.
2. In the Black Oil properties dialog, set the required data, include and viscosity or calibration data.
3. Provide the data set with a name and description.
4. Click the Export button. A confirmation dialog appears.
The data set can now be shared.
Importing a data set
To import a data set, for a source, from the database for a Network model:
1. Select the source (or sources). To make multiple selections, hold down the Shift key while selecting the
objects.
2. Right-click and select the Fluid Model option from the menu displayed.
3. Deselect the Use Default Black Oil set option.
4. Click Import.
5. Select the name of the fluid to import, take a copy of, the data from the database to the local source. It
does not point to the data set in the database. That is, if the data in the database is changed, the black
oil data for the selected source is not changed.

Black Oil Options

To access these options, select Setup Black Oil.
Track contaminants
Contaminants can only be tracked through a system if the black oil fluid model is used. On the
Contaminants tab, set the mole fraction for CO2, H2S and N2. The contaminants will be tracked and
reported in the output file. More details. (p.101)
Keyword Reference. (p.574)
Stock Tank Properties
On the Black Oil Properties tab, enter the data at stock tank conditions (p.116) for the following
parameters:
Watercut
The % of the liquid phase that is water (default 0%)
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GOR/GLR
Gas oil/liquid ratio for oil systems (default not set).
OGR/LGR
Oil/liquid ratio for gas systems (default not set).
Gas S.G.
Gas specific gravity (default 0.64)
Water S.G
Water specific gravity (default 1.02)
API/DOD
API/Dead oil density (default 30 API and 54.68 lb/ft3)
See also Database Sets (p.95), Calibration Data at Bubble Point (p.98), Solution Gas Correlations
(p.363), Coning (p.367), Viscosity data (p.368), Advanced Calibration Data (p.98), Contaminates
(p.101) and Thermal Data (p.101).

Calibrate a Fluid to match lab data

The method to use to model (and calibrate) the fluid will depend upon the fluid type (oil or gas) and the data
available. Most oil systems are modeled using the black oil correlations whereas gas-condensate and gas
systems are normally modeled using the more rigorous compositional (p.101) model.
Black Oil Calibration
To calibrate the black oil defined fluids, perform the following basic steps:
1. Select a units (p.117) set.
2. Enter the basic fluid data.
3. Enter the Bubble Point data.
4. Either OFVF, density or Compressibility above the bubble point.
5. Either OFVF or density and Live oil viscosity, Gas viscosity and Gas Z factor at or below the bubble
point.
6. (Optional) Enter the Advanced calibration data.
7. Run the operation.
8. Save the model (p.14)
In a network model the calibration data is "mixed" at junctions to provide average calibration data for the
resulting stream.
Calibration on Black Oil data is limited to 1 data point per property. After entering the basic Black oil data
(API, GOR, viscosity, and so on) by using Setup Black oil, enter the following:

Bubble point data (required for calibration).

One of the following:

Either OFVF, density or Compressibility above the bubble point.

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Either OFVF, density and Live oil viscosity, Gas viscosity and Gas Z factor at or below the bubble
point.

A calibration factor (p.572) is then computed for each property. The effect of the measured data can be
further examined by plotting the PVT data.
Correlations
See the Technical Description (p.361).

Bubble point calibration data

To access these options, select Setup Black oil.
Note: If you want the following options to appear on the Black Oil Properties tab in the dialog, set the
Calibration option, under the Advanced Calibration data tab to No Calibration.
The oil saturated gas content at a known temperature and pressure (for example at reservoir conditions)
should be entered to allow calibration of the black oil model. Such calibration will significantly improve the
accuracy of the predicted gas/liquid ratios. If the calibration data is omitted the program will calibrate the
correlation on the basis of oil and gas gravity alone and there will be a consequent loss in accuracy.
Sat. Gas
Quantity of gas which will dissolve in the oil, and saturate it, at a given pressure and temperature
Pressure
Pressure at which the above applies
Temperature
Temperature at which the above applies
Advanced Calibration Data
Select Setup Black oil and select the Advanced Calibration Data tab. The following options are
available:
No Calibration
No (advanced) calibration data is available for the fluid. The bubble point information can however be
entered.
Single Point Calibration
In many cases, actual measured values for some properties show a slight variance when compared with
the value calculated by the blackoil model. In this situation it is useful to "calibrate" the property using the
measured point. PIPESIM can use the known data for the property to calculate a "calibration constant" Kc;
Kc = Measured Property @(P,T)/Calculated Property @(P,T)
This calibration constant is then used to modify all subsequent calculations of the property in question, that
is: Calibrated value = Kc (Predicted value)
If you select Single Point Calibration the following properties can be calibrated:

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Above Bubble Point

Select the property in the list and enter data for it. The options are:

Oil Formation Volume Factor (OFVF) (p.360) . This is the ratio of the liquid volume at stock-tank
conditions to that at reservoir conditions.

Density

Compress. the Gas Z (compressibility) (p.374)

At Bubble point
Enter the oil saturated gas content at a known temperature and pressure (for example at reservoir
conditions) to allow calibration of the black oil model. The required correlation (p.360) can also be selected.
Sat. Gas
Quantity of gas which will dissolve in the oil, and saturate it, at a given pressure and temperature.
At or Below the Bubble point
Select the property in the list and enter data for it. The required correlation (p.360) can also be selected.
The options are:

Oil Formation Volume Factor (OFVF) (p.360) The ratio of the liquid volume at stock-tank conditions
to that at reservoir conditions.

Live oil viscosity (p.371)

Gas viscosity (p.377)

Gas Z (compressibility) (p.374)

Plot PVT Data

These two buttons produce plots of properties as a function of pressure versus temperature:
@ Laboratory conditions - GOR = GSAT
sets the GOR to that defined by the Saturation Gas value under the Bubble Point data section on
the main Black Oil dialog.
@ Reservoir conditions
uses the GOR as defined by the GOR value on the main Black Oil dialog.
Generate tables
If you select this check box, the output file (*.out) will contain tables of the properties as a function of pressure
and temperature.
Multi Point Calibration
The black oil correlations will be tuned so that the correlation goes through ALL the data points. Note: This
is not a best fit method - all points will be fitted exactly. Any outlying data MUST be smoothed before entering
into PIPESIM.
Temperature
The temperature at which the properties apply. All other data is assumed to be at this temperature.
The blackoil correlations will then be used to calculate fluid properties at different temperatures.

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Below the Bubble point

Enter the property at various pressures. The required correlation (p.360) can also be selected.
1. Oil Formation Volume Factor (OFVF) (p.98). The ratio of the liquid volume at stock-tank conditions to
that at reservoir conditions.
2. Solution Gas (p.98) Quantity of gas which will dissolve in the oil, and saturate it, at a given pressure
3. Density
4. Live oil viscosity (p.371)
5. Gas Z (compressibility) (p.374)
6. Gas viscosity (p.377)
At Bubble Point
1. Oil Formation Volume Factor (OFVF) (p.98). The ratio of the liquid volume at stock-tank conditions to
that at reservoir conditions.
2. Solution Gas (p.98) Quantity of gas which will dissolve in the oil, and saturate it, at a given pressure
3. Density
4. Live oil viscosity (p.371)
5. Gas Z (compressibility) (p.374)
6. Gas viscosity (p.377)
Above Bubble Point
Select Density or Oil formation volume factor (OFVF) (p.98) (the ratio of the liquid volume at stock-tank
conditions to that at reservoir conditions), then enter the following properties at various pressures:

Oil formation volume factor (OFVF) (p.360) . This is the ratio of the liquid volume at stock-tank conditions
to that at reservoir conditions.

Density

Live oil viscosity (p.371)

Gas Z (compressibility) (p.374)

Gas viscosity (p.377)

In the Correlation (p.98) list, select the correlation to use for each property.
Plot PVT Data
This produces a plot of properties as a function of pressure versus temperature.
Plot Calibration Data Points Only
Displays a plot of the calibration data.
@ Laboratory Conditions- GOR = GSAT.
This sets the GOR to that as defined by the Saturation Gas value under the Bubble Point data
section on the main Black Oil dialog.

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@ Reservoir Conditions
Uses the GOR as defined under the GOR value on the main Black Oil dialog.
Generate tables
The output file (*.out) will contain tables of the properties as a function of pressure and temperature.
More details (p.572).

Gas Phase Contaminants

This allows gas phase contaminants (CO2, H2S, N2, H2 and CO) to be tracked through the system. Enter
the mole fraction of each contaminant (<1) of the gas phase at stock-tank conditions. The default for each
contaminant is 0.

Black Oil Thermal Data

To set up Black Oil thermal data, do the following:
1. Select Setup Black Oil....
2. On the Thermal Data tab, enter the following thermal properties for the three phases (gas, oil and water)
of the black oil fluid:

Specific Heat Capacity

Thermal Conductivity

3. Select the Black Oil Enthalpy Calculation method (p.378) to use. Currently, there are two options:

1983 Method

2009 Method for this option, you are asked to supply a Specific Latent Heat of Vaporisation.

Compositional Fluid Modeling

PIPESIM allows full compositional modeling of the fluid by accessing a PVT modeling package. This uses
a compositional interface as an alternative to the blackoil model (p.360).
Compositional fluid modeling is generally regarded as more accurate, but also more expensive in terms of
time and computer resources than black oil fluid modeling. It is justified for problems involving volatile fluids
which need rigorous heat transfer calculations. However, sometimes (non-compositional) blackoil fluid
modeling can also give satisfactory results with volatile fluids.

Compositional Template
Multiple fluids can be used in both network and single branch simulations. For example, in a network model
each source or well can have a separate fluid. In a single branch model, an injection fluid can be different
from the fluid in the branch. At the same time, PIPESIM allows users to select a variety of fluid packages,
components, thermodynamic and transport models, to describe compositional fluids. However, it is
important that there is some consistency between all the fluids used in a model, to ensure they can be
mixed. The Compositional Template imposes a consistent global set of properties on all fluids in the model.
Creating a compositional fluid is therefore a two stage process, as follows:
1. Define (or update) the compositional template by selecting Setup Compositional Template.

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2. Specify the composition (p.108).

Creating a compositional template
To build a compositional model, do the following:
1. Select the compositional package (p.102).
2. Select library components (p.103).
3. (Optional) Define any petroleum fractions (p.103).
4. Select the compositional property models (p.105).
Alternatively, import (p.102) a template from an existing PVT file. The template ensures the following:

the same package is used for all fluids

the total number of components used by all fluids is less than the limit for the package

the thermodynamic and transport models are consistent for all fluids

Updating the compositional template

When adding a new fluid to the model, you must first check that it is compatible with the template. If the
fluid contains components that are not already in the template, they must be added to it, as follows:
1. Select library components (p.103).
2. Define any petroleum fractions (p.103).
Any new component added to the template will be added to all the existing fluids, but with zero moles.
Importing a compositional template
To import a template from an existing PVT file, click the Import button. There are three options when
importing a template:

Import the entire template from the file. This removes any components already in the template, and
changes all the template compositional property models (p.105) (EoS, Viscosity etc.)

Import just the components. This adds any new components in the file to the template. It does not remove
any existing components from the template, and does not affect the template compositional property
models (p.105).

Import just the models. This only changes the template compositional property models (p.105)
(Equations of State, viscosity, and so on.)

Phase Behavior Package

PIPESIM currently has access to the following compositional packages:

SIS Flash / E300

DBR

REFPROP v8.01c

Multiflash (from InfoChem)

SIEP SPPTS (Shell users only)

The SIS Flash / E300 flash package is provided by Schlumberger. This is the same PVT package that is
used by other Schlumberger products such as ECLIPSE Compositional, PVTi, VFPi and so on.
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See also: Viscosity (p.368), Binary Interaction Parameters (p.106), Emulsions (p.106), Equation of State
(p.387), Technical Description (p.101)
Selecting Components
Three types of component are available: aqueous, library components and petroleum fractions (p.103).
However, note that the maximum number of components allowed is as follows:

50 for Multiflash

50 for SIS flash and E300 flash

50 for DBR flash

20 for NIST Refprop flash. This excludes water, which can be added to make 21 in total

49 for the SPPTS package

To change components, select Setup Compositional Template and then select the Component
Selection tab.
To select the library components, click on each required component in the list, then on Add>>. This adds
the selected components into one of the Selected Components lists on the right hand side of the window.
All but the aqueous (p.396) components will appear in the Hydrocarbons list. (Aqueous components are
displayed in blue.)
To define a Petroleum fraction (p.103), specify its name and relevant characterization parameters. Once
the petroleum fraction data has been entered, it MUST be added to the component list. To do this, click
Add to Composition>>.
To remove an unwanted component from the spreadsheet lists, do the following:
1. Click on the row number to the left of the component name in the spreadsheet. This highlights the whole
row.
2. Click <<Delete.
Petroleum Fractions
Oil systems contain in reality many thousands of pure components, consisting of a spectrum of molecules
with different carbon numbers and exponentially increasing numbers of different isomers of each. It would
be impossible to model the behavior of such systems by explicitly defining the amount of each of these
molecules, both because of the excessive computing power needed and the fact that laboratory reports
could not possibly supply all this information. Luckily, since the alkane hydrocarbons are non-polar and
therefore mutually relatively ideal, lumping them together in the form of a number of 'pseudo-components'
results in fairly accurate phase behavior and physical property predictions.
Petroleum fractions are normally defined by splitting off sections of a laboratory distillation of the C7+
mixture. Curves of boiling point, density and molecular weight are produced from which the properties of
the individual pseudo-components may be derived. The default characterization parameters are boiling
point (BP), the molecular weight (MW) and the specific gravity (SG). The maximum value allowed for the
specific gravity in PIPESIM is 1.3.
There is an alternate specification for users, with additional information in the form of critical temperature
(TC), critical pressure (PC) and an acentric factor.

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Petroleum Fraction data entry

Select Setup Compositional and, on the Petroleum Fractions tab, enter the following information:
Note: You can enter a maximum of 50 Petroleum fractions.
Name
A name to describe the petroleum fraction, for example c7+.
Property data
For Multiflash
Typically BP, MW, SG, and so on. The minimum data that must be entered are either

M.W. and S.G.

M.W. and B.P.

B.P. and S.G.

T.C., P.C. and Acentric Factor

Note: Unless all the properties are set, they may be overwritten. For example, if you set MW, SG, TC, and
PC, but do not specify BP, the input values of TC and PC are overwritten.
For SIS Flash
Typically BP, MW, SG, etc. The minimum data that must be entered are either

M.W. and S.G.

M.W. and B.P.

For SPPTS
Typically BP, MW, SG, etc. The minimum data that must be entered are either

M.W. and S.G.

M.W. and B.P.

B.P. and S.G.

Additional property data

These properties depend on the selected PVT package.
For Multiflash or SPPTS package
LV
Liquid Viscosity reference value only used for the viscosity matching operation. Its default unit is
Pa.s or N.s/m2.
For SIS Flash package:

VC: Critical Volume

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Volume Shift

Reference Density and Temperature

Watson K factor

Omega A and B coefficients

Add to composition >>

When the petroleum fraction is added it is initially displayed in red. This shows that not enough data has
been entered. When sufficient data has been added, the row reverts to black. After defining the petroleum
fraction, you MUST add it to the main component list by selecting the row and clicking Add to
Compositions>>. Petroleum fractions that have been added to the main component slate are shown in
green. Next set its composition by using the Component Selection tab.
Delete
Click this to delete the selected row(s).
Calculate properties
Once the minimum data has been entered then all properties not entered can be computed (if required)
using the Calculate properties button. However, before this can be done the petroleum fractions MUST
be added to the main component list and its composition set. That is, the petroleum fraction must be
displayed in green and have a molar rate defined.
Note: This option is only available for the Multiflash PVT package.
Recalculate properties
Before recalculating some properties, you MUST remove the values to be computed from the spreadsheet.
This can be easily done by selecting a group of cells and using Ctrl-X.
Compositional Property Models
Compositional thermodynamic and transport properties are determined by using the following models and
parameters:

Equation of State models (p.387) and Binary interaction parameter (p.106) used to calculate the
following:

fugacity, to determine the phases present and the composition of the phases

density

enthalpy

entropy

Viscosity models (p.368)

Surface Tension models

Thermal Conductivity models

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Model scope
Use of the same set of models and parameters for all fluids in a network or single branch simulation is
recommended, as this allows the fluids to be mixed correctly. For back-compatibility, you can define a
different model for each fluid. This facility is also useful if a network is made up of several disjoint subnetworks, where the fluids may be characterized differently. If different property models are used for different
fluids, results may be unpredictable when these fluids mix. PIPESIM chooses the property models
corresponding to the fluid with the most mass to model the mixture fluid.
To set the scope of the compositional property models, select Setup Compositional Template and use
the Property Models tab.
If the scope is set to global, the template property models are used for all fluids. If the scope is set to local,
individual property models can be set for each fluid in the Compositional Template Properties dialog.
Emulsion Viscosities
Three mixing rules have been implemented for the liquid viscosity. These are only valid for the Multiflash
PVT package.
Select one of the following options :

Inversion method (p.106)

Volume ratio (p.106)

Woelflin (p.106)

Note: CUTOFF can be defined by you but is typically set to 60% (default)
How to...: Setup Compositional Options
See also: Package (p.102), Viscosity (p.368), Binary Interaction Parameters (p.106), Equation of State
(p.387)
Inversion method (Set to oil viscosity)
1. Use Oil viscosity at water cut less than or equal to CUTOFF
2. Use Water viscosity at water cut greater than or equal to CUTOFF
Volume ratio of oil and water viscosities

L = o 1

wcut
wcut
+ w
100
100

Eq. 1.1

Woelflin
1. Use Woelflin correlation at watercut less than or equal to CUTOFF. The correlation is defined as follows:

L = o(1.0 + 0.00123 wcut2.2)

Eq. 1.2

2. Use Water viscosity at watercut greater than CUTOFF.

BIP (Binary Interaction Parameter) Set
Select the Binary Interaction Parameters to use: Select or choose

OilGas1 (only available for Multiflash)

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OilGas2 (only available for Multiflash)

OilGas3 (only available for Multiflash)

OilGas4 (only available for Multiflash)

SIS Flash default (only available for SIS)

E300 Flash default (only available for E300)

DBR Flash default (only available for DBR)

NIST REFPROP default (only available for REFPROP)

User BIPs (p.107).

Note: User BIPs are not available under SIEP SPPTS or REFPROP.
Binary interaction parameters (BIPs) are adjustable factors, which are used to alter the predictions from a
model until the predictions match experimental data as closely as possible. BIPs are usually generated by
fitting experimental VLE or LLE data to the model in question. BIPs apply between pairs of components,
although the fitting procedure may be based on both binary and multi-component phase equilibrium
information.
For Multiflash
The interaction parameters in OILGAS1 were from the correlation recommended by Nishumi et al.
They correlated parameters between all the light gases and hydrocarbons up to Decane. However,
when these were used in the prediction of hydrate dissociation temperatures for systems containing
a significant amount of condensate or crude, it became apparent that neither the bubble or dew
points nor the hydrate dissociation temperatures were being predicted accurately.
After further investigation new correlations contained in OILGAS2 based on BIPs recommended by Whitson
for Methane with heavy hydrocarbons were introduced. The new correlations provide heavy hydrocarbon
interaction parameters for Ethane to Pentane, all of which were previously set to zero. For systems
containing Methane and alkanes up to C10 there is no major difference between OILGAS1 and OILGAS2
BIP sets, but after C10 OILGAS1 parameters decrease rapidly in value, reaching negative values after C16.
In contrast, the values of OILGAS2 parameters continue to increase gently with increasing carbon number.
OILGAS3 and OILGAS4 were later introduced and the only difference is in the parameters for MEG/alkanes
for the RKSA-info (hydrate) model. The newer parameters predict a lower (correct) solubility for MEG in
heavy hydrocarbons but are less accurate for the solubility of hydrocarbons in MEG. We would generally
recommend the use of the latest parameters, OILGAS4.
How to...: Setup Compositional Options
See also: Package (p.102), Viscosity (p.368), user-defined BIPs (p.107), Emulsions (p.106), Equations of
State (p.387)
User Defined BIPs
If you have interaction parameters available and wish to supplement or overwrite those used, you can do
this by selecting the User BIPs option.
1. After selecting the components, select User BIPs as the BIP Set
2. and then Load BIPs.

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This will load the default BIP (p.106) set for all the components that have been defined in the main
component list. These values can then be modified accordingly. The modified values will then be used
providing that the BIP Set is set to User BIPs.
Note: You must make sure that the BIPs you supply conform to the model definition used.
Note: Not available under SIEP SPPTS or REFPROP.

Specifying the Composition

Once the component list has been selected and added in the Compositional Template (p.101), you can
enter the desired composition for each component.
The Aqueous list contains the aqueous components. Typically their input units are per volume of stocktank gas (for gas systems) or per volume of stock-tank liquid (for oil systems). In order to use the watercut
matching (p.112) option, the water MUST be expressed on a mole basis.
The Hydrocarbons list contains the oil and gas components, whose composition is normally specified in
mole percent (water-free). As the mole rates are added the total number of moles is computed and displayed
automatically.
Normalize
After entering the composition, you can normalize the total number of mole (to 1.0) by clicking
Normalize. If the aqueous components have been entered on a volume or mass basis, they are first
converted to a Mole basis and then normalized. Once a component set has been normalized, it cannot be
reversed.
Importing the Composition
A composition can be imported from a PVT file. This will overwrite the existing fluid. Any component in the
PVT file that is not in the Compositional Template (p.101) will be added to it. The thermodynamic or transport
models in the PVT file are not imported.
Create PVT File
Assuming a component list with an associated composition has been specified, a PVT property table can
be generated. This can be given to other PIPESIM users or used in different models.
Temperature and Pressure points
The Pressure and Temperature grid points to create the file at. The number of temperate and
pressure points can be different. The minimum grid size is 1 x 1.
Reset to Defaults
Reset the default temperature and pressure points.
Clear All
Remove all temperature and pressure points.
Create PVT File
The PVT file is created on a series of Pressure and Temperature grid points. The file is created
after you are prompted for a file name and location. Use of the .pvt file extension is recommended.
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Care should be taken when creating (and using PVT files) to ensure that the selected Pressure and
Temperature points span the range of operating values and are correctly spaced around phase boundaries.
A check using the rigorous (p.113) option is recommended.
Saving and Restoring Data
Compositional input data can be stored in the PIPESIM model or exported to a *.PVT file. Compositional
data from a previous session may be restored by using the Import button to load it from the relevant *.PVT
file. To prevent you from accidentally overwriting the original *.PVT file, the File Name must be entered
manually. However, it should be noted that not all PVT files can be imported in the PIPESIM Compositional
GUI, only those generated by PIPESIM, or third party PVT packages (Multiflash, PVTi, SPPTS) whose
equation of states are available in the PIPESIM GUI.
Graphing the Results
The generated .PVT file is stored in PsPlot format, the standard plotting utility used by PIPESIM. All the
physical properties generated can be viewed by a separate PsPlot task.
Phase Envelope
To determine a fluid phase envelope, do the following:
1. Select Setup Compositional.
2. In the Compositional tab, enter the components, including any petroleum fractions and their
composition.
3. In the Compositional tab, click Phase Envelope.
4. The phase envelope is displayed (automatically) if appropriate, showing the following:

Dew line

Bubble line

Critical point

Hydrate lines (p.400) - Not with SIS Flash.

Ice line (p.402) - Not with SIS Flash

Water or aqueous line - Not with SIS Flash

For the hydrocarbon lines, which include the dew and bubble lines, PIPESIM uses a two-phase stream to
perform the phase envelope. In other words, if a given compositional fluid contains aqueous components
(water, methanol, and so on), PIPESIM removes all those aqueous components from the original fluid and
only uses the remaining subset fluid to perform and display the hydrocarbon lines. However, when Multiflash
MFL files are used to perform the phase envelope, the aqueous components are not removed from the
stream. Hence, for the same compositional fluid the hydrocarbon lines may be different depending whether
the MFL file is used or not.
In addition to the above phase plot lines, when using the MFL files, the phase envelope can also display (if
appropriate).

Wax line (p.402)

Asphaltene locus

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For phase envelopes generated using the Multiflash PVT package, the maximum pressure plotted is initially
set to 300 bars for the hydrocarbon lines and 400 bars for the water and solids (hydrates, ice, and wax)
lines. These values will, if necessary, automatically increase up to 1000 bars for the hydrocarbon lines and
1200 bars for the water and solids lines.
The quality lines (p.110) can also be added.
The phase envelope can also be superimposed over the flowline temperature or pressure profile. See how
(p.196).
Comment
You can add a comment line to the fluid definition.
For a phase envelope created with Multiflash, the extent of the pressure (Y) axis can be set by using the
following keyword placed in the comment line:
**penv_pmult=n

where n is a factor. The pressure axis is then plotted to a value of n times the phase envelope cricondenbar
value.
Search
This allows the component database to be searched and sorted. To locate a specific component, enter
either its name or formula.
Show Quality lines on a Phase Envelope
To show quality lines on a phase envelope, do the following:
1. Define your composition using Setup Compositional and the Compositional tab. Include any
Petroleum Fractions.
2. Select the Phase Envelope tab.
3. Enter the quality lines that you want to view.
4. Click Phase Envelope.
Quality Lines
To add quality lines to phase envelope plots:
1. Select Setup Compositional Phase Envelope.
2. Go to the Phase Envelope tab and specify the quality line percentages that you want to see on the
phase envelope.
3. Press the Phase Envelope button.
Note:
1. Selecting the Phase Envelope button from the Component Selection tab will NOT produce quality
lines.
2. This option is not available for SIS flash.

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3. The behavior of this option is different for the Multiflash package.

For Multiflash, two lines are plotted for each percentage value entered, one corresponding to the gas
quality and the other to the liquid quality. For example, in a Multiflash case, if the 10% line is selected,
a 10% gas quality line and a 10% liquid (90% gas) quality line are plotted together. For Multiflash,
the first Quality Line Percentage should always be 0.00%, which will plot both the bubble line (0%
gas) and the dew line (0% liquid / 100% gas).

For all the other flash packages, bubble and dew lines are always plotted, but only the gas quality
lines are plotted.

Therefore, to plot quality lines at 10% intervals, for Multiflash select (0,10,20,30,40,50), for all other
packages select (10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90).
Flash/Separation
Flash/separation allows a single point flash of the current composition to be performed, or a multi stage
separation.
Do the following:
1. Select Setup Compositional Flash Separation.
2. Select the Flash type and enter the (PT) conditions, press the Perform Flash button. The results are
displayed in a spreadsheet that can be copied (CTRL-C) and pasted (CTRL-V) to other applications.
Multi-Stage Separation
Multi stage separation allows the input of pressure and temperature conditions at multi stage liquid-vapor
separation levels with a final gas separation stage used to flush out any remaining liquid in the gas stream.
Each separator operates at 100% efficiency, that is the two exit streams from each stage are pure liquid
and vapor.
1. Input the conditions (pressure and temperature) for each of the stages as well as for the final gas
separation stage. By clicking on Perform Flash, the component mole fraction (in percentages) and fluid
properties of the final exit streams (liquid and gas) are displayed.

By entering the liquid stage number (1, 2, ....n) and clicking on Liquid stage, the mole fraction and
fluid properties for the liquid stage exit stream are displayed.

By clicking on Gas stage, the mole fraction and fluid properties for the gas stage exit stream are
displayed.

Clicking on Final stage does the same as clicking on Perform Flash, that is it displays the mole
fraction and fluid properties for final gas and final liquid exit streams.

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GLR Matching
Tune the composition to match a specified water cut and gas/oil ratio.
1. Select Setup Compositional GLR.
2. Enter all of the following:

Water cut (percentage of the liquid phase that is water) of the fluid. Water MUST be included in the
component list and expressed in a mole basis if this is set to anything other than 0%.

GLR/GOR/LGR/OGR of the fluid.

Pressure and Temperature at which the above conditions apply. Default is stock-tank conditions.

3. Press Perform Calculation to compute the molar flow rates of the composition to match those conditions
if this is possible. If the conditions cannot be meet then an error message is displayed. This is displayed
in the calculated column.
4. To update the main composition, press the Update Composition list button after the new composition
has been computed.
Salinity (Salt) Analysis
One of the components in the database is a "salt component". This is used to represent a salt pseudocomponent, based on sodium chloride equivalence, for use in calculating freezing point depression or
hydrate inhibition. Define the salinity content of the water. To carry out such calculations you need to provide
the amount of salt in the stream. Often the data for the salt, brine or formation/production water ion analysis
will not be available. The Salt calculator can assist.
The water content of the stream MUST be defined. The Salt component can either be added from the
component list or will be automatically added when the salt quantity has been computed.
To define the salt, select Setup Compositional Salinity Analysis. The salt can be defined in the
following ways:

Ion Analysis
a. Density (SG) of solution

Salt Analysis table

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Total amount of dissolved solid (TDS)

a. Density (SG) of solution
b. Total dissolved solid

After entering the required data, click the Calculate button. This computes the salt quantity and adds that
amount to the component list.
Salt quantity is always in mole units.

Compositional using MFL file

To use an MFL file, select Setup MFL file. This opens a dialog with the following fields and buttons:
Select MFL File
Should either contain the full path and name of an previously created MFL file or can be blank if an
MFL file is intended to be created by selecting Create New.
Browse
Locate and select a previously created MFL file.
Create New
Allows you to define this fluid using InfoChem's MultiFlash GUI. The MultiFlash GUI will be launched
from which the component list, component quantities, equation of state, transport property, wax,
asphaltene, hydrate or combined solid models can be selected.
Edit
Enables you to edit an MFL file that has been selected and is displayed in the field above. The
MultiFlash GUI is launched and displays the component and model selection in the MFL file to be
edited. These can then be modified as required.
Phase Envelope
Plots the phase envelope of the fluid selected in the file field. Once an MFL file has been created,
edited, or selected after browsing to it, the phase envelope can be plotted. The hydrocarbon phase
envelope and any other requested phase as selected in the MFL file, will be plotted.

Compositional Flashing
More details. (p.101)
Compositional Flashing determines the way in which physical properties are computed. The balance is
between speed and accuracy.
Note: This is only valid for compositional models.
Select Setup Flashing to open the Compositional Flashing tab.
Temperature Energy Balance / Physical Properties
The following methods are available for calculating compositional fluid physical properties:

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Always Interpolate (fast)

This option uses interpolation between physical properties determined by in a predefined grid of
temperature and pressure points. This grid can be modified from the compositional menu. (default)
Rigorous Flash when close to the Phase Envelope, interpolate elsewhere
This is a compromise between speed and accuracy, which assumes that properties will change
more rapidly when close to a phase boundary. Interpolation is performed whenever the grid points
comprising a rectangle all show the presence of the same phases. For example if all 4 points in the
rectangle have some oil, some gas, and no water, then we assume the rectangle lies entirely within
the 2-phase region of the hydrocarbon phase envelope, so interpolation is appropriate. If however
one, two or three of the points have no oil, then clearly the hydrocarbon dew point line crosses the
rectangle, so a rigorous flash is required.
Always Rigorous Flash (slow)
Interpolation never occurs: properties are obtained by flashing at the required pressure and
temperature. This is the slowest method but most accurate method.
These apply in the following sections:
Temperature Energy Balance (TH)
These values are used to maintain the temperature/enthalpy/entropy balance of the fluid.
Physical properties (PP)
These are the values required to perform the multiphase fluid flow and heat transfer calculations.
They include phase volume fractions, densities, viscosities, heat capacities, and surface tension.
Note the following:

In most simulations, for every PP flash that is performed, there are about 5 to 10 TH flashes. Thus, these
(TH flashes) clearly have the greatest effect on speed and run time. The inaccuracies of TH interpolated
flashes are usually minimal.

The speed impact of each choice obviously depends on the composition, and the phase behavior in the
PT region of interest. As a rough guide, taking the base case as interpolation, swapping just the PP
flashes to "rigorous" will multiply your run time by about 4. With TH flashes also "rigorous", run time will
probably increase at least 20 fold. Use of the 'compromise' choices will be faster.

For those requiring more accuracy, we have found the "most useful" settings (that is the greatest increase
in accuracy for the smallest effect on performance) to be the following:

PP= Rigorous Flash when close to the Phase Envelope, interpolation elsewhere

TH= Always Interpolate.

In-line flashing (default)

These are PVT tables that built (in memory) when the simulation is underway. There are three options to
this method, as follows:
Interpolation
In order to maximize the speed of the simulation not all requested PT points are flashed, A pressure/
temperature grid is defined and only these points are created. For points not lying exactly on a grid
point, four-point interpolation is used. The default grid points can be changed using the
compositional option (p.108). The fastest but least accurate method.

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Interpolate when close to phase boundary

The above table is used except where 1 or more of the four-points used for the interpolation is in
a different phase. In this case a full flash is performed and the data point added to the table. This
will improve accuracy, but at the cost of speed
Rigorous
a full flash is always performed. Very accurate, but slow!
More details (p.113)
In a Network model each source can have a different composition assigned to it, the streams are mixed at
junctions. These mixer streams are then reported for all branches in the output file. Additional information
on the fluid properties can be reported by adding the report tool (p.84) object to a model and selecting the
compositional reporting options.
The compositional interface takes advantage of concepts and terminology specific to petroleum engineers,
providing an easy to use front-end to a complex multiphase flash packages. It allows the following:

compositions to be specified (including petroleum fractions),

PVT tables to be generated

phase envelopes (with water and hydrate prediction) to be generated

compositions to be exported and imported

PVT Data matching

External PVT tables

Use this option when the PVT data is obtained from a 3rd party PVT simulator, for example, Hysys, PVTSim,
Multiflash, EQUI90, PVT Pro, and so on. A data file is written by the PVT simulator and stored externally to
PIPESIM in an ASCII file. When properties are required at a specific pressure and temperature (PT) the
data file will be interrogated, and interpolation (or extrapolation) used to find the properties at the required
PT point.
Table files generated by a 3rd party PVT packages, which contain EOS that are not available in the PIPESIM
GUI, generally contain pressure-temperature grid points and their transport properties data (holdup, gas
and liquid density, viscosity, thermal conductivity, and so on), but no information on the actual composition
of the fluid or the EOS used to generate them. Therefore, they cannot be imported in the PIPESIM
Compositional GUI.
External PVT tables can also be created from within PIPESIM GUI using one of three available packages
(Multiflash, SIS Flash or SPPTS). However, these ones can be imported back in the PIPESIM GUI and can
be useful when, for example, a number of wells have the same composition and the data can be exported
from one well and imported into another.
In network mode the property data within the PVT table will be ignored but the composition will be extracted
and the in-line flashing method used.

Steam
For steam systems (production and injection) PIPESIM uses ASTEM97 - IAPWS IF97 Properties of Water
and Steam for Industrial Use," Copyright Edward D. Throm (C) 2005.

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When modeling steam systems the pressure and quality or temperature are required. If the quality is not
provided, superheated (quality =100%) or sub-cooled (quality=0%) then the temperature is required.
Steam systems can be modeled in both single branch and network models.

Single branch steam

1. To model steam in a single branch PIPESIM model, go to Setup Engine Options in the single branch
view of the steam source branch, and specify the following keywords, for example:.
STEAM
INLET QUALITY = 0.5

The inlet steam quality needs to be specified, if not, the engine will assume it to be either 0.0 or 1.0 depending
on the pressure and temperature at the inlet.
2. Make sure you have the fluid composition specified correctly. In this case the composition is 100%
WATER. Either black oil or compositional modeling can be chosen in this situation, steam will override
this. Mass flow rates must be used with steam.
When saturated steam flow is simulated, PIPESIM will consider pressure and steam quality as given data
and it will ignore the temperature that you enter. According to the Gibbs rule, for a two-phase one-component
system, only one variable needs to be known for the system to be fully defined. When supersaturated steam
flow is modeled, both (user-defined) pressure and temperature are used.

Network model steam

1. To model steam sources in a network model. go to Setup Engine Options in the network view, and
enter the following data for example in the lower section of the window:
SETUP COMP = STEAM
SOURCE NAME = SS1 QUALITY = 0.8

2. Enter the quality for all the steam sources. If the quality is not entered, it will be determined from the
temperature and pressure given for that source. If it is entered the source will be considered saturated
at that pressure and the temperature will be adjusted accordingly.
Note: Steam is considered as a third thermodynamic model (after blackoil and compositional). At present
only one thermodynamic model is allowed per network, so steam systems have to be modeled as a separate
network from the hydrocarbon production or injection networks.

Stock tank Conditions

Stock tank conditions are defined as:
Pressure Temperature
14.7 psia 60 F
1 bara

15.5 C

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Flowing Conditions
Flowing conditions are defined at the actual in-situ flowing pressure (P) and temperature (T).

Examples
Flowing gas flowrate
the gas flowrate at stock-tank conditions (mmscf/d), this rate does not include the dissolved gas
and therefore its value increases along the flow system due to pressure losses. If the outlet pressure
is set to 14.7 psia, then the profile will eventually converge to the stock-tank gas rate (3).
Flowing gas volume flowrate
the gas volume flowrate at in-situ flowing pressure (P) and temperature (T) (mmcf/d). This rate has
lower values than those of (1).
Stock Tank gas flowrate
the gas flowrate at stock-tank conditions (mmscf/d), this is the total gas (free + dissolved) which
remains constant throughout the flow system.

Options
Common Options
Project Data
Use Setup Project Data to enter any of the following optional information on the PIPESIM project:

Project

User

Job

Manager

Company

Work order

Client

Remarks

The project title will be displayed on all reports.

Units
These are the default units of measurement for the main engineering quantities which appear as a first
choice for input data. The units can be in one of the predefined data sets "Engineering" or "SI". Alternatively,
you can specify a customized set of units by selecting the Custom option.
The current selected data set can also be set so that it is the default when a new model is created. See
how... (p.118)

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Some custom data sets are provided. These include Canadian, Mexican and SI unit sets. These can be
imported from the "PIPESIM/data" directory.
Selecting a units set
To select the unit set, do the following:
1. Select Setup Units.... On the Set Units tab, do one of the following;

Select Eng to use engineering units.

Select SI.

Select Custom and define the unit set for each property.

2. If required, click Set as Default. This makes this unit set the default used when any new model is opened.
Existing models will retain the unit that they were saved with.
Custom units
A custom data set can also be saved to a data file (*.umf) for use by other users or models. A custom set
is, by default, based on the Eng. data set. However, it can be based on the SI set if you first import the SI
set (SI.umf file). Set the required units and provide a data set name, then click Export to be prompted for
a file name and location.
The More Units>> button allows more control over the units selected.
Choose Paths
Note: Only change these entries if advised to by Schlumberger.
To change the path of any tool used, do the following:
1. Select Setup Preferences Choose Paths....
2. Change the file and full path of any the following:
Editor
can be changed to use your preferred text editor
Single branch calculation engine
can be changed if a new engine is provided by Schlumberger
Network calculation engine
can be changed if a new engine is provided by Schlumberger.
Plot
plot utility to use
Data source
database location. Note: If this is changed, close and restart PIPESIM so the changes take
effect.

Heat Transfer Options

To set up the Heat Transfer options, select Setup Heat Transfer Options.
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Pipe Burial Method

You can select the model to be used for pipeline heat transfer calculations. The calculations take into
consideration the burial configuration of the pipe (fully buried, partially buried, or fully exposed) and give
different U-value results based on the model selected. The options available, in decreasing order of
accuracy, are the following:

2009 Method (p.355)

2000 Method (p.357)

1983 Method (p.356)

The three options give identical results for a fully exposed pipeline. However, for a fully buried pipe or
partially buried pipe they give different results. The 2009 Method is recommended for use and is the current
default. See Further details (p.345).
Also see heat transfer. (p.70)
Inside Film Coefficient Method
You can specify the inside film coefficient calculation model to be used during heat loss calculations. You
can choose between the Kaminsky model (p.351) and the Kreith combined Reynolds number model
(p.348)
U Value Multiplier
You can specify a multiplier for user enter U-values in heat loss calculations. This is particularly useful when
performing a temperature match in a Flow Correlation Matching Operation.
Hydrate Sub-Cooling Calculation
This switch turns on the calculation and reporting of the hydrate formation temperature. The maximum
amount of sub-cooling (Hydrate formation temperature - Fluid Temperature) is reported for each branch of
a network. This can help to determine where the hydrate problem starts in the flowline.
You can plot the following:

Fluid Temperature versus Distance

Hydrate Formation Temperature versus Distance

Degrees of Subcooling versus Distance

You can display all of the plots on the same plot.

The maximum amount of sub-cooling in a branch is calculated and reported to the system plot file.

Engine Options
To set these options, select Setup Engine Options. The parameters are as follows:
Segments per pipe length and Maximum Segment Length
These data fields allow you to set the initial maximum segment length either as a length quantity,
or as a division factor of each section. If both are specified, the smaller will be taken. The segment
may be further subdivided by the program, as required, so as to obtain a converged solution.

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Additional Short Segments Either Side of Each Node

In the output file, node pressure and temperature values are tabulated against the segment average
value of all other quantities. To prevent misleading output caused by large segments, the length of
the segment on either side of each node is limited to 1 ft. It is possible to disable this feature by
unchecking the check box.
Iteration Estimate
This data field allows you to provide an estimated inlet pressure or an estimated mass flow rate.
For further information see ITERN Iteration Data (Optional) (p.471).
Additional engine keywords
This data field allows you to provide additional engine keywords for the PIPESIM single branch or
network engine.
PIPESIM Network Option Control
Select Setup Define Output and select the Output Control tab. The parameters are as follows:
Use local branch options
If this option is selected engine will use corresponding values specified for each local branch.
Use network options (in addition to local branch options)
If this option is selected it allows you to add output options defined for network to options defined
for each local branch
Apply network options to all branches
This overrides specific options defined on branch level with values defined for network.

Output Options
More details. (p.474)
Define Output
To change the options, select Setup Define Output.
Options that apply to the data reported in the main output file for a single branch (*.out) are as follows:
Primary Output Page(s)
Primary Output Page(s) typically contain the following information for each node : Distance,
Elevation, Horizontal Angle, Vertical Deviation, Pressure, Temperature, Mean Velocity, elevational
and Frictional Pressure Drop, Liquid Flowrate, Free Gas Flowrate, Liquid and Gas Densities, Slug
Number and Flow Pattern.
Auxiliary Output Page(s)
Auxiliary Output Page(s) typically contain the following information for each node : Distance,
Elevation, Pipe ID, Superficial Liquid and Gas Velocities, Liquid and Gas Mass Flowrates, Liquid
and Gas Viscosities, Reynolds Number, Liquid Volume Fraction, Liquid Holdup Fraction, Enthalpy,
Iteration Number, Flash/Table Interpolation Diagnostics.

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Well Inflow Performance Data

The well Inflow performance data output page contains the well inflow performance relationship
input and derived values used to model the relationship between well drawdown and flowrate. This
page only applies to models containing a completion.
System Profile
Primary Output Page(s) typically contain the following information for each node : Distance,
Elevation, Section Length, Total Length, Ambient Temperature, Input U, and Fluid Data File.
Echo Input Fluid Properties
Fluid Property Pages contain the fluid property input data and some calculated properties at stock
tank conditions.
Echo Gaslift Valve Input Data
The following gas lift valve input data is reported for each valve : TVD, MD, Port Diameter, Port CV,
Test Rack Pressure, Ap/Ab, Throttling Factor, Valve Type and Valve Operation Mode. This page
only applies to models containing a gas lifted well.
Gaslift Valve Output Data
The following gas lift valve output data is reported for each valve : MD, Test Rack Dome Pressure,
Valve Temperature, Dome Pressure, Casing Pressure, Tubing Pressure, Opening Pressure,
Closing Pressure, DP Across Valve, Orifice Gas Flowrate, Throttled Gas Flowrate, Actual Gas
Flowrate and Valve Status. This page only applies to models containing a gas lifted well.
Echo Engine Batch Language
Prints out the input keywords at the top of the output file.
Segment Data in Primary Output
A "section" of the model is defined as the thing between two nodes. Sections are further divided
into "segments" for calculation purposes. Segment data can be included in the Primary Output Page
by checking this box.
Heat Transfer Input Data
The Heat Transfer Input Data Page(s) typically contain the following information for each node :
Pipe and Coating Thicknesses and Thermal Conductivities, Soil Thermal Conductivity, Burial
Depth, Ambient Fluid Velocity, and Ambient Temperature.
Heat Transfer Output Data
The Heat Transfer Output Data Page(s) typically contain the following information for each node :
Distance, Fluid Temperature, Fluid Enthalpy, and Heat Transfer Coefficients.
Slug Output Pages
Slug Output Page(s) typically contain the following information for each node : Distance, Elevation,
Pipe ID, Slug Lengths and Frequencies, Slug Number and Flow Pattern.
Iteration Progress Log
This prints the log of iterations for iterative models only, that is those where the calculated variable
is inlet pressure or flowrate.
Wax Page(s)
Create specific pages for the wax operation.

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No Cases to Print (Single branch mode only)

Determines the number of cases to print full results for in a single branch sensitivity case. By default
full results are only printed for the 1 st case.
Plot File Format
Determines the format of the created plot file.
PS-PLOT
PIPESIM's graphical post-processor (Default)
Lotus compatible
Lotus formatted file
Excel compatible
Excel formatted file
Excel compatible (packed).
Excel formatted file that is compacted.
Neutral
standard ASCII text file.
Report Tool Output Goes To
When a report tool is placed in the model, its results are written to the output file (*.out). The section
of the output file that the report goes to can be selected, the default is Dedicated.
Export data to EXCEL
From the calculation engine, the basic [plot] data can be written to an Microsoft Excel formatted file by
specifying one of the Excel options for the Plot File Format under the Setup Define Output. This creates
an Excel data file with the extension .csv. See Setup/Define Output (p.120).
From the GUI:
1. From the network module (after a simulation) the field results can be exported to Excel using Reports
Report Tool.
2. In the Report Tool, select the required field data and press the Excel button. This will, providing that
Excel is located on the PC, open an interface (p.199) to Excel. Note: This feature works with Microsoft
Office 97 and Microsoft Office 2000 versions of Excel.
From PsPlot, use the Excel button (p.199) on the Data tab.
Note: This feature only works with Microsoft Office 97 versions of Excel.
Produce a custom report
The standard reports (full output and summary files) have been designed to provide all the necessary
information after a simulation. However there will be situations where you only require a subset of the
information or some data that is not available in the standard report. In this case the custom report feature
can be utilized.

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Custom reports are invoked by using the PIPESIM Input language (PIL) using the additional EKT
(p.450). Note: The EKT (p.64) (spanner tool) can not be used for this operation.
The sub-command CUSTOM (p.474) of the PRINT (p.474) keyword is required to create custom reports.
The keyword PRINT CUSTOM requires a list of variables to print to the custom report, these can be
determined using the PLOT SYNTAX (p.481) keyword. The codes returned from this list can then be used
as argument on the PRINT CUSTOM command.
Example 1
To obtain a list of available custom report variable, use the additional EKT option, add PLOT SYNTAX and
run the model. The output file contains a list of variables and codes for "Profile plot file, SPOT & CUSTOM
reports".
Example 2
To produce a custom report with "Horizontal distance", "Total distance" and "Elevation". In the output file
locate the codes for the required properties, in this case A, Band C. Using the additional EKT (p.450) option,
add PRINT CUSTOM = (A,B,C) (the PLOT SYNTAX can be left if required) and run the model. The output
file contains a custom report section with the variables required.
View tabular results
Tabular (text) results files are created, from the calculation engine, in standard ASCII format (*.out and
*.sum) and can be viewed by any text editor.
You can change this to use a preferred text editor using the Choose Path option (p.118).

Erosion and Corrosion Options

The erosion and corrosion options are used to calculate the following:

erosion and corrosion rates

erosional velocity

These are reported per-node in the Auxiliary Output page of the main output file, and in the profile plot
file. The maxima for the case are reported in the system plot file. The erosional velocity is the maximum
fluid velocity as recommended by the chosen correlation. The erosional velocity appears in the Auxiliary
Output page as a ratio with the fluid mean velocity, so values of 1 or greater indicate the need for attention.
To set the options, select Setup Erosion & Corrosion Properties.
Erosion
Erosion can occur in solids-free fluids, but is usually caused by entrained solids (sand). The rate of sand
production is the main determinant of erosion rate. Sand production rate is specified per-branch in a network
model. Sand produced in source or well branches will be tracked across manifolds and mixed along with
fluids, so an accurate erosion rate will be calculated without the need for you to specify the sand rate in link
branches. Sand is assumed to follow liquid production when a separator is modeled.
The following erosion models are available:

API 14 E

Salama

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API 14 E
The API 14 E model comes from the American Petroleum Institute, Recommended Practice, number 14 E.
This is a solids-free model which will calculate an erosion velocity only (no erosion rate). The erosion velocity
Ve is calculated with the formula

Ve =

K
0.5

Eq. 1.3

where is the fluid mean density and K is an empirical constant. K has dimensions of

mass
(length time2)

0.5

. Its default value in engineering units is 100, this corresponds to 122 in SI units.

Salama
The Salama model was published in Journal of Energy Resources Technology, Vol 122, June 2000, "An
Alternative to API 14 E Erosional Velocity Limits for Sand Laden Fluids", by Mamdouh M. Salama. This
models erosion rate and erosional velocity.
The parameters required for the model are as follows:
Acceptable Erosion rate
rate of erosion that is deemed 'acceptable'. This is used to calculate the erosional velocity. Erosional
velocity appears as a ratio with fluid mean velocity in the Auxiliary output page. The default is 0.1
mm/year.
Sand production ratio
a measure of sand production rate, as a ratio with liquid rate. Units are Parts Per Million, by volume,
against stock-tank liquid rate. If sand production ratio is zero, erosion rate will not be calculated.
Sand Grain Size
mean size of the sand grains. The default 0.25 mm.
Geometry Constant
this is the geometry dependent constant Sm. The default is 5.5
Efficiency
a multiplier used to match field data. The default is1.
The equations in Salama's paper use a sand rate in Kg/day. This is obtained from the supplied volume ratio
using Salama's 'typical value' for sand density, 2650 kg/m 3.
See also EROSION (p.506).
Corrosion
The de Waard corrosion model was published in CORROSION /95, Paper No. 128, NACE, 1995, "Influence
of liquid flow velocity on CO2corrosion: a semi-empirical model", C. de Waard, U. Lotz. It calculates a
corrosion rate caused by the presence of CO2dissolved in water. Concentrations of CO2and water are
obtained from the fluid property definitions, (black oil or compositional). The corrosion rate will be zero if
CO2is absent from the fluid, and if no liquid water phase is present.
The parameters required for the model are:

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Efficiency
multiplier Cc to correct for inhibitor efficiency, or to match field data
Actual pH
if supplied, this value is used instead of the calculated one.
See also CORROSION (p.505).

Engine Preferences
To change the engine preferences, select Setup Preferences Engine. The dialog this opens has two
tabs, Engine Preferences and Advanced.
Engine Preferences tab
The following Preference settings affect the running of the calculation engine and apply to PIPESIM, every
time that it is started.
Run Plot tool with single branch engine Allows the plot utility to be run and display results graphically
as the calculation engine is running. The default is on.
Run engine minimized

Runs the engine in a minimized state. The default is on. If you

want to see the progress of the simulation, deselect this option
or maximize the PIPESIM engine window.

Add unit descriptors to the engine files When the data is written to the engine file, the units of each
property are added. The default is off.
Run engine via batch file

Running the engine via a batch file allows the window to be

kept open if the engine fails, so any error messages can be
viewed. This also allows license errors to be identified. The
default is on.

Advanced tab
To change these, select the Advanced tab.
Additional Single Branch Engine Command Line Parameters
The following are command line arguments for the single branch engine:
-vx Controls screen output levels. The default = -v1
-b Do not issue dialog box when simulation has finished
Additional Network Engine Command Line Parameters
The following are command line arguments for the Network engine:
-vx Controls screen output levels. The default = -v1
-b Do not issue dialog box when simulation has finished.

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-c

Creates well performance curves.

-r

Restart but do not keep branches skipped in the restart file permanently skipped. This option has to
be used ONLY with the run button in the toolbar

Note: Use of the restart button

, overrides this option and keeps all branches skipped in the
restart file permanently skipped. See Restart Model (p.152) .

Network Options
Speed up the calculation engine
The engine calculations are optimized for speed at compilation time. However, there are some features that
can be used to improve performance. See also Addressing Network speed issues. (p.411)
Screen output: By default a large amount of information is written to the calculation engine window during
a simulation this, although useful in gauging the progress of the solution is slow. By adding the command
line switch -v1, very little screen output will occur and the simulation will run faster. This has been the default
since version 1.30 of PIPESIM.
Estimates
By default the engines use internally set default estimates. Changing these to better match the
conditions of the system improves the convergence and so the speed.
Restart
Running a network model by using the Restart feature, as opposed to the Run option, should also
speed up the solution. If the model has changed a lot (for example, a well was added, or a branch
or node has been re-activated), then the use of the restart facility may actually slow down the
simulation! See more (p.152).
Other techniques that can be used to speed up the overall simulation time are as follows:

Run the model from a local hard disk rather than a network drive.

Run PIPESIM locally rather than from a network installation (LAN).

Try to split the model into smaller networks, which can be solved independently, before linking them all
together. (This helps in troubleshooting the model.)

When first building the model, leave out equipment such as compressors and separators, then build
them in one at a time. (Again this helps troubleshooting.)

When using a compressor or pump, define it initially with a Delta P rather than with a power or user
curve. It can be changed as required later. Also avoid defining a compressor by ischarge pressure, as
this can have the effect of over constraining a system.

Try to avoid unnecessary nodes in a network, as this increases the computing time required to solve it.

Avoid dangling or redundant branches.

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If the sinks are flowrate specified, and are appearing consistently at atmospheric pressure (see
messages in engine window), try changing the boundary condition to an outlet pressure to see what
flowrate can be achieved.

If minor changes (such as flowrates, pipe dimensions, and so on) have been made to a network, use
the Restart function. However, if structural changes (such as new pipes, wells deleted, inactive branches
reactivated and so on) have occurred, run the model from scratch, or use the -r Restart option. See
Restart Model (p.152).

Before using the restart function, make a backup of the restart file (*p00.rst) in the model folder. If the
model fails to solve, the saved restart file can be used to make another attempt.

Under normal circumstances, the default user estimates are satisfactory. However, if the model has
particularly extreme flowrates and or pressures, these should be entered in the User estimates dialog
box.

When first attempting to solve a large network, increase the convergence tolerance to 5% and check
the validity of the results. If necessary, the tolerance can later be reduced and the model restarted.

If a branch appears to be behaving strangely, or is ill conditioned, split it into smaller segments. This
aids troubleshooting and improves continuity along the branch.

If the program crashes part way through an iteration with "file open" or "macopen" errors, this is due to
the processor running out of memory. Simply restart the model; the program will start from where it left
off. Use the PIPESIM toolbar Restart button in this case.

Try to avoid having long flowlines and risers in the same branch.

Network Iterations
To configure Network iterations, select Setup Network Iterations. The parameters are as follows:
Tolerance
The tolerance to converge the network model to. (Default 1%). A network has converged when the
pressure balance and mass balance at each node is within the specified tolerance. The calculated
pressure at each branch entering and leaving a node is averaged.
Max Iterations
The maximum number of iterations in which to try and determine a solution. The simulation will stop
after this number of iterations unless the tolerance has been met. (Default 100)
Background information
The network module uses a GNET algorithm to solve all networks. Reaching a solution involves
continually estimating and refining a matrix of results for each branch while simultaneously taking
into consideration the many sources of discontinuity within the network. These sources of
discontinuity include, dead wells, two phase vertical flow, critical flow, phase changes and flow
regime boundaries.
By default the tolerance for PIPESIM simulations is 1%. Mathematically this means that the simulation will
terminate when all of the root mean square errors for pressure and flowrate at nodes are less than 1%. If
you decrease this value then you are forcing the solver to do more calculations and produce more accurate
results. It should be noted, that for long chains of branches this error may become cumulative, resulting in
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By default the solver will complete a maximum of 100 iterations per simulation. If after 100 iterations no
solution meeting the required tolerance has been found then solver will stop and display existing results. If
you find that a particular system is not converging then, generally, it is best to relax the tolerance rather
than increase the maximum number of iterations.
The solver makes use of convergence techniques that are tuned to suit each individual problem. These
routines are based on well accepted mathematical theorems but modified to allow for the discontinuities
that might be generated by different flow correlations, as well as those originating from the problem
specification. However, as a result of the inherent difficulties associated with sources of discontinuity, you
may find that some network simulations converge slowly, or in some rare cases, not at all. In these
circumstances, the table shown below is a guide to obtaining satisfactory convergence:
Problem

Cause

Solution

Oscillates about the solution but Machine accuracy or other

does not converge
limitation

Relax tolerance if intermediate

results is sufficiently accurate

Slow reduction in error followed

by a large increase followed by
slow reduction, and so on

Discontinuity in chosen flow

correlation, not already trapped
with the solver.

Use the results from a NOSLIP run

as estimates for the simulation
using the original correlation

Alternating forward and reverse

flow predicted

Too many non-return valves in

network

Remove all non-return valves,

except in lines where reverse flow
is guaranteed.

Fluid Models
This dialog allows fluid models in a network model to be displayed, edited and sorted in a spreadsheet type
display. This allows you to view what fluid properties are used by all network wells or sources without having
to drill down to the individual fluid model screens.
Setup Fluid Models
The screen allows display and editing of black oil fluid models. If the network is using compositional fluid
models, the screen only allows viewing of fluid models being used and selection of either Global or Local
fluid models for sources.
The following can be edited:
Default / Local
Select whether to use the default (global) fluid model or the local fluid model defined for the well /
source.
Override Wcut/GOR
Select the check box to allow override of the fluid model water cut and gas fraction (GOR/GLR/
OGR/LGR).
Local fluid models
You can edit the following only for local fluid models:
Water Cut
fluid model water cut value.

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GOR
fluid model gas fraction value, can be GOR, GLR, OGR or LGR.
Gas SG
stock tank gas specific gravity.
Water SG
stock tank water specific gravity.
Oil Gravity
stock (dead) oil density or API.
Dead Oil Visc
the dead oil viscosity correlation to use. Alternatively, specify User's Data.
Visc 1 & Visc 2
Two dead oil viscosity values. These values are read only if a dead oil viscosity correlation is
selected. If User's Data is selected, these two values are user specified.
Temp 1 & Temp 2
Two temperature values at which to define the dead oil viscosity values.
Note: If you attempt to edit a Global fluid model parameter from this screen, the Global fluid model dialog
boxes open. This is because changing the Global fluid model parameters affects all other sources that are
using the Global fluid.

View Options
To change these options, select View Options. This opens the View Options dialog, which has the
following tabs.

View Properties tab

This controls background color and grid lines.
Background Color
Double-click the color box to change the color. The default is white.
Grid Lines
The parameters are the following:
Draw Grid
turn the back ground grid on and off
Horizontal spacing
distance between the horizontal grid lines (inn pixels) if the background grid is displayed. Default
=50.
Vertical spacing
distance between the vertical grid lines (in pixels) if the background grid is displayed. Default =50.

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Color
Color of the grid line, if displayed. Double click the color box to change. Default light gray.

Objects tab
Identifiers
The options for object identifiers are as follows:
Leave Display unchanged
default
Show all identifiers
shows all object identifiers on the schematic
Hide all identifiers
Remove all object identifiers from the schematic
Tool Tip Options
You can switch off Tool tips. This is useful on a large model as having these enabled slows model navigation.
Activate on mouse move
default
Activate on mouse click
Switch off
Red box
Draw red box around incomplete objects
The red box warns the user that a parameter is incomplete. The default = on.

General Tab
This tab appears on most dialogs which show object properties.
Activate/Deactivate
turn the object off (that is remove it from the simulation)
Identifier
The parameters are as follows:
Text box
the object's identifier. This cannot be more that 16 characters, must be unique and must not contain
any of the following characters: .\/[]{}<>|=?'" or spaces.
Bounding rectangle
this places a rectangle around the name
Show identifier
this displays the object's identifier

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Back Color
color of the bounding rectangle
Position
Screen coordinates of the object. The limits are as follows:
Top left
X= -2,101 Y= 2,089
Top right
X= 2,064 Y=2,084
Bottom left
X= -2,101 Y= -2,089
Bottom right:
X=2,064 Y=-2,0898

Viewing a large model

When the model is too large to fit on the screen, zooming out can change the view. To use the zoom out
feature, select View Zoom Out or press Shift+X. This reduces the size of the objects accordingly.

To Zoom out to the maximum extent, use Shift+F or View Zoom Full View.

To Zoom in, use Shift+Z or View Zoom In.

To restore the original (default) view setting, use Shift+R or View Restore View.

Viewing flowline data

To view the flowline descriptions for all flowlines, select Setup Flowline Properties.... The data displayed
here can be changed. If the flowline has been defined using the detailed profile, the data is grayed out.

Database
New ESP/Pump/Compressor Curve
The user curves are used to determine the performance of the device. The data is stored in an external
Access database.
To define a new curve, do the following:
1. Set the device type: ESP, Generic Pump or Compressor. The new device can be based on data from
an existing one.
2. Enter the new manufacturer's name.
3. Enter the new model reference.
The defined curve can then be used in the ESP (p.175), pump (p.86), compressor (p.62), or expander
(p.64) objects to define the performance. At this stage the actual operating speed, number of stages, and
so on, can also be set.
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ESP
For an ESP enter the following:
1. The ESP diameter
2. Minimum allowable flowrate
3. Maximum allowable flowrate
4. Base speed that the curves are based upon, typically 60 Hz
5. Base stages that the curves are based upon, typically 1
6. Allowed stages. The stages that are recommended.
7. Press Next to enter the curve data in terms of Flow rate, Head and Efficiency.

Generic Pump
For a Generic Pump enter the following:
1. Minimum allowable flowrate
2. Maximum allowable flowrate
3. Base speed that the curves are based upon, typically 60 Hz
4. Base stages that the curves are based upon, typically 1
5. Allowed stages. The stages that are recommended.
6. Press Next to enter the curve data in terms of Flow rate, Head and Efficiency.

Compressor/Expander
For a Compressor/Expander enter the following:
1. Minimum allowable flowrate
2. Maximum allowable flowrate
3. % design speed that the curves are based upon, typically 100
4. The curves should be entered for a single stage device. Press Next to enter the curve data in terms of
rate, Head and Efficiency. Note the units.
5. Once the curve data has been defined, the device's performance curve can be displayed (and printed).

New Reciprocating Compressor Curve

The user curves are used to determine the performance of the device. The date is stored in an external
Access database. To define a new curve, do the following:
1. Enter the new manufacturer's name. The new device can be based on data from an existing one.
2. Enter the new model reference.
3. Enter the following:

Base Speed

Absolute Minimum Suction Pressure

Absolute Maximum Suction Pressure

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Absolute Maximum Capacity

Stages

Interstage Temperature. The curves should be entered for a single stage device.

4. Press Next to enter the curve data in terms of Flowrate, Suction Pressure and Efficiency or Power for
various Discharge Pressures, at least two are required. The Discharge Pressure you must supply is the
one at which the data for the associated curve is valid for. If the curve is valid for a range of Discharge
Pressures, then supply the compressor's maximum discharge pressure. Note the units.
Once the curve data has been defined, the device's performance curve can be displayed (and printed).
The defined curves can then be used within the compressor (p.62) object. Set the User curves option and
the compressor type to Reciprocating to define the performance. At this stage, the actual operating speed
and or minimum and maximum operating speeds can also be set.

User Curves
User curves allow the user to enter basic data to represent the following elements:

Multiphase Booster

ESP and Pumps

The ESP or pump is defined as curve that represents its performance over a range of operating conditions.
The following data are required:

Manufacturer

Model

Diameter (ESP only) - used only when a search is performed to locate items that fall within certain ranges

Min flowrate - minimum recommended flowrate. The performance curve can be constructed outside of
this range. Warning messages show where the operating point is outside this limit.

Max flow rate - maximum recommended flowrate. The performance curve can be constructed outside
of this range. Warning messages show where the operating point is outside this limit.

Base speed at which the performance curve is defined. This can be changed for the simulation.

Base stages at which the performance curve is defined. This can be changed for the simulation.

Allowed stages: The number of stages that can be used for this particular item.

Performance curve

Flow Rate - flow rate in flowing conditions (not stock tank)

Head -

Power - the power requirements

The defined curve can also be viewed and printed.

The ESP (p.180) or curve can then be used in the simulation.

Compressors
The compressor is defined as a curve that represents its performance over a range of operating conditions.
The following data are required:

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Manufacturer
a new curve can be based on an existing model.
Model
Min flowrate
minimum recommended flowrate. The performance curve can be constructed outside of this range.
Warning messages will be provided where the operating point is outside this limit.
Max flow rate
maximum recommended flowrate. The performance curve can be constructed outside of this range.
Warning messages will be provided where the operating point is outside this limit.
Base Speed
speed at which the performance curve is defined. This can be changed for the simulation.
Performance curve
A set (minimum of 3 points) of data comprising the following:
Flow Rate
flow rate in flowing (actual) conditions (not stock tank)
Head
compressor head.
Efficiency
adiabatic efficiency of the compressor.
The defined curve can also be viewed and printed.
The Compressor (p.62) curve can then be used in the simulation.
See also keywords (p.501)

Gas Lift Valve List

The database contains a list of available valves . You can add valves to this.
To add a valve to the database, do the following:
1. Select Data New/Edit Gas Lift Valve....
2. The Gas Lift Valve database opens, for checking or editing. Click Add and enter values for the following
parameters :

Manufacturer the valve maker

Series the valve series or model name (for example BK-1 valve)

Port Size the diameter of the valve port

Type the valve type - IPO, PPO-N, PPO-S, Orifice or Dummy valve

Outer Diameter the valve outside diameter - valves are either 1" or 1 1/2"

Port Area the cross sectional area of the port

Bellows Area the cross sectional area of the bellows

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Discharge Coefficient a discharge coefficient for the Thornhill Craver equation, used to calculate
valve gas throughput (given injection and production pressure)

DP [Delta P] to fully Open this is only needed for Diagnostics operation if the throttling behavior
of the valve is to be modeled. It is the difference between the production pressure when the valve is
fully open to fully closed (for a fixed injection pressure).

Inactive if this is Yes, the valve is not available for a new design

3. Save the new valve.

Note: To edit an entry, select it and click Edit.

Flow Control Valves

Down hole Flow Control Valves (FCVs) allow 'intelligent' or 'smart' wells to be modeled. The methodology
implemented provides a simple way of modelling single branch (that is non multilateral) intelligent wells
where the FCVs are located close to the reservoir.
FCVs can restrict the completion flowrate through the system, but they are only available for vertical
completions. By default, a completion does not have an FCV associated with it.
The purpose of an FCV is to provide a restriction to fluid flow, thereby reducing the productivity or injectivity
of a given completion. They are useful in a model containing multiple completions (although there is nothing
stopping you from adding one to a single-completion model) to distribute flow from or to each completion
in the desired manner.
An FCV is very similar to a choke. Like a choke, it can be modeled as a fixed-size orifice, in which form it
presents a restriction to flow that results in a pressure drop that increases as flowrate increases. Unlike a
choke however, a maximum flowrate can also be specified: this is applied to the completion, and if necessary
the choke bean diameter is reduced to honour the limit. The choke diameter and flowrate limit can be applied
separately or together. If both are supplied, they are treated as maximum limits.

How to add an FCV to a completion

To add an FCV to a vertical completion, do the following:
1. Select the Flow Control Valve check box in the Completion dialog.
2. Click the FCV Properties button.
3. The Flow Control Valve dialog opens.
4. Select Generic valve or Specific valve and enter values as described below:
Generic valve
Specify the Equivalent Choke Area, Gas and Liquid Flow Coefficients, and choice of Gas
Choke Equation method. The choke area can be omitted if a Maximum Flowrate is specified (see
below). If it is present, the FCV is modeled with that choke area, but if the resulting flowrate exceeds
the limit, the area is reduced to honor the limit.
Specific Valve
Choose from the list of available valves.To add a new valve to the database, use Data New/Edit
Flow Control Valve Data. Select the required Manufacturer, Valve Type, and Part Number.
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Many of the Specific Valves are multi-position devices: they allow the effective choke area to be
selected from a range of pre-installed fixed chokes. If a flowrate limit is supplied, the simulation will
select the choke position required to honor the limit. Since the choke area cannot be calculated to
match the limit exactly, this will usually result in the flowrate being lower than the limit. The valve
position must be specified. The FCV will be modeled with the corresponding choke area, but if the
resulting flowrate exceeds the limit, a lower position number will be used. Valve positions are
numbered in order of increasing choke size, starting with position zero, which usually specifies a
diameter of zero to allow the valve to be shut. An FCV may have up to 30 positions.

Operations
Common Operations
Check model
Allows all the data inputs and connectivity to be checked and verified before any simulation is performed.
No lone nodes are allowed in a single branch model. Any errors or omissions will be reported.
To check a model, select Operations Check Model.

Run Model
The Run Model option validates the system, creates the necessary engine input files, and then runs the
model.
To use Run Model, do one of the following:

Click the Run Model button in any of the operating mode dialog boxes that are accessed using the
Operations Menu.

Select Operations Run Model .

Click the Run model button

on the toolbar.

Abort Run
This allows a simulation to be stopped immediately. This kills the engine process. However, if the engine
is being run via a batch file (p.125) this will only kill the batch process, not the engine. In this circumstance,
use Terminate Run (p.136).
To stop a simulation, select Operations Abort Run.

Terminate Run
This operation terminates a simulation in a tidy manner. A message is sent to the engine, which terminates
at the next convenient point.
Terminating the run using this method allows the engine to delete temporary files it has created. Simply
closing the simulation window or aborting the run (p.136) does not clean up these files, which may eventually
clutter up the hard disk.

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To stop a simulation cleanly, select Operations Terminate Run.

Single Branch
No Operation
To save the model without an operation associated with it, use No operation. This may be required if the
model is to be used by third party applications.
To do this, select Operations No Operation.

System Analysis
Use the System Analysis operation to determine the performance of a given system for varying operating
conditions on a case-by-case basis. An example is Pressure or Temperature Profiles where performance
is evaluated on a point-by-point basis.
How to perform a System Analysis
To perform a system analysis, do the following:
1. Create and save your model. (p.12)
2. Select Operations System Analysis.
3. Set the Calculated Variable to Inlet Pressure (p.88), Outlet Pressure (p.88), Flowrate (p.89) or User
Variable (p.151). If an unselected variable has an adjacent data-entry box, enter its value(s)
4. Choose the X-axis variable: this is a two stage process. First, choose the desired model Object, by
clicking on the down-arrowhead in the topmost combo-box in the X-Axis Values column (just underneath
the Range... button), and selecting one. Repeat this for the next lower combo box to choose a
Sensitivity variable name. Check the units revealed in the next box, and adjust if desired.
5. Add the desired values of the X-axis into the spreadsheet cells for the X-axis. To enter a range of values
with a starting value, end value and incriment, use the Range... button.
6. (Optional) Select sensitivity variables (p.151) by repeating steps 4 and 5 for the columns marked Sens
Var 1, Sens Var 2, etc.
7. If one or more sensitivity variables are defined, choose how they should be combined with the X-axis,
by selecting a radio button in the Sensitivity Variables box at top right of the dialog. There are three
choices:

Permuted against each other runs a case for every combination of X-axis and all sensitivity
variables. This produces a plot with most lines (and takes the longest time to run).

Change in step with Sens Var 1 runs a case for every combination of X-axis and Sens var 1, with
the remaining sensitivity variables following Sens var 1 in step. This produces a plot with the number
of lines equal to the number of Sens var 1 values.

Change in step with X-axis runs a case for every X-axis variable value, with all sensitivity variables
following the X-axis in step. This produces a plot with just one line (and takes the least time to run).

8. Select the Active check box for each sensitivity variable you want to use in this simulation.
9. Click Run Model.

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Pressure/Temperature profile
Pressure or temperature profiles can be generated as a function of distance along the system. Both
temperature and pressure profiles are generated on a node-by-node basis for the system.
Perform the following basic steps to determine the pressure or temperature profile along the system:
1. Build the required model, pipeline tools (p.61) or well (p.22).
2. Select Operations Pressure/Temperature profile.
3. Determine the boundary condition to compute.
4. (Optional) Select and enter any sensitivity parameters.
5. Run (p.136) the operation.
6. Save the model (p.14).
The operation can be run in any of the following modes:

Calculate inlet pressure (p.88) given outlet pressure and flow rate

Calculate outlet pressure (p.88) given inlet pressure and flow rate

Calculate flowrate (p.89) given inlet pressure and outlet pressure

Calculate the value of a User Variable (p.151) given inlet pressure, outlet pressure and flow rate

How to perform a pressure or temperature profile

To perform a pressure or temperature profile, do the following:
1. Create and save your model. (p.12)
2. Select Operations Pressure/Temperature profile.
3. Select the property to calculate: inlet pressure (p.88), outlet pressure (p.88), flow rate (p.89), or User
Variable (p.151).
4. (Optional) Select sensitivity variable (p.151) and supply values for it.
5. Select the desired initial default profile plot. You may have either a pressure or temperature profile,
plotted against either total distance or elevation. This selection affects only the initial view of the profile
plot; once the operation is complete the plot may be changed to display any desired profile.
6. Click Run Model.

Flow correlation comparison

Use this operation to match test data against each multiphase flow correlation for a particular system, to
determine the most suitable correlation for each system model.
How to perform a flow correlation match
To perform a flow correlation match, do the following:
1. Create and save your model. (p.12)
2. Select Operations Flow Correlation Comparison.

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3. Select the property to compute, inlet pressure (p.88), outlet pressure (p.88) or flowrate (p.89). If the inlet
pressure is the same as the pressure entered in a source object (completion (p.274) or source (p.87))
it can be omitted.
4. Enter the measured data: pressure and/or temperature.
5. Select the type of correlation to examine; Horizontal or vertical.
6. Select the multiphase flow correlations to examine.
7. Click Run Model.
See also Other Variable (p.151).
Adjusting parameters to match measured data
A better match can be achieved by automatically adjusting parameters (p.139) (such as flow correlation
factors).

Data matching
This option allows you to select parameters that will be automatically adjusted to match measured data for
a particular system.
See also User Variable (p.151) which can be used to select a single parameter that will be automatically
adjusted to match the boundary conditions.
How to perform a data match
To perform a data match, do the following:
1. Create and save your model. See how... (p.12)
2. Add and save measured pressure

{PM}

Eq. 1.4

and temperature

{TM}

Eq. 1.5
data for your model. For tubing, data can be added using the Data menu. For flowlines and risers,
measured data can be added to the properties tab of the detailed view.
3. From the toolbar, select Operations Data matching.
4. Select up to five of the following parameters:

U-value multiplier: multiplies all user defined u-values. It can only be selected if measured
temperature data is supplied.

Vertical flow correlation friction factor. This can only be selected if measured pressure data is
supplied.

Vertical flow correlation holdup factor. This can only be selected if measured pressure data is
supplied.

Horizontal flow correlation friction factor. This can only be selected if measured pressure data is
supplied.

Horizontal flow correlation holdup factor. This can only be selected if measured pressure data is
supplied.

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5. Set limits for each parameter selected. Do not use extreme values, as these may cause convergence
problems. Suggested limits are as follows:

0.01 < U-value multiplier < 100

0.1 < Friction factor < 10

0.1 < Holdup factor < 2

6. (Optional) Select Flow Correlations. If flow correlations are not specified here, Data matching is
performed with the flow correlations specified using Setup Flow Correlations.
7. Select the property to compute, inlet pressure (p.88), outlet pressure (p.88), or flowrate (p.89). If the inlet
pressure is the same as the pressure entered in a source object (completion (p.274), source (p.87)), it
can be omitted.
8. Select weight factors. If both pressure and temperature data have been specified then use the weight
factors wP and wT to set the relative importance of the pressure and temperature error terms. PIPESIM
will minimize the total error term RMS = wP RMSP + wT RMST, where the pressure error term is
given by:

RMSP =

nP

(P PM)

Eq. 1.6

and the temperature error term is given by:

RMST =

nT

(T TM)

Eq. 1.7

9. Run (p.136) the model. The optimizer performs a number of PIPESIM runs, until it has minimized the
RMS value. The accuracy of the optimization and the number of iterations allowed can be controlled by
using the OPTIMIZE (p.596) keyword, which can be entered using the Engine Options (p.119) dialog.
For each set of flow correlations selected, two sets of results will be tabulated, an Initial run using default
parameters, and an Optimized run, using fitted parameters. The pressure, temperature and total RMS
values will be displayed.
10.Select the run that gives the best fit, by clicking on the run number in the left hand column. Then click
on the Save Selected Results. This updates the parameters in your model.
Note: The run with the smallest RMS gives the best fit, but it is worth considering how far the multipliers
have been changed from their default value (1). A flow correlation where the multipliers are close to 1
may be a better model than one where extreme values are needed to give a good fit.
See also the OPTIMIZE (p.596) keyword.

Nodal Analysis
Nodal (or system) analysis in PIPESIM is defined as solving the total-producing-system by placing nodes
at the reservoir sand-face, the well tubing, the flowline and the separator.
A node is classified as functional when a pressure differential exists across it. In nodal analysis, the
producing system is divided into two halves at the solution node. The solution node is defined as the location
where the pressure differential upstream (inflow) and downstream (outflow) of the node is zero. This is
represented graphically as the intersection points of the inflow and outflow performance curves. Solution

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nodes can be judiciously selected to show the effect of certain variables such as inflow performance,
perforation density, tubing IDs, flowline IDs and separator pressures.
The solution node can be placed between any two objects, that is bottom hole (between completion and
tubing), wellhead (between tubing and choke), riser base (between flowline and riser), and so on. Use the
Nodal Analysis point (p.59) for this.
How to perform a Nodal Analysis
To perform a Nodal Analysis, do the following:
1. Create and save your model (p.12)
2. Build the well performance model (p.22)
3. Determine the Nodal Analysis point and insert the Nodal Analysis point (p.59) object into the model (this
is a node type object)
4. Select Operations Nodal Analysis.
5. Determine the inflow and outflow parameters.
6. Once in the Nodal Analysis Data screen, set the outlet pressure (p.88) and the maximum flowrate
(p.89) that the well will attain (this is to limit the outflow curves).
7. Set any limits (optional) using the Limits (p.141) button. Limit the extent of the resulting plot.
8. Select the Inflow and outflow sensitivity object and variables (p.151) and enter the data.
9. Run (p.136) the model.
10.Save the model (p.14).
11.Select Reports Nodal Analysis to view the Nodal Analysis report.
Note: If a gas system is being modeled then the liquid loading (p.61) point, for each outflow curve, will
automatically be displayed.
Nodal Analysis Limits
Sets limits on the resulting Nodal Analysis plot.

The maximum flowrate to be used (optional). This always applies to the outflow curves, and optionally
to the inflow curves, see below. If left blank, the outflow curves will extend to the maximum AOFP of the
inflow curves or to the Maximum Pressure limit (see below).

Number of points on each inflow curve. Default = 20, maximum 200

Number of points on each outflow curve. Default = 20, maximum 200.

Rate Limit option for the inflow curves: these can either obey the maximum flowrate, or be allowed to
extend to the AOFP (the rate where the curve meets the X-axis).

Pressure limit option for the outflow curves: these can either be limited to the Maximum Pressure (see
below), or be allowed to extend to the flowrate limit.

Maximum pressure for outflow curves. If supplied, the outflow curves will extend to this pressure, or the
maximum rate, whichever gives the smallest curve. If left blank, a default value will be assumed, this

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will be calculated at run-time to be the highest pressure on any of the inflow curves, plus 50%. Either
way, the pressure limit option (see above) can be used to make the limit be ignored.
Operating Points
As of PIPESIM release 2010.1, the nodal analysis operation generates the operating points and displays
them on the plot.
The intersection of one inflow curve and one outflow curve is known as an Operating Point. Whilst it is
possible to infer the system flowrate geometrically from the line intersections alone, it is more accurate and
far safer to calculate the flowrate by simulating the system end-to-end, which PIPESIM is well designed to
do. The resulting pressure and flow rate is displayed on the Nodal Analysis graph as an Operating Point
(usually a small circle marker). This explicit calculation ensures the inflow and outflow fluid properties and
temperature are identical, thus eliminating the possibility of a mismatch and consequent error in answer
interpretation.
Operating points are generated for each permutation from the lists of inflow and outflow sensitivity variables.
However, it is possible to set up the sensitivities so that some combinations are invalid, and these do not
result in operating points being generated and displayed. For example, if you set both inflow and outflow
sensitivity to the fluid watercut, most of the permutations will be invalid, because the fluid at the intersection
cannot have 2 different values for watercut. With Operating point generation enabled, the valid intersections
are clearly distinguishable from the invalid ones: operating points will only be generated for "valid"
combinations.
Sometimes it will happen that the displayed operating point does not coincide with the geometric
intersection. The cause of this will always be that the outflow fluid properties or temperature do not match
that of the operating point. The fact that the mismatch is evident should be regarded as a feature, not a bug,
and should alert the user to a problem or condition that requires particular caution and attention.
With operating point generation enabled, the profile plot file will contain valid profile plots for each operating
point: these can be viewed by selecting Reports Profile Plot. If you do not want operating points to be
generated, use the OPPOINTS= subcode of NAPLOT. (p.583)
Display Liquid Loading Point
The liquid loading point (p.273), for a gas system, is automatically displayed when a Nodal Analysis
(p.140) plot is requested. The liquid loading point will be displayed for all outflow curves.
The liquid loading point of a given tubing string is the point at which the reservoir energy is not capable of
overcoming the frictional and hydrostatic losses of the given tubing string as a function of wellhead pressure.
Liquid loading in a tubing string is identified when the corresponding Tubing Performance Curve (TPC)
slope approaches zero.
However, in low rate shallow gas wells with high LGRs, it becomes difficult to identify the "minimum rate to
lift liquids" in a given TPC plot. The Turner et al correlation can be used to identify the minimum gas
producing rate that is required to keep a well unloaded. This minima will, of course, be approaching the
"unstable flow point" of a given tubing configuration.

Horizontal length
Optimum Horizontal Well Length analysis accurately predicts the hydraulic wellbore performance in the
completion. It is an integral part of PIPESIM's reservoir-to-surface analysis.

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The technique subdivides the horizontal completion into vertical cross-sections and treats flow
independently from other cross-sections. This multiple source concept leads to a pressure gradient from
the blind-end (toe) to the producing-end (heel), which, if neglected, results in over-predicting deliverability.
The reduced drawdown at the toe results in the production leveling-off as a function of well length. It can
be shown that drilling beyond an optimum length would yield no significant additional production.
Several Inflow Performance Relationships are available. These are solved with the wellbore pressure drop
equations to yield the changing production rate along the well length.
How to perform a Horizontal length optimization
To perform a Horizontal length optimization, do the following:
1. Create and save your model (p.12). This must include a horizontal well completion.
2. Select Operations Optimum Horizontal Well Length.
3. Set the outlet pressure and the completion lengths to examine.
4. Click Run Model.

Reservoir tables
The reservoir simulator interface allows you to create tabular performance data, to a file, for input into a
reservoir simulation model.
It is often necessary, for the purpose of reservoir simulation, to generate VFP curves for input to a reservoir
simulator program. The VFP curves supply the simulator with the necessary data to define bottom hole
pressure and tubing head pressures as a function of various parameters such as flow rate, GOR or GLR
(where applicable), watercut, surface pressure and the injection gas rate. Further choices of input
parameters are available through the Expert mode. The effects of variations of up to five parameters can
be investigated and reported. Tabular data is then created in a format specific to the reservoir simulator
selected.
The reservoir simulator interface allows you to write tabular well performance data (in the form of bottom
hole pressures) to a file for input into a reservoir simulation model. Currently, the following reservoir
simulators are supported:

ECLIPSE

PORES

VIP

COMP4

MoRes (Shell's In-house simulator)

All combinations of the variables input by you will be used to generate the tables.
You may wish to model networks in their reservoir simulator, by generating VFP curves items of well tubing,
flowline or riser. This may not result in an accurate model of the surface network as temperatures at network
connections will not be modeled correctly.
How to create reservoir look-up tables
To create reservoir look-up tables, do the following:
1. Create and save your model (p.12). This should include a completion and tubing.

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2. Build the well performance model (p.22).

3. Select Operations Reservoir tables.
4. Enter the data for the sensitivity variables.
5. Select the reservoir simulator.
6. Enter the required data.
7. Click Run Model.
8. Save the model (p.14).
The resulting ASCII file can be used directly by the reservoir simulator. The file contains the data in the
required format. It is named xxx.tyy, where xxx is the base model name and yy is the table number.

Well Performance Curves

This operation creates a well [head] performance curve file. This file can be utilized in the network model
to represent the well's performance using the wells offline (p.19) option. This enables the network to be
solved faster.
How to create a well performance curve
To create a well performance curve, do the following:
1. Create and save your model (p.12).
2. Select Operations Well Performance Curves.
3. (Optional) Select up to five sensitivity variables (p.151). The actual value to use for each sensitivity
variable has to be set before the network simulation.
4. Click Run Model.
An ASCII file of <model name>.pwi is created in the model directory. This file can be utilized by the well
curves (p.19) feature in the Network module.

Gas Lift rate vs Casing head pressure

This operation calculates the gas lift injection rate and resulting production flowrate as a function of casing
head pressure (that is, injection pressure).
The Gas lift injection rate and production rates are calculated over a user-specified range of casing head
pressures. The operation assumes the operating valve is an orifice and the injection depth is defined as the
gas lift injection point in the tubing description.
The result of this operation identifies the relationship between gas lift injection rate and casing head
pressure. This may be particularly useful for wells where the method of gas lift rate control may be by
adjustment of casing head pressure.
The resulting performance curve may also be used by ProdMan to provide casing head pressure boundary
conditions for gas lift allocation and optimization.
How to perform a Casing Head Pressure analysis
To perform a Casing Head Pressure analysis, do the following:
1. Create and save your model. (p.12)

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2. Select Operations Gas Lift Rate vs Casing Head Pressure.

3. Enter the following data in the dialog:

Tubing
System Outlet Pressure
pressure downstream of the last object in the model.

Gas Lift
Max Available Gas Rate
maximum quantity of lift gas that you want to inject.
Gas Temperature
lift gas temperature at the casing head
Orifice Diameter
orifice diameter of the gas lift valve.
Cv
Cv of the gas lift valve

Casing Head pressure

Min. Casing Head Pressure
minimum casing head pressure to use to determine the well's flowrate
Max Casing Head Pressure
maximum casing head pressure to use to determine the well's flowrate
Step Size
The flowrate is computed from the minimum casing head pressure to the maximum casing
head pressure, in increments of this value.

4. Click Run Model.

Effect of gas lift rate on a well
To analyze the effects of gas lift rate on the casing head pressure for a well, work through the following
basic steps:
1. Build the well performance model (p.22).
2. Ensure that the gas lift depth and gas lift quantity has been set.
3. Select Operations Gas Lift Rate vs Casing Head Pressure.
4. Enter the required parameters.
5. Run (p.136) the operation.
6. Save the model (p.14).

Artificial Lift System Performance curves

The Artificial Lift Performance operation analyzes the effects of artificially lifting the well (by gas lift or
ESP lift). PIPESIM generates lift performance curves of gas lift injection rate or ESP speed versus gross
liquid flowrate from the standard system model data. The performance curves can also be created with
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sensitivity analysis on various parameters, such as wellhead pressure, watercut, tubing ID, and flowline ID.
More details (p.153).

Wax Deposition
To access this area, select Setup Wax Properties.
The following proprietary methods are available:

Schlumberger DBR singlephase Method (p.150) - available to anyone using an additional license

Schlumberger DBR multiphase Method (p.150) - available to anyone using an additional license

Shell Method (p.147) - only available to Shell companies

BP Method (p.149) - only available to BP companies

Wax Deposition Limits

These set limits for the wax deposition calculations. To access this area, select Operations Wax
Deposition and click Limits.
General
The following options are available:
Start/Restart time
The starting/restarting time
Reporting interval
The interval between reporting steps. This can be set independently of the timestep size to allow
a number of timesteps to occur with no reported output, if desired. The timestep size will be adjusted
to ensure that one ends at each report interval, in order to allow the report to be written.
Termination Mode
The simulation will finish when the first stopping criterion is met. The stopping criteria may be any of the
following:
End time
The finish time for the simulation, if no other stopping criterion is met
Maximum Pig DP / Maximum Wax Volume
The maximum delta pressure available to push a wax removal scraper pig through the line. The
simulation will terminate early when sufficient wax has deposited to cause the specified DP to occur.
Maximum Wax Thickness
An upper limit in the thickness of the wax deposit anywhere in the system
Minimum Production
A lower limit for system stock-tank liquid/gas/mass rate
Maximum System DP
An upper limit on the Delta Pressure between system inlet and outlet

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Timestep Calculation criteria

There is just one parameter currently:
Step size
The time step size
Shell Wax Method
Note: A document ("User's Guide for the Wax Deposition Option in PIPESIM" Project R13-0511.000 by
Bob Wilkens, MandarApte and George Broze) providing more details on the Wax Deposition module is
available to Shell users on request (or from our web site - password required)
Wax Properties Setup
To access this area, select Setup Wax Properties and select Shell. The dialog allows you to change
data for prediction of wax in the model.
Wax Properties - required
Density
Wax density (Must be supplied if the max. wax plug DP/max. volume stopping option is used.
Reasonable value: 55 lb/ft3)
Thermal Conductivity
Wax thermal conductivity. (Reasonable value: 0.15 Btu/hr/ft2/F)
Yield Strength
The yield strength of the deposited wax. (Reasonable value: 0.3 psi).
CWDT (critical wax deposition temperature)
A table of pressures and deposition temperatures may be supplied.
Rate model #
Deposition rate model number. Currently there is only one rate model, number 1.
Modeling Parameters
A table of modelling parameters temperatures, coefficients A and B may be supplied.
Wax Deposition Limits
Sets limits for the wax deposition calculations.
General
The following options are available:
Start/Restart time
The starting/restarting time.

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Reporting interval
The interval between reporting steps. This can be set independently of the timestep size to allow
a number of timesteps to occur with no reported output, if desired. The timestep size will be adjusted
to ensure that one ends at each report interval, in order to allow the report to be written.
Termination Mode
The simulation will finish when the first stopping criteria is met. The stopping criteria may be any of the
following:
End time
The finish time for the simulation, if no other stopping criteria is met.
Maximum Pig DP / Maximum Wax Volume
The maximum delta pressure available to push a wax removal scraper pig through the line. The
simulation will terminate early when sufficient wax has deposited to cause the specified DP to occur.
Maximum Wax Thickness
An upper limit in the thickness of the wax deposit anywhere in the system
Minimum Production
A lower limit for system stock-tank liquid/gas/mass rate.
Maximum System DP
An upper limit on the Delta Pressure between system inlet and outlet.
Timestep Calculation criteria
Minimum step
The minimum time step size.
Relaxation parameter
The relaxation factor for automated timestep adjustment. Must be a real number between 0 and 1
higher values favour the new value, lower the old.
Step size
The time step size.
DP Factor
Fraction of the pressure drop change allowed with the new timestep.
Minimum Dx
The minimum allowable increase in wax ID.
Set Dx
The maximum increase in wax ID.
HTC limit
Controls the application of the Heat Transfer Coefficient limit on the timestep size.

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BP Wax Method
Wax Properties Setup
To access this area, select Setup Wax Properties and select BP. This dialog allows you to change or
input data for prediction of wax in the model.
Wax Properties - required
Conductivity multiplier
Yield Strength
Wax thermal conductivity. (Reasonable value: 0.15 Btu/hr/ft2/F)
Properties Filename
File that contains the wax properties data - *.thm file.
Diffusion Coefficient Method
Diffusion coefficient method. Can be:

Wilke-Chang

Hayduk-Minhas

User-supplied (with a diffusion coefficient multiplier).

Diffusion Coefficient Multiplier

Molecular Diffusion coefficient multiplier (number between 0.1 to 1).
Oil Fraction in Wax
Oil fraction in the wax (number between 0 and 1).
Roughness Multiplier
Roughness multiplier (number between 0 and 1).
Shear Multiplier
Shear reduction multiplier (number between 0 and 1) to simulate wax stripping.
Wax Deposition Limits
Sets limits for the wax deposition calculations.
General
The following options are available:
Start/Restart time
The starting/restarting time.
Reporting interval
The interval between reporting steps. This can be set independently of the timestep size to allow
a number of timesteps to occur with no reported output, if desired. The timestep size will be adjusted
to ensure that one ends at each report interval, in order to allow the report to be written.

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Termination Mode
The simulation will finish when the first stopping criteria is met. The stopping criteria may be any of the
following:
End time
The finish time for the simulation, if no other stopping criteria is met.
Maximum Pig DP / Maximum Wax Volume
The maximum delta pressure available to push a wax removal scraper pig through the line. The
simulation will terminate early when sufficient wax has deposited to cause the specified DP to occur.
Maximum Wax Thickness
An upper limit in the thickness of the wax deposit anywhere in the system
Minimum Production
A lower limit for system stock-tank liquid/gas/mass rate.
Maximum System DP
An upper limit on the Delta Pressure between system inlet and outlet.
Timestep Calculation criteria
Step size
The time step size.
Schlumberger DBR Wax Methods
Two methods are available; a single phase and a multi-phase method.
Schlumberger DBR wax deposition model (p.409)
Wax Properties Setup
To access this area, select Setup Wax Properties and select Schlumberger. The dialog allows you to
change or input data for prediction of wax in the model.

File that contains the wax properties data,- *.DBRWax file. This file is generated using a third party
package DRR Solids version 4.1 and above.

Properties are read from the data file and can be viewed using a text editor. Properties can be over
written by entering values in the dialog. The use of multipliers can be switched on or off by selecting the
tick box.

Wax Properties Sensitivity

It is possible to sensitize on some of the wax property variables when using the DBR wax deposition models.
For both single-phase and multiphase models, the following properties are available for sensitivity:
Sensitivity variable

Acceptable range (min, max)

Shear reduction multiplier

[10 : 10]

Molecular diffusion multiplier [10 : 10]

Oil fraction in wax

[0 : 0.99]

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Wax surface roughness

[1E-8 : 0.99999] cm or [3.933701E-9 : 0.3937] inch

Wax thermal conductivity

[0 : 10] W/m/K or [0 : 5.78035] BTU/hr/ft/F

For all the sensitivity variables given above, the default value used in the code is the one specified in
the .DBRWAX property file.
For the multiphase DBR wax deposition model, it is possible to sensitize on extra properties which are:
Sensitivity variable

Acceptable range (min, max)

Shear stress coefficient

[-5 : 5]

Shear factor coefficient for porosity

[-5 : 5]

Temperature factor coefficient for oil fraction [-5 : 5]

Liquid holdup coefficient

[0 : 5]

Wax Deposition Limits

This dialog sets limits for the wax deposition calculations
Limits (p.146)

Sensitivity variables
One of the application's strongest benefits is its ability to perform sensitivity studies on a single or a number
of variables at a time.
To perform sensitivity:
1. Select the appropriate operation, (P/T profile, system analysis, and so on.)
2. From the component row, use the drop down list to select the object that the sensitivity is to be
performed on, that is System data, completion, flowline, and so on. The list of objects displayed here
will reflect the names of each individual object in the model.
3. From the variable row, select the variable from the chosen object, that is rate, well PI, flowline ID, and
so on. The list of variables displayed here will reflect the object chosen in step 2.
4. From the units row, select the units for the variable.
5. Enter the date for the variables from row 1. If a set of data is equally spaced, that is 5, 10, 15, 20, 25,
30, 35, then the Range button can be used. In this example enter, the start and end value and the step
size for example 0, 35, step 5 and press Apply.
6. To disable the data in a column, that is perform the operation but ignore a particular sensitivity variable,
then deactivate the Active check box for the required column.
7. Repeat the above process for all the required sensitivity variables.

User variable
In an operation, if you wish to specify all three of inlet pressure (p.88), outlet pressure (p.88) and flowrate
(p.89), you must also tell the engine how to achieve the specified outlet pressure. This is done by defining
the User Variable. This is similar to a sensitivity variable (p.151), but instead of requiring you to provide a
series of values for it, its value is calculated as part of the simulation.

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You must choose an object and a variable, whose value will have an effect on the system outlet pressure.
For example, in a production well model, a choke positioned at the wellhead could be chosen as the object,
and the Bean Diameter as the variable. Any object and any variable can be chosen, as long as you consider
it will have an effect on the system outlet pressure.
You must specify the allowable maximum and minimum values for the variable, and the proportionality
relationship (that is, whether an increase in the variable's value causes an increase or a decrease in outlet
pressure). If Direct is selected, the outlet pressure is assumed to be directly proportional to the variable,
and will increase with it; for example, the choke bean diameter would behave like this. If Inverse is selected,
the outlet pressure is assumed to be inversely proportional to the variable, and will decrease when the
variable is increased. An example of this might be the watercut of a black oil fluid in a production well: as
watercut increases, the well's static DP increases and hence its outlet pressure decreases.
Sometimes, depending on the choice of object and variable, the proportionality relationship can be difficult
to predict. For example if Tubing Inside Diameter is used in an oil production well, you would expect outlet
pressure to increase as diameter is increased, when starting from a small diameter value. However, once
the diameter exceeds a certain critical value, the well will probably start to suffer from excessive liquid
holdup, causing the outlet pressure to decrease. In this situation the simulation may have two solutions,
one with a small ID, another with a much larger ID. The choice of proportionality relationship allows you to
pick the solution you want. However, also in this situation, the simulation may have no solution; this will
happen if the specified outlet pressure is too big.

Network Operations
Restart Model
This is only available in the Network module. See also Engine preferences (p.125), Speed up the calculation
engine (p.126) and Addressing Network speed issues. (p.411)
Note: The model can be restarted in the following ways:

Use the Restart button

and set the network engine advanced Command Line Parameters (see Engine
Use the Run button
preferences (p.125)) as follows:

-r : Restart but do not keep branches skipped in the restart file permanently skipped.

-R : Restart but permanently skip all branches skipped in the restart file (this is the default PIPESIM
behavior)

When a Network simulation finishes, the final solution results are stored in a restart file. If the model is
restarted
(as opposed to rerun), these final results are used as the starting point for the run, instead
of the initial estimates (p.21).

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The default restart function in PIPESIM restarts the model by keeping all skipped branches permanently
skipped. So if the user has deactivated a branch, run the model, and reactivated the branch again before
using the Restart button

, the deactivated branch remains deactivated.

Running a network model by using Restart , as opposed to Run, should also speed up the solution. However,
the follow limitations apply:

If the model has changed significantly (for example, a well was added, or a branch or node was de- or
re-activated), the use of Restart may actually slow down the simulation. In addition, the user should pay
attention to the restart option used (-r or -R).

If minor changes have been made to a network (for example, a flowrate or pipe dimension change),
Restart should provide a faster convergence than a normal run.

If the program crashes part way through an iteration, or the model does not solve in the allowed number
of iterations, or the run is terminated prematurely by user intervention or other system error, the Restart
function can be useful. The model can simply be restarted and the program will start from where it left
off. Use the Restart button on the PIPESIM toolbar in this case.

Gas Lift Optimization

This section provides information on the gas lift optimization functionality of PIPESIM.
This functionality allows an oil field to be optimized in terms of day-to-day oil production for gas lifted wells.
In addition well, manifold and field constraints can be taken into account.
Please select Help GLO Help for further information.

Artificial Lift analysis

Perform the following basic steps to analyze the effects of artificial lift on a well:
1. Build the well performance model (p.22).
2. Ensure that the gas lift or ESP lift depth has been set.
3. Select Operations Artificial Lift Performance.
4. Select the sensitivity parameters.
5. Run (p.136) the operation.
6. Save the model (p.14).

How to create artificial lift performance curves

To create an artificial lift performance curve, do the following:
1. Create and save your model (p.12): include a tubing object and one or more artificial lift points ( Injection
points (p.55), gas lift valves (p.55) or ESP (p.175)).
2. Select Operations Artificial Lift Performance.
3. Set the outlet pressure (p.88).
4. (Optional) Select sensitivity variables (p.151).

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5. Select the Artificial lift method, Gas or ESP, and set the appropriate data.
6. Run (p.136) the model.

General Gas Lift

This is the process of raising or lifting fluid from a well by injecting gas down the well through the tubing,
casing, annulus, or riser. Injected gas aerates the fluid to make it exert less pressure than the formation
does; the resulting higher formation pressure forces the fluid out of the wellbore. Gas may be injected
continuously or intermittently, depending on the producing characteristics of the well and the arrangement
of the gas lift equipment.
Note: PIPESIM models the continuous injection process only. For details of Schlumberger tools for
modeling intermittent gas lift (with ISIS), please contact your local office. For details on Artificial Lift, see
the web site.
PIPESIM has two methods for modeling gas lift systems:
Gas Lift injection points
this uses fixed injection depths and injection rates. It is assumed that the quantity of lift gas
requested is fully injected into the production string at the specified depth(s) and takes no account
of the available injection gas pressure.
Gas Lift Valve System
the actual gas lift valve depths are specified. For normal PIPESIM operations, gas is injected at the
specified rate at the deepest possible valve depth (taking into account the available injection
pressure). For the Gas Lift Diagnostics operation only, the actual gas throughput for each valve is
calculated, based on the injection pressure, production pressure, valve details, and valve status
For this operation, details of the gas lift system are required (valve size, Ptro, and so on). The valve
throttling response (based on the bellows load rate of the valve) is modeled.
PIPESIM allows the following modes of operation:

Deepest Injection Point (p.154)

Lift Gas Response (p.156)

Bracketing (p.155)

Gas Lift Design (p.157)

Gas Lift Diagnostics (p.170)

Gas Lift Operations - Deepest Injection Point

This operation computes the Deepest Injection Point [DIP] and the expected production rate, based on the
data entered. To run it, select Artificial Lift Gas Lift Deepest Injection Point.
Set the Outlet Pressure to the pressure downstream of the last object in the model.
The input parameters are as follows:
Injection Gas Rate
injection gas rate

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Injection Gas Surface Pressure

gas injection pressure at the surface
Injection Gas Surface Temperature
gas injection temperature at the surface
Injection Gas Specific Gravity
specific gravity of gas
Minimum Valve Injection DP
pressure drop across the valve
Max Allowable Injection TVD
a limit on the depth at which injection can occur
Annular Gas Pressure Design Gradient Method (p.174)
Choose from the following options:

Use static gradient the default

Use Rigorous Friction and Elevation DP

Gas Injection Depth

Choose from the following options:

Optimum Depth of injection gas injection can occur at any depth in the wellbore

Injection at Valve Depths only gas injection is restricted to the specified valve/mandrel depths only,
as defined in the model tubing description.

Use the buttons as follows:

Calculate computes the liquid flow rate, pressure profile and the Deepest Injection Point.

Copy copies the pressure profile to the clipboard.

Print prints the pressure profile.

Summary File displays the PIPESIM standard summary file.

Output File displays the PIPESIM standard output file.

Gas Lift Operations - Bracketing

This operation computes the Deepest Injection point [DIP] and the expected production rate, based on the
data entered for a minimum and maximum set of conditions. (Normally the minimum and maximum set of
production rate conditions, now and at some time in the future).
The minimum and maximum conditions are used to compute the flowing pressure profiles for the two cases,
and therefore the deepest possible injection depths for the two sets of conditions.
The flowing pressure profiles are computed from the given outlet pressure and flow rates (and GLR and
Watercut). Unlike the other Gas Lift operations, here the model reservoir pressure and IPR are not used to
determine the flowing pressures or flow rates.
To run the operation, select Artificial Lift Gas Lift Bracketing.
Set the Outlet Pressure to the pressure downstream of the last object in the model.

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The input parameters are as follows:

Injection Gas Surface Pressure
gas injection pressure at the surface
Injection Gas Surface Temperature
gas injection temperature at the surface
Injection Gas Specific Gravity
specific gravity of gas
Minimum Valve Injection DP
pressure drop across the valve
Max Allowable Injection TVD
a limit on the depth at which injection can occur
Annular Gas Pressure Design Gradient Method (p.174)
There are two options: Use Static Gradient (the default) and Use Rigorous Friction and
Elevation DP
The Bracketing Input section shows the minimum and maximum data for:

Q: Liquid Flow rate

GLR or Gas Injection rate [Qgi]

WCUT: Water cut

Use the buttons as follows:

Calculate computes pressure profiles and the Deepest Injection Points for the two cases.

Copy copies the pressure profile to the clipboard.

Print prints the pressure profile.

Summary File displays the standard summary file.

Output File displays the standard output file.

Gas Lift Operations - Lift Gas Response Curves

This operation computes the response of the gas lift system to changes in any variable. You can select a
range of gas lift rates and a set of sensitivity values. The resulting gas lift response curves show how the
production rate and possible gas injection depth vary as a function of injection rate and the sensitivity
parameter.
Use this operation to investigate how the well responds to various parameters before proceeding with a gas
lift design.
To run the operation, select Artificial Lift Gas Lift Lift Gas Response.
The parameters are as follows:
Outlet Pressure
pressure downstream of the last object in the model.

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Minimum Valve Injection DP

pressure drop across the valve.
Injection Gas Surface Temperature
gas injection temperature at the surface.
Max Allowable Injection TVD
a limit on the depth at which injection can occur
Inj Gas SG
injection gas specific gravity
Annular Gas Pressure Design Gradient Method (p.174)
There are two options: Use static gradient (default) and Use Rigorous Friction & Elevation
DP.
Sensitivity Data
Perform sensitivity on any parameter in the model
Gas Injection Depth
Choose from the following options:

Optimum Depth of injection gas injection can occur at any depth in the wellbore

Injection at Valve Depths only gas injection is restricted to the specified valve/mandrel
depths only, as defined in the model tubing description

Injection Gas rate

a range of injection gas rates
Use the buttons as follows:

Run Model computes the liquid production rate, and the (deepest) injection depths for the specified
range of gas injection rates and sensitivity parameters.

System Plot displays the system plot.

Summary File displays the PIPESIM standard summary file.

Output File displays the PIPESIM standard output file.

Gas Lift Design

The Gas Lift Design (GLD) feature allows detailed design of the location and type of valves to insert into
the tubing to maximize the potential of the well. A gas lift design can be conducted for the following:

An existing mandrel spacing (Current Spacing )

To create a new mandrel spacing (New Spacing )

Data Entry
To run the operation, select Artificial Lift Gas Lift Gas Lift Design. This opens a dialog with the
following tabs:

Design Control (p.158)

Design Parameters (p.163)

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Safety Factors (Design Bias) (p.164)

Project Data Gas Lift Design - Summary (p.168) (this is only displayed after a successful design has been
created).
Gas Lift Design
To perform a Gas Lift Design, do the following:
1. Create and save your model. See how... (p.12)
2. Select Artificial Lift Gas Lift Gas Lift Design.
3. Set the required data (p.157).
4. Select Perform Design.... A redesign can be performed after the design has been created.
Design Control
To set the following parameters, select Artificial Lift Gas Lift Gas Lift Design and select the Design
Control tab.
Design Spacing
Select from the following options:
New Spacing
calculate a new mandrel spacing for the well as part of the gas lift design and overwrite (without
prompting) any existing valve settings.
Current Spacing:
use the existing mandrel spacing as defined in the PIPESIM model and calculate appropriate valve
parameters.
Design Method
The three following design methods are available (two for IPO design and one for PPO design):

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Uses a user specified fixed surface close (injection) pressure drop between valves.

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Uses a calculated surface close (injection) pressure drop between valves (with user specified minimum).

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Uses a transfer gradient based on user entered Surface Offset and Operating Valve DP values. Normally
used for design with production pressure operated (PPO) valves.

Surface offset
Either a percentage of the difference between the operating production (wellhead) pressure and the surface
injection pressure, or a DP value (added to the wellhead pressure). The transfer gradient used for design
is then a straight line drawn between the surface offset and the operating valve DP (at the operating valve
location). .
Operating Valve DP
The difference between the injection pressure and the production pressure at the operating valve location.
Top Valve Location
This is used as the basis for spacing the top unloading valve. The options are as follows:

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Assume Liquid to Surface

Assumes that liquid is present in the wellbore to the surface.
Assume Liquid NOT to Surface
Assumes that a liquid level exists, based on the static bottom hole pressure and static gradient.
Well Absorbs Fluid
If this check box is selected, this assumes that the reservoir can readily absorb fluid from the
wellbore, thus maintaining a constant tubing liquid level during unloading. If it is not selected, it is
assumed that the reservoir cannot absorb any fluid which is unloaded from the annulus to the tubing.
Valve Selection Filter
You can select the valve manufacturer, type of valve to assume, valve size (nominal OD), valve series, and
the minimum port diameter for the design. The filter selects the appropriate valve from the gas lift valve
database. The appropriate valve parameters (port/bellows dimensions and so on.) will be used for the
design. You can enter new valves into the PIPESIM database if required. Note that the type of valve selected
(IPO or PPO) determines the default safety factors and calculation of open / close points.
Unloading Temperature
You can select whether to use the expected final production temperature, the ambient (geothermal)
temperature, the injection gas temperature or the calculated unloading production temperature for the valve
test rack pressure determination. You can select a different option for the top valve and for other valves.
You can make a first pass for design based on one of these temperature profiles and then edit the
temperature values for any of the valves on the design summary screen and recalculate the test rack
pressures (using the Re-Design (p.168) option).
Max. Allowable Inj. TVD
This depth (true vertical) is taken as the maximum depth for valve placement in the spacing calculations.
Normally this should be about 100 ft above packer depth.
Production Pressure Curve
Select a flowing production pressure curve to use for the design, one of the following:
Production Pressure Model
uses the objective flowing pressure gradient calculated with the PIPESIM model, assuming the
target injection gas rate injected at the operating valve location (default).
Equilibrium curve
calculates and uses an equilibrium curve based on the target gas injection rate in the model. The
equilibrium curve is a curve of the expected flowing pressure at any depth, assuming gas lift is
being injected at that depth at the target gas injection rate.
Perform Design (p.167)
Gas Lift Design - Summary (p.168)
Note: The summary is only displayed after a successful design has been created.

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Design Parameters
To set these parameters, select Artificial Lift Gas Lift Gas Lift Design and select the Design
Parameters tab. The parameters are as follows:
Kickoff Pressure
Maximum possible injection pressure to kick off the well. Used for top valve placement only.
Operating Injection Pressure
The maximum available injection pressure to be used for the design calculation.
Unloading Production Pressure
Minimum possible production (wellhead) pressure during unloading. Used for placement of top
valve only.
Operating Production
The expected production (wellhead) pressure. Used to calculate the production pressure curve.
Target Inj. Gas Flowrate
The target injection gas flowrate for design. Used to calculate the production pressure curve and
operating valve sizing. Note that the effect of gas injection flowrate on well performance can be
investigated with the PIPESIM model using the Lift Gas Response Curves operation. This should
give you an understanding of the gas lift performance of the well and enable determination of the
optimum target gas injection flowrate.
Inj. Gas Surface Temperature
The surface temperature of the injection gas. Used to determine the injection gas temperature
profile.
Inj Gas Specific Gravity
Injection gas specific gravity. Used to determine injection gas pressure profile.
Min Unloading Liq rate:
The design includes calculation of the unloading liquid and gas injection rates for the unloading
valves. You can specify the minimum unloading liquid rates for unloading.
Unloading Gradient
Gradient of the well fluid for unloading and spacing calculation.
Minimum Valve Spacing
Minimum distance for valve spacing (TVD). Valves will not be placed deeper if they are spaced
closer than this value.
Minimum Valve Inj DP
Minimum difference between injection and production pressure required for valve placement.
Valves will not be placed deeper if the pressure difference is less than this value.
Solution Point Rate/Fixed rate
Use either a specified liquid production flowrate or a specified reservoir pressure in the calculation
of the Production Pressure Curve (the remaining property will be computed).
Reservoir Pressure
Static reservoir pressure used in the model. (The liquid production rate is calculated).
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Liquid Production Rate

The desired liquid production rate. (The reservoir pressure and inflow is ignored).
Bracketing
Select Enable bracketing Options to view the following options, which control the bracketing
interval for placement of bracketing valves:
Note: The type of bracketing valves depends on the type of operating valve.

Max TVD the maximum depth for bracketing valves

Spacing distance for bracketing valve spacing (TVD)

Annular Gas Pressure Design Gradient Method (p.174)

Select one of the following:

Use static gradient the default

Use Rigorous Friction and Elevation DP

Safety Factors (Design Bias)

To set the following parameters, select Artificial Lift Gas Lift Gas Lift Design then select the Safety
Factors (Design Bias) tab:
Surface Close Pressure Drop Between Valves
[IPO valves only] Safety factor normally used for Injection Pressure Operated (IPO) valves only.
Surface close (injection) pressure drop for each successive valve down hole to ensure valve above
closes. For IPO Surface Close method a fixed value is used for all valves. For Pt Min/Max method
it is the minimum value since the design process will calculate this value. Default value for injection
pressure operated valves is 15 psi.
Note: PPO Design does not use this safety factor.
Locating DP at Valve Location
Safety factor normally used for both injection pressure operated and production pressure operated
valves. This is an offset from the injection pressure line to the start of the transfer (unloading) line
at each valve location. Default value for injection pressure operated valves is 50 psi. and default
for production pressure operated valves is 100 psi.

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Transfer Factor
[IPO valves only] Safety factor normally used for injection pressure operated valves only. This is
an offset from the production pressure line to the start of the transfer line (transfer point) at each
valve location This can be entered as a percentage of the difference between the production
pressure and injection pressure at each valve location or as a percentage of the production
pressure. Default value is zero.
Note: PPO Design does not use this safety factor (the transfer gradient is itself a transfer safety
factor).

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Place Orifice at operating valve location

Select this check box to use an orifice in the operating valve location. You can then edit the default
Discharge Coefficient for Orifice (used for gas throughput calculations).
Subtract delta P from Ptro at Operating Valve Location
If the operating valve is an IPO or PPO valve, you can elect to subtract a delta P from the calculated
Ptro value for this valve (flag the valve). This causes an additional injection pressure drop at this
valve during unloading. Default value is zero.
Place IPO valve at Operating valve location
[PPO Design only] For a PPO design, you can opt to place an IPO valve in the operating valve
location.

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Project Data
Data that relates to the current project. This will be displayed on the Gas Lift Design report.
Perform Design
After selecting Artificial Lift Gas Lift Gas Lift Design, enter data on the Design Control (p.158) ,
Design Parameters (p.163) and Safety Factors (p.164) tabs. The data are used to design the gas lift system;
see minimum data set (p.167).
When all data is present, click the Perform Design button. The following calculations are performed using
the design data and selected design method:

The objective production pressure curve is generated.

The mandrel depths are calculated for New Spacing. For Current Spacing, the specified mandrel depths
(in the tubing description) are used.

The valve port sizes are calculated. The valve port size is selected to pass the unloading gas rate for
the unloading valves and the target gas rate for the operating valve. If no unloading calculations are
possible (no inflow means that the well does not flow), the minimum port size for the series is selected
by default.

The unloading injection gas requirement and unloading liquid rates are calculated (by nodal simulation)
for each valve station. Also, the maximum possible gas throughput for each valve is calculated.

The valve open pressures, close pressures and test rack open pressures (Ptro) are calculated.

The depth of the operating valve is determined when any of the following conditions is met:

the position of the next unloading valve would be closer than the minimum valve spacing criterion

the injection pressure minus the production pressure is less than the Minimum Valve Injection DP

the Maximum Allowable Injection TVD is reached.

If the Bracketing option was selected, bracketing valves are placed below the operating valve down to the
specified max TVD at the specified bracketing spacing. If the operating valve is either an orifice, a flagged
valve, or an IPO valve in a PPO design, the bracketing mandrels are assumed to contain dummy valves.
When the design calculations are complete, a summary sheet (p.168) is displayed. On this some valve
data can be changed and a re-design (p.168) performed if required.
The standard Gas Lift design graph (Pressure versus Depth plot) and report can also be displayed and
printed.
Once the design has been verified, it can be transferred to the well model using the Install Design button.
Minimum Data Set
The minimum data set required to perform a gas lift design is the following:

Target Injection Gas Flowrate

Injection Gas Surface Temperature

Injection Gas Specific Gravity

Operating Prod. Pressure (Flowing tubing head pressure).

Available Injection Pressure.

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In addition, a well model is required, This must contain at least a completion (reservoir), tubing icons, and
a valid fluid model.
Perform Re-Design
You can edit certain parameters in the Gas Lift Design summary sheet (p.168) and perform a redesign of
the gas lift system.
You can edit the following fields:

Valve Depth (if the Edit Depth check box is selected).

Valve Model and Port size (if the Edit Valve check box is selected).

Valve Temperature (if the Edit Temp check box is selected).

To change the valve model and/or port size:

1. Double-click the valve to change out.
2. The gas lift valve (p.55) database opens. You can filter for certain types of valves using the Filter
parameters on the right hand side.
3. Double click the required valve. It is placed in the summary field.
After changing any parameter, click on the Perform Re-Design button to recalculate the design parameters
to reflect the changes.
Note: Only the parameter which has its check box selected remains unaltered. Any other parameters may
be changed by the design process. It is therefore recommended that you change only one parameter at a
time and then perform a redesign.
In this way you can modify the initial gas lift design, for example in the following ways:
1. Reset the valve temperatures for each valve and recalculate test rack pressures.
2. Manually reset the design mandrel depths.
3. Replace the operating valve with an orifice valve or other valve.
4. Replace unnecessary valves with dummy valves.
5. Manually re-size upper valves (port sizes) to user preferred port sizes.
The standard Gas Lift Design graph (Pressure - Depth plot) can also be displayed and printed.
Once the design has been verified, transfer it to the well model using the Install Design button.
See also: Perform Design (p.167)
Gas Lift Design - Summary
This summary screen is displayed after the Perform Design operation is successfully executed. Use it
allows to review and/or change the design, or perform a Re-Design (p.168) or a diagnostic.
Proposed design
Valves and design parameters
This table lists the proposed valves and their design parameters, as follows:

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Valve depth (MD or TVD).

Valve series

Port Size - the valve port size is selected to pass the unloading gas rate for the unloading valves and
the target gas rate for the operating valve. If no unloading calculations are possible (no inflow - well does
not flow), then the minimum port size for the series is selected by default.

Ptro - test rack open pressure.

Open Pressure at Surface (for IPO design only).

Close Pressure at Surface (for IPO design only).

Pdome - Valve dome pressure at depth (for PPO design only).

Open Pressure at Depth (for PPO design only).

Gas Rate (Unloading) - injection gas rate required to unload the well to the transfer point (Not calculated
if no inflow from the reservoir).

Unloading Liquid Rate - calculated liquid unloading rate at the transfer point. (Not calculated if no inflow
from the reservoir).

Max Valve Throughput - maximum rate that can be passed through the valve given the injection
pressure, production pressure and port size.

Valve Temperature - Valve temperature used for Petro calibration.

Injection Pressure Drop - surface close injection pressure drop between valves.

Cd - discharge coefficient (from the valve database).

Valve Choke (optional) - can be used if chokes are placed in valve ports.

Buttons
The following buttons are available:
Add (Valve Lookup)
To add a valve from the database to the design valve table, click Add.(Valve Lookup) .. (p.56). The valve
will be added to the bottom of the current list.
To add [change out] a valve at a particular depth:
1. Select the Edit Valve check box.
2. Double click the cell under Valve Series or Port Size that corresponds to the required depth.
Edit Selected Valve
Use this to edit the selected valve. (This is only possible if the Edit Valve check box is selected.)
Remove Selected Valve
Use this to remove the selected valve. (This is only possible if the Edit Valve check box is selected.)
Perform Re-Design
Use this to change some parameters and perform a Re-Design of the system.
Re-Design is only possible if one of the following parameters is edited in the summary screen:

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Valve Depth ( the Edit Depth check box must be selected)

Valve Series or Port size (the Edit Valve check box must be selected)

Valve Temperature (the Edit Temp check box must be selected)

Graph
Click Graph... to display the traditional Gas Lift Design graph (Pressure versus Depth plot). This can also
be printed
Report
Click Report... to produce a Gas lift Design report. This can be printed.
Install Design
Click Install Design to install the proposed design in the current tubing description. This overwrites any
gas lift valves already in place for this well.
Target Operating Injection Pressure
This is computed from the design. It can be used, or modified, for the diagnostics operation.
Run Diagnostics
Performs gas lift diagnostics (p.170) on the current gas lift valve system with the operating injection
pressure specified.

Gas Lift Diagnostics

This operation performs a simulation of the gas lift system. It calculates (simulates) the status and actual
throughput for each valve, based on the simulated injection and production pressures. To run it, select
Artificial Lift Gas Lift Gas Lift Diagnostics.
The valve status can be closed, throttling or fully open. The valve performance characteristics take into
account the throttling response of the valves. The throttling response is based on the bellows load rate of
the particular valves.
The diagnostic simulation is iterative. The throughput of each valve depends on the simulated injection and
production pressures (in addition to valve characteristics). However, the simulated production pressure itself
depends on the throughput of each valve. Therefore the system is solved iteratively.
The assumed conditions for the diagnostic simulation are as follows:

The operating injection pressure, taken from the design result.

The operating production pressure, taken from the design input.

The operating reservoir pressure, taken from the design input.

The valve positions and parameters, taken from the design summary.

All other model parameters are as defined in the model.

The diagnostic results are displayed graphically on a pressure-depth plot. The valve status is shown on the
left hand well schematic as red if closed or green if open (or throttling). To view the valve details, place the
cursor over a valve on the well schematic.

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Gas Lift Diagnostics calculates the injection rate and the maximum injection rate for the valves by using
the Thornhill-Craver equation. Total gas lift rates are shown in the Rates section below the well schematic.
This shows the following:

Measured the target gas injection rate

Calc the value calculated when Diagnostics is run

%Max the ratio of the calculated flow rate to the maximum flow rate, expressed as a percentage

To view the detailed results in tabular form, click Data Sheet... .

Gas Lift Diagnostics
This operation determines which valve or valves a gas lift system is lifting from. It creates a well performance
curve. To use this feature a Gas Lift (p.157) system must have been installed.
How to create a well performance curve
To create a well performance curve, do the following:
1. Create and save your model. See how... (p.12)
2. Select Artificial Lift Gas Lift Gas Lift diagnostics.
3. Enter the required data (p.163).
4. Run (p.157) the diagnostics.
Gas Lift Diagnostics Data
The following parameters are required by the Diagnostics operation:
Outlet Pressure
system outlet pressure (usually wellhead pressure).
Operating Injection Pressure
actual injection pressure.
Target Gas Lift Rate
estimated (measured) gas lift injection rate. This value will be calculated by the diagnostics routine
(based on the injection pressure, production pressure and valve status).
Surface Injection Temperature
surface temperature of the injection gas. Used to determine the injection gas temperature profile.
Gas Specific Gravity
injection gas specific gravity. Used to determine injection gas pressure profile.
To set these parameters, select Artificial Lift Gas Lift Gas Lift Diagnostics.

Gas Lift Theoretical background

Gas lift is a method of lifting fluid by using relatively high pressure (250 psi minimum) gas as the lifting
method through a mechanical process.
Gas lift is particularly applicable for lifting wells where high-pressure gas is available. Gas compressors
may have been installed for gas injection or high-pressure gas wells may be nearby. Since the cost of

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compression far exceeds the cost of downhole gas lift equipment, always consider gas lift when an adequate
volume of high-pressure gas is available for wells requiring artificial lift.
Gas lift is accomplished by one of the following methods:
Continuous flow
In continuous flow a continuous volume of high pressure gas is introduced into the eductor tube to aerate
or lighten the fluid column until reduction of the bottom-hole pressure allows a sufficient differential across
the sand face, causing the well to produce the desired rate of flow. This requires the following:

a flow valve that permits the deepest possible one point injection of available gas lift pressure

a valve that acts as a changing or variable orifice to regulate gas injected at the surface depending upon
tubing pressure.

This method is used in wells with a high productivity index and a reasonably high bottom-hole pressure
relative to well depth. In this type of well, fluid production can range from 200-20,000 B/d through normal
size tubing strings. On casing flow it is possible to lift in excess of 80,000 B/d. The internal diameter (ID) of
the pipe governs the amount of flow, provided the well productivity index, bottom-hole pressure, gas volume
and pressure, and the mechanical conditions are ideal.
Smaller volumes can be efficient using continuous flow where small 'macaroni' tubing is used. As low as
25 B/d may be produced efficiently through 1-in. tubing by continuous flow.
Intermittent flow
Intermittent flow involves expansion of a high pressure gas ascending to a low-pressure outlet. A valve with
a large port permits complete volume and pressure expansion control of gas entering into the tubing. This
either regulates lift of the accumulated fluid head above the valve with a maximum velocity to minimize
slippage, or controls liquid fall back, fully ejecting it to the tank with minimum gas.
Intermittent lift is generally used in conjunction with a surface time cycle controller (intermitter). It is used
on wells with relatively low fluid volumes, or wells that present high or low PI with low bottom-hole pressure.
In intermittent lift, gas is injected at regular intervals by the intermitter with regulated cycling to coincide with
fluid fill-in rate from the producing formation into the well bore. The multipoint injection gas through more
than one lift valve may also accomplish intermittent lift.

Gas lift instability

Unstable operational conditions may occur in a continuous gas lift well because the characteristics of the
system mean that small perturbations can degenerate into huge oscillations in the flow parameters.
Therefore, a clearly defined mechanism is required to show the relative importance of the different factors
involved, to help to assure stable flow conditions at the design phase, or to decide what to do to stabilize
an unstable gas lift well.
Unified instability criteria were developed by Alhanati et al. (1993) for continuous gas lift wells to overcome
drawbacks in previous developments. The unified criteria can be used for all possible flow regimes for the
gas-lift valve and surface gas injection choke. The unified criteria were developed using a number of
simplifying assumptions, so are not highly accurate or applicable to every type of instability experienced in
a gas lift installation. However, they cover a number of common cases encountered in the industry and
certainly indicate what can be done to improve operating instability.
For the Alhanati factors to be computed, the well model must have the following:

Well IPR (p.274) modeled by the PI (p.275) method

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Casing inside diameter (p.48) is set. The simple (p.48) or detailed (p.50) tubing model can be used.

Valve Port Diameter (p.54) set. The operating Gas Lift Valve Port (Orifice) Diameter.

Surface injection pressure (p.54) set. This is the gas lift injection surface pressure, upstream of the
surface injection choke (which must be set higher than the internally calculated casing head pressure).

To ensure accurate results from the Alhanati instability check, the model should be developed only to
the well head.

Note: The factors will not be computed if data is missing or incorrect.

From this data the well model automatically calculates the steady state casing and tubing pressures. The
Gas Lift performance curve should then be developed as normal; the Alhanati factors C1 and C2 are
automatically generated. For stable gas lift operations, both these factors must be greater than zero.
To view the Alhanati factors (C1 and C2) graphically (using the system plot), select:

X-axis: Total Injection Gas

Left Y-axis: Alhanati Criterion 1.

Right Y-axis (p.192): Alhanati Criterion 2. For stable gas lift operations, both these factors must be
greater than zero.

If the graphical display is empty, this implies that one or more of the above data items is missing/incorrect.
Assumptions of the Alhanati model
The model assumes:

Constant pressure at the gas injection manifold, which is upstream of the surface injection choke

Adiabatic flow through the choke.

In the unified criteria, two sets of criteria were defined, namely C1 and C2, and both must be greater than
zero for stable gas lift operation.

( )

C2 = F1

Eq. 1.8

Fc

where

F3 =
ch =

(q fo + qGo) At
( p f pG) g

Pco

Eq. 1.9

q fo

(ZT )c

Eq. 1.10

(ZT )m

Nomenclature

At Cross sectional area of tubing

in2

ft2 / s

Acceleration due to gravity

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Pco Steady state casing pressure

psia

Pg
Pf
qfo Steady state reservoir fluids flow rate stbd
qGo Steady state injected gas flow rate

Gas expansion factor

Temperature

gas compressibility factor

mmscf
F

subscripts

gas lift valve

ch gas injection choke

t

tubing

casing

m manifold

Annular Gas Pressure Design Method

PIPESIM can calculate the pressure drop caused by gas friction through annular space. Annular space is
defined as the space between the outer diameter of the tubing (ID+2* wall thickness) and the Casing ID.
You must specify the annular dimension in the Tubing dialog (p.48).
Note: The Casing ID must be bigger than the outside of the tubing diameter and a Casing ID must be given
for all depths shallower than the Maximum Allowable Injection TVD.
This calculation is available in the following Gas Lift Operations:

Deepest Injection Point (p.154)

Bracketing (p.155)

Lift Gas Response Curves (p.156)

Gas Lift Design (p.163)

Note: The default is for PIPESIM to use the static annulus gas gradient rather than calculate the pressure
drop. The Annulus Gas Pressure Design option you select applies to all four operations. For instance, if
you select the Use Rigorous Friction and Elevation DP in the Deepest Injection dialog, this is adopted
for the other three operations.

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Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP)

General
The electric submersible pump (ESP) is perhaps the most versatile of the major oil-production artificial lift
methods. The ESP comprises a down hole pump, electric power cable, motor and surface controls. In a
typical application, the down hole pump is suspended on a tubing string hung on the wellhead and is
submerged in the well fluid. The pump is close-coupled to a submersible electric motor that receives power
through the power cable and surface controls.
ESPs are used to produce a variety of fluids and the gas, chemicals and contaminants commonly found in
these fluids. Aggressive fluids can be produced with special materials and coatings. Sand and similar
abrasive contaminants can be produced with acceptable pump life by using modified pumps and operation
procedures.
ESPs usually do not require storage enclosures, foundation pads, or guard fences. An ESP can be operated
in a deviated or directionally drilled well, although the recommended operating position is in a straight section
of the well.
The ESP has the broadest producing range of any artificial lift methods. The standard 60-Hz producing
range of the ESP extends from a low of 100 b/d of total fluid up to 90,000 b/d.Variable speed drives can
extend the producing rate beyond these rates.
ESPs are currently operated in wells with bottom hole temperatures up to 350 degree Fahrenheit. Operation
at elevated ambient temperatures require special components in the motor and power cables of sustained
operation at high temperatures, and have efficiently lifted fluids in wells deeper than 12,000 ft. System
efficiency ranges from 18 to 68%, depending on fluid volume, net lift and pump type.

ESP System Components: Motor

The ESP system's prime mover is the submersible motor. The motor is a two-pole, three-phase, squirrelcage induction type. Motors run at a nominal speed of 3,500 rev/min in 60-Hz operation. Motors are filled
with a highly refined mineral oil that provides dielectrical strength, bearing lubrication and thermal
conductivity. The design and operation voltage of these motors can be as low as 230 volt or as high as
4,000 volt. Amperage requirement may be from 17 to 110 amps. The required horsepower is achieved by
simply increasing the length of the motor section. The motor is made up of rotors, usually about 12 to 18
inches (300-460 mm) in length that are mounted on a shaft and located in the electrical field (stator) mounted
within the steel housing. The larger single motor assemblies will approach 33 feet (10 m) in length and will
be rated up to 400 horse power, while tandem motors will approach 90 feet (27.5 m) in length and will have
a rating up to 750 horsepower. The rotor is also composed of a group of electromagnets in a cylinder with
the poles facing the stator poles. The speed at which the stator field rotates is the synchronous speed, and
can be computed from the equation:

v=

120 f

Eq. 1.11

Where: v is speed in rev/min, f is frequency in cycles/sec and M is number of magnetic poles.

The number of poles the stator contains is determined by the manufacturer. Therefore to change the speed
of the stator magnetic field, the frequency will have to change.

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Heat generated by the motor is transferred to the well fluid as it flows past the motor hosing. Because the
motor relies on the flow of well fluid for cooling, a standard ESP should never be set at or below the well
perforations or producing interval, unless the motor is shrouded.
Motors are manufactured in four different diameters (series) 3.75, 4.56, 5.40 and 7.8 in. Thus motors can
be used in casing as small as 4.5 in. 60-Hz horsepower capabilities range from a low of 7.5 hp in 3.75-in
series to a high of 1,000 hp in the 7.38-in series.
Motor construction may be single section or several "tandems" bolted together to reach a specific
horsepower. Motors are selected on the basis of the maximum diameter that can be run easily in a given
casing size.

ESP System Components: Pumps

The ESP is a multistage centrifugal pump. Each stage of a submersible pump consists of a rotating impeller
and a stationary diffuser. The pressure-energy change is accomplished as the liquid being pumped
surrounds the impeller. As the impeller rotates it imparts two rotating motion components to the liquid: one
is in a radial direction outward from the center of the impeller (centrifugal force), the other motion moves in
a direction tangential to the outside diameter of the impeller. The resultant of these two components is the
actual direction of flow. The type of stage used determines the rate of fluid production. The number of stages
determines the total design head generated and the motor horsepower required. The design falls into one
of two general categories: the smaller flow pumps are generally of radial flow design. As the pumps reach
design flows of approximately 1,900 B/D,the design change to a mixed flow.
The impellers are of a fully enclosed curved vane design, whose maximum efficiency is a function of the
impeller design and type and whose operating efficiency is a function of the percent of design capacity at
which the pump is operated. The mathematical relationship between head, capacity, efficiency and brake
horse power is expressed as:

Power =

qvH

Eq. 1.12

Where: qv is the volume flow rate, H is the head, is the fluid specific gravity and is the pump efficiency
The discharge rate of a submersible centrifugal pump depends on the rotational speed (rpm), size of the
impeller, impeller design, number of stages, the dynamic head against which the pump is operating and the
physical properties of the fluid being pumped. The total dynamic head of the pump is the product of the
number of stages and the head generated by each stage.
"Bolt-on" design makes it possible to vary the capacity and total head of a pump by using more than one
pump section. However, large-capacity pumps typically have integral head and bases.
Pump Selection
Select Artificial Lift ESP ESP Design and use the Pump Selection tab . The tab has two sections,
Pump Design Data and Pump Parameters. Select a pump based on certain design criteria.
Pump Design data
Design Production rate
Desired flowrate through the pump in stock-tank units. The actual flowing quantity will be computed.

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Design Outlet Pressure

the required outlet pressure of the PIPESIM model when the pump is installed. It is recommended
to only model the well, and no associated flowline or riser, while designing the ESP system. In this
case the outlet pressure would then be the wellhead pressure
Static Reservoir Pressure
Taken from the PIPESIM model or can be entered
Water cut
Taken from the PIPESIM model or can be entered.
GOR (or GLR)
Taken from the PIPESIM model or can be entered
Pump Depth
The depth at which the pump is to be installed. This is taken from the PIPESIM model if a pump is
already installed or can be entered.
Casing ID
The casing size that the pump has to fit into. Usually 3.38 to 11.25 in.
Design Frequency
The frequency/speed that the pump is expected to run at.
Gas Separator Efficiency
The efficiency of the gas separator if installed.
Head factor
Allows the pump efficiency to be factored (default = 1).
Viscosity Correction
All pump performance curves are based on water systems, this option will correct for oil viscosity.
Select Pump
Will use the available data to select suitable pumps from the database. The pump intake conditions
will first be computed. The resulting pump list can be sorted by efficiency or Maximum flowrate by
selecting the column header. The Manufactures to select from can be filtered. Errors in the
simulation (p.181).
Pump parameters
Calculate
Calculate pump performance at the conditions specified. Errors in the simulation (p.181)
Stage-by-stage
Perform the stage calculations on a stage-by-stage basis. Default = stage-by-stage.
Selected Pump
The pump selected, by the user, from the design data
No. of Stages required
The computed number of stages for this pump under these conditions.

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Pump efficiency @ Design rate

The efficiency of the pump at the design production rate
Pump power required
The power required for this pump to deliver the required flowrate.
Pump intake pressure
The computed pump intake pressure.
Pump discharge pressure
The computed pump discharge pressure.
Head required
The computed pump head required
Liquid density
The computed liquid density at the pump intake
Free gas fraction at inlet conditions
The computed gas fraction.
Pump performance plot
plot performance curves at different speeds
Pump curves
plot standard performance curves
Install pump
Install the pump into the tubing of model. This will replace any existing ESP but not gas lift valves.
See also: Select a Motor (p.175), Select a Cable (p.180)

Motor Selection
This can only be selected after a pump has been selected.
Select Artificial Lift ESP ESP Design and use the Motor/Cable Selection tab.
Name of the selected Pump
Selected from the Pump tab.
No. of stages
Computed.
Pump efficiency
Computed
Pump power required
Computed.
Select Motor
The resulting motor list can be sorted by power, voltage, current, etc. by selecting the column
header. Errors (p.175).

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Various parameters associated with the motor will be computed and displayed at both 60Hz and the initially
entered Design Frequency.
NP [Name Plate] Power
NP [Name Plate] Voltage
NP [Name Plate] Current
See also: Select a Pump (p.176), Select a Cable (p.180)

ESP Database
To simulate an ESP, PIPESIM maintains a database of manufacturers and models from which the user can
select. For each model the diameter, minimum and maximum flowrate and base speed are provided. A plot
of the ESP's performance is also available. If the required ESP is not in the database, you can easily enter
the basic data required for it into the database using Data New ESP/Pump/Compressor. See Data/
NewESP-Pump-Compressor (p.181).

Selection
When modeling an ESP, it is important that the correct size (expected design flowrate and physical size)
ESP is used. A search facility is available, based on these two parameters, to select the appropriate ESP
from the database. The search can, if required, be restricted to a particular manufacturer. Pumps that meet
the design criteria will be listed.

Stage-by-stage modeling
Stage-by-stage modeling is selected by selecting the checkbox next to the calculate button. Alternatively
by inserting Engine Keywords (PUMP STAGECALCS) (p.527) into the model, using the EKT (p.64).

Install a Pump
Once the ESP manufacturer and model (p.175) has been selected from the database of common ESP's
(p.179) some parameters can be altered. The performance curves for each model are (normally) based on
a Speed of 60Hz and 1 stage.
Design data
Speed
The actual operating speed of the ESP
Stages
The actual number of stags of the ESP
Head factor
Allows the efficiency to be factored (default = 1)
Calculation Options
Viscosity Correction
Allow a viscosity correction factor to be applied to take account of changes to the fluid viscosity by
the pressure and temperature.

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Gas Separator present

Allow a gas separator to be added (automatically) with an efficiency: Separator efficiency - efficiency
of an installed gas separator (default = 100% if installed)
Performance table
The data used to predict the performance of the ESP
Standard Curves
The standard performance curves for the ESP - can be printed/exported
Variable Speed Curves
Variable speed curves at 30 - 90 Hz.- can be printed/exported

ESP Design
The ESP option is selected from the Artificial Lift. To design an ESP the following stages are required:
Select a Pump (p.176)
Select a Motor (p.175)
Select a Cable (p.180)
The ESP should then be installed, added into the tubing, at the required depth. This can either be performed
manually or by using the Install button. Installing automatically removes any existing ESPs in the tubing.
However, any gas lift values or injections points are not removed.
See also: ESP [Reda] web site

ESP System Components: Cable

Cable Selection can be determined after a Pump and motor have been selected.
1. Motor/Cable Selection tab
2. Cable Selection
3. Select Cable
Cable Length
The length of the cable, can be modified
NP Current @ Design Frequency
The [Name Plate] Current at the design frequency. Cannot be changed.
Computed values
Selected Cable
Cable length
Voltage drop
Downhole voltage
Surface voltage
Total System KVA

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Design Report
Display a report that details all the selected components of the ESP system.

Errors
Occasionally a pump may not be able to be determined and a Convergence error will be reported. There
could be a number of reasons for such an error and the user is advised to view the output report.
Common problems:
1. The system cannot reach the outlet pressure specified. Try increasing the outlet pressure.

ESP Design
To select an ESP, do the following:
1. Create and save your model. (A well model need not be created in order to select an ESP, but if it is,
the data entered will be used.) See how... (p.12)
2. From the toolbar, select Artificial Lift ESP ESP design
3. Set the required data (p.180)

ESP / Compressor / Pump data entry

The supplied ESP database may not always contain the most up to date ESP data or details of the exact
ESP you are using. To ensure that the latest data can be utilized, PIPESIM allows you to enter your own
ESP performance data. See how... (p.131)
As compressors and pumps are typically custom made, there is no database for these.

Rod Pump Module

Design (p.183)
Diagnostics (p.184)
Options (p.186)
New / Edit RP Data (p.185)
New / Edit Pumping Unit (p.186)

About Rod Pump Module

Welcome to Rod Pump Design and Diagnostics modules
This module is used in the management of rod pump lifted production wells. It offers you options in
equipment selection and design control specification so that you can conduct various optimal design
scenario studies. The module allows you to perform the design study based on your own experience and
assumptions. For diagnostics study, the combination of neural network technology and comprehensive
analysis provides you with more detailed and rigorous diagnostics information.
The module comprises the following main parts:

Equipment Database

Rod Pump Design and Optimization

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Rod Pump Diagnostics with Dynamometer Card

Equipment Database
The equipment database in RP module includes Pumping Unit data, Rod data and Pump data. You can
browse all of the data in the database and add, modify or delete your own equipment data within the
database.
Rod Pump Design and Optimization
Three design methods are used in the Rod Pump Design module:

Specify target flowrate

Specify pump intake pressure

Specify dynamic fluid level.

Six design options are provided:

Specify or select motor

Specify or select stroke

Specify or select stroke frequency

Specify or select plunger size

Specify or select rod string

Specify or select heavy rod

Rod Pump Diagnostics with Dynamometer Card

This module provides four diagnostics and analysis based on the dynamometer card information:

Plunger Operation Condition

Stress Analysis of Rod String Torque Plots and Pumping Unit

Balance Condition

Multiple Dyno. curves at various sections of rod string

It offers two diagnostic options:

Specify or calculate damping factor

Use the built-in dyno. card formats (there are four types in the current version)

Getting Started
Data transmission between RodPump and PIPESIM Operation Menu in the Rod Pump module Components
of the Rod Pump module (detailed in Section 2)
Rod Pump and PIPESIM
The data transmission between Rod Pump and PIPESIM:
Reservoir Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR)
You can specify IPR in PIPESIM that then be transferred to the Rod Pump module.

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Well data
Well basic data such as reservoir static pressure, reservoir temperature and tubing configurations
that specified in PIPESIM will be transferred to the Rod Pump module.
Specific data for rod pump
The data required for Rod Pump Design such as production flowrate and dynamic fluid level must
be specified in the Rod Pump module.
Unit System
You can specify units in PIPESIM which then be shared with the Rod Pump module.
Project Save and Import
All of the parameters and data information specified in Rod Pump can be saved to .bps project file
in PIPESIM.

RP Operation Menu
To access the Rod Pump module, select Artificial Lift Rod Pump. The options are as follows:
Design...
Input Data (Well Information, Equipment Selection, Design Control)

Simulated Design Results (that is Pressure Profiles)

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Diagnostics...
Input Data

Reading / Loading Dynamometer Card

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Simulated Diagnostics Results

New/Edit RP Data...

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New/Edit Pumping Unit...

Components and Options

This covers the Rod Pump Components and Data Information.
General Data
Reservoir Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR)
The Rod Pump module can only be used for vertical well completion. Before running RP, you must provide
well completion information to calculate the required IPR curve. The productivity analysis is the basis of the
whole diagnostic and design study. In order to get more accurate result, proper IPR curve or production
data is very important.
For a new completed well, a proper PI should be specified. For an existing well, IPR should be provided to
match the current production condition.
Basic parameters
The basic Rod Pump parameters refer to the parameters specified in PIPESIM, which include well
completion data, tubing data and fluid property (PVT) data, and so on. Once the user specifies these
parameters in PIPESIM, the values are transferred to the Rod Pump module automatically. You can modify
these data (except for well completion data) during the Rod Pump design and Rod Pump diagnostics study.
When exiting from the Rod Pump GUI, you are prompted as whether you want to save the changes made
to PIPESIM well model or not.

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Rod Pump Parameters

Rod Pump parameters refer to the specific data that are required by Rod Pump module. They can be
categorized into 2 groups:
1. Rod Pump equipment data, which is the static characteristic data of the motor, rod string and plunger.
You can add your own/local data into this database.
2. Production data, which refers to the equipment configuration data and the related test data. You should
specify these data based on the existing well operating condition before executing Rod Pump Design
or Rod Pump Diagnostics study. With the absence of any these necessary data, the Rod Pump Design
or Rod Pump Diagnostics will not run.
Dynamometer Card (Dyno.Card) Data
The dyno.card data measured at the surface is the necessary data for Rod Pump Diagnostics study. The
surface dyno.card is the relationship curve of rod loading vs. rod displacement. It always can be obtained
from the dynamometer. Usually the data file that user obtain include the dyno.card of more than 10 wells,
user needs to find out the dyno.card for current well and saves it in Rod Pump format so that it can be read
by the Rod Pump module. At present there are 4 commonly used dyno.card formats that can be conveniently
converted in Rod Pump module. If the dyno.card format cannot be read by Rod Pump, you can easily convert
the format to the Rod Pump readable format.
Units
The unit system in Rod Pump module is fully consistent with PIPESIM. You can also change the unit of
each variable in PIPESIM, and set it as default, and then all of the change will transfer to Rod Pump
automatically.

Rod Pump Design

Overview
There are two types of sucker rod pump system: Beam Pump system and PC Pump system. The former
one is the most popular artificial lift method because of it simple structure, flexibility and longevity. It
comprises of 3 main parts: pumping unit, sucker rod and pump. The working procedure is: motor transfers
high speed rotation movement to reducing gear box, after two level speed down using three shafts, the
rotation movement is transferred to the up and down swing of the beam using crank connection rod, and
then drives the pump plunger to do the reciprocate movement using rod to lift fluid (oil mainly) from bottom
hole to surface.
Pump unit is the main surface equipment of the rod pump system. The working principle of beam-balanced
pumping unit is to transform the circle movement of the crank to the up and down swing of the horse head
using the connection rod between beam and crank. From the structure point of view it can be divided into
two types, conventional type and forward established type. The conventional type is the most popular used
pumping unit in the oil fields. The main characteristic is that supporter is stand between horse head and
crank connection rod, the time for up and down stroke is same. Rod Pump is mainly for conventional
pumping system.
Pump is the main part of the rod pump system which consist of pump barrel (outer barrel and sleeve),
plunger and valve (traveling valve and standing valve), the traveling valve is also called discharge valve
and standing valve is called intake valve. The pump can be divide into two group based on different structure,
tubing pump and rod pump.

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Polished rod is to link the steel cable on the horse head with down hole sucker rod, and also help to seal
the wellhead together the sealing box. So there will be high requirement for the intensity and the surface
degree of finish. There are two kind of polished rod, common type and the type which has larger ID in one
side than the other. For the common type rod, the position of two side can change with each other when
one side is worn. For the second type of rod, the position of two side cant be changed with each other but
the connectivity is better.
Introduction of Rod Pump Optimization and Design
The sucker rod pump system is a very complex system, comprising amotor which drives the pumping unit
system (with reducing gear box), sucker rod, down hole pump and tubing, and so on. The optimization and
design in Rod Pump including the optimization of the swabbing parameters (pump diameter, stroke and
frequency of stroke) and the selection of the swabbing equipment (mainly refer to the structure of the rod).
Diversity in optimization target associated with various influence factors and the continuity of the changing
of design parameters result in the complexity of the whole design process.
Selection of Swabbing Parameters
You can specify the combination of the rod and swabbing parameters, or select these parameters
automatically. If all parameters are specified by the designer, Rod Pump will calculate the production
condition based on these data, that is, using PIPESIM-RP as a tool to predict the scenarios designed based
on experience or other factors. Sometimes specifying strike and frequency of stroke is because these two
parameters of the actual rod pump system are not standard, and this kind of design method is also fit for
the requirement of sand control.

Selection of Design Methods

There are three design methods in Rod Pump:

Specify the flowrate, which is to meet the requirement of the production allocation of each well.

Specify the intake pressure.

Specify the dynamic fluid level for the well with high GOR, to improve the pump volumetric efficiency
and so the whole system efficiency.

All of these methods are based on the principle of equivalent intensity, which is to re-design the rod, pump,
and pump depth without taking into account of the current rod pump system. The material of the rod also
can be redesigned as common rod or weighted rod. The optimized solution ensures the stress percentages
on the top side of each rod section are equal.

Rod Pump Diagnostics

Introduction
The computer diagnostic technology of the rod pump system proposed by S.G.Gibbs and A.B.Neily is based
on the principle of treating the rod as a downhole dynamic signals conduct line, the pump as a transmission
device, the working condition (loading change on the plunger) of the pump is transmitted to surface via rod
in forms of stress wave, and then received by the dynamometer. Then, by building the wave equation with
damping coefficient, the dyno.card of each cross section of the rod and pump can be deduced. Based on
this plot, the whole well working condition can be analyzed and judged.
Traditional pump dyno.card recognition method is to use a numerical value to represent dyno.card according
to particular specification, but experience shows that the simple specification cannot classify the dyno. card
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properly. In this module, an NN (Neural Network) method is introduced; 3 level neural network technology
is used for the dyno.card diagnostic.
Because of the complexity of the rod pump system, the use of the dyno.card to recognize the pump working
condition is not enough. In addition, for the whole system, a good understanding of the loading of the rod
and the balance of the pump unit need is needed. So the comprehensive analysis is added in the Rod Pump
diagnostic module. The combination of neural network technology can help to give a more rigorous and
comprehensive judgment of the working condition of the well.

Operations
This is the information related to Rod Pump operation
General operation Optimized design Working condition diagnostic Equipment database
General Operation

Rod Pump Database Configuration

The data in Rod Pump database are the equipment parameters, which mainly refer to the static performance
data of motor, rod string and pump. You are allowed to add your own equipment data into the Rod Pump
database. When finish adding the new data, it is advisable to keep the parameters in database unchanged.

Open Project
Before running Rod Pump module, it is necessary to build a new project or open an existing project in
PIPESIM.

Basis Input Data in PIPESIM

For Rod Pump module, the following data should be specified in PIPESIM:
Well completion data (well productivity), Tubing data (only for vertical well completion), PVT data (only for
black oil including P b).

RP Application from PIPESIM drop-down Menu

The Artificial Lift Rod Pump menu has four operations, as follows:

Design

Diagnostics

New/Edit RP data

New/Edit Pumping Unit

Optimization Design
As for old production well, if it is not required to change the pumping unit but choosing the existing pumping
unit and production manufacturer; as for new production well or old well that requires change in pumping
unit, then you will select a model type, and then simulate to check whether this pumping unit is suitable for
the studied well. The model serial number and manufacturer for new pumping units need to be added to
the equipment database.

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Selection of Pumping Unit

Selection of Motor
You can specify the motor type or let the model to select one by itself, one that is taken by the system is
the one matching to the user specified pumping unit.
Selection of Pump
You can specified a particular pump diameter, or let the model select the most suitable pump diameter.
New pump diameter needs to be added into equipment database.
Selection of Stroke
You can specify stroke, or let the model select. The optimal stroke is selected from the various stroke
combinations available in equipment database.
Selection of Pumping Speed
You can specified the pumping speed or let the model simulate one. The optimal speed that simulated from
the model is not selected from various speed combinations of the equipment database, it needs to be
specified by the user.
Selection of Rod String
You can specify a rod combination, or let the model select one. Rod combination includes rod length, rod
diameter, rod elasticity / tensile strength Grade and the principles of rod strength for automatic rod design.
New rod diameter needs to be added into equipment database.
Specify Pump Depth
No matter what type of design methods, it is required to initially specify a suitable pump depth, which can
be determined from the user specified well production performance curve and pressure profile. The model
can provide the corresponding profiles which can be used as user references.
Select Design Criteria
Altogether there are three design principles that you can choose:

specified production

specified pump inlet pressure

specified dynamic liquid level

Once the design principle is chosen, you need to input the specified parameters to continue the design.

Operation Diagnostics
Input Liquid Level or Pump Inlet Pressure
Pump inlet pressure is a compulsory input parameter for diagnostics study. You can input the parameter
directly, or input the dynamic liquid level and let the model calculate the pump inlet pressure.

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Input Rod String Information

The operation diagnostic is only applicable to old production well, it is required to input the rod combination
when the well was in production.
Select Well Dynamometer Card
Well dynamometer card is one of the important parameters that is required in diagnostic study, you need
to specify a set of actual tested dynamometer card data.
Specify Damping Coefficients to obtain Pattern
When applying wave equation to solve pump performance curve, the magnitude of damping coefficients of
the rod has significant influence to the calculation results. In the module, it offers two choices:
1. module to automatically calculate damping coefficients;
2. user specified / input damping coefficients.

Database
View Equipment Parameter
Under two database management models, you can browse the equipment using the Design equipment
menu. The key structural data of the pumping unit can be referred to the provided graphs from references.
Delete Equipment
The selected equipment model can be deleted from the application.
Add New Equipment
You can specify a new model type for the existing equipment. However it is necessary to specify the new
diameter for rod plunger and rod pump. When adding a new pump, you need to make sure that the pump
stroke combination and the crank radius combination are equal.

Reports
Plotting
After a simulation has been completed, the results can be viewed graphically using the plot utility, PsPlot.

Single branch plots

Results are (by default) plotted dynamically as the simulation runs. This feature can be enabled or disabled
using Setup Preferences Engine and selecting Run Plot tool with Single Branch engine.
In addition the following plot types are available from the main toolbar:

System plot displays data as a result of changing some model parameter.

Profile plot displays data in terms of distance from the model's inlet.

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Network plots
PsPlot can also be accessed using the Report menu or directly from the main toolbar. Select the branches
that you want to plot, then select the Report option. The results from the selected branches will be
concatenated.

PsPlot
The following list shows what you can do with PsPlot:

Plot a 2 (p.192)

Print or Copy the plot (p.192)

Close/minimize the plot utility (p.193)

Export the data to Microsoft Excel (p.193)

Remove/Add the background grid (p.193)

Copy the graph to another application (p.193)

Change the axis or title description (p.193)

Change the legend description (p.194)

Change the values on the axis (p.194)

List/Disable lines (p.194)

Scale the axes (p.194)

Change the color display mode (p.194)

Change the appearance of a line (p.195)

Sort data (p.195)

Zoom in & out (p.195)

Specify Landscape or Portrait plots (p.195)

Open a new or additional plot file (p.196)

Remove of change the legend location (p.196)

Superimpose the phase envelop on to a temperature / pressure profile (p.196)

Translate plot labels and titles (p.196)

Plot a 2nd Y-Axis

Do the following:
1. Select the Series menu option.
2. Select the property to plot on the Right Y Axis from the list.
Note: The X Axis remains the same for both Y Axes.
Print or copy the plot
To print, do the following:

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1. Select File Print.

2. To preview the plot before printing, or to change any print options, select File Print Preview.
To copy, select Edit Copy to Clipboard.
The plot will be available using the clipboard in other applications that support copy-and-paste.
Close/minimize the plot utility
To Close the PLOT utility, do one of the following:

Select the close button (top right of the dialog) or

Select File Exit.

To Minimize the PLOT utility select the minimize button (top right of the dialog).
Exporting graphical data to Excel
Select File Export Data to Excel. An Excel data file name is requested and Excel loads (providing it is
installed on the PC) and is populated with the data.
Remove / Add the background grid
Do the following:
1. Select Edit Advanced Plot Setup.
2. In the resulting dialog, select the Chart, Axis, Ticks tab. Select the required Axis and then the Grid
Border button.
3. Change the Visible check box to display or hide the grid lines (for that axis).
Changes are dynamic that is the effect of a change can be seen on the plot as they are made without the
dialog having to be closed.
Note: These settings are NOT saved between sessions.
Copy the graph to another application
Do the following:
1. Load the required graph and select Edit Copy to Clipboard.
2. The plot will now be available using the clipboard in other applications that support copy-and-paste.
Change the axis or title description
Do the following:
1. Select Edit Advanced Plot Setup.
2. In the resulting dialog, select the Chart, Axis tab and Title. Select the Axis to change from the Axis
radio button and enter the new axis title, angle, style, and so on.
Changes are dynamic that is the effect of a change can be seen on the plot as they are made without the
dialog having to be closed.

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Note: These settings are NOT saved between sessions.

Change the legend description
Do the following:
1. Select Edit Advanced Plot Setup.
2. In the resulting dialog, select the Chart, Series tab.
3. Highlight the legend title to change and select title. Enter the new title.
Changes are dynamic. That is, the effect of a change can be seen on the plot as changes are made without
the dialog having to be closed.
Note: These settings are NOT saved between sessions.
Change the values on the axis
Select the Series menu. Select the property to plot on the Right X Axis from the list. Select the property to
plot on the Left Y Axis from the list.
List/Disable lines
Do the following:
1. Select Edit Advanced Plot Setup, then choose Chart and its Series tab.
2. Select the check box for each line you want to plot.
Note: These settings are NOT saved between sessions.
Scale the axes
Do the following:
1. Select Edit Advanced Plot Setup.
2. In the resulting dialog, select the Chart Axis tab and scales.
3. Select the Axis to change from the radio buttons and disable Automatic.
4. Set the maximum and minimum values using the Change button or set to automatic.
Note: These settings are NOT saved between sessions.
Change the color display mode
On the Display menu, select one of the following available options:

Color by Series Data - Graph lines are colored according to which Data Series they belong (the default).

Color by Axes Data - Graph lines are colored according to which axes they belong to (with Data Series
differentiated by marker symbol and line style).

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Color by File - Graph lines are colored according to which file they belong (with Data Series
differentiated by marker symbol and line style).

Note: These settings are NOT saved between sessions.

Change the appearance of a line
Do the following:
1. Select Edit Advanced Plot Setup.
2. Select the Series tab and then the required Data Series from the drop down list
3. Select the Format tab and then the Color button to change the line color or the Border button to change
the line pattern.
4. Select the Point tab and then the Style Combo to change the style of the marker at each data point.
Changes are dynamic. That is, the effect of a change can be seen on the plot as changes are made without
the dialog having to be closed.
Note: Changes to the first five colors and marker styles ARE saved in the registry between sessions.
Sort data
Do the following:
1. Select Edit Sort Values.
2. In the resulting dialog, select the required sorting option.
Note: These settings are NOT saved between sessions.
Zoom in or out
Do the following:
Zoom in
On the graph area, place the pointer at the top left position of the area to zoom in to. Select and
hold down the left mouse button and drag the resulting box to the required size.
Default size
On the graph, place the pointer at the bottom right position of the area to zoom out to. Select and
hold down the left mouse button and drag the resulting box. The plot will revert to its default size.
Zoom out
There is no automatic zoom out feature. Scale (p.194) the x- and y-axis limit to achieve this.
Specify Landscape or Portrait plots
To do this, on the Print preview dialog, select the required paper orientation.

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Open a new or additional plot file

When a new plot file is to be opened, the existing plot file can be handled in the following ways:

Retained to retain the existing plot and add the data to it, select File Append.

Removed to remove the existing file, select File Open.

Opened files can be temporarily made non-active by using Files Files List.
Remove or change the legend location
Do the following:
1. Select Edit Advanced Plot Setup.
2. In the resulting dialog, select the Legend tab.
3. Select Visible to show or hide the legend
4. Select the required position of the legend.
Changes are dynamic that is the effect of a change can be seen on the plot as they are made without the
dialog having to be closed.
Note: These settings are NOT saved between sessions.
Superimpose the phase envelope on to a temperature / pressure profile
To undertake this task, the model must be compositional (p.101). Do the following:
1. Set the point in the system where you want to create the phase envelope. To do this, add a report tool
(p.84) to the model and select Phase Envelope. The phase envelope will be created at this point in the
system
2. Run the model. This will normally be a Pressure/Temperature operation (p.138).
3. Select and display the profile plot, using Reports Profile Plot.
4. Using the Series menu, select Temperature as the X-Axis and Pressure as the Y-axis.
The phase envelope will be superimposed on the plot.
Translate plot labels and titles
Load Dictionary:

Use the supplied label translation dictionary template (PsPlotDict.txt) to create a translation dictionary,
with translation of each label on the same line separated by a comma ','.

(A usable example is provided for Russian in the file PsPlotDictRus.txt)

Select File Dictionary to browse for the translation dictionary file and open it.

The Dictionary option will remain selected until you cleared it.

Clear Dictionary:

To clear the dictionary, select File Dictionary and select Cancel

A dictionary cannot be loaded unless it is based on the template and in the correct format.

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Report Tool Details

Placing a report tool in a single branch model gives additional reporting of the conditions at that point in the
model. To do this, click the Report Tool icon on the main toolbar, then click on the model. Double-click the
Report Tool object to open its Properties tab. There is a check box for each report item available, as listed
below. Select the box for each item you want to report on.
Flow Map
This applies to multiphase flow regions only. If this box is ticked, a high resolution map is produced,
showing the multiphase flow regimes plotted against superficial liquid and gas velocities. Note that
the map is scaled so that the operating point is always inside it. To display a map, select
Reports Flow Regime Map and select it in the list of available maps. The list shows all available
maps for the case that has been run.
Phase Split
This applies to compositional cases only. If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file,
showing the constituents of each phase.
Stock Tank Fluid Properties
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing various fluid properties such as gas
and liquid volumetric flowrate at stock tank conditions.
Flowing Fluid Properties
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing various fluid properties such as gas
and liquid volumetric flowrate at flowing conditions.
Cumulative Values
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing properties, such as liquid holdup,
where the cumulative value may be of interest
Multiphase Flow Values
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing various multiphase fluid flow values
such as superficial gas and liquid velocities.
Slugging Values
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing various slug values such as slug
lengths and frequencies.
Sphere Generated Liquid Volume
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing various sphere generated liquid
values.
Heat Transfer Input Values
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file, showing heat transfer input data. Typically,
the following are printed: Pipe and Coating Thicknesses and Thermal Conductivities, Soil Thermal
Conductivity, Burial Depth, Ambient Fluid Velocity, and Ambient Temperature.
Heat Transfer Output Values
If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file showing heat transfer output data. Typically,
the following information is printed: Distance, Fluid Temperature, Fluid Enthalpy, and Heat Transfer
Coefficients.

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Composition Details
This applies to compositional cases only. If this box is ticked, a table is printed in the output file
showing some compositional data such as water specific gravity.
Phase Envelope
This applies to compositional cases only. If this box is ticked, the fluid's phase envelope is
automatically computed and stored in the branch's plot file. In network cases, the file that contains
the phase envelope will be noted in the output file.

Network Report Tool

To use the report tool, select Reports Report Tool after a network simulation completes. Its primary
function is to provide a report of the computed data in a Network simulation. However, it can be used for
single branch analysis. The following operations can be applied to the displayed data:
Clear
Removes all the data. The underlying data file is not removed and can be restored using the
Restore button.
Delete
Deletes the report.
Restore
Restores the data
Print
Prints a report to the attached printed
Plot
Plots the data (if applicable)
Sort
Sorts the data
Filters
Filters the data to show only data within certain ranges
Config
Determines what is displayed
Excel
Export to an Excel spreadsheet (p.199)
Close
Closes the dialog
Load
Loads another report file. To load results from a previous simulation, browse to its results (*.pns)
file. The name of the file is displayed in the adjacent field.

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Exporting to Excel
In addition to the copy and paste features of spreadsheets in PIPESIM, the Network Report Tool can also
export data to Microsoft Excel. When you click the Excel button above, an Export to Excel dialog asks for
the following information:
Excel File
All the data viewed in the Report tool will be exported to the specified Microsoft Excel file. The Excel
file must exist already.
Worksheet
The worksheet, within the Excel file, to export the data to.
Start Row
The row in the Excel spreadsheet where the first data item will be placed. The default is row 1.
Start Column
The column in the Excel spreadsheet where the first data item will be placed. The default is column
A.

Expert Mode
The PIPESIM calculation engines are keyword (p.450) driven, with the keywords normally written by the
GUI. However, you can gain access to the keywords using the following methods:

Engine keyword tool (p.64)

Expert Mode

Expert Mode
Expert Mode allows the following;

Calculation engine
The calculation engine to be driven directly using keyword (p.450) input files. This could be when, for
example, new features are available in the calculation engine but not yet in the Graphical Interface The
keyword input file can either be created, from scratch, using a text editor or from a model already developed
in the GUI. See how (p.200) (Only recommended for single branch models).

Network models
A number of Network models can be run in batch mode. This could be to run a set of case studies over
night for example.

Single branch models

A number of Single branch models can be run in batch mode, but note the following:

Models must have been run once already using the GUI

The operational data used for the last run in the GUI will be used.

Models in the same directory may have file sharing problems and therefore not run

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You may want to turn off the automatic dynamic plotting (p.125) of results if multiple single branch models
are to be run.

How to work in Expert mode

Do the following:
1. Create your basic model(s).
2. Use File Export Files to export the models to files. This creates:

For a Network model: a *.tnt and associated *.pst files

For a single branch model: a *.psm file

3. Select Expert Display and select the above *.tnt or *.psm files by using the Browse button. Select
the Select check box for each model, or click Select All.
4. Edit the relevant text file(s) by clicking Edit.
5. Run the model by clicking Run .
6. To view results, click Output File, Summary, System Plot, or Profile Plot.

Batch mode
This Expert mode method can also be used to batch run models developed in the GUI.

How to batch run a number of models, using Expert Mode

To batch run a number of models, do the following:
1. Create your basic model using the GUI.
2. Use File Export Files to export the models to files. This creates:

For a Network model: a *.tnt and associated *.pst files

For a single branch model: a *.psm file

3. Select Expert... Display and select the above *.tnt or *.psm files by using the Browse button. Select
the Select check box for each model, or click Select All.
4. Click Run.
5. To view results, click Output File, Summary, System Plot, or Profile Plot.

Run Multiple Models

To run multiple models, use the Expert Mode feature.
Do the following:
1. Use File Export Files to export the models to files. This creates:

For a Network model: a *.tnt and associated *.pst files

For a single branch model: a *.psm file

2. Select Expert Display to enter Expert mode.

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3. Select the above file (*.tnt or *.psm) using the Browse button and check the Select box, or click Select
All
4. Select Edit to modify the engine keyword file, if necessary.
5. You may want to turn off the automatic dynamic plotting (p.125) of results if multiple single branch models
are to be run.
6. Click Run to run all the selected models.
7. To view results, click Output File, Summary, System Plot or Profile Plot.
Batch Mode (p.200).

Expert Data Entry

Select
check box to activate the chosen model. When the run option is selected all models that have been
selected will be run.
Engine Files
A list of the engine files available for running, *.psm for single branch and *.tnt for network models.
Engine input files are created either manually or using the File Export Files command.
Browse
locate the required engine files.
Run
Run all the selected models, providing the Selection only option is on.
Note: These are run in silent mode (minimized and no completion dialog displayed).
Edit
edit the selected engine file using a text editor and modify the engine keywords. See also the
keyword list (p.450)
Output File
view the selected models output file after a simulation.
Summary
view the selected models summary file after a simulation.
System Plot
view the selected models system plot after a simulation.
Profile Plot
view the selected models profile plot after a simulation.
Options
Preferences

Select the path of the engine: Choose Paths (p.118)

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Set preferences: Engine Preferences (p.125). You may want to turn off the automatic
dynamic plotting (p.125) of results if multiple single branch models are to be run.

Advanced (p.125)

Select All
Select all models in the list
Deselect All
deselect all models in the list
Selection Only
Only run selected models. Default = on.

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Case studies
The following case studies are described in detail:

Condensate Pipeline (p.204)

Oil Well Design (p.216)

Compositional Network (p.225)

User Pump (p.238)

Field Data Matching (p.245)

Liquid Loading Analysis (p.250)

Ramey Heat Transfer Model (p.252)

Summary of features and cases studies:

Case Study

Module

Gas Network

Network Analysis (p.14)

Loop (Folders)

Network Analysis (p.14)

Loop Network (p.225)

Network Analysis (p.14)

Small Network

Network Analysis (p.14)

Water Inj. Net

Network Analysis (p.14)

Water Reinjection

Network Analysis (p.14)

Gas Lift (p.157) Performance

Open Link (p.615)

Production Network

Open Link (p.615)

Template

Open Link (p.615)

Condensate Pipeline (p.216)

Pipeline Tools (p.61)

Riser (p.82) and Flowline (p.65)

Pipeline Tools (p.61)

Surface facilities

Pipeline Tools (p.61)

Wax Deposition (p.146)

Pipeline Tools (p.61)

Pump (p.238)

User Equipment (p.488)

UserPump (p.238)

User Equipment (p.488)

Bottom Hole Nodal Analysis (p.140)

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

Compositional (p.101) Nodal Analysis (p.140) Well Design and Performance (p.22)
ESP (p.175) Design

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

ESP (p.175) Lift

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

Flow Correlation Match (p.138)

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

FracPack (p.39)

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

Gas Lift Design (p.157)

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

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Gas Lift (p.157) Performance

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

Horizontal Well Performance (p.545)

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

Injection Well

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

Multilayer Well (p.45)

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

Multiphase Booster (p.72)

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

P and T Profiles (p.138)

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

Qgi vs CHP Curve (p.144)

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

Reservoir VFP Tables (p.143)

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

System Analysis (p.137)

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

Wellhead Nodal Analysis (p.140)

Well Design and Performance (p.22)

Condensate Pipeline Case Study

A subsea pipeline is to be designed to transport condensate from a satellite platform to a processing
platform. Compositional analysis of the condensate has been obtained. This case study involves the
following tasks:

Develop a compositional model of the hydrocarbon phases (p.204).

Add the aqueous phase to the compositional model and identify the hydrate envelope (p.205). Hydrates
are to be avoided by operating the pipeline above the hydrate formation temperature.

Select a pipeline size (p.206).

Determine the pipeline insulation requirement (p.208).

Screen the pipeline for severe riser slugging (p.210). Severe riser slugging is to be avoided.

Size a slug catcher (p.212).

Engineering data (p.213).

Task 1. Develop a Compositional Model of the Hydrocarbon Phases

A compositional fluid model allows the fluid physical properties to be estimated over the range of pressures
and temperatures encountered by the fluid. The fluid model is made up of individual pure library components
such as methane, and petroleum fractions. Petroleum fractions are used to estimate the behavior of groups
of heavier pure components. The hydrocarbon phase envelope can be plotted on pressure and temperature
axes. This task involves the following steps:

Adding the pure hydrocarbon components.

Characterizing and adding a petroleum fraction.

Generating the hydrocarbon phase envelope.

Do the following:
1. After starting PIPESIM, select File New Pipeline and Facilities to open a new model. Save this in
the training directory (for example as file c:\training\ps02.bps).
2. Use Setup Compositional Template to enter the pure components given at the end of the case study.
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3. Select the pure hydrocarbon components from the component database. To select multiple items, hold
down the control key.
4. When all pure hydrocarbon components are selected, click Add>>.
5. When the number of moles of the pure components have been added, select the Petroleum
Fractions tab and characterize the petroleum fraction "C7+" by entering the BP, MW, and SG in row 1.
6. Click Add to Composition>> and, on the Component Selection tab, enter the number of moles for
C7+.
7. Generate the hydrocarbon phase envelope by pressing the Phase Envelope button. The following plot
should be obtained:

Task 2. Identify the Hydrate Envelope

Certain fluid compositions show a tendency to form hydrate compounds in the presence of water. These
compounds can cause line blockages. The tendency to form hydrates is dependent also on pressure and
temperature. In this study, hydrate formation is to be avoided by operating above the hydrate formation
temperature at all times. This task involves the following steps:

Adding the aqueous component.

Generating the hydrate envelope.

First it is necessary to add the aqueous component, pure water. Do the following:
1. Use Setup Compositional . Select water and press the Add>>" button.
2. Enter the water concentration of 10% volume ratio (bbl/bbl).
3. Generate the aqueous phase envelope and the hydrate formation line by pressing the Phase
Envelope button. The following plot should be obtained:

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Note: Hydrates tend to form in the region on or to the left of the hydrate line. In this study, hydrate formation
will be avoided by operating the pipeline at temperatures above 75 F at all times.

Task 3. Select a Pipeline Size

Find the smallest pipeline I.D. that will allow the design flowrate of 10,000 STB/d of condensate to be
transported from the satellite platform whilst maintaining an arrival pressure of not lower than 1,000 psia at
the processing platform. The pipeline sizes available are 8", 10", or 12" I.D. as described in the data section
at the end of the case study. This can be determined as follows:

Use the pressure temperature profiles operation to calculate the pressure drop for each of the three
pipeline size options.

First you must add a source to the model. Do the following:

1. Point and click on the toolbar Source icon and then point and click in the work area. A source appears
as shown below. Alternatively, the wizard feature can be used.

source button

source

2. Double-click the Source object. Enter the inlet pressure of 1,500 psia and the inlet temperature of 176
F.
3. Add a boundary node to represent the arrival point at the processing platform.

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boundary node button

boundary node

4. Add nodes to represent each end of the pipeline:

node button

node

5. Connect the model together by pointing, clicking and dragging using the riser and flowline buttons:
6.

riser button

flowline button

Completed Model
Note: The red outline indicates that essential data is missing for that component.

Completing the component

Do the following:
1. Double-click on Riser_1 to enter the riser details. That is, horizontal distance and elevation difference
(length is automatically computed), I.D., roughness, overall heat transfer coefficient and ambient
temperature.
2. Repeat this for Flowl_1 and Riser_2.
3. Select Operations Pressure/Temperature Profile and set up the operation so that the calculated
variable is outlet pressure.
4. Set the Inlet pressure to 1,500 psia and the Liquid Rate to 10,000 STB/d. The sensitivity variable is
Pipeline ID with values of 8", 10", and 12".
5. Set the component as Flowline_1, the variable as ID, and enter the sizes.
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6. Click Run Model when all the data has been added.
The following plot should be obtained (the axis may have to be changed to show Total Distance versus
Pressure):

This shows that a 10" is the smallest pipeline size that will satisfy the arrival pressure condition of at least
1,000 psia.
Note: Do not forget to now set the flowline ID to 10" for all subsequent simulations.

Task 4. Determine the Pipeline Insulation Requirement

Find the smallest thickness of thermal insulation that can be used to insulate the pipeline and maintain an
arrival temperature of not less than 75 F. This minimum arrival temperature is required to prevent the
formation of hydrates. The insulation has a thermal conductivity of 0.15 Btu/hrft/F and a thickness of 0.75"
or 1". This can be determined as follows:

Use the Pressure/Temperature Profile operation to calculate the temperature profile for the design
and turn down flowrate cases with 0.75" thermal insulation thickness.

Re-run the model with 1.0" thermal insulation thickness and compare the temperature profiles.

Do the following:
1. Double-click on Flowl_1.
2. Select the Heat Transfer tab, and then select the Calculate U value option.
3. Enter the heat transfer data given at the end of the case study, and add a layer of insulation with a
thermal conductivity of 0.15 Btu/hr/ft/F and a thickness of 0.75".
4. Click OK.

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5. Select Operations Pressure/Temperature Profile. Set up the operation so that the calculated
variable is outlet pressure, and the sensitivity variable is System Data (object) and Liquid Rate (variable)
with values of 5,000 and 10,000 STB/d, respectively.
6. Run the model and configure the output to obtain the following plot:

7. Re-run the model using a thermal insulation thickness of 1".

8. Configure the output to obtain the following plot:

It can be seen that 1" insulation is required to maintain an arrival temperature of 75 F.

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Note: Do not forget to now set the insulation thickness to 1" for all subsequent simulations.

Task 5. Screen the Pipeline for Severe Riser Slugging

Severe riser slugging is likely in a pipeline system followed by a riser under certain conditions. The elements
leading to severe riser slugging are:

The presence of a long, slightly downward inclined pipeline prior to the riser.

Fluid flowing in the "stratified" or "segregated" flow regime (as opposed to the usual "slug" or
"intermittent" flow regime).

A slug number (PI-SS) of lower than 1.0.

The PI-SS number can also be used to estimate the severe riser slug length from the equation:
slug length = riser height/PI-SS number.

Severe riser slugging is to be avoided in this case. The necessary information can be extracted from the
model by configuring the model output such that slug information, and flow regime maps are printed for the
fluid at the riser base.
Do the following:
1. Select Setup Define Output and select the Slug Output Pages check box.
2. Set No. Cases to Print to 2.
3. Add a report tool to the model in place of node N2. This can be done by selecting a report tool and
placing it in the work area.
report tool button

report tool

4. Reconnect Flowl_1 to the report tool by clicking on the middle of Flowl_1. You will see that highlight
boxes appear at either end of the flowline.
5. Move the mouse over the right hand highlight box; the mouse pointer changes to an "up arrow" shape.
The line can be dragged from N2 and dropped onto the report tool as shown below.

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To reconnect the flowline to the report tool, do the following:

1. Reconnect Riser_2 to the report tool, using the method given above.
2. Delete N2 and reposition the report tool as shown below:

Modified model
Do the following:
1. Double-click the report tool and select the Flow Map check box.
2. Select Operations Pressure/Temperature Profile and re-run the model.
3. Select Reports Output File and check the PI-SS number at the riser base for both flowrate cases. It
can be seen that the PI-SS number is higher than 1.0 at the riser base in both cases. In the turndown
flowrate case, the PI-SS number is 1.18 as shown below:

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4. Check the riser base flow regime maps in the output file to see if the flow is in the "stratified" or segregated
region. It can be seen that flow is in the intermittent (normal slugging) flow regime. The turndown case
flow map is shown below:

It can be seen that the segregated region has been avoided and the likelihood of severe riser slugging is
reduced.
Note: Do not forget to save the final model.

Task 6. Size a Slug Catcher

Having established that normal slug flow is expected, it is now necessary to size a slug catcher. The size
will be determined by the largest of three design criteria:

The requirement to handle the largest slugs envisaged (chosen to be statistically the 1/1000 population
slug size).

The requirement to handle liquid swept in front of a pig.

Transient effects, that is the requirement to handle the liquid slug generated when the production flow
is ramped up from 5,000 to 10,000 STB/d.

This can be achieved by reviewing the simulation output to establish the slug catcher volume required for
each of the three design criteria and select the largest volume.
Do the following:
1. Review the output file. It can be seen that the turndown case generates larger slugs.

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As shown above, the 1/1000 slug length is 1,781.2 ft, which gives a slug volume of 971.5 ft 3.
2. Select Reports Summary File and check the liquid swept in front of a pig ("liquid by sphere" ).

It can be seen that the turndown case gives the larger volume of 279.1 bbl or 1,567 ft 3.
3. Now calculate the liquid generated when the flow is ramped up from 5,000 STB/d to 10,000 STB/d. This
is the difference in total holdup between the two cases, that is 692 - 623 = 69 bbl or 522 ft 3.
Therefore, the pigging volume of 1,567 ft 3is the determining design case.

Data Available
Layout
Condensate flows down a 400 ft x 10" ID riser from the satellite platform to the seabed, along a 5 mile
pipeline, and up a 400 ft x 10" ID riser to the processing platform.

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Boundary Conditions
Fluid inlet pressure at satellite platform
1,500 psia
Fluid inlet temperature at satellite platform
176 F
Design liquid flowrate
10,000 STB/d
Maximum turndown
5,000 STB/d
Minimum arrival pressure at processing platform
1,000 psia
Minimum arrival temperature at processing platform
75 F.

Pure Hydrocarbon Components:

Component Moles
Methane

75

Ethane

Propane

Isobutane

Butane

Isopentane

Pentane

0.5

Hexane

0.5

Petroleum Fraction
Name Boiling Point (F) Molecular Weight Specific Gravity Moles
C7+

214

115

0.683

Aqueous Component
Component
Water
Volume ratio (%bbl/bbl)
10

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Pipeline Sizes Available

I.D.(") Wall thickness (") Roughness (")
8

0.5

0.001

10

0.5

0.001

12

0.5

0.001

Pipeline Data
Height of undulations
10/1000
Horizontal distance
5 miles
Elevation difference
0
Wall thickness
0.5"
Roughness
0.001"
Ambient temperature
50 F
Overall heat transfer coefficient
0.2 Btu/hr/ft 2/F

Pipeline Insulation Study Data:

Pipe thermal conductivity
50 Btu/hr/ft/F
Insulation thermal conductivity
0.15 Btu/hr/ft/F
Insulation thickness available
0.75" or 1.0"
Ambient fluid
water
Ambient fluid velocity
1.64 ft/sec
Burial depth
0 (half buried)

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Ground conductivity
1.5 Btu/hr/ft/F

Data for Risers 1 and 2

Horizontal distance
0
Elevation difference (Riser_1)
-400 ft
Elevation difference (Riser_2)
+400 ft
Inner diameter
10"
Wall thickness
0.5"
Roughness
0.001"
Ambient temperature
50 F
Overall heat transfer coefficient
0.2 Btu/hr/ft 2/F

Well Performance Case Study - Oil Well Design

An oil reservoir has been discovered in the North Sea. A vertical well has been drilled, a test string inserted
and flow characteristics measured. Fluid properties at stock tank and laboratory conditions have been
obtained. Reservoir simulations have been performed to predict the change in watercut over the field life.
The reservoir pressure will be maintained by water injection and the preference is to avoid the use of artificial
lift methods. This case study involves the following tasks:

Develop a blackoil model to match the laboratory data (p.217). It is necessary to develop a method of
predicting the fluid physical properties so that the pressure losses and heat transfer characteristics can
be calculated.

Develop a well inflow performance model applicable throughout field life (p.221). This provides a
relationship between the reservoir pressure, the flowing bottom hole pressure and flowrate through the
formation.

Select a suitable tubing size for the production string (p.222).

Engineering data. (p.223)

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Task 1. Develop a Calibrated Blackoil Model

No analysis work can be carried out until a blackoil fluid model has been developed. This allows all the fluid
physical properties to be estimated over the range of pressures and temperatures encountered by the fluid.
These physical properties are subsequently used to determine the phases present, the flow regime, the
pressure losses in single and multiphase flow regions, and the heat transferred to or from the surroundings.
This involves the following steps:

Obtaining a partially calibrated blackoil model using the stock tank and bubble point properties.

Plotting the partially calibrated oil formation volume factor (OFVF) over a range of pressures and
temperatures to identify any differences between the measured and the predicted properties. Any
discrepancies will lead to fluid flow modelling errors.

Applying calibration to the OFVF above the bubble point pressure and observing how the property curves
are corrected.

Applying calibration to the OFVF below the bubble point pressure and observing how the property curves
are corrected.

Applying calibration to the oil viscosity, using the measured dead oil data first and then further tuning
with live oil data.

Applying calibration to the gas viscosity and the gas compressibility.

Do the following:
1. After starting PIPESIM, use File New Well to open a new well performance model and save this in
your training directory (for example, c:\training\...).
2. Use Setup Blackoil.. to enter the stock tank oil and bubble point properties given at the end of this
case study. For help on the definitions and valid ranges of these stock tank properties, select the
button in the dialog header bar and click on the relevant data entry field.
3. Click OK and save the model.
4. On the Advanced Calibration Data tab, click Plot PVT Data.
Note: Do not enter the advanced calibration data at this stage.
5. In the PsPlot window which opens, use the Series menu to plot the Oil Formation Volume Factor on
the Y axis.
The following plot should be obtained:

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The partially calibrated curve for a temperature of 210 F shows that the predicted OFVF is higher than the
measured value both above and below the bubble point pressure. At 4,269 psia the predicted value is 1.52
compared to the measured value of 1.49 and at 2,000 psia the predicted value is 1.41 compared to the
measured value of 1.38. Therefore further calibration is required.

Calibration
Do the following:
1. Apply OFVF calibration above the bubble point pressure. The measured value is 1.49 @ 4,269 psia and
210 F. The following plot should be obtained:

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2. Apply OFVF calibration below the bubble point pressure. The measured value is 1.38 @ 2,000 psia and
210 F. The following plot should be obtained:

Calibration of the oil viscosity requires two dead oil data points. The uncalibrated default approach is to
use the Beggs and Robinson correlation which gives values of 1.561 cP @ 200F and 23.27 cP @70
F. The Beggs and Robinson correlation uses the oil API gravity to predict two dead oil data points based
upon data obtained from around 2,000 data points from 600 oil systems.
3. Plot the uncalibrated oil viscosity. The following plots should be obtained:

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In this case it can be seen that the predicted oil viscosity value at a temperature of 70F and 14.7 psia
is 23.27 cP, as specified by the Beggs & Robinson correlation. This is significantly different from the
measured dead oil data and would lead to errors in the prediction of pressure loss.
4. On the Viscosity Data tab, select the correlation option user's 2 data points. Enter the two measured
values of 0.31 cP @ 200F and 0.8 cP @ 70F. The following plot should be obtained:

It can be seen that the predicted oil viscosity value at a temperature of 70F and 14.7 psia is 0.8 cP
consistent with the laboratory dead oil data.

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5. On the Advanced Calibration Data tab, enter the live oil calibration data of 0.29 cP@ 2,000 psia and
210F. The following plot should be obtained:

It can be seen that the predicted oil viscosity value at a temperature of 210F and 2000 psia is 0.29 cP
consistent with the laboratory live oil data.
6. Proceed to calibrate the gas viscosity and the gas compressibility using the calibration data given earlier.

Task 2. Develop a Well Inflow Performance Model

A straight line productivity index (PI) method is considered adequate in this case because the fluid flows
into the completion at a pressure considerably above the bubble point and no gas comes out of solution at
this stage. This applies throughout the field life and the PI is not expected to change. The PI will not be
affected by changes to the reservoir pressure because the reservoir pressure is to be maintained by water
injection. The PI will not be affected by changes to the watercut through field life because the oil and water
have similar mobilities in this reservoir structure. In this task you use the drill string test data to obtain a
representative productivity index.
First it is necessary to add a vertical completion to the model. To do this, point and click on the vertical
completion button at the top of the screen, and then point and click in the work area. A vertical completion
appears, as shown below:

vertical completion button

vertical completion

Double-click on the vertical completion in the work area to enter data for it. Enter the static reservoir pressure
of 4,269 psia and the reservoir temperature of 210F. Press the Calculate/Graph button and enter the drill

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string test data given below. Click Plot IPR to calculate a Productivity Index to be used throughout the
analysis work.

Task 3. Select a Tubing Size for the Production String

Find the smallest tubing size that will allow this production plan to be met on the basis that the production
string will not be replaced during field life. The tubing sizes available are 31/2", 41/2" or 51/2" for which the
I.D.'s are 2.992", 3.958" and 4.892".
This can be determined as follows:

Use the Systems Analysis operation to generate a plot of oil flowrate against watercut for each of the
three tubing sizes.

Overlay the production plan data and identify the smallest size that allows this plan to be met.

First it is necessary to extend the model to include a tubing string. Do the following:
1. Add a boundary node to the model by pointing and clicking on the boundary node button at the top of
the screen, and then pointing and clicking in the work area:

boundary node button

boundary node

2. Use the tubing button to connect the well to the boundary node:

Completed Model

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Note: The red outline indicates that essential data is missing for that component. Double-click on the tubing
to enter the well depth and the tubing thickness, roughness, overall heat transfer coefficient, and ambient
thermal gradient.
Do the following:
1. Select Operations Systems Analysis and set up the operation so that the calculated variable is liquid
rate. The x axis variable is water cut, with values of 0, 12, 20,35, 40, 47, 54 and 60%, representing the
various stages of field life. The sensitivity variable is tubing I.D. with values of 2.992", 3.958" and 4.892".
2. Use PsPlot's Series option to configure the output to give the water cut against the stock tank oil rate
at the outlet:

It can be seen that 41/2" tubing is the smallest size that will satisfy all of the production plan conditions.
Note: Do not forget to now set the tubing ID to 3.958 to reflect the 41/2" tubing for all subsequent
simulations.

Data Available
Reservoir Conditions
Reservoir pressure
4,269 psia
Reservoir temperature
210F

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Stock Tank Oil Properties

Watercut 0%, GOR 892 scf/STB, Gas SG 0.83, Water SG 1.02,API 36.83

Bubble Point Properties

Pressure 2,647 psia, Temperature 210F, Solution Gas 892scf/STB

Blackoil Calibration Data

OFVF (above bubble point pressure)
1.49 @ 4,269 psia and 210F
OFVF (below bubble point pressure)
1.38 @ 2,000 psia and 210F
Dead oil viscosities
0.31 cP @ 200F and 0.8 cP @ 70F
Live oil viscosity
0.29 cP @ 2,000 psia and 210F
Gas viscosity
0.019 cP @ 2,000 psia and 210F
Gas compressibility (Z)
0.85@ 2,000 psia and 210F

Deviation Survey
The well is vertical from the well head on the sea bed. Mid perforations are at a depth of 9,500 ft from the
well head. The ambient temperature varies linearly between 210F at mid perforations and 60F at the
wellhead. The minimum casing inner diameter is 10". The generally accepted overall heat transfer
coefficient of 2 BTU/hr/ft2/F for wellbores can be used throughout.
Minimum Pressure Allowed at the Wellhead
300 psia

Multiphase flow correlation

Beggs & Brill revised
Production Strings Available:
I.D. (") Wall thickness (") Roughness (")
2.992

0.5

0.001

3.958

0.5

0.001

4.892

0.5

0.001

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Drill String Test

Oil Flowrate (Q), sbbl/d Flowing Bottom Hole Pressure (P wf), psia
2,000

4,186

3,000

4,152

4,000

4,106

5,000

4,072

Production plan obtained from reservoir simulation

Year Watercut (%) Oil Flowrate, sbbl/d
0

12,000

12

10,500

20

9,400

35

7,500

40

7,000

47

6,000

54

5,000

10

60

4,300

Network Analysis Case Study - Looped Gathering Network

In this exercise the deliverability of a production network is established. The network connects three
producing gas wells in a looped gathering system and delivers commingled product to a single delivery
point. This case study involves the following tasks:

Build a model of the network (p.225).

Specify the network boundary conditions (p.231).

Solve the network and establish the deliverability. (p.231)

Engineering data (p.233)

Task 1. Build a Model of the Network

This task involves the following steps:
1. Enter the engineering data for the first well.
2. Copy the data to wells 2 and 3.
3. Modify the data for well 3.
4. Specify the composition at each production well.
5. Connect the network together.
6. Define the engineering data for each branch.

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Do the following:
1. Select File New Network to open a new network model and save this in your training directory (for
example, as file c:\training\pn01.bpn).
2. Use the Production Well button to place Well 1 in the work area as shown below.

production well button

production well

3. Double-click Well 1 to reveal its components as shown below:

4. Double-click the vertical completion to enter the inflow performance data.

5. Enter a gas PI of 0.0004 mmscf/d/psi 2. The reservoir temperature and pressure are defined below.
6. Double-click the tubing, and define a vertical tubing with a wellhead TVD of 0 and mid perforations TVD
and MD of 4500 ft. The ambient temperatures are 130F at mid perforations and 60F at the wellhead.
The tubing has an I.D. of 2.4".
Note: The essential data fields are shown in red outline (if the fields are not outlined, then data entry
in these fields is optional).
7. Close the view of Well 1 to return to the network view.

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8. Select Well 1 and, using the commands Edit Copy and Edit Paste, copy Well 1 to Well 2 and Well
3.
9. Position the new wells as shown below:

You will see that Wells 2 and 3 have adopted the data of Well 1.
10.Double-click Well 3 and modify the completion and tubing data. Double-click the vertical completion to
enter the inflow performance data. Enter a gas PI of 0.0005 mmscf/d/psi 2.
11.Double-click the tubing, and define a vertical tubing with a wellhead TVD of 0 and mid perforations TVD
and MD of 4900 ft.. The ambient temperatures are 140F at mid perforations and 60F at the wellhead.
The tubing has an I.D. of 2.4".
12.Close the view of Well 3 to return to the network view.

Defining a composition
The next step is to define the compositions at the production wells. Wells 1 and 2 are producing from the
same reservoir and have the same composition. Well 3 has a different composition, as shown in the data
section at the end of the case study. The most efficient way to define the compositions is to set the most
common composition (that is, the composition for Wells 1 and 2) as the global composition, and then to
specify the composition of Well 3 as a local variant. The composition of Wells 1 and 2 is the same as that
for the Pipeline and Facilities case study 2 and can be imported.
Do the following:

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1. First save the current network model. Open the Pipeline and Facilities case study (the recommended
file location was c:\training\ps02.bps).
2. Select Setup Compositional and click Export to export the composition to a file called "comp1.pvt".
Now close the pipeline and facilities case study.
3. In the network model, select Setup Compositional and click Import to import comp1.pvt as the global
composition.
4. Right-click Well 3, select Fluid Model, and modify the composition to be locally defined as given at the
end of this case study.
5. Now position the sink and some junction nodes.
Note: Holding down the "Shift" key whilst placing junction nodes allows multiple placement of the object.
Release the "Shift" key before the final placement.
The network should now look like this:

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6. Use the Branch button to connect J1 to J2. To do this, click on the Branch button, then hold down the
left mouse button over J1 and drag the mouse pointer to J2 before releasing the left mouse button.

branch button

branch connected

7. Double-click the arrow in the center of B1 to enter data for that branch. Now double-click the flowline to
enter data.
8. Close the B1 window to return to the network view.
9. As the looped gathering lines are all identical, the data for branch B1 can be propagated to the other
looped gathering lines. Select B1 by clicking on the arrow in the middle of the branch and use the
commands Edit Copy and then Edit Paste to copy B1 to B2, B3, and B4.
10.Position the new branches as shown below:

11.In order to reconnect a pasted branch, first pick the arrow in the middle of the new branch. You will see
that highlight boxes appear at either end of the branch. Move the mouse pointer over the right hand
highlight box, and you will see that the mouse pointer changes to an "up arrow" shape. This end of the
branch can then be dragged and dropped onto a junction node. Now connect the wells to the adjacent
junction node and connect J4 to the sink as shown below:

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12.Enter the components and data for branch B5. Branch B5 comprises a liquid separator with an efficiency
of 100%, a compressor with a pressure differential of +400 psi and an efficiency of 70%, an after-cooler
with an outlet temperature of 120F and a delta P of 15 psi, and flowline sections. The equipment is
located at B5 as shown below:

Note: Use the connector

to join the equipment together.

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Task 2. Specify the Network Boundary Conditions

First, it is necessary to summarize the rules for specification of network boundary conditions. The network
solver solves the fluid pressures, temperatures, and flowrates around a network for a user-specified set of
boundary conditions.
The following definitions are used:
Lone Node
A lone node is a node with only one branch connected, i.e. a production well, an injection well, a
source or a sink.
Boundary conditions
The fluid pressure, temperature, and flowrate at each lone node in the network
The following rules apply:
Rule for Temperatures
The fluid temperature at all sources and the static reservoir temperature at all production wells must
be specified by the user. The fluid temperatures at all sinks and injection wells are always
calculated.
Rules for Pressures and Flowrates
There are two rules for specification of pressure and flowrate boundary conditions:
Rule 1 - Degrees of Freedom. The total number of flowrates, pressures and PQ curves specified
must equal the total number of lone nodes.
Rule 2 - At Least one Pressure. A least one pressure must be specified at one of the lone nodes.
All unspecified pressures and flowrates are calculated by PIPESIM-Net.
In this case study, the above rules are satisfied by doing the following:

Specifying all the fluid inlet temperatures

Specifying all the fluid inlet pressures and the delivery pressure.

Use Setup Boundary Conditions to specify the boundary conditions below:

Node

Pressure Temperature

Well_1 2,900 psia 130F

Well_2 2,900 psia 130F
Well_3 3,100 psia 140F
Sink_1 800 psia

(calculated)

Note: All the flowrates will be calculated.

Task 3. Solve the Network and Establish the deliverability

First it is necessary to explain the network tolerance. A network has converged when the pressure balance
and mass balance at each node is within the specified tolerance.

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The calculated pressure at each branch entering and leaving a node is averaged. The tolerance of each
pressure is calculated from the equation:
Ptol = I(P - Pave.)/Pave. x 100%I
If all Ptol values are within the specified network tolerance then that node has passed the pressure
convergence test. This is repeated for each node.
The total mass flowrate into and the total mass flowrate out of a node are averaged. The tolerance is
calculated from the equation:
Ftol = I(Tot. mass flowrate in - Tot. mass flowrate ave.)/Tot. mass flowrate ave. x 100%I
If the Ftol value is within the specified network tolerance, that node has passed the mass convergence test.
This is repeated for each node.
When all of the above conditions are satisfied, the network has converged.
In this case study, the following steps are required:
1. Set the network tolerance.
2. Run the model.
3. View the tabular reports.
4. View the graphical reports.
Do the following:
1. Select Setup Options Network Iterations and set the network tolerance to 1%.
2. Save the model and then click Run
3. When the network has solved, you should see the message "pn01 - Finshed OK". Click OK.
4. Click the Report Tool button

. You will see the simulation results.

5. More comprehensive tabular reporting is available using the Summary File button

6. Select the branch from well W3, branch B3 and branch B5. Hold the "Shift" key down to make a multiple
selection. Then press the System Plot button
. The following pressure profile for these three
branches should be obtained. The effect of the compressor at J4 on the system pressure can be seen:

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Data Available
Layout:
The network is laid out as shown below:

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Completion and Tubing Data

Wells 1 & 2

Well 3

Gas PI

0.0004 mmscf/d/psi 2 0.0005 mmscf/d/psi 2

Wellhead TVD

Mid Perforations TVD

4500 ft

4900 ft

Mid Perforations MD

4500 ft

4900 ft

Tubing I.D.

2.4"

2.4"

Wellhead Ambient Temperature

60F

60F

Mid Perforations Ambient Temperature 130F

140F

Heat Transfer coefficient

0.2 Btu/hr/ft2/F

0.2 Btu/hr/ft2/F

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Pure Hydrocarbon Components (Wells 1 and 2)

Component Moles
Methane

75

Ethane

Propane

Isobutane

Butane

Isopentane

Pentane

0.5

Hexane

0.5

Petroleum Fraction (Wells 1 and 2)

Name
C7+
Boiling Point (F)
214
Molecular Weight
115
Specific Gravity
0.683
Moles
12

Aqueous Component (Wells 1 and 2)

Component
Water
Volume ratio (%bbl/bbl)
10

Pure Hydrocarbon Components (Well 3):

Component Moles
Methane

73

Ethane

Propane

Isobutane

1.5

Butane

1.5

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Isopentane

1.5

Pentane

0.5

Hexane

0.5

Petroleum Fraction (Wells 3)

Name
C7+
Boiling Point (F)
214
Molecular Weight
115
Specific Gravity
0.683
Moles
10.5

Aqueous Component (Well 3)

Component
Water
Volume ratio (%bbl/bbl)
5

Data for Looped Gathering Lines (B1, B2, B3, and B4)
Rate of undulations
10/1000
Horizontal distance
30,000 ft
Elevation difference
0 ft
Inner diameter
6"
Wall thickness
0.5"
Roughness
0.001"
Ambient temperature
60F

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Overall heat transfer coefficient

0.2 Btu/hr/ft 2/F

Data for Deliver Line (B5:

Separator type
Liquid
Separator efficiency
100%
Compressor differential pressure
400 psi
Compressor efficiency
70%
After cooler outlet temperature
120F
After cooler delta P
15 psi
Flowline Rate of undulations
10/1000
Flowline Horizontal distance
10,000 ft
Flowline Elevation difference
0 ft
Flowline Inner diameter
8"
Flowline Wall thickness
0.5"
Flowline Roughness
0.001"
Flowline Ambient temperature
60F
Flowline Overall heat transfer coefficient
0.2 Btu/hr/ft 2/F

Boundary Conditions
Node

Pressure Temperature

Well_1 2,900 psia 130F

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Well_2 2,900 psia 130F

Well_3 3,100 psia 140F
Sink_1 800 psia

(calculated)

User Equipment DLL Case Study - User Pump

A 32-bit DLL, compatible with PIPESIM, is to be produced to model a piece of user equipment, in this case
a pump. This case study involves the following tasks:

Write a DLL to define a piece of equipment for use with PIPESIM (p.238).

Build a single branch model and use the DLL (p.241).

Run the model and verify that the DLL worked (p.243)

Task 1. Write a DLL to define a piece of equipment for use with PIPESIM
Introduction
The DLL can be written in any programming language. Examples are provided in Fortran and C++ together
with the necessary library and header files. Also provided are READ ME's for Fortran and C++ code. For a
standard installation of PIPESIM, the following files are provided.
C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Developer Visual Fortran Project
Tools\User Equipment\Fortran_Code
\UserPump.vfproj
C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Developer Fortran code
Tools\User Equipment\Fortran_Code\UserPump.f90
C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Developer Visual C++ Fortran Project
Tools\User Equipment\C++_Code\UserPump.vcproj
C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Developer C++ code
Tools\User Equipment\C++_Code\UserPump.cpp
C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Developer PIPESIM include file for Fortran
Tools\User Equipment\libs\fluidman.i
C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Developer PIPESIM header file for C++
Tools\User Equipment\libs\fluidman.h
C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Developer PIPESIM fluid manager library
Tools\User Equipment\libs\fluidman.lib
C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Developer READ ME for Fortran code
Tools\User Equipment\Fortran_Code\READ.ME
C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Developer READ ME for C++ code
Tools\User Equipment\C++_Code\READ.ME
C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Case
Studies\User Equipment\UserPump.BPS

Example case using user supplied DLL

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C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Case
Studies\User Equipment\Pump.bps

Example case for comparison with UserPump.bps

How to write a DLL

The PIPESIM simulators are written in Fortran and can call an external routine using the following interface:
interface
subroutine equipment(op1,op2,istream,ostream,omsg,rcode)
character*(*) , intent(in ) ::op1
character*(*) , intent(in ) ::op2
type(fman_stream_type), intent(in ) :: istream
type(fman_stream_type), intent(out) :: ostream
character*(*), intent(out) :: omsg
integer , intent(out) :: rcode
end subroutine equipment
end interface

The first two arguments are options provided by the user, through the PIPESIM GUI, and passed via the
PIPESIM simulators to the user DLL. The first option is intended to be a global option, perhaps specified
by the author of the DLL, while the second option is a local option, specified by the user of the DLL. The
difference between these two arguments will become more apparent in the section on Engine keyword tool
(p.242). Arguments three and four define, respectively, the fluid input to, and output from, the equipment.
PIPESIM fluid properties are stored in a type called fman_stream_type. The definition of this type is
provided by an include file (fluidman.i for Fortran) or header file (fluidman.h for C++). Argument five is an
error message. This will be displayed by PIPESIM if argument six is non-zero.
Any name can be used for the routine.
Note: The routine is called pump in the example code UserPump.f90 and UserPump.cpp.

Note on Fortran
If the dll needs to read from or write to a file, then care must be taken since Fortran I/O unit numbers will
be shared with PIPESIM. The following guidelines are recommended:

Use unit numbers greater than 100.

Use the INQUIRE statement to make sure the unit is not already opened.

Close all units on exit from the DLL.

Note on C/C++
If the DLL is written in C or C++, then extra arguments are required after each character argument, because
the Fortran compiler passes the address of the character string and its length. Therefore the C++ declaration
is:
void equipment(char * op1, long lenop1,
char * op2, long lenop2,
fman_stream_type & istream,
fman_stream_type & ostream,

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char * omsg, long lenomsg,

long & rcode)

The input character arrays will not be null terminated.

PIPESIM flash
The fman_stream_type contains fluid data that is input to the flash, (for example, pressure, temperature,
compositional handle, compositional type), and data output from the flash (for example phase splits,
densities, viscosities). Two flash routines are provided with the following interfaces:
interface
subroutine fman_stream_flowing(stream, rcode)
use fluidman_types
type(fman_stream_type) :: stream
integer, intent(out) :: rcode
end subroutine fman_stream_flowing
subroutine fman_stream_st(stream, rcode)
use fluidman_types
type(fman_stream_type) :: stream
integer, intent(out) :: rcode
end subroutine fman_stream_st
end interface

Note: c_fman_stream_flowing is merely a wrapper to fman_stream_flowing and is intended to be used by

C/C++ applications.
These two routines can be used to perform three types of flash:

a PT-flash at user defined pressure (P) and temperature (T). To perform a PT flash at a given pressure
(P) and temperature (T) on an fman_stream_type called stream, set the stream values:

stream%ipres=P

stream%itemp=T

stream%ienth = r4undef (i.e. undefined)

and call the PIPESIM routine fman_stream_flowing.

a PH-flash at user defined pressure and enthalpy (H). To perform a PH flash at a given pressure (P)
and enthalpy (H) on an fman_stream_type called stream, set the stream values:

stream%ipres=P

stream%itemp=r4undef (i.e. undefined)

stream%ienth =H

a stock tank flash at atmospheric pressure and 60oF. To perform a stock tank flash call the routine
fman_stream_st.

Note: A PH flash is used in the example code UserPump.f90 and UserPump.cpp.

Results are stored in the stream. For example, stream%ptdl contains the liquid density calculated by either
a PT flash or a PH flash; stream%stdl contains the stock tank liquid density calculated by the stock tank
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flash (See fluidman.i and fluidman.h for more details). Examples of calling fman_stream_flowing and
c_fman_stream_flowing are given in UserPump.f90 and UserPump.cpp respectively. An example of calling
fman_stream_st is not provided since calling this routine should not be necessary; the stock tank conditions
of the outlet stream will be the same as those of the input conditions (unless the equipment changes the
fluid).

Exporting routines
The DLL export (and preprocessor) commands for these compilers are given in the example files
UserPump.f90 and UserPump.cpp.

Build the DLL

PIPESIM 2008.1 is compiled using Intel Visual Fortran 9.1. We have tested the example projects by
compiling and building with Intel Visual Fortran 9.1 and Microsoft Visual C++ 2005. The built DLL will be
put in the following directory for a standard installation of PIPESIM:
C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Developer Tools\User Equipment\Programs.

Task 2. Build a single branch model and use the DLL

There are three steps to using the equipment DLL in PIPESIM:

Place the built DLL in the PIPESIM programs directory (p.241).

Inform PIPESIM of the equipment DLL and its entry points (p.241).

Build a single branch model with an Engine Keyword Tool to represent the piece of equipment
(p.242).

Place the built DLL in the PIPESIM programs directory

You must place the DLL in the PIPESIM programs directory. For a standard installation of PIPESIM this
is:
C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Programs

Inform PIPESIM of the equipment DLL and its entry points

In the UserPump.bps example case, the DLL information has been put in Setup Engine Options:
You must specify the maincode userdll and values for all of its subcodes. The subcodes have the following
meanings:

filename specifies the name of the DLL.

epname (entry point name) specifies the entry point of the DLL, the actual name of the routine as
exported from the DLL.

psname (PIPESIM name) specifies the internal PIPESIM name of the routine. The psname's must be
unique. Check that other DLLs specified in the userdll.dat file (located in C:\Program Files\Schlumberger
\PIPESIM\data for a standard installation of PIPESIM - look for ep_ident) do not use the same psname's.

linktype specifies the DLL linkage type. This must be 24.

eptype (entry point type) specifies the type entry point for the DLL. Note that it must be equipment to
distinguish it from flow correlations.

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options specifies the string that will be sent as the first argument to the routine. (This is a global option,
perhaps specified by the author of the DLL).

Build a single branch model with an Engine Keyword Tool to represent the piece of
equipment
In PIPESIM 2008.1, the only way of using this equipment piece is by inserting an Engine keyword tool into
the branch, as shown in the UserPump.bps example case:
Use this tool to add the following data:
equipment name=value options=op2
Where:

Value must be one of the psname values given with the userdll maincode (see Inform PIPESIM of the
equipment DLL and its entry points (p.241))

The string op2 is passed as the 2nd argument to the particular DLL routine linked to value. In the
UserPump.bps example provided, dp=1000 (represents a pressure differential across of 1000 psia
across the equipment piece) is passed to routine pump in DLL UserPump.dll:

The author of the DLL should make sure the users know what options (if any) are allowed.

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Note on Network models

The user DLL can also be used with network models. The user DLL information can again be added using
Setup Engine Options. It can be added either at the bottom or the top of the tnt file.

Task 3. Run the model and verify that the DLL worked
Perform the following steps to verify that the DLL worked:
1. Run the UserPump.bps model by clicking
2. View the profile plots.
The following profile plots should be obtained for pressure vs total distance:

and fluid enthalpy vs total distance:

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It is clear from the plots that

the DLL is working as intended, since a pressure differential of 1000 psia at a constant enthalpy of about
25 BTU/lb is applied across the equipment.
An example case entitled Pump.bps is provided, for comparison with UserPump.bps. This case is identical
to UserPump.bps except that the Engine Keyword Tool representing the user defined pump (DLL) is
replaced by a standard PIPESIM pump:

Similarly, a pressure differential of 1000 psia is applied across the 100% efficient (i.e. at constant enthalpy)
pump:

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Perform the following steps:

1. Run the Pump.bps model by clicking on the
2. View the profile plots.
You should get plots of pressure vs total distance and fluid enthalpy vs total distance similar to those
obtained in the UserPump.bps example case.

Field Data Matching Case Study

Field data matching is important in building an accurate model. PIPESIM lets you perform fluid properties
matching, IPR matching, flow correlation matching, temperature matching, equipment settings, and so on.
The aim of such matching is to eliminate uncertainties based on measured data or operating conditions and
create a model that follows field measurement. This case study involves the following tasks:

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IPR matching (p.247).

Optimize Flow Correlation and U Value (p.247).

Validate Match (p.249)

Determine Choke Settings (p.250)

For this demo, we use the standard P and T profile that will be modified to illustrate the purpose of this case
study.

Measured Data
Flowing gradient Survey @ Liquid Rate 15000:
S. No.

Depth (MD)

Pressure (Psia) Temperature (F)

785

3000

1355

5000

1838

7500

2550

10000

3186

11600 (mid Perf.) 3600

145

Static Pressure measured at mid-perforation is 4224 psia. Temperature = 210 F.

Flowline:
S. No. Depth (MD) Pressure (Psia) Temperature (F)
1

785

1250

775

2500

760

Riser:
S. No. Depth (MD) Pressure (Psia) Temperature (F)
1

760

80

750

143

Multi-Rate Test Data:

Test Point Flow Rate (STB/Day) Tubing Head Pressure (psia) Water Cut (%) GOR (scf/STB)
1

15000

750

892

12000

880

892

9000

984

892

6000

1070

892

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Model Setup
Do the following:
1. Build the Model. For this case, use the case study P & T Profiles.bps. For a standard installation of
PIPESIM, this can be found in C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Case Studies\Well Design and
Performance.
2. Modify the flowline element by setting Rate of Undulations to 0.
3. Double click a Tubing object to open the Tubing dialog. Select Detailed Model from the Preferred
Tubing Model list and click OK. This changes the tubing profile to Detailed mode.

Task 1. IPR matching

IPR matching can be performed by performing simulation across completion using measured pressure data
at mid-perforation. The objective is to look for the uncertain variable and tune it to get the best IPR match.
The IPR model in this case is Well PI and, once the Static Reservoir Pressure is available, the only
uncertain parameter is Productivity Index. You will use the Pseudo General Iterative Method (p.151) to get
the correct value of PI.
Do the following:
1. Update Static Reservoir Pressure and Temperature in the model.
2. Deactivate physical objects downstream of the completion (in this case the tubing object) by selecting
the equipment item(s), right-clicking and pressing Active. The tick next to the Active becomes
unchecked and the deactivated equipment item changes from blue to red.
3. Select Operations Pressure/Temperature Profile and enter the known values for Inlet Pressure,
Outlet Pressure (set as measured pressure at mid-perforation 3600 psia) and liquid rate (measured
test rate 15000 STB/day).
4. Set User Variable (p.151) as the calculated parameter and define Productivity Index to be the user
variable.
5. Set a valid minimum and maximum range for Productivity Index (for this case we use the range from
1 STB/day/psi to 30 STB/day/psi). Set Proportionality Relationship to Direct.
6. Run the operation. (Be sure to remove the data set used for sensitivity analysis on Water Cut (these
data were used in the standard P&T; model) and view the plot of pressure vs elevation. Note that the
calculated liquid PI (expected value of PI in this case should be 24.04029 STB/Day/Psi).
7. Double-click the completion object and update the value of Productivity Index (PI).

Task 2. Optimizing Flow Correlation & Heat Transfer Coefficient

Do we need to optimize? Before proceeding with optimization, we would like to see how the simulated result
compares to measured data. Re-activate all the components of the model and perform simulation
(Pressure / Temperature profile) to calculate outlet pressure for a liquid rate of 15000 STB/day and make
a note of Outlet pressure and temperature. In this case we obtain:

Outlet pressure of 703 psia (this gives 47 psia lower than measured value of 750 psia, i.e. 6% error)

Outlet temperature of 154 F (again 11 F higher than the measured temperature of 154 F, i.e. 8% error).

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To correct these errors, we need to tune the model using the optimization routine (read on). PIPESIM
optimization routines allow the single branch engine to calculate optimal values of parameters to match
measured pressure and/or temperature data.
You can perform any of the following:

Pressure Match

Temperature Match

Simultaneous Match for Pressure and Temperature

The matching is performed by tuning parameters like friction and holdup factor for Pressure matching and
U-factor for Temperature matching. See optimize (p.596) for further details.

Load Measured Data

Measured data must be set up to use the optimizer. Measured data for Flowline and Riser can be directly
entered into their respective interfaces. Measured data can only be entered using a detailed profile for
flowline and riser:

Open Flowline/Riser interface set Preferred Pipe Description to Detailed View.

Enter Measured Pressure and Measured Temperature and click OK.

Enter measured data for tubing into the database, as follows:

1. Select Data Load/Add Measured Data.
2. Select New and enter the Well Name, Survey Date and the measured data (Pressures and
Temperatures at various measured depths).
3. Click Save Changes.

Setup Optimizer Options

Do the following:
1. Select Operations Data Matching and click the Parameters tab. Ensure that the Calibrate check
buttons are ticked for U-value multiplier, Vertical flow friction factor, and Vertical flow holdup factor. Enter
the following Min and Max values:
Min Max
U-value multiplier

0.5 10

Vertical flow friction factor

0.7 1.3

Vertical flow holdup factor

0.7 1.3

Horizontal flow friction factor 0.7 1.3

Horizontal flow holdup factor 0.7 1.3
2. On the Flow Correlations tab, select suitable horizontal and vertical flow correlations. For this case we
will use following correlations:
Vertical Flow Correlations Horizontal Flow Correlations
Ansari

Beggs & Brill Revised

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Vertical Flow Correlations Horizontal Flow Correlations

Duns & Ros

Mukherjee & Brill

Hagerdorn & Brown

3. On the Run tab, select Outlet Pressure as calculated variable (under Operation Run Data) and enter
the given Flowrate (15000 STB/Day). Click Run model. (Set the RMS weight factors for the pressure
and temperature to 1 to give equal weighting to P & T match).

Select flow correlation parameters and U factor

Do the following:
1. Review the table of results. It shows two cases for each combination of Horizontal and Vertical flow
correlations, an initial and the optimized value. The u-value multiplier (U), vertical friction factor (VF),
vertical holdup factor (VH), horizontal friction factor (VF) and horizontal holdup factor (VH) are all listed
before (Initial) and after the optimization (Optimized) along with the root-mean-square errors in the
pressure (P) and temperature (T) match and the total RMS error (Total).
2. We should be selecting the combination that gives the lowest total RMS error. In this example, we notice
that the optimized combination of Hagedorn & Brown (Vertical Correlation) and Beggs & Brill Revised
(Horizontal Correlation) is the best option, with the lowest RMS error.
3. Select Optimized HBR + BBR and click Save Selected Results.
4. Go back to the model and select Setup Flow Correlations. You will see that the optimized flow
correlation results have been applied to the model. The friction factor and holdup factor have also been
updated in the model.
5. Select Setup Heat Transfer Options. You will see that the optimized U-value multiplier has also been
applied to the model. Now all u-values listed in the models (Tubing, Flowline and Riser) will be multiplied
by the U-value multiplier.
The model is now ready for use.

Task 3. Validate Match

Once the model is tuned, validate it against test data measured at different conditions. We will use a Multirate test data for validation.
Do the following:
1. Select Operations Pressure/Temperature Profile to calculate Outlet Pressure for known liquid
rates. (Use Liquid Rate as the Sensitivity Variable).
2. Run the operation and review the result. Compare the simulated result with the measured data and see
the difference:
Case No. Flow rate (STB/Day) THP (psia) Measured THP (psia) Measured Difference (%)
1

6000

1070

1057

1.21

9000

984

976

0.81

12000

880

875

0.57

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Case No. Flow rate (STB/Day) THP (psia) Measured THP (psia) Measured Difference (%)
4

15000

750

750

0.00

This confirms a valid match.

Task 4. Determine Choke Settings

The well above will be connected to a common surface facility operating at 400 psia. To avoid a backpressure effect on other wells connected to the system, the well must be choked back to give final delivery
pressure of 400 psia, delivering a flowrate of 15000 STB/d. Do the following:
1. Modify the model to add a choke object at the wellhead. Set the bean diameter to any value (say 0.5
inches).
2. Perform a Pressure/Temperature Profile operation with known values for Inlet Pressure, Outlet
Pressure (400 psia) and liquid rate (15000 STB/day).
3. Set User Variable as the calculated parameter and define Choke Bean Size as the user variable.
4. Set a valid minimum and maximum range for choke size (for this case we use the range from 0 in to 2
in). Proportionality Relationship should be set to Direct.
5. Run the model and view the results. Viewing the pressure versus elevation plot indicates the choke bean
size as 1.6455 inches.
Set the new choke size and perform a Pressure/Temperature Profile operation with known values for Inlet
Pressure, Outlet Pressure (400 psia) and request the liquid rate to be calculated. You will get the expected
value of 15000 STB/d for liquid rate. The well is now ready to produce to the common facility without any
back-pressure effect on other wells.

Liquid Loading Analysis Case Study

Field data matching is an important exercise to build an accurate model. PIPESIM allows user to perform
fluid properties matching, IPR matching, flow correlation matching, temperature matching, equipment
settings, and so on. The objective of such matching is to eliminate uncertainties based on measured data,
operating conditions and create a model that follows field measurement. This case study involves the
following tasks:

Set up Liquid Loading Model (p.250).

Control Liquid Loading Options in PIPESIM (p.251).

Analyze Well for Liquid Loading (p.251)

Determine Critical Gas Rate to Prevent Well Loading (p.251)

Task 1. Set up the Liquid Loading Model

Liquid Loading is performed in PIPESIM by default. The default model is Turner's Model, but the user can
to select different models through engine keywords. See Liquid Loading (p.273) for further details. In this
exercise we use the Coleman (1991) model.
Do the following:

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1. Build the well model. Open the standard case study file Compositional Nodal Analysis.bps, which for
a standard installation of PIPESIM is located in C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Case Studies
\Well Design and Performance.
2. Set up the Coleman Liquid Loading Model and other parameters:

Pick the value of correction (Efficiency) factor for Coleman Liquid Loading Model from the table
(p.273) (this value is 1.0).

Select Setup Engine Options and, in the space provided for Additional engine keywords, enter
the following:

OPTION ELIQLOADING = 1.0

This picks Coleman's model.

Task 2. Control Liquid Loading Options in PIPESIM

You have the option of controlling Liquid Loading Calculations for every liquid loading model selected. This
is done using engine keywords. The parameters to control are:

Implementation and reporting of Liquid loading Velocity Ratio (p.61).

Inclination angle (p.61) to prevent liquid loading calculations.

The user should add the following engine keywords:

OPTION LLVELOCITY = GAS
OPTION LLANGLE = 30

The first option reports Liquid Loading Velocity Ratio as Terminal Settling Velocity/Gas Velocity.
The second option prevents calculation of Liquid Loading for a Pipe angle up to 30 degrees from horizontal.

Task 3. Analyze Well for Liquid Loading

Liquid loading calculations are performed in every operation and are available for review through output
and plot reports. Do the following:
1. Select Pressure Temperature Profile and calculate the Gas Rate for an outlet pressure of 450 psia.
2. Review the output file and plots to see whether the well is under liquid loading. A Liquid Loading
Velocity Ratio in excess of 1 indicates loading.
The result indicates the value for Liquid Loading Velocity Ratio much less than 1 at every node in tubing;
this indicates the well is free from Liquid Loading. (The auxiliary report should show no calculation performed
for the flowline section due to option control set for inclination angle.)

Task 4. Determine Critical Gas Rate to Prevent Well Loading

A Nodal Analysis plot reports Liquid Loading Gas Rate by default. For every point on the outflow curve, the
value of Liquid Loading Velocity Ratio is calculated and the critical gas rate (p.273) is calculated at a
point where Liquid Loading Velocity Ratio is 1. The reported value comes from interpolation of the outflow
curve between two points, one with a velocity ratio below 1 and another with a velocity ratio above 1. The
accuracy of the result therefore depends on the number of points on the outflow curve.

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Do the following:
1. Add a Nodal Analysis Point between the tubing and completion.
2. Select Operations Nodal Analysis and add the following settings:

Number of points on each inflow curve = 100

Number of points on each outflow curve = 200

Allow the inflow curves to extend to the AOFP

Limit the outflow curves to lie within the pressure range of the inflow curves

3. View the NA plot. Plot the Pressure at NA point versus Stock Tank Gas Rate. Make a note of the stock
tank gas rate under the Data tab. The reported critical gas rate is 2.0835 mmscfd
4. The reported critical gas rate refers to the outflow curve. This can be validated by performing
Operations Pressure/Temperature Profile at the same conditions (flowrate and outlet pressure).
Perform the operation to calculate inlet pressure at the given critical gas rate (2.0835 mmscfd)
corresponding to outflow outlet pressure of 450 psia. Viewing the output file should reveal that the
Maximum Liquid Loading Velocity Ratio is close to 1. This is consistent with the Nodal Analysis result.

Ramey Heat Transfer Model Case Study

Heat transfer between a well and its surroundings varies with time - the well exchanges energy with the
formation, heating it up (or cooling it down), until the formation is at the same temperature as the well. This
case study helps user in implementing detailed steady state heat transfer in the wellbore using the Ramey
model (p.51). This case study involves the following tasks:

Set up Ramey Heat Transfer Properties (p.252).

Set up Detailed Heat Transfer for the Tubing (p.253).

Run Model and View Results (p.255)

Task 1. Set up Ramey Heat Transfer Properties

Modeling wellbore heat transfer using the Ramey model requires setting up ground thermal properties and
other parameters like time and heat transfer reference diameter. This can be done using engine keywords
as follows:
1. Build a well model. Perform the following steps:

Open a standard case study such as Bottom Hole Nodal Analysis.bps'. In a standard installation of
PIPESIM, this can be found under C:\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Case Studies\Well
Design and Performance.

Double-click the tubing object and set the Preferred Tubing Model to Detailed Model.

On the Tubing Configurations tab, enter the following data:

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Bottom
MD (ft)

ID (inches)

Wall
Thickness
(inches)

Roughness
(inches)

11000

3.958

0.5

0.001

11600

8.681

0.5

0.001

Casing ID
(inches)
8.681

Flow
Type

Label

Tubing

Upper
Section

Tubing

Lower
Section

2. Set up Ramey Heat Transfer Properties. Perform the following steps:

On the Geothermal Survey tab, select the Calculate U Value radio button, click Heat Transfer
Properties and enter the following ground data:
Thermal Conductivity
(BTU/hr/ft/F)
2.2

Specific Heat
Capacity (BTU/lb/F)
0.24

Density lb/ft3)
126

Production/Injection
Time (hrs)
500

Select Setup Engine Options and, in the Additional engine keywords box , enter the following:
HEAT HTCRD = 11.741

The second line refers to the time the well has been operating. Typically, with a value in excess of 168 hours
(one week), the surrounding rock should reach steady state heat transfer.

Task 2. Set up Detailed Heat Transfer for the Tubing

The next step is to define detailed heat transfer properties for the tubing, including pipe and coatings
information. Looking at a typical wellbore (Figure 1), it is apparent that the upper section (from the bottom
of the tubing to the surface) has got several layers of materials separating the flowing wellbore fluid from
the surrounding rock/ground. These include:

Tubing material

Annulus filled with completion fluid/gas

Casing material

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Figure 2.1. Typical Wellbore

Similarly, the lower section (from tubing shoe down to mid-perforation) has the following layers of material
separating flowing fluid with the surrounding rock:

Casing material

Cement behind casing

These layers act as thermal coatings between the flowing fluid and surrounding rock. Enter the following
information in the Wellbore properties section of the Tubing Heat Transfer Properties dialog:
Tubing Thermal
Conductivity
(BTU/hr/ft/F)
35

Completion
Fluid Thermal
Conductivity
(BTU/hr/ft/F)
3.25

Casing Thermal
Conductivity
(BTU/hr/ft/F)
35

Casing
Thickness
(ft)
0.78

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Cement
Thermal
Conductivity
(BTU/hr/ft/F)
2

Cement
Thickness
(ft)
0.75

PIPESIM User Guide

Task 3. Run the Model and View Results

Do the following:
1. Select Setup Define Output and select Heat Transfer Input Data and Heat Transfer Output
Data. Click OK.
2. Run the model and view the heat transfer input and output data in the output file.

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Support and Contact Information

Support
Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) provides a variety of options for receiving support:

SIS web and phone support

If you have a problem that cannot be resolved using PIPESIM Help, you can send a support request via
the Schlumberger Information Solutions Support Web page.

On-site support
Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) supplements the standard maintenance agreement by offering
extended on-site support worldwide. This enhanced level of support includes on-site assistance, installation,
troubleshooting and maintenance services of licensed SIS software. Contact the help desk or refer to your
licensing agreement for more information.

SIS Education
A large number of training courses are offered at various SIS locations, or on-site for groups or individuals
upon request. These training courses can help you increase the value you are receiving from your SIS
software products. The courses can also act as a form of preventive maintenance as you learn to achieve
smoother and more trouble-free performance with the products. See the SIS Training Web site for more
information.

See Also:
How to reach us (p.256)

How To Reach Us
The Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) Support Portal https://support.slb.com provides a
single, online location for all your support needs. Within the Support Portal you can quickly search a vast
knowledge base for the answers you need, participate with your peers in discussion forums, and receive
the latest news about SIS products and services.
All support requests are entered into the SIS Customer Care Center incident tracking system, where they
are resolved by local support staff. For those times when you need to speak with a support specialist, contact
numbers are provided for your local support center.
Avocet is a product line of Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS). For more information about SIS,
please go to our Web site at http://www.sis.slb.com

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Technical Description
Flow Modelling
Flow Correlations
Flow Regimes
Flow Regimes Classification for Vertical Two Phase Flow
The general problem of predicting the pressure drop for the simultaneous flow of gas and liquid is complex.
The problem consists of being able to predict the variation of pressure with elevation along the length of
the flow string for known conditions of flow. Multiphase vertical flow can be categorized into four different
flow configurations or flow regimes, consisting of bubble flow, slug flow, slug-mist transition flow and mist
flow.
A typical example of bubble flow is the liberation of solution gas from an undersaturated oil at and above
the point in the flow string where its bubble point pressure is reached.
In slug flow, both the gas and liquid phases significantly contribute to the pressure gradient. the gas phase
exists as large bubbles almost filling the pipe and separated by slugs of liquid. In transition flow, the liquid
slugs between the gas bubbles essentially disappear, and at some point the liquid phases becomes
discontinuous and the phase becomes continuous.
The pressure losses in transition flow are partly a result of the liquid phase, but are more the result of the
gas phase. Mist flow is characterized by a continuous gas phase with liquid occurring as entrained droplets
in the gas stream and as a liquid film wetting the pipe walls. A typical example of mist flow is the flow of gas
and condensate in a gas condensate well
PIPESIM Vertical Flow correlations (p.261)
Vertical bubble flow Vertical Slug Flow Vertical Transition Flow Vertical Annular/Mist Flow

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Flow Regimes Classification for Horizontal Two Phase Flow

Prediction of liquid holdup is less critical for pressure loss calculations in horizontal flow than for inclined or
vertical flow, although several correlations will require a holdup value for calculating the density terms used
in the friction and acceleration pressure drop components. The acceleration pressure drop is usually minor
and is often ignored in design calculations.
As in the vertical flow, the two-phase horizontal flow can be divided into the following flow regimes: Stratified
Flow (smooth, wavy), Intermittent Flow (plug and slug) and Distributive Flow (bubble and mist).
PIPESIM Horizontal Flow correlations (p.258)
Stratified Flow

Smooth

Wavy

Intermittent Flow Slug

Elongated bubble/Plug

Distributive Flow Annular/Mist

Bubble

Horizontal Multiphase Flow Correlations

Setup Flow Correlations
See also: Flow regimes (p.257), Selecting correlations (p.89) , SPHASE Single Phase Flow Options
(p.493)
The flow correlations available are affected by the Moody friction Factor calculation method option. By
default, PIPESIM uses the explicit Moody friction factor calculation method (see the Sonnad and Goudar
paper (p.448)) .

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The following horizontal multiphase flow correlations are available:

BJA Correlation
Schlumberger has developed a correlation for two phase flow in gas-condensate pipelines with a no-slip
liquid volume fraction of lower than 0.1. This model represents no major advance in theory, but rather a
consolidation of various existing mechanistic models, combined with a modest amount of theoretical
development and field data testing. The model uses the Taitel Dukler flow regime map and a modified set
of the Taitel Dukler momentum balance to predict liquid holdup. The pressure loss calculation procedure is
similar in approach to that proposed by Oliemans, but accounts for the increased interfacial shear resulting
from the liquid surface roughness. The BJA correlation is used for pressure loss and holdup with flow regime
determined by the Taitel Dukler correlation. The BJA correlation has been developed Schlumberger
specifically for applications involving low liquid/gas ratios, for example gas/condensate pipelines. Note: The
BJA correlation is identical to the BPS correlation documented in PIPESIM Release 2.1 and earlier.
The BJA correlation is not recommended for systems having a non-slip liquid volume fraction greater than
0.1 (Ref. Appendix B for some background information on the BJA correlation).
A revised BJA holdup correlation (BJA2) has been developed to overcome occasional erratic behavior at
low flow rates. Refer to the correlation description in Appendix B for full details. Note full details of the BJA
correlations were published in the Oil and Gas Journal (May 1987) at the 3rd International Conference on
Multi-Phase Flow, and copies of the paper can be obtained from BJA.
Beggs and Brill Original
ORIGINAL: The original Beggs and Brill (p.438) correlation is used for pressure loss and either the BBO
or the BJA correlation is used to calculate holdup. Flow regime is determined by either the Beggs and Brill
or Taitel Dukler correlation. The Beggs and Brill correlation was developed following a study of two-phase
flow in horizontal and inclined pipes. The correlation is based upon a flow regime map which is first
determined as if the flow was horizontal. A horizontal holdup is then calculated by correlations, and this
holdup is corrected for the angle of inclination. The test system included two 90 ft long acrylic pipes, winched
to a variable elevation in the middle, so as to model incline flow both upwards and downwards at angles of
up to 90.
Beggs and Brill Revised
REVISED: As above except that the revised version of the Beggs and Brill correlation is used, with rough
pipe friction factors, holdup limits and corrective constants as proposed by Palmer (p.446) and Payne
(p.446). The following enhancements to the original method are used; (1) an extra flow regime of froth flow
is considered which assumes a no-slip holdup, (2) the friction factor is changed from the standard smooth
pipe model, to utilize a single phase friction factor based on the average fluid velocity.
Dukler (AGA) and Flanigan
1. The AGA and Flanigan correlation was developed for horizontal and inclined two phase flow of gascondensate gathering systems. The Taitel Dukler flow regime map is used which considers five flow
regimes, stratified smooth, stratified wavy, intermittent, annular dispersed liquid, and dispersed bubble.
The Dukler (p.441) equation is used to calculate the frictional pressure loss and holdup, and the Flanigan
(p.441) equation is used to calculate the elevational pressure differential.
2. As above but with liquid holdup calculated according to the Eaton (p.441) correlation. The Eaton liquid
holdup correlation is based on a study performed on 2 in. and 4 in. steel pipe using water and natural

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gas as test fluids. Test pressures ranged from 305 to 865 psia and liquid holdup measurements ranged
from .006 - 0.732.
Mukherjee and Brill
The Mukherjee and Brill (p.445) correlation is used for Pressure loss, Holdup and Flow Map. Note: selection
of alternative flow maps and/or holdups will cause unpredictable results. The Mukherjee and Brill correlation
was developed following a study of pressure drop behavior in two-phase inclined flow. The test facility
consisted of a U-Shaped pipe that was inclinable +/-90. Each leg of the U section was 56 ft with 22 ft
entrance lengths and a 32 ft test sections on both sides. Fluids were air, kerosene and lube oil with liquid
viscosities ranging from .9 to 75 cp. Approximately 1000 pressure drop measurements and 1500 liquid
holdup measurements were obtained from a broad range of oil and gas flows.
For bubble and slug flow, a no-slip friction factor calculated from the Moody diagram was found adequate
for friction head loss calculations. In downhill stratified flow, the friction pressure gradient is calculated based
on a momentum balance equation for either phase assuming a smooth gas-liquid interface. For annularmist flow, a friction factor correlation was presented that is a function of holdup ratio and no-slip Moody
friction factor. Results agreed well with the experimental data and correlations were further verified with
Prudhoe Bay and North Sea data.
Minami and Brill
The Minami and Brill correlation calculates liquid holdup though does not predict flow regime or pressure
gradient. The experimental holdup data was obtained by passing spheres through a 1,333 ft long 3 steel
horizontal pipe and measuring the liquid volumes removed. Holdup measurements ranged from .001 to .
44. Fluids used in the experiment included air, kerosene and water with the liquid viscosities ranging from .
6 cp to 2 cp.
Two correlations were proposed. The first (BRIMIN1) is valid for all ranges of liquid holdup; the second
(BRIMIN2) is strictly for wet gas pipelines (holdup < .35).
The Minami and Brill (p.445) holdup correlations can be used with any correlation except Mukherjee and
Brill and No Slip. To activate the Minami and Brill correlation, enter the appropriate engine keyword under
Setup Engine Options (for example, hcorr holdup = brimin1)
NOSLIP Correlation
The NOSLIP correlation assumes homogeneous flow with no slip between the phases. Fluid properties are
taken as the average of the gas and liquid phases and friction factors are calculated using the single phase
MOODY correlation. Note: selection of alternative flow maps and/or holdups will cause unpredictable
results.
OLGA-S 2000 2-phase / OLGA-S 2000 3-phase
OLGAS is based in larger part on data from the SINTEF two-phase flow laboratory near Trondheim, Norway.
The test facilities were designed to operate at conditions that approximated field conditions. The test loop
was 800 m long and 8 inches in diameter. Operating pressures between 20 and 90 barg were studied. Gas
superficial velocities of up to 13 m/s, and liquid superficial velocities of up to 4 m/s were obtained. In order
to simulate the range of viscosities and surface tensions experienced in field applications, different
hydrocarbon liquids were used (naptha, diesel, and lube oil). Nitrogen was used as the gas. Pipeline
inclination angles between 1 were studied in addition to flow up or down a hill section ahead of a 50 m high
vertical riser. Over 10,000 experiments were run on this test loop during an eight year period. The facility
was run in both steady state and transient modes. OLGAS considers four flow regimes, stratified, annular,
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slug and dispersed bubble flow and uses a unique minimum slip criteria to predict flow regime transitions.
This correlation is available to all members of the SINTEF syndicate, and to non-members on payment of
the appropriate royalty fees.
Oliemans
The Oliemans correlation was developed following the study of large diameter condensate pipelines. The
flow regime is predicted using the Taitel Dukler flow regime map, and a simple model, which obeyed the
correct single phase flow limits was introduced to predict the pressure drop. The model was based on a
limited amount of data from a 30-in, 100-km pipeline operating at pressures of 100 barg or higher. The
Oliemans (p.445) pressure loss correlation can be used with the Eaton, BJA1, BJA2, BRIMIN1 or BRIMIN2
holdup correlations.
Xiao
The Xiao comprehensive mechanistic model was developed as part of the TUFFP research program. It was
developed for gas-liquid two-phase flow in horizontal and near horizontal pipelines. The model first predicts
the existing flow pattern, and then calculates flow characteristics, primarily liquid holdup and pressure drop,
for the stratified, intermittent, annular, or dispersed bubble flow patterns. The model was tested against a
pipeline data bank. The data bank included large diameter field data culled from the AGA multiphase pipeline
data bank, and laboratory data published in literature. Data included both black oil and compositional fluid
systems. A new correlation was proposed which predicts the internal friction factor under stratified flow.
TUFFP Unified 2-Phase Model
The TUFFP Unified 2-Phase Model (see Zhang et.al (p.449)) is a mechanistic model for the prediction of
flow pattern transitions, pressure gradient, liquid holdup and slug characteristics in gas-liquid pipe flow. The
model is valid for all inclination angles.
The principle concept underlying the model is the premise that slug flow shares transition boundaries with
all the other flow patterns. The flow pattern transition from slug flow to stratified and/or annular flow is
predicted by solving the momentum equations for slug flow. The entire film zone is treated as the control
volume and the momentum exchange between the slug body and the film zone is introduced into the
combined momentum equation. This approach differs from traditional methods of using separate
mechanistic models and correlations for each transition. The advantage of a single hydrodynamic model is
that the flow pattern transitions, slug characteristics, liquid holdup and pressure gradient are implicitly
related.
The closure relationships included in the model are based on focused experimental research programs at
Tulsa and elsewhere. As new and improved closure relationships become available, the TUFFP Unified
Model is updated and validated. Due to the implicit nature of the model, execution time is slow relative to
other multiphase flow models. Therefore, the TUFFP Unified Model is best suited for single branch models
and/or cases where preliminary analysis has been made using a faster and simpler method. Furthermore,
the TUFFP Unified Model v 2007.1 has been observed to not converge under certain flow conditions.>

Vertical Multiphase Flow Correlations

Setup Flow Correlations
See also: Flow regimes (p.257), Selecting correlations (p.89), Suggested flow correlation (p.90), SPHASE
Single Phase Flow Options (p.493)

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The flow correlations available are affected by the Moody friction Factor calculation method option. By
default, PIPESIM uses the explicit Moody friction factor calculation method ("Explicit Reformulation of the
Colebrook-White Equation for turbulent Flow friction Factor calculation" by J. Sonnad and C. Goudar, Ind.
Eng. Chem. Res, 2007, 46, pp. 2593-2600).
The following vertical multiphase flow correlations are available:
Ansari
The Ansari mechanistic model was developed as part of the Tulsa University Fluid Flow Projects (TUFFP)
research program. A comprehensive model was formulated to predict flow patterns and the flow
characteristics of the predicted flow patterns for upward two-phase flow. The comprehensive mechanistic
model is composed of a model for flow pattern prediction and a set of independent models for predicting
holdup and pressure drop in bubble, slug, and annular flows. The model was evaluated by using the TUFFP
well databank that is composed of 1775 well cases, with 371 of them from Prudhoe Bay data.
Beggs and Brill Original
ORIGINAL: The Original Beggs and Brill (p.438) correlation is used for pressure loss and holdup. Flow
regime is determined by either the Beggs and Brill or Taitel Dukler correlation. The Beggs and Brill
correlation was developed following a study of two-phase flow in horizontal and inclined pipes. The
correlation is based upon a flow regime map which is first determined as if the flow was horizontal. A
horizontal holdup is then calculated by correlations, and this holdup is corrected for the angle of inclination.
The test system included two 90 ft long acrylic pipes, winched to a variable elevation in the middle, so as
to model incline flow both upwards and downwards at angles of up to 90.
Beggs and Brill Revised
REVISED: As above except that the revised version of the Beggs and Brill correlation is used, with rough
pipe friction factors, holdup limiters and corrective constants as proposed by Palmer (p.446) and Payne
(p.446). The following enhancements to the original method are used; (1) an extra flow regime of froth flow
is considered which assumes a no-slip holdup, (2) the friction factor is changed from the standard smooth
pipe model, to utilize a single phase friction factor based on the average fluid velocity.
Brill and Minami
The Brill and Minami (p.445) Holdup correlations can be used with any flow map correlations except
Mukerjee and Brill and No Slip.
Duns and Ros
The Duns and Ros correlation is used for pressure loss and holdup with flow regime determination by either
the Duns and Ros (p.441) or the Taitel (p.448) Dukler (p.441) correlations. The Duns and Ros correlation
was developed for vertical flow of gas and liquid mixtures in wells. Equations were developed for each of
three flow regions, (I) bubble, plug and part of froth flow regimes, (II) remainder of froth flow and slug flow
regimes, (III) mist flow regime. These regions have low, intermediate and high gas throughputs respectively.
Each flow region has a different holdup correlation. The equations were based on extensive experimental
work using oil and air mixtures.
Govier and Aziz
The correlation of Aziz, Govier, and Forgasi (p.438) is used for pressure loss, holdup, and flow regime.
The Govier, Aziz and Fogarasi correlation was developed following a study of pressure drop in wells

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producing gas and condensate. Actual field pressure drop versus flowrate data from 102 wells with gasliquid ratios ranging from 3,900 to 1,170,000 scf/bbl were analyzed in detail. The phase conditions in the
well bore were determined by standard flash calculations. Pressure-gradient data for flow under singlephase conditions were compared with conventional predictions, and found generally to confirm them. For
the test in which two-phase conditions were predicted throughout the well bore, the field data were compared
with several wholly empirical prediction methods, with a previously proposed method, and with a new
prediction method partly based on the mechanics of flow. The new prediction method incorporates an
empirical estimate of the distribution of the liquid phase between that flowing as a film on the wall and that
entrained in the gas core. It employs separate momentum equations for the gas-liquid mixture in the core
and for the total contents of the pipe.
Gray
The Gray Vertical Flow correlation is used for pressure loss and holdup. This correlation was developed by
H E Gray of Shell Oil Company for vertical flow in gas and condensate systems which are predominantly
gas phase. Flow is treated as single phase, and dropped out water or condensate is assumed to adhere to
the pipe wall. It is considered applicable for vertical flow cases where the velocity is below 50 ft/s, the tube
size is below 3.5 in, the condensate ratio is below 50 bbl/mmscf, and the water ratio is below 5 bbl/mmscf.
Gray Modified
As above, but with the following modifications: (1) Actual Reynolds number used (Gray Original assumed
Reynolds number to always be 1 million), and (2) Pseudo-roughness is constrained to be less than the pipe
radius.
Hagedorn and Brown
The correlation of Hagedorn and Brown (p.442) is used for pressure loss and holdup. While the Hagedorn
and Brown correlation does not predict flow pattern, the flow pattern as predicted by Orkiszewski is reported.
The Duns and Ros flow pattern prediction can also be reported. Neither of these flow pattern prediction
methods affects any of the calculations. The Hagedorn and Brown correlation was developed following an
experimental study of pressure gradients occurring during continuous two-phase flow in small diameter
vertical conduits. A 1,500 ft experimental well was used to study flow through 1 in., 1.25 in., and 1.5 in.
nominal size tubing. Air was the gas phase and four different liquids were used: water and crude oils with
viscosities of about 10, 30 and 110 cp. Liquid holdup was not directly measured, rather a pseudo liquidholdup value was determined that matched measured pressure gradients.
Further work by Brill and Hagedorn have led to two modifications: (1) If the Griffith and Wallis criteria
predicted the occurrence of bubble flow, the Griffith bubble-flow method should be used to predict pressure
gradient, and (2) If the predicted liquid holdup is less than the no-slip liquid holdup, then the no-slip liquid
holdup is used.
All of the correlations involve only dimensionless groups, which is a condition usually sought for in similarity
analysis but not always achieved.
Mukherjee and Brill
The Mukerjee and Brill (p.445) correlation is used for Pressure loss, Holdup and flow map. Note: selection
of alternative flow maps and/or holdups will cause unpredictable results. The Mukherjee and Brill correlation
was developed following a study of pressure drop behavior in two-phase inclined flow. For bubble and slug
flow, a no-slip friction factor calculated from the Moody diagram was found adequate for friction head loss
calculations. In downhill stratified flow, the friction pressure gradient is calculated based on a momentum

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PIPESIM User Guide

balance equation for either phase assuming a smooth gas-liquid interface. For annular-mist flow, a friction
factor correlation was presented that is a function of holdup ratio and no-slip Moody friction factor. Results
agreed well with the experimental data and correlations were further verified with Prudhoe Bay and North
Sea data.
NOSLIP Correlation
The NOSLIP correlation assumes homogeneous flow with no slip between the phases. Fluid properties are
taken as the average of the gas and liquid phases and friction factors are calculated using the single phase
MOODY correlation. Note: selection of alternative flow maps and/or holdups will cause unpredictable
results.
OLGA-S 2000 2-phase/ OLGA-S 2000 3-phase - version 3.0
OLGAS is based in larger part on data from the SINTEF two-phase flow laboratory near Trondheim, Norway.
The test facilities were designed to operate at conditions that approximated field conditions. The test loop
was 800 m long and 8 inches in diameter. Operating pressures between 20 and 90 barg were studied. Gas
superficial velocities of up to 13 m/s, and liquid superficial velocities of up to 4 m/s were obtained. In order
to simulate the range of viscosities and surface tensions experienced in field applications, different
hydrocarbon liquids were used (naptha, diesel, and lube oil). Nitrogen was used as the gas. Pipeline
inclination angles between 1 were studied in addition to flow up or down a hill section ahead of a 50m high
vertical riser. Over 10,000 experiments were run on this test loop during an eight year period. The facility
was run in both steady state and transient modes. OLGAS considers four flow regimes, stratified, annular,
slug and dispersed bubble flow and uses a unique minimum slip criteria to predict flow regime transitions.
This correlation is available to all members of the SINTEF syndicate, and to non members on payment of
the appropriate royalty fees.
Orkiszewski
The Orkiszewski (p.446) correlation is used for pressure loss, holdup, and flow regime. The Orkiszewski
correlation was developed for the prediction of two phase pressure drops in vertical pipe. Four flow regimes
were considered, bubble, slug, annular-slug transition, and annular mist. The method can accurately predict,
to within 10%, the two phase pressure drops in naturally flowing and gas lifted production wells over a wide
range of well conditions. The precision of the method was verified when its predicted values were compared
against 148 measured pressure drops. Unlike most other methods, liquid holdup is derived from observed
physical phenomena, and is adjusted for angle of deviation.

Friction and Holdup factors

These two factors can be used to adjust the friction and holdup prediction of a particular flow correlation.
By default these factors are 1.
A linear relationship is used for the friction pressure drop. Setting the friction factor to 0.5, for example, will
mean that the friction element of pressure drop computed by the correlation will be halved.
A non-linear relationship is used to calculate the liquid holdup HL from the value predicted by the correlation

HLc:
2
HL = fH HLc + (1 fH) HLc

Eq. 4.1

This ensures that the liquid holdup is sensible 0 HL 1 when 0 fH 2.

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PIPESIM User Guide

Note: In old versions of PIPESIM a linear holdup factor was used, but this can result in liquid holdups of 1
even when gas is flowing.
These factors are often used as calibration factors when a good match to field data cannot be obtained by
any other method. Changing these factors will affect the results and should be undertaken with care.

Single Phase Flow Correlations

See also: Selecting correlations (p.89), SPHASE Single Phase Flow Options (p.493)
The steady-state pressure gradient in single phase sections is given by the equation:

( )

dp
dp
=
dL
dL

elev.

( dLdp ) + ( dLdp )
fric.

Eq. 4.2

acc.

where elevation, friction and acceleration components of the pressure drop are:

( dLdp )
( dLdp )
( dLdp )

elev.

= gsin

Eq. 4.3

fv2
2D
fric.
dv
= v
dL
acc.

Eq. 4.4

Eq. 4.5

where

f is the friction factor

dimensionless

is the fluid density

lb / ft3

v is the fluid velocity

ft / s

g is the gravitational acceleration

ft / s 2

is the angle of the pipe to the horizontal degrees

D is the pipe diameter

ft

L is the length of the pipe

ft

Throughout, the accelerational term for single phase flow is negligible and is assumed to be zero.
There are a number of different ways of calculating the friction factor, which usually depends on the
Reynolds number:

Re =

vD

Eq. 4.6

where:

is the fluid viscosity lb / ft s

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Moody (default for liquid or gas)

See Sonnad and Goudar paper (p.448) and Moody paper (p.445) for more technical details.
For laminar flow (Re < 2000)
For turbulent flow (Re > 4000)

fLam =

64
Re

1
1/2

fTurb
For transition flow (2000 Re 4000)

f =

= a ln

(Re

( qc + )

Remin

(Remax

)( fTurb

fLam

Remin

+ fLam

where:

fTurb is the Moody friction factor

Re is the Reynolds Number
a

is

2
ln (10)

is the pipe roughness

is the pipe diameter

b
c

is

/D
3.7

is

(10)
( ln5.02
)Re

is bc + ln (c)

is s s / (s + 1)

z
g

is ln

( qg )

( qc )
g
is (
z
g+1)
is bc + ln

The friction factor is interpolated in the transition region (2000 < Re < 4000). The limits for the transition
zone and the interpolation method can be reset by the user.
The various friction factor calculation methods available are:
Friction Factor Calculation Approximation used
method

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266

Equation

PIPESIM User Guide

EXPLICIT or SONNAD

Sonnad 2007 linear

approximation (default)

APPROXIMATE or MOODY

Moody 1947 approximation

IMPLICIT or ITERATIVE

Colebrook-White equation
(Moody chart)

1/2

fTurb

= a ln

( qc + )

106

fTurb = 0.0055 1 + 20000 +

D Re
1
1/2

fTurb

= 1.74 2log10

1/3

18.7
1/2

Re fTurb

AGA (for gas)

The AGA friction factor is the same as the Moody friction factor at high and low Reynolds numbers, but
differs in between:
For laminar flow (Re < 1000)

f =

For transition flow

c2 3.7D
(1000 < Re < 4
c1

) / log ( 3.7 D ) )

For turbulent flow (Re > 4

c2 3.7D
c1

1 c1

10

) / log ( 3.7 D ) )
1 c1

10

where:

c1 = 0.98

is the drag factor

c2 = 100.15 is a constant
Cullender and Smith (for gas)
The total pressure drop can be calculated from

pdown pup
dp
=
dL
L
where:
2
pdown
a2
pup =
b
2

where:
2

a =

64
Re

2 2 2
25 fqvG
T ZG (b 1)

0.0375(12D)5

Technical Description

267

1/2

1/2

= 2c1log10

= 2log10

Re c1 1 / 2
f
2 c2

( 3.7 D ) = 1.74 2log ( 2D )

10

PIPESIM User Guide

b = exp

0.0375GL

T ZG

is the Moody friction factor

dimensionless

is the pipe length

ft

pdown is the downstream pressure

psi
psi

pup

is the upstream pressure

qvG

is the stock tank gas volume flow rate scf / day

is the average temperature

ZG

is the gas compressibility factor

dimensionless

is the gas specific gravity

dimensionless

Other friction pressure drops for gas

The friction pressure drop can be calculated from

( dLdp )

fric.

pdown pup
L

where:

( )(

T ZGL ps
pup pdown =
5280 Ts
2

qvG
Ga4

(12D)a5
a1
1

1 / a3

where:

is the pipe length

pdown is the downstream pressure

ft

psi

pup

is the upstream pressure

psi

ps

is the stock tank pressure

psi

qvG

is the stock tank gas volume flow rate scf / day

is the average temperature

Ts

is the stock tank temperature

ZG

is the gas compressibility factor

dimensionless

is the gas specific gravity

dimensionless

is a flow efficiency factor

dimensionless

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PIPESIM User Guide

and the constants are given by

a1

a3

a4

a5

Panhandle A 435.87 0.5394 0.4604 2.618

Panhandle B 737.00 0.5100 0.4900 2.530
Weymouth

433.50 0.5000 0.5000 2.667

Hazen-Williams (for liquid water)

The friction pressure drop can be calculated from:

( )
dp
dL

fric.

0.015m
144(12D)4.87

( )

qvL

1.85

Eq. 4.7

where:

is the pipe condition factor

qvL is the liquid volume flow rate bbl / day

m is the mixture density

lb / ft3

Swap Angle
The multiphase flow correlations used to predict the pressure loss and holdup are split into two categories:
vertical and horizontal. Each category lists the correlations that are appropriate for that type of flow.
By default the selected vertical correlation is used in the situation where the tubing/pipe is within 45 degrees
of the vertical, up or down. Outside this range the selected horizontal correlation is used. This angle can
be changed.

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PIPESIM User Guide

Cunliffe's Method
Cunliffe's Method is used to predict the liquid surge rate due to an overall gas rate change for condensate
pipelines. This method is particularly useful for estimating liquid handling capacity for ramp-up (increasing
gas rate) cases. As the gas rate increases, the total liquid holdup in the line will drop owing to less slippage
between the gas and liquid phases. The liquid residing in the line is therefore accelerated to the equilibrium
velocity at the final gas rate and thus expelled at a rate higher than the final equilibrium liquid rate for the
duration of the transition period. The transition period is assumed to be equal to the residence time at the
final gas rate, that is, the time it takes the liquid to travel from one end of the line to the other.
The average liquid rate during the transition period can be determined as follows:

qLT = qLi +

(HLTi HLTf)
tr

qLt = qGi( LGRout)

tr =

HLTf
qLi

where:

qLT

liquid rate during the transition period

qLi

initial liquid rate

qGi = HLT total liquid holdup volume in line - initial gas rate

HLTf

total liquid holdup volume in line - final gas rate

LGRout

liquid/gas ratio at outlet pressure (assumed constant)

tr

liquid residence time (at final flowrate)

Note: The total liquid holdup volume in the line is provided in the summary output report. Cunliffe tested
this method with field measurements for a 67 mi. 20 in. pipeline with an average operating pressure of 1300
psig and an LGR of 65 bbl/MMscf. He found that the change in condensate flow rate can be predicted to
within 15% using this method.
Reference: Cunliffe, R.: "Prediction of Condensate Flow Rates in Large Diameter High Pressure Wet Gas
Pipelines", APEA Journal (1978), 171-177.

Liquid by Sphere
The liquid holdup throughout the pipe will be divided into two notional fractions, that is . the 'moving' and
the 'static'. Since the liquid normally flows slower than the gas, the division will normally result in a positive
value for both of these volumes. (If the pipe goes downhill the liquid often flows faster, so the 'static' will be

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PIPESIM User Guide

negative in these sections, but this does not affect the equation.) If the fluid's phase split is assumed to be
constant throughout the pipe, the size of the slug that issues when sphered can be calculated using the
following formula:

SLV
SGLV = (
TPV MLV )MLV + SLV

Eq. 4.8

where:

SGLV is Sphere Generated Liquid Volume

SLV is Static Liquid Volume in pipe
MLV is Moving Liquid Volume in pipe
TPV is Total Pipeline Volume
Note: SLV + MLV = Total pipeline holdup, which PIPESIM calculates and writes to the summary output.
The explanation for this formula is as follows. The slug of liquid starts to issue from the pipe when the pipe
is full of liquid from its exit, back along to the position of the sphere. The liquid in the slug comprises 2
notional fractions: firstly, the entire SLV in the pipe, and secondly, that portion of the MLV that lies between
the sphere and the outlet. Now: the volume available for the SLV to occupy in the pipe is TPV - MLV. Dividing
this into SLV gives us the position of the sphere in the pipe as a value between 0 and 1, where 0 is the
outlet. Multiplying the MLV by this gives us the portion of the MLV that is entrained in the slug, so adding
this to the SLV gives the total slug volume.
The liquid holdup is calculated from the integration of the predicted holdup from the selected Multiphase
Flow Correlation (MFC) along the entire pipeline length. The pipeline is simulated in segments, each of
which has a length and cross sectional area, which multiplied together yield its volume. The MFC calculates
a value for holdup in the range 0 to 1, so this multiplied by the segment volume gives holdup for the segment.
The holdups for all the pipe segments are added together to yield the pipeline total holdup as reported in
the summary file.
When a sphere is introduced into the line, it will gather in front of itself a liquid slug made from "all the liquid
that is flowing slower than the mean fluid flowrate in the pipeline at any given point". Thus the crucial value
that determines Sphere Generated Liquid Volume (SGLV) is the Slip Ratio (SR), which is the average speed
of the fluid divided by the speed of the liquid. If the liquid and gas move at the same speed, the slip ratio
will be 1, that is there is 'no slip' between the phases. In this situation the sphere will not collect any liquid,
so the SGLV will be zero. Normally the liquid flows slower than the gas, that is the slip ratio is greater than
1, so "some" of the liquid in the pipeline will collect in front of the sphere to form the SGLV. The only way
that "all" of the liquid in the pipeline will collect to form the SGLV, is if the liquid velocity is zero, i.e.. the slip
ratio is infinite. This cannot happen in a steady-state reality, so the SGLV is always smaller than the total
liquid holdup.
One complicating factor is that the slug of liquid swept up by the sphere will begin to emerge from the end
of the pipe some considerable time before the sphere itself emerges. This slug will be composed of the
liquid that the sphere collected on its way, plus the normal liquid production of the system. This total volume
is the figure required to size the slug catcher, which is why we report it as "Volume by sphere".
To determine the sizes of terrain slugs or slugs from start up it is necessary to use a dynamic multiphase
flow simulator such as PLAC or OLGA. More details. (p.532)

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PIPESIM User Guide

PI-SS (Severe-Slugging Group)

PI-SS (severe-slugging group) is the ratio between the pressure buildup rates of gas phase and that of
liquid phase in a flowline, when followed by a riser:
ZRT

ss =

MG

WG

Eq. 4.9

gL < GF > WL

where

Gas compressibility factor

R = 8314 J / K kmol Gas constant

T

Temperature

MG

Molecular weight of gas

(kg/kmol)

WG

Gas mass flow rate

kg / s

WL

Liquid mass flow rate

kg / s

g = 9.81m / s 2

Acceleration due to gravity

Flowline length

< GL >

Average flowline gas holdup

This expression is with assumptions of no mass transfer between the phases L G, and the liquid fall
back in the riser is neglected.
This PI-SS expression is based upon a correlation developed at Koninklijke Shell-Laboratorium (see Pots
and Bromilow (p.446) 1985) to quantify the likelihood of severe riser slugging, that is . when ss < 1.0.
For severe slugging to occur, at least two conditions must be in evidence:
1. the flowline gas flow must be completely inhibited during slug buildup (that is due to a partly declining
flowline or the presence of flowline undulations ) .
2. the rate of hydrostatic pressure buildup in the riser due to the growth of the slug must exceed the rate
of gas pressure buildup in the flowline.
Under such conditions, the riser becomes filled with liquid before the gas pressure can drive the liquid slug
out of the line.
In PIPESIM if the value of ss is less than one at the riser base and the flow regime (as predicted by the
Taitel-Dukler correlation) is stratified (or wavy stratified), then severe riser slugging is possible. Conversely,
ss values significantly greater than one indicate that severe riser slugging is not likely.
The PI-SS number (ss) can also be used to estimate slug size. As a rule of thumb the slug length will be
approximately equal to the riser height divided by ss:
Slug Length = Riser Length / ss
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PIPESIM User Guide

Hence PI-SS values (ss) less than unity imply slug lengths greater than the riser height. PI-SS is calculated
at each node in the flowline (while PISS=ON) using averaged holdup data

Liquid Loading
Critical Unloading Velocity
The critical unloading velocity is defined as the minimum gas velocity required to lift liquid droplets out of a
gas well. Lower flowing gas velocities will result in liquid loading in the well. The critical unloading velocity
is predicted by Turners Equation.

vt =

N (L G)

0.25

Eq. 4.10

(CD25G0.5)

where

g is the gas phase density

lb / ft3

L is the liquid phase density

lb / ft3

vt

dynes / cm
is the terminal velocity of liquid droplet ft / s

is pipe angle from vertical

is the interfacial tension

CD is the drag coefficient

dimensionless

N is a constant

dimensionless

The values of N and CD are given in the following table for Turner's model and various others:
Model

CD

Turner (1969)

1.56

0.44

Coleman (1991) 1.3

0.44

Nossier II (2000) 1.482 0.2

Li (2002)

0.724 1.0

Combining N and CD, and discounting Turner's "built-in" 20% "correction factor" gives a constant of 1.593.
The correction factor is split out into the E term below.
Turner's Equation (General)
Turner's Equation (Even More General Form):

vt =

1.593E (L G)

0.25

Eq. 4.11

G0.5

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273

PIPESIM User Guide

Where E is the correction (efficiency) factor. The values of E for Turner's model and various others are given
in the following table:
Model

Turner (1969)

1.2

Coleman (1991) 1.0

Nossier II (2000) 1.391
Li (2002)

0.454

Critical Gas Rate

The critical gas rate is the minimum gas rate required to prevent liquid loading.

Inflow performance relationships (IPRs)

Inflow Performance Relationships for Vertical Completions
Inflow performance relationships (IPRs) have been developed to model the flow of fluids from the reservoir,
through the formation, and into the well. They are expressed in terms of the well static (or reservoir) pressure
Pws, the well flowing (or bottom hole) pressure Pwf, and flowrate Q. Typically, volume flow rates are
proportional to the pressure drawdown:

QV (Pws Pwf)

Eq. 4.12

For liquid IPRs the stock tank liquid rate is roughly proportional to the volume flow rate at well conditions,
and this form of the equation is used:

QL (Pws Pwf)

Eq. 4.13

For gas IPRs the stock tank flow rates are roughly proportional to the volume flow rate at reservoir conditions
times the average reservoir pressure:

QG Qv

(Pws + Pwf)
2

2
2
)
(Pws
Pwf

Eq. 4.14

See also Completion Options (p.39), Multilayer reservoir IPR (p.45)

PIPESIM offers a comprehensive list of IPR options, for both oil and gas reservoirs, as follows:
IPR

Oil reservoirs Gas and Gas Condensate

Reservoirs

Backpressure Equation (p.278)

Yes

Fetkovich (p.277)

Yes

Hydraulically fractured (p.36)

Yes

IPR Table (p.289)

Yes

Jones / Forchheimer (p.277)

Yes

Multi-rate test (p.35)

Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Technical Description

274

Yes

PIPESIM User Guide

Pseudo Steady State Equation / Yes

Darcy (p.279)

Yes

Transient (p.284)

Yes

Yes

Vogel (p.276)

Yes

Well PI (Productivity Index)

(p.275)

Yes

Yes

Yes

The Well PI (p.275), Pseudo Steady State (p.279) and Transient (p.284) liquid IPRs can be combined
with a Vogel (p.276) IPR to model flow at pressures below the bubble point; see bubble point correction
(p.289) .
Productivity Index (PI)
PI is one of a number of methods that can be used to specify the Inflow Performance Relationship
(p.274) (IPR) for a completion. It can be regarded as a simplified version of the pseudo-steady state
(p.279) or transient (p.284) IPRs.
Liquid PI
The (straight line) productivity index relationship for liquid reservoirs is perhaps the simplest and most widely
used IPR equation. It states that rate is directly proportional to pressure drawdown between the bottom hole
and the reservoir.

QL = JL ( pws pwf)

Eq. 4.15

where:

QL is the stock-tank oil rate

pws is the well static (or reservoir) pressure
pwf is the well flowing (or bottom hole) pressure
JL is the liquid productivity index.
Below bubble point correction
The liquid PI equation can be combined with a Vogel equation (p.276) to model inflows when the bottom
hole pressure is below the bubble point, see, Bubble point correction. (p.289)
Gas PI
For gas reservoirs a non-linear relationship is used:

QG = JG pws pwf

Eq. 4.16

where:

QG is the stock-tank gas rate

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275

PIPESIM User Guide

pws is the well static (or reservoir) pressure

pwf is the well flowing (or bottom hole) pressure
JG is the gas productivity index
Vogel's Equation
Vogel's (1968) (p.276) equation is one of a number of methods that can be used to specify the Inflow
Performance Relationship (p.274) (IPR) for a completion. It was developed to model saturated oil wells.
Vogel's equation is a best-fit approximation of numerous simulated well performance calculations. Vogel's
work considers only the effect of rock and fluid properties on saturated systems. The Vogel relation does
not account for high-velocity-flow effects that may exist in high-rate wells, see the Fetkovich equation
(p.277).
Vogel's equation is:

( ) ( ))

Q = Qmax 1 (1 C )

pwf

pws

pwf

Eq. 4.17

pws

Where

is the liquid flow rate (STB/D or m3/d)

Qmax is the absolute open hole flow potential, that is the liquid flow rate when the bottom hole pressure is
zero

pwf

is the well flowing (or bottom hole) pressure (psia or bara)

pws

is the well static (or reservoir) pressure (psia or bara)

is the Vogel coefficient.

The Vogel equation has the following properties:

Q = Qmax

at pwf = 0

Q=0

at pwf = pws

Productivity index

Qmax (1 + C ) at pwf = pws

Q
=
pwf
pws

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PIPESIM User Guide

Fetkovich's Equation
Fetkovich's equation is one of a number of methods that can be used to specify the Inflow Performance
Relationship (p.274) (IPR) for a completion. The Fetkovich equation is a development of the Vogel equation
(p.276) to take account of high velocity effects.

Q = Qmax 1

( ))
Pwf

2 n

Eq. 4.18

Pws

Where

is the liquid flow rate (STB/D or m 3/d)

Qmax is the absolute open hole flow potential, that is the liquid flow rate when the bottom hole pressure is
zero

pwf

is the well flowing (or bottom hole) pressure (psia or bara)

pws

is the well static (or reservoir) pressure (psia or bara)

is the Fetkovich exponent.

Jones' Equation
Jones' equation (p.443) is one of a number of methods that can be used to specify the Inflow Performance
Relationship (p.274) (IPR) for a completion. It is similar to the PI (p.275) method but contains an extra term
to model turbulence.
Jones equation for gas inflow
The Jones equation for gas reservoirs is :
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277

PIPESIM User Guide

2

Pws Pwf = AQG2 + BQG

Eq. 4.19

where

QG

is the stock-tank gas rate

pws

is the well static (or reservoir) pressure

pwf

is the well flowing (or bottom hole) pressure

A 0 is the turbulence coefficient

B 0 is the laminar coefficient
In the case when A = 0 the Jones equation is the same as the gas PI (p.275) equation with productivity

index JG = 1 B. Values of B > 0.05 (psi2/MMscf/d) indicate low permeability or the presence of skin
damage .
Jones equation for liquid inflow
Jones proposed the equation for gas flow, but it can also be used to model oil wells. However the Fetkovich
equation (p.277) can also be used for saturated oil wells and is the recommended method for IPRs in
reservoirs producing below the bubble point.
The Jones equation for liquid reservoirs is :

Pws Pwf = AQL2 + BQL

Eq. 4.20

where

QL is the stock-tank oil rate

In the case when A = 0 the Jones equation is the same as the liquid PI (p.275) equation with productivity

index JL = 1 B
Forchheimer Equation
Forchheimer1901 (p.441) gave an equation for non-Darcy flow in the reservoir, which is essentially the
same as the Jones equation (p.278) for liquid inflow.
Back Pressure Equation
The Back Pressure Equation is one of a number of methods that can be used to specify the Inflow
Performance Relationship (p.274) (IPR) for a completion.
The Back Pressure Equation was developed by Rawlins and Schellhardt (1935) (p.447) after testing 582
wells. The equation is typically applied to gas wells although its application to oil wells has also been proven.
If correlations already exist for oil wells, use the Back Pressure Equation on gas wells only. The equation
has the following form:

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278

PIPESIM User Guide

QG = C Pws Pwf

2 n

Eq. 4.21

where

QG is the gas flow rate

(MMscf/d)

(m3/d),

pws is the well static (or reservoir) pressure

(psia)

(bara)

pwf is the well flowing (or bottom hole) pressure (psia)

(bara)

C is the back pressure constant

n

(MMscf/d/(psia2)n) (m3/d/(bar 2) n)

is the dimensionless back pressure exponent

The back pressure exponent, n, which ranges between 0.5 and 1.0, accounts for high velocity flow
(turbulence). When n = 1 the back pressure equation is the same as the gas PI (p.275) equation.
The back pressure constant, C, represents reservoir rock and fluid properties, flow geometry and transient
effects.
The parameters C and n must be obtained by multi-rate testing (p.35) of the well. Since

log QG = log C + n log Pws Pwf

Eq. 4.22

A plot of flow rate QG versus pws p 2wf on a log-log scale will give a line with slope n and intercept C. To
avoid unit conversion problems when obtaining the parameters, check that the slope has a value between
0.5 and 1.0. If n is less than 0.5, this implies that the reservoir stabilization conditions are slow, or that liquid
has accumulated in the wellbore (in gas condensate wells). The value of n can be greater than 1.0 if liquid
is removed from the well during testing, or by removing drilling or stimulation fluids. Also, changes in well
capacity during isochronal testing will cause a wider scatter of data points. This might be the result of liquid
accumulation or cleaning of the wells.
Pseudo Steady State Equation / Darcy Equation
The pseudo steady state IPR (p.274) equation (PSS), is derived from the equation for single phase Darcy
flow into a well. A number of versions of the equation can be used (some require keywords (p.537)):

for liquid flow the PSS is written in terms of the stock tank liquid (p.282) flow rate

this can be optionally combined with a Vogel formula for pressures below the bubble point (p.282).

the liquid flow can be modelled using a two phase version of the radial flow equations for oil and
water (p.282)

for gas flow the PSS is written in terms of the stock tank gas (p.282) flow rate

a version using the gas pseudo pressure (p.283) (more accurate for high pressure systems).

the PSS expressed in terms of reservoir flow (p.280) rates can be used for either liquid or gas flow.

the liquid flow can be modelled using a two phase version of the reservoir flow equations for oil and
water (p.281)

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Reservoir flow
The pseudo steady state equation, like the transient IPR (p.284), is calculated by solving the radial, single
phase, Darcy flow into a well. It applies for relatively long times, after the well has passed through the
transient stage. The solution is given by Dake 1978 (p.440):

QR = M T (Pws Pwf)

Eq. 4.23

where the PSS transmissibility term is defined by:

2kh

T=
C1 ln

()
re

rw

Eq. 4.24

0.75 + S

Here:

QR

is the volume flow rate at

RB / d or MCF / d
reservoir conditions of phase

is the mobility of phase

1 / cp

pws

is the average reservoir

pressure

psia

pwf

is the bottom hole pressure

psia

is the formation permeability

mD

is the formation thickness

ft

rw

is the wellbore radius

ft

re

is the drainage radius

ft

is the skin

C1

is a conversion factor depending

on the flow units

C1 =
C1 =

14.7 0.30482 5.61458 10 3

86400 10 10

= 2 141.2

If the flow is in RB / d

14.7 0.30482

If the flow is in

86400 10 10

MCF / d

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Note: The constant 0.75 comes from using the average reservoir pressure pws = p
. A similar formula can
be derived using the pressure at the drainage radius pws = p(re), but the value 0.75 is replaced by 0.5.
The phase mobility is defined in terms of the phase relative permeability and viscosity:

M =

kr

Eq. 4.25

kr is the relative permeability for phase

is the viscosity of phase at reservoir conditions cp
For single phase flow the relative permeability is kr = 1, and the inflow equation simplifies to :

QR =

T (Pws Pwf)

Eq. 4.26

This version of the PSS IPR can be used for liquid or gas inflow.
For multiphase inflow, the total inflow can be written as the sum of the phase inflows:

QR = QRO + QRW + QRG

Eq. 4.27

This can be rearranged to give:

QR = M T (Pws Pwf)

Eq. 4.28

Where the total mobility is defined by

M = MO + MW + MG

Eq. 4.29

Oil and water flow

A two phase version of the multiphase inflow equation can be used to model liquid inflow.

QRL =

krO
O

krW
W

T (Pws Pwf)

Eq. 4.30

The relative permeabilities can be determined from permeability tables (p.314).

Injection
The reservoir injection flow equation is similar to the PSS production IPR:

QR = MI T (Pwf Pws)

Eq. 4.31

Here however, the mobility term represents the mobility of the fluid in the reservoir, rather than that of the
injection fluid, and must be specified. In production, the fluid being produced is the same as that moving
through the reservoir. In injection systems the two fluids may be different. For example, we would expect
different flow rates if gas is injected into a liquid filled reservoir or a gas filled reservoir. If the injection fluid

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does differ from the reservoir fluid, then the injection mobility will change with time, as the reservoir fluid
changes.
Stock tank liquid flow
The pseudo steady state equation can be expressed in stock tank flow rates. For liquid flow, the stock tank
flow rate QL = QR BL is given by

QL =

2kh( pws pwf)

C1LBL ln

()
re

rw

Eq. 4.32

0.75 + S

QL is the liquid flowrate

STB / d

BL is the liquid volume formation factor

RB / STB

L is the liquid viscosity at reservoir conditions cp

Below bubble point correction
The pseudo steady state equation can be combined with a Vogel equation (p.276) to model inflows when
the bottom hole pressure is below the bubble point, see, Bubble point correction. (p.289)
Oil and water flow
The two phase version (p.281) of the reservoir liquid flow equation can also be written in terms of stock tank
liquid flow rate:

QL = QR / BL = QRO / BL + QRW / BL

Eq. 4.33

Stock tank gas flow

This pseudo steady state equation can be expressed in stock tank flow rates. For gas flow, the formation
volume factor can be expressed in terms of pressure and temperature BG =
reservoir pressure is taken to be the average pressure in the reservoir: P =

Ps
V
ZRT
. The
=

P
Vs
ZsRTs
pws + pwf
, which gives a stock
2

tank flow rate QG = QR BG:

QG =

2
2
)
2kh( pws
pwf

C2GTZ ln

()
re

rw

Eq. 4.34

0.75 + S + DQG

The quadratic term in pressure arises from a combination of the pressure difference and the reservoir
average pressure term

( pws2 pwf2) = ( pws pwf) ( pws + pwf).

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The constant term arises from a combination of the conversion factor and stock tank properties

C2 =

2C1ZsPs

Ts

The skin has been modified to include a flow rate dependent term.

QG

is the gas flowrate

MSCF / d

BG

is the gas volume formation factor

CF / SCF

is the gas viscosity at reservoir conditions

cp

is the constant skin

DQ

is the near wellbore turbulence factor or rate

dependent skin

is the reservoir temperature

is the reservoir compressibility factor

Ps

is the stock tank pressure

14.7 psi

Ts

is the stock tank temperature

519.67 oR

Zs

is the stock tank compressibility factor

C2 =

2 14.72 0.30482
86400 10 10 519.67

is a constant, arising from conversion factors and

= 2 1422 stock tank properties

Gas pseudo pressure

Dake 1978 (p.440) gives another version of the Pseudo steady state IPR for gas inflow, that is more
accurate for large drawdowns, based on work by Al-Hussainy et al (p.312):

2kh m( pws) m( pwf)

QG =

C2T ln

()
re

rw

Eq. 4.35

0.75 + S + DQG

Here the gas pseudo pressure is given by:

m( p) = 2

p
dp
GZ

Eq. 4.36

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Transient IPR
The transient IPR (p.274) equation, is derived from the equation for single phase Darcy flow into a well. A
number of versions of the equation can be used (some require keywords (p.551)):

for liquid flow the transient IPR is written in terms of the stock tank liquid (p.286) flow rate

this can be optionally combined with a Vogel formula for pressures below the bubble point (p.287).

the liquid flow can be modelled using a two phase version of the radial flow equations for oil and
water (p.287)

for gas flow the transient IPR is written in terms of the stock tank gas (p.287) flow rate

a version using the gas pseudo pressure (p.288) (more accurate for high pressure systems).

the transient IPR expressed in terms of reservoir flow (p.284) rates can be used for either liquid or gas
flow.

the liquid flow can be modelled using a two phase version of the reservoir flow equations for oil and
water (p.286)

Reservoir flow
The transient IPR, like the pseudo steady state IPR (p.279), is calculated by solving the radial, single phase,
Darcy flow into the well. It applies for relatively small times, before the well has reached the pseudo steady
state. A similarity solution is given by Dake 1978 (p.440):

QR = M T (Pws Pwf)

Eq. 4.37

where the transient IPR transmissibility is defined by:

T=

2kh

1
C1 2 ln

4kt
2
C0Crw

QR

Eq. 4.38

)+S
is the volume flow
rate at reservoir
conditions of phase

RB / d or MCF / d

is the mobility of
phase

1 / cp

pws

is the average
reservoir pressure

psia

pwf

is the bottom hole

pressure

psia

time

hours

is the formation
permeability

mD

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

is the formation
thickness

rw

is the wellbore radius ft

is the skin

is the reservoir
porosity

is the total
1 / psi
compressibility of the
reservoir and the
reservoir fluids

is a constant equal to = e 0.5772 = 1.781

the exponential of
Euler's constant

C0

is a conversion factor

C1

is a conversion factor
depending on the
flow units

C1 =
C1 =

14.7 0.30482 5.61458 10 3

86400 10 10
14.7 0.30482
86400 10 10

= 2 141.2

ft

C0 =

14.7 0.30482 10 3
10 10 3600

If the flow is in RB / d

If the flow is in

MCF / d

The transient IPR equation can be written in similar terms to the pseudo steady state IPR (p.279) by defining
a radius

r2 =
T=

4kt

Eq. 4.39

C0C
2kh
r

Eq. 4.40

C1 ln ( ) + S
rw

The phase mobility is defined in terms of the phase relative permeability and viscosity:

M =

kr

Eq. 4.41

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PIPESIM User Guide

kr is the relative permeability for phase

is the viscosity of phase at reservoir conditions cp
For single phase flow the relative permeability is kr = 1, and the inflow equation simplifies to :

QR =

T (Pws Pwf)

Eq. 4.42

This version of the transient IPR can be used for liquid or gas inflow.
For multiphase inflow, the total inflow can be written as the sum of the phase inflows:

QR = QRO + QRW + QRG

Eq. 4.43

This can be rearranged to give:

QR = M T (Pws Pwf)

Eq. 4.44

Where the total mobility is defined by

M = MO + MW + MG

Eq. 4.45

Oil and water flow

A two phase version of the multiphase inflow equation can be used to model liquid inflow.

QRL =

krO
O

krW
W

T (Pws Pwf)

Eq. 4.46

The relative permeabilities can be determined from permeability tables (p.314).

Stock tank liquid flow
This transient IPR equation can be expressed in stock tank flow rates. For liquid flow, the stock tank flow
rate QL = QR BL is given by

QL =

2kh( pws pwf)

C1LBL

1
2 ln

4kt
2

C0LCrw

QL is the liquid flowrate

Eq. 4.47

)+S

STB / d

BL is the liquid volume formation factor RB / STB

L is the liquid viscosity

cp

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The equation can be written using base 10 logarithms, since

ln

4x

C0

QL =

= ln 10 log

4x

C0

= 2.302 (log x + log

C0

) = 2.302 (log x 3.23):

2kh( pws pwf)

1.151 C1LBL log (

kt
LCrw

2)

3.23 +

Eq. 4.48

1.151

Below bubble point correction

The transient IPR equation can be combined with a Vogel equation (p.276) to model inflows when the bottom
hole pressure is below the bubble point, see, Bubble point correction. (p.289)
Oil and water flow
The two phase version (p.286) of the reservoir liquid flow equation can also be written in terms of stock tank
liquid flow rate:

QL = QR / BL = QRO / BL + QRW / BL

Eq. 4.49

Stock tank gas flow

This transient IPR equation can be expressed in stock tank flow rates. For gas flow, the formation volume
factor can be expressed in terms of pressure and temperature: BG =
pressure is taken to be the average pressure in the reservoir: P =

Ps
V
ZRT
. The reservoir
=

P
Vs
ZsRTs

pws + pwf
, which gives a stock tank flow
2

rate QG = QR BG:

QG =

2
2
2kh( pws
pws
)

C2GTZ

1
2 ln

4kt

2)

C0Grw

The quadratic term in pressure arises from a combination of the pressure difference and the average

pressure term pws pwf

) = ( pws pwf) ( pws + pwf).

The constant term arises from a combination of the conversion factor and stock tank properties

C2 =

Eq. 4.50

+ S + DQG

2C1ZsPs

Ts

The skin has been modified to include a flow rate dependent term.

QG is the gas flowrate

MSCF / d

BG is the gas volume formation factor

CF / SCF

G is the gas viscosity

cp

Technical Description

287

PIPESIM User Guide

is the constant skin

DQ is the near wellbore turbulence factor or

rate dependent skin

is the reservoir temperature

is the reservoir compressibility factor

Ps

is the stock tank pressure

14.7 psi

Ts

is the stock tank temperature

519.67 oR

Zs

is the stock tank compressibility factor

C2 is a constant, arising from conversion

factors and stock tank properties

For MSCF / d: C2 =

2 14.72 0.30482
86400 10 10 519.67

= 2 1422

The equation can also be written using base 10 logarithms:

2
2
2kh( pws
pwf
)

QG =

1.151 C2GTZ ln (

kt

2)

Grw

3.23 +

Eq. 4.51

S + DQG
1.151

Gas pseudo pressure

Dake 1978 (p.440) gives another version of the Pseudo steady state IPR for gas inflow, that is more
accurate for large drawdowns, based on work by Al-Hussainy et al (p.312):

QG =

2kh m( pws) m( pwf)

C2T

1
2 ln

4kt

2)

C0Grw

Eq. 4.52

+ S + DQG

Here the gas pseudo pressure is given by:

m( p) = 2

p
dp
GZ

Eq. 4.53

Time to pseudo steady state solution

According to Dake 1978 (p.440), the solution to the well inflow equations changes from transient to pseudo
steady state (p.279) when the dimensionless time tDA is given by

tDA =

kt
> 0.1
C0CA

Eq. 4.54

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PIPESIM User Guide

Writing A = re2, where re is the drainage radius of the reservoir, the time when the pseudo steady state
(p.279) solution becomes applicable is

Cre2
tpss = (0.1 C0)
k

Eq. 4.55

A warning will be issued if the time t exceeds this value.

Data File
Enter an IPR in table form (Flowrate versus Pressure) rather than using an IPR (p.274) equation.
This feature is currently only available by using an EKT (p.64) or in expert mode (p.199).
Place the EKT (Spanner icon) between the completion and the tubing and enter the IFPTAB (p.543) data.
Example:
! n liq pwf gor wcut
ifptab 0 0
3000 986
ifptab 0 1000 2990 986
ifptab 0 2699 2920 1096
ifptab 0 6329 2800 2540
ifptab 0 7288 2600 2980
ifptab 0 8082 2400 3370
ifptab 0 8805 2003 3770
ifptab execute

0
2.0
2.2
2.8
3.9
5.6
8.0

Note: The GOR and water cut values are optional.

All IPR data associated with the completion will be ignored.
Bubble Point Correction
The Productivity Index (p.275), Pseudo steady state (p.279) and Transient (p.284) IPRs for liquid inflow can
be modified to use a form of Vogel's equation (p.276) below the bubble point (pwf < pbp). This allows the
effects of gas break-out to be modelled.

( ) ( ))

Q Qbp = Qmax 1 (1 C )

pwf
pbp

pwf

Eq. 4.56

pbp

Where

is the liquid flow rate (STB/D or m3/d)

Qbp

is the flow at the bubble point flow

Qmax

is the absolute open hole flow potential, that is the liquid flow rate when the
Qbp
Pbp
=

bottom hole pressure is zero

1 + C Pws Pbp

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289

PIPESIM User Guide

pbp

is the bubble point pressure (psia or bara)

pwf

is the well flowing (or bottom hole) pressure (psia or bara)

pws

is the well static (or reservoir) pressure (psia or bara)

is the Vogel coefficient.

The Vogel equation has been shifted to match a linear IPR above the bubble point:

Q = Qbp
Productivity index

at pwf = pbp

Qmax (1 + C )
Qbp
at pwf = pbp
Q
=
=
pwf
pbp
pws pbp

This correction only works if the bubble point pressure is less than the static (reservoir) pressure,
pbp < pws.

Vertical Well Skin Factor

The skin factor S is used in the pseudo steady state (p.279) and transient (p.284) IPRs to represent friction
caused by damage to the formation close to the well (mechanical skin) and the effects of high flow (dynamic
skin).

S = SM + D Q

Eq. 4.57

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PIPESIM User Guide

Mechanical skin factor

The pseudo steady state (p.279) and transient (p.284) IPRs are derived from Darcy's equation for a
homogenous reservoir with a vertical completion. The mechanical skin can be used to represent friction
terms arising from any departure from this idealized model. The mechanical skin has a number of separate
components:

SM = Spp + S + Sd + Sg + Sp + S f

Eq. 4.58

Different components are used in different completion types:

Open hole Open hole
gravel pack

Perforated Gravel Packed &

Perforated

Frac Pack

Spp partial penetration

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

S deviation (p.293)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Sd damaged zone

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

(p.293)

(p.294)

Sg gravel pack (p.294)

Yes

Sp perforated well

Yes

Yes

Included in Sf

Yes

Included in Sf

(p.295)

Sf

frac pack (p.299)

Yes

Dynamic skin factor

The pseudo steady state (p.279) and transient (p.284) IPRs are derived from Darcy's equation for a
homogenous reservoir with a vertical completion. The dynamic skin can be used to represent friction terms
arising from turbulence in the flow entering the well. The dynamic skin has a number of separate
components:

D = Dd + Dr + Dg + Dc + D f

Eq. 4.59

Different components are used in different completion types:

Open hole Open hole gravel
pack

Perforated Gravel Packed &

Perforated

Dd damaged zone

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dr reservoir

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Ds gravel pack screen

Frac Pack

Yes

Dg gravel pack

Yes

Dc crushed zone

Yes

Df frac pack

Yes
Yes

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Formulas for these skin components can be found in Golan and Whitson (1986) (p.442). The damaged
zone, reservoir and gravel pack screen dynamic skins all use the same formula DG for gas flow and the
same formula for liquid flow DL:

Dd =
Dr =
Ds =

{
{
{

DG(rw, rd, d)

Eq. 4.60

DL(rw, rd, d)
DG(rd, rr, r)

Eq. 4.61

DL(rd, rr, r)
DG(rs, rw, s)

Eq. 4.62

DL(rs, rw, s)

The general gas flow dynamic skin term is given by:

DG(rin, rout, ) = 2.222 10 18

k h G
2

hc G

rin

The general liquid flow dynamic skin term is given by:

DL(rin, rout, ) = 1.635 10 16

k h L BL
2

hc L

rout
1

rin

Eq. 4.63

rout

Eq. 4.64

The gravel pack dynamic skin for gas flow is given by:

Dg = 2.45 10 13 g

k h G Lpack

Eq. 4.65

(2rp)4 np2 G

The gravel pack dynamic skin for liquid flow is given by:

Dg = 1.8 10 11 g

k h L BL L pack

Eq. 4.66

(2rp)4 np2 L

The crushed zone dynamic skin for gas flow is given by:

Dc = 3.84 10 15 c

k h G

Eq. 4.67

Lp2 np2 rp G

The crushed zone dynamic skin for liquid flow is given by:

Dc = 0

Eq. 4.68

The frac pack dynamic skin is given as the sum of the tunnel and annulus terms:

Df = Dt + Da

Eq. 4.69

The frac pack dynamic skin annulus term uses the same general formula as used for the damaged zone,
reservoir and gravel pack screens:
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292

PIPESIM User Guide

Da =

DG(rs, rc, s)

Eq. 4.70

DL(rs, rc, s)

The frac pack dynamic skin tunnel term for gas flow:

Dt = 2.222 10 18 s 4

k h G Ltun

( )

Eq. 4.71

rp

den2shot G

12

The frac pack dynamic skin tunnel term for liquid flow:

Dt = 1.635 10 16 s 4.

k h L BL Ltun

( )
rp

12

Eq. 4.72

4
2

denshot L

Partial Penetration Skin

Brons and Marting (p.439) (1961) (quoted in Golan and Whitson (p.442)) expressed the effect of partial
penetration and limited entry as a skin factor :

Spp =

( Lh 1) ln( dh

kr
kz

Eq. 4.73

with

Y = 2.948 7.363 X + 11.45 X 2 4.675 X 3

and X =

L
h

h Reservoir Thickness

dw Wellbore Diameter
kr Reservoir Permeability
kz Completion Vertical Permeability
L Completion Open Interval or Perforated Interval
The skin factor is dimensionless. The equation for the skin factor involves ratios of permeability and ratios
of length. It is assumed the same units (e.g. md) are used for all permeability terms, and the same units
are used for all lengths (e.g. feet).
Deviation Skin
Cinco et al. (p.440) (1975) approximate the pseudo-skin factor caused by the slant of a well as :

( ) ( )

S =
41

2.06

57

1.865

log10

kr
h
100rw kz

Eq. 4.74

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is measured in degrees:
tan ( ) =

kz

tan()

kr

Reservoir Thickness

rw

Wellbore Radius

kr

Reservoir Permeability

kz

Completion Vertical Permeability

Eq. 4.75

0 < < 75o deviation from vertical in degrees

The skin factor is dimensionless. The equation for the skin factor involves ratios of permeability and ratios
of length. It is assumed the same units (e.g. md) are used for all permeability terms, and the same units
are used for all lengths (e.g. feet).
Damaged Zone Skin
The effect of formation damage on productivity was treated analytically by Muskat (p.445) (1937). Hawkins
(p.442) (1956) translated the Muskat Model of a near wellbore altered permeability into the following
expression for the skin factor :

Sd =

( )( )
kr

ka

1 ln

da

Eq. 4.76

dw

da Damaged Zone Diameter

dw Wellbore Diameter
kr Reservoir Permeability
ka Damaged Zone Permeability
The skin factor is dimensionless. The equation for the skin factor involves ratios of permeability and ratios
of length. It is assumed the same units (e.g. md) are used for all permeability terms, and the same units
are used for all lengths (e.g. feet).
Gravel Pack Skin
Two different formula are used in PIPESIM. The skin factor is dimensionless. The equations for the skin
factor involves ratios of permeability and ratios of length. It is assumed the same units (e.g. md) are used
for all permeability terms, and the same units are used for all lengths (e.g. feet).

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Open hole gravel pack skin

Assuming a radial flow through formation and gravel, the contribution to the skin is expressed as:

Sg =

kr
kg

ln

( )
rev

Eq. 4.77

rs

rev Reservoir Drainage Radius

rs Screen Radius
kr Reservoir Permeability
kg Gravel Permeability
Compare this with the Annulus skin (p.301) for a Frac Pack.
Gravel pack skin
Applying Darcy's law for linear flow in packed perforations for the steady state skin term due to gravel pack
gives :

Sg = 2

kr
kg

h lt

Eq. 4.78

n r2p

where

lt = lt + ric rs
h Reservoir Thickness

lt Tunnel Length
ric Casing Internal Radius
rp Perforation Radius
Compare this with the Gravel skin (p.301) for a Frac Pack.
Perforated Well Skin
McLeod Model
McLeod (p.295) (1983) used a model of a horizontal microwell with formation damage around it as an
analogy to a perforation surrounded by a crushed zone. He quantified the effect of the crushed zone as the
following skin factor :
Compacted or crushed zone

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Sp =

) ( )

kr
kr
1
h

ln
np L lp
kc ka

dc

Eq. 4.79

dp

where:

h Reservoir Thickness
L Completion Open Interval or Perforated Interval

np Perforation Density
lp Depth of Penetration (or perforation length)
dc Compacted Zone Diameter
dp Perforation Diameter
kr Reservoir Permeability
kc Compacted Zone Permeability
ka Damaged Zone Permeability
Karakas Model
Karakas and Tariq (p.443) (1991) have developed a semi analytical solution for the calculation of the
perforation skin effect. Depending on the size of the damaged zone and the length of the perforation , the
well radius and the perforation length, or their modified value are used in the model .
The thickness of the damaged zone is :

la =

1
(d dw)
2 a

Eq. 4.80

For perforation sitting inside the damaged zone :

rw = rw
lw = lw

if lp la

Eq. 4.81

For perforations extending beyond the damaged zone

( )
( )

rw = rw + 1
lp = lp 1

ka
kr

ka
kr

la

la

if lp > la

Eq. 4.82

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rw Wellbore Radius (dw / 2)

rw Wellbore Radius or modified Wellbore Radius
lp Perforation Length or modified Perforation Length
The perforation skin effect is divided into the following components :
Horizontal Component of the skin

Sh = ln

( )
rw

Eq. 4.83

rwc

where

rwc = () rw + lp

Eq. 4.84

Phase Angle

() Function of phase angle (see table 4.1 (p.298))

Well bore skin

Sw = c1exp c2

rw

Eq. 4.85

(lp + rw )

with

c1 = c1() and c2 = c2() Functions of the phase angle (see table 4.1 (p.298))
Vertical skin

Sv = 10AHnB 1RnB

Eq. 4.86

with

Hn =
Rn =

kr

nplp

kz

npdp
kz
1+
4
kr

A = a1() log 10Rn + a2()

B = b1()Rn + b2()

a1(), a2(), b1() and b2() functions of phase angle (see table 4.1 (p.298))
The equation 4.86 (p.297) is valid for Hn 10 and Rn 0.01

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Crushed zone effect

Sck =

kr

nplp kc

)( )
dc

1 ln

Eq. 4.87

dp

The combined skin effect caused by perforations added to the crushed zone effects is given by :

St = Sh + Sw + Sv + Sck

Eq. 4.88

If the perforations go beyond the damaged zone, the total perforation skin is the sum of these four
contributions :

St = St

for lp > la

Eq. 4.89

Damaged zone effect

For perforations within damaged zone, the skin caused by the combined effects of perforations and damage
is :

St =

( )( )
kr

ka

1 ln

da

dw

kr
ka

(St + Sx)

Sx = Sx(r)

for

l p l

and r =

Eq. 4.90

da
dw + 2lp

r Ratio of the damaged zone diameter over the penetration zone diameter

Sx(r) function of r (see table 4.1 (p.298))

(degre) 45

60

90

120

180

0.860

0.813

0.726

0.648

0.500

0.250

a1

1.788

1.898

1.905

2.018

2.025

2.091

a2

0.2398

0.1023

0.1038

0.0634

0.0943

0.0453

b1

1.1915

1.3654

1.5674

1.6136

3.0373

5.1313

b2

1.6392

1.6490

1.6935

1.7770

1.8115

1.8672

c1

4.6 10 5 3.0 10 4 1.9 10 3 6.6 10 3 2.6 10 2 1.6 10 1

c2

8.791

7.509

6.155

5.320

Table 4.1: Karakas and Tariq Skin Correlation Coefficients

r = da / (dw + 2lp) Sx
18.0

0.000

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4.532

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10.0

0.001

2.0

0.002

1.5

0.024

1.2

0.085

Table 4.2: Skin caused by boundary effect, 180 degree phasing

Frac Pack Skin
The Frac Pack Skin is calculated only in association with a case hole gravel pack. If the gravel pack is not
defined the Frac Pack Skin is 0.
Pucknell and Mason (p.446) (1992) give a review of the contributions to the skin in a cased hole gravel
pack completion.

Sf = Shf + S ff + Scf + San + Stg

Shf Hydraulic fracture (p.299)

Sff Fracture face skin (p.300)
Scf Choke fracture skin (p.300)
San Annulus skin (p.301)
Stg Tunnel gravel skin (p.301)
The skin factor is dimensionless. The equations for the skin factor involves ratios of permeability and ratios
of length. It is assumed the same units (e.g. md) are used for all permeability terms, and the same units
are used for all lengths (e.g. feet).
Hydraulic fracture
The following model is also applied in IPR Model Hydraulic Fracture.
Hydraulic fracture is characterized by its length, capacity or conductivity and related equivalent skin effect.
Prats (p.446) (1961) introduced the concept of effective wellbore radius, providing pressure profiles in a
fractured reservoir as functions of the fracture half-length and a relative capacity. He provided a graph
relating the effective well radius and the capacity. Cinco-Ley et al. (p.440) (1978, 1981a) (see also
Economides et al. (p.441) 1994) introduced the fracture conductivity instead, which is proportional to the
inverse of the capacity, and provided an alternative graph relating the fracture conductivity to the skin. The
following correlations are derived from Cinco-Ley and Samaniego graph.
Dimensionless fracture conductivity:

Fcd =

kp w f

Eq. 4.91

kr x f

Pseudo-skin factor for a well with a finite-conductivity vertical fracture

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Shf =

0.7205 + ln (Fcd) + 1.6368

Fcd < 1

if

3.0386 2.349exp ( 0.511Fcd 0.909) if 1 Fcd < 1000

0.692

if

Eq. 4.92

Fcd 1000

and the hydraulic skin is given by:

Shf = Shf ln

( )
xf

Eq. 4.93

rw

xf Fracture Half Length

wf Fracture Width
kr Reservoir Permeability
kp Proppant Permeability
rw Wellbore Radius
Damaged hydraulic fracture performance can deviate substantially from undamaged fracture. Two types of
damage are considered: fracture face (p.300) and choke fracture (p.300).
Fracture Face Skin
Cinco-Ley and Samaniego (p.440) (1981b) quantified the damage that may develop on the fracture face,
by a skin effect of the form

Sff =

( )

kr
waf

1
2
xf
kaf

Eq. 4.94

waf Depth of Damage (normal to the fracture face) is very thin (0.2 ft or less)
kaf Frac Face Damage Permeability
Choke Fracture Skin
Damage at the connection between the fracture and a well is referred to as a choke. Different to the fracture
face skin, the damaged zone is within the fracture. Romero et al. (p.447) (2002) express the extra pressure
drop in the fracture in term of a skin effect:

Scf =

xcf
xf

kr
kcf

kr
kp

Eq. 4.95

xcf Choke Length

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kcf Frac Choke Permeability

Annulus Skin
Between the casing internal radius and the screen outer radius, assuming a radial flow through the gravel
the contribution to the skin is expressed as:

San =

kr
kg

ln

( )
d ic

Eq. 4.96

ds

dic Casing Internal Diameter

ds Screen Diameter
kg Gravel Permeability
Gravel Skin in tunnel
If a perforation is not defined, a default perforation diameter and a default perforation density are set (equal
to 0.5 inches and 4 shots/ft respectively) for the calculation of the Frac Pack Skin. If the perforation tunnels
through the casing and cement, where the most significant pressure drops usually occur, the skin
component is:

Stg = 2

kr
kg

lt

Eq. 4.97

np rp2

lt Tunnel length
np Perforation Density
rp Perforation radius

Inflow Performance Relationships for Horizontal Completions

Theory
The main purpose of drilling horizontal wells is to enhance production. There are also many circumstances
that lead to drilling horizontal wells (Cooper, 1988):
Thin reservoirs
The increased area of contact of the horizontal well with the reservoir is reflected by the productivity
index (PI). Typically, the PI for a horizontal well may be increased by a factor of 4 when compared
to a vertical well penetrating the same reservoir.

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Heterogeneous reservoirs
When irregular reservoirs exist, the horizontal well can effectively intersect isolated productive
zones which might otherwise be missed. A horizontal well can also intersect vertical natural
fractures in a reservoir.
Reduce water/gas coning
A horizontal well provides minimum pressure drawdown, which delays the onset of water/gas
breakthrough. Even though the production per unit well length is small, the long well length provides
high production rates.
Vertical permeability
If the ratio of vertical permeability to horizontal permeability is a high, a horizontal well may produce
more economically than a vertical well.
Pressure Drop
Effect of Pressure Drop on Productivity
In reservoir engineering calculations, the horizontal wellbore is treated as an infinite conductivity fracture,
that is the pressure drop along the well length is negligible. However, in practice, there is a pressure drop
from the toe (tip-end) of the horizontal wellbore to the heel (producing-end) so as to maintain fluid flow within
the wellbore (see Figure 1).
Dikken (1989), Folefac (1991) and Joshi (1991) have recently addressed the effect of wellbore pressure
gradient on horizontal well production performance.

Figure 4.1. Along-hole pressure gradient of a horizontal well (Joshi, 1991)

Dikken (p.440) (1990) and Folefac (p.441) (1991) contend that the assumption of constant pressure
wellbore is reasonable for single phase laminar flow but is no longer valid when turbulent or multiphase flow
occurs. Folefac (1991) showed that a typical well with the following properties: o = 800 kg/m3; = 1.0 cp;
d = 0.1968 m; and Q = 5000 RB/d gives a NRE of 4000 which is well above the turbulence transition limit of
2000. In most practical situations, Dikken (1990) asserts that horizontal wells will exhibit non-laminar flow.
In addition, the pressure drop will be even greater when multiphase flow exists.

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Joshi (p.443) (1991), thus, asked the question: What is the magnitude of the wellbore pressure drop as
compared to pressure drop from the reservoir to the wellbore? If the wellbore pressure drop is significant
as compared to the reservoir drawdown, then the reservoir drawdown, and consequently, the production
rate along the well length will change. Thus, there is a strong interaction between the wellbore and the
reservoir. The reservoir flow and wellbore equations must be solved simultaneously as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4.2. Schematic of reservoir and flow relationship (Joshi, 1991)

The coupled equations were solved by Dikken (1990) analytically by simplified boundary conditions, notably,
no inflow from the toe-end. Folefac (1991) used a Black Oil type model that involved a finite volume
technique.
Folefac (1991) concluded that the well length, wellbore diameter and perforated interval had the most
profound effect on the level of pressure drop in the wellbore. Folefac (1991) pointed out that the wellbore
pressure profile is non-linear with respect to the well length. This is because the mixture momentum equation
has a non-linear term in velocity, the friction force. This in turn will result in an uneven drawdown in the
reservoir that is otherwise considered homogenous.
Furthermore, Folefac (1991) showed that as the wellbore radius increased from 64.5 mm (2.5") to 114.3
mm (4.5"), the rate at which pressure dropped along the wellbore became nearly constant. This is mainly
due to the turbulent flow being converted to laminar flow by drilling a larger size hole.
Joshi (1991) mentions other situations where wellbore pressure drop is considerable:

High flowrates of light oil (10,000 to 30,000 RB/d)

High viscous crudes (heavy oils and tar sands)

Long well lengths

The wellbore pressure drop effects well deliverability and in turn influences well completion and well profile
design. The need to accurately calculate well flowrates and wellbore pressures is therefore, essential.
Joshi (1991) lists a few remedies to minimize high wellbore pressure drops:

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Drilling a larger diameter hole would dramatically reduce the pressure drop. The reason being that for
single phase flow, D P a 1/d5. For example, Joshi (1991), states " for a given production rate, by
increasing the well diameter twofold, the pressure drop can be reduced at least thirty-two fold".

Varying the shot density of a cemented hole or the slot size of a slotted liner would control production
rates and minimize pressure drop along the wellbore

Gravel packs are used in high permeability reservoirs. If the well is completed with a slotted liner, the
slots should be placed as far apart as possible. Joshi (1991) states that "this will let the gravel pack act
as a choke and facilitate maintaining minimum pressure drop across the well length".

Therefore, by selecting the appropriate well geometry, hole size and length, wellbore pressure drops can
be minimized.
Single Phase Pressure Drop
Assuming that the horizontal wellbore can be treated as a horizontal pipe, the single phase flow pressure
drop calculation for oil flow can be written as follows:

p = (1.14644 10 5)fq 2

L
D5

Eq. 4.98

where,

p is pressure drop, psia

f is Moody's friction factor, dimensionless

fluid density, gm/cc
q is flowrate at reservoir conditions, RB/d
L is horizontal length, ft
D is internal diameter of pipe, inches
For gas flow, however, the pressure drop calculations are more complex. This is due to friction which could
change the temperature of the gas as it travels through the wellbore. Moreover, density and viscosity are
strong functions of gas pressure and temperature. This would result in a changing pressure drop per foot
length of a well along the entire well length. The Weymouth equation for dry gas is the simplest equation
to estimate pressure drop in a horizontal pipe

qg = 15320

2
p1

2
p2

16
3

Eq. 4.99

gTZL

where

qg is gas flowrate, scfd

p1 is pipe inlet pressure, psia
p2 is pipe outlet pressure, psia
L is pipe length, miles
T is average temperature, oR
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Z is average gas compressibility factor

D is pipe diameter, in

g gas specific gravity

Also, several multiphase correlations (Brill, 1988) are applicable for a single phase flow of either oil or gas.
Multiphase Pressure Drop
There is very little discussion on multiphase pressure drop in horizontal wells. Folefac (1991) studied the
effect of two phase flow (hydrocarbon liquid and water are treated as one phase with identical velocity but
averaged properties). The pressure drop along the horizontal wellbore was similar to that for single phase
flow. However, the pressure drop was higher than for single phase flow for the same volume of fluid intake.
For a horizontal pipe, numerous multiphase flow correlations have been discussed by Brill (p.439) (1988).
Slip velocities between phases make these equations more complex than single phase flow equations. In
general, Joshi (1991) states that, "different multiphase correlations may give different values of the pressure
drop". The various correlations should be compared with actual pressure drop data. However, measuring
the pressure at both ends of a horizontal well and calibrating the data is very difficult. There is a definite
need for further study on multiphase flow in horizontal wells.
Inflow Production Profiles
Horizontal wellbore pressure drops also depend upon the type of fluid inflow profiles. Figure 3 shows some
horizontal well fluid inflow profiles. On the basis of well boundary condition and reservoir heterogeneity,
several profiles are possible. Joshi (1991) examined the effect of different fluid entry profiles on the wellbore
pressure drop. Depending on the type of profile, Joshi concluded that the total pressure drop varied from
6 psi to 14.5 psi but it was not large enough to effect the wellhead pressure.

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Figure 4.3. Horizontal Well Inflow Profiles (Joshi, 1991)

Steady-State Productivity
The simplest form of horizontal well productivity calculations are the steady-state analytical solutions which
assume that the pressure at any point in the reservoir is constant over time. According to Joshi (1991), even
though very few reservoirs operate under steady-state conditions, steady state solutions are widely used
because:
Analytical derivation is easy.

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The concepts of expanding drainage boundary over time, effective wellbore radius and shape factors allows
the conversion to either transient or pseudo-steady state results to be quite straightforward.
Steady-state mathematical results can be verified experimentally.
Giger (1984), Economides (1989), Mukherjee (1988) and numerous others have developed solutions to
predict steady-state productivity. Most are similar in form to the equation given by Joshi (1988) who
simplified the 3-D Laplace equation (p=0) by coupling two 2-D problems. This was based on the
assumption that a horizontal well drains an ellipsoidal volume around the wellbore of length L as shown
below.

Figure 4.4. Horizontal Well Drainage Pattern

For isotropic reservoirs kh = kv

qh =

khh p

141.2oBo ln

a 2 ( L / 2)2
L/2

a+

()
h
L

ln

h
2rw

Eq. 4.100

and

a=

( L2 ) 0.5 +

0.25+

( )
2reh

4 0.5

Eq. 4.101

where

STB / d

qh

is the flowrate

is half the major axis of the drainage ellipse ft

p is the pressure drop

psi

is the horizontal well length

ft

is reservoir height

ft

rw

is the wellbore radius

ft

reh is the drainage radius of horizontal well

o

is the oil viscosity

ft

cp

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RB / STB

Bo is the oil volume formation factor

mD

is the horizontal permeability

kh

If the length of the horizontal well is significantly longer than the reservoir height, that is L >> h, then the
second term in the denominator of equation 4.100 (p.307) is negligible and the solution simplifies to

khh p

qh =

141.2oBoln

Eq. 4.102

4reh

Muskat (p.445) (1937) suggested a simple transformation to account for permeability anisotropy. An
effective permeability, keff, is defined as

keff = kvkh

Eq. 4.103

To account for vertical anisotropy, the reservoir thickness can be modified as follows

kh

h=h

Eq. 4.104

kv

In addition, the influence of well eccentricity (distance from the center of the reservoir in the vertical plane)
was also implemented. Thus, equation 4.100 (p.307) was transformed as follows

qh =

khh p

a 2 ( L / 2)2
L/2

a+

141.2oBo ln

+ 2 L ln

( ))

Eq. 4.105

2rw

where

kh

Eq. 4.106

kv

Productivity comparisons of a horizontal well to that of a vertical well can easily be made by using equation
4.105 (p.308). In converting the productivity of a horizontal well into that of an equivalent vertical well, an
effective wellbore radius can be calculated, rw,eff

rw, eff = rwexp ( S )

Eq. 4.107

The effective wellbore radius is defined as the theoretical well radius which will match the production rate.
Joshi (1991) assumed equal drainage volumes, reh = rev, and equal productivity indices, Jh = Jv to give the
following for an anisotropic reservoir

r( 2 )
L

rw, eff =

a 1+ 1(

L 2
2a

h
rw

h
L

Eq. 4.108

In this way, controlling parameters like well length, permeability and formation thickness can be used to
screen potential candidates for further simulation studies.

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Renard (p.447) (1990) studied the effect of formation damage around the wellbore and modified the steadystate equation to include skin. Renard (1990) concluded that due to the lower productivity index per unit
length in horizontal wells, the effect of skin damage is not as pronounced as it is in vertical wells. Celier et
al. (p.439) (1989) came to the same conclusion with respect to the effect of non-Darcy flow.
Pseudo-Steady State Productivity
It is often desirable to calculate productivity from a reservoir with unique boundary conditions, such as a
gas cap or bottom water drive, finite drainage area, well location, and so on. In these instances pseudosteady state equations are employed. Pseudo-steady state or depletion state begins when the pressure
disturbance created by the well is felt at the boundary of the well drainage area
Pseudo-Steady State Productivity
Dake (p.440) (1978) and Golan (p.442) (1986) describe the pseudo-steady state flow of an ideal fluid
(liquid) in a closed circular drainage area. Rearranging the equation gives the familiar vertical well
productivity

qv =

khp
141.2oBo ln (

2.2458 A

CArw2

Eq. 4.109

) + S + Sm + Dqv

where

qv

STB / d

is the flowrate

p is the pressure drop between the reservoir and the wellbore

Sm

is the mechanical skin factor due to drilling and completion related well damage

is the total skin due to perforations, partial penetration and stimulation

psi

CA is the shape factor

Dqv is the near wellbore turbulence factor or rate dependent skin
o

is the oil viscosity

cp

Bo

is the oil volume formation factor

RB / STB

is the formation permeability

mD

is the formation thickness

ft

is the drainage area

ft2

rw

is the wellbore radius

ft

reh

is the drainage radius

ft

The above equation can be reduced to the following single-phase pseudo-steady state equation for oil flow
(assuming S = 0, Sm = 0 and Dqv = 0),

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kh p

qv =

141.2oBo ln

( )
reh
rw

Eq. 4.110

0.75

The equation 4.110 (p.310) is for a vertical well which is located in the center of a circular drainage area.
Fetkovich (p.441) (1985) wrote the shape factor in terms of an equivalent skin. This skin was expressed
by choosing a reference shape factor of a well at the center of circular drainage area

SCA = ln

CAref

Eq. 4.111

CA

The horizontal well shape factor depends on the following:

drainage area shape,

well penetration.

dimensionless well length, LD =

( )
L
2h

kv
kh

L is the length of the horizontal well ft

h is the formation thickness

ft

kv is the vertical permeability

mD

kh is the horizontal permeability

mD

Joshi (p.443) (1991) explains that the well performance approaches a fully penetrating infinite-conductivity
fracture when the horizontal well length is sufficiently long, i. e. LD > 10.
Babu (p.438) (1989), Goode (p.442) (1989) and Mutalik (p.445) (1988) have developed methods to
calculate pseudo-steady state productivity for single phase flow in horizontal wells. Shape factors were used
to arbitrarily locate the well within a rectangular bounded drainage area and the reservoir was bounded in
all directions. Mutalik's model assumed the horizontal well as an infinite conductivity well (i.e. the wellbore
pressure drop is negligible). Babu's model assumed uniform-flux boundary condition. Goode's model used
an approximate infinite conductivity solution where the constant wellbore pressure is estimated by averaging
the pressure values of the uniform-flux solution along the well length. Goode (1989) also considered the
effects of completion type on productivity. Their model allowed for cased completion, selectively perforated
completion, external casing packers to selectively isolate the wellbore and slotted liner completion with
selectively isolating zones.
Babu (1989) developed a physical model consisting of a well drilled in a box-shaped drainage volume,
parallel to the y direction (see figure 4.5 (p.311)).

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Figure 4.5. Babu and Odeh physical model

The derived pseudo-steady productivity equation is

7.08 10 3b kxkz p

qh =

oBo ln

( )
A1

rw

Eq. 4.112

+ ln CH 0.75 + SR

where

is extension of the drainage volume in the direction along the well axis Oy ft

SR is the skin factor due to partial penetration

CH is the geometric shape factor defined by Babu (1989)
kx is the permeability along the x-axis

mD

kz is the permeability along the z-axis

mD

A1 is the drainage area in the vertical plane

ft2

rw is wellbore radius

ft

The equation 4.112 (p.311) is derived from a very complex general solution. It requires the calculation of
CH and SR. The geometric shape factor accounts effect of permeability anisotropy, well location and relative
dimensions of the drainage volume. The skin accounts for the restricted entry associated with the well
length. Babu (1989) reported an error of less than 3% when compared to the more rigorous solution.

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Solution Gas-Drive IPR

Cheng (1990), Joshi (1991) and Bendakhlia (1989) have studied the inflow performance relationship (IPR)
for solution gas-drive reservoirs. Bendakhlia followed the same approach used by Vogel for vertical wells
and developed the following equation:

q0
q0, max

= 1V

( )
pwf
pR

1V

( )
pwf

2 n

Eq. 4.113

pR

The equation can be used under the assumptions of Vogel's original IPR correlation. The parameter V and

n were correlated as a function of recovery factor.

Horizontal Gas Wells

The preceding sections have dealt with oil flow. However, horizontal wells are also appropriate for gas
reservoirs. For example, in high-permeability gas reservoirs wellbore turbulence limits the deliverability of
a vertical well. The most effective way, according to Joshi (p.443) (1991), to reduce gas velocity around
the wellbore is to reduce the amount of gas production per unit well length which can be accomplished by
horizontal wells. Joshi (1991) describes two methods for the relationship between pressure and flowrate.
The gas flowrate is proportional to the pressure square terms.
Al-Hussainy et al. (p.312) (1966) defined a pseudo-pressure m(p). The gas flowrate is directly proportional
to the pseudo-pressures which is defined as

2 pdp
m( p) = pp ( ) ( )
0 p z p

Eq. 4.114

A comparison of the two methods was done by Joshi (1991). Below reservoir pressures of 2500 psia, either
method can be employed. However, above 2500 psia, the pseudo-pressure should be used.
Steady state gas flow equation
The steady-state equation for gas flow is

qh =

7.027 10 4khh pe pwf

ZT ln

( )

Eq. 4.115

reh

rw

where

qh

is the gas flowrate

mmscf / d

pe

is the pressure at external radius

psia

pwf is the wellbore flowing pressure

psia

kh

is the horizontal permeability

mD

is the reservoir height

ft

reh

is the drainage radius

ft

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rw is the effective wellbore radius

ft

is the average viscosity

cp

is the average compressibility factor

is the reservoir temperature

Pseudo steady state gas flow equation

The pseudo-steady state gas flow equation can be written as follows (Joshi, 1991)

7.027 10 4kh pr pwf

qh =
ZT ln

reh
rw

Eq. 4.116

0.75 + S + Sm + Sca C + Dqh

where

D=

2.222 10 15(Gkah)

Eq. 4.117

pwfrwhp

In equation 4.117 (p.313) the high velocity flow coefficient is given by:

= 2.73 1010ka

1.1045

Eq. 4.118

where

qh

is the gas flowrate

mmscf / d

pr

is the average reservoir pressure

psia
psia

pwf is the wellbore flowing pressure

S

is the negative skin factor due to horizontal well (or well stimulation)

Sm

is the mechanical skin damage

Sca is the shape related skin factor

C

is the shape factor conversion constant

is the permeability

mD

is the reservoir height

ft

reh

is the drainage radius

ft

rw

is the wellbore radius

ft

is the average viscosity

cp

is the average compressibility factor

is the reservoir temperature

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pwf is the gas viscosity at well flowing conditions

cp

is the high velocity flow coefficient

1 / ft

is the gas specific gravity

dimensionless

hp

is the perforated interval

ft

ka

is the permeability in the near wellbore region

mD

The equation 4.116 (p.313) is based upon circular drainage area as a reference area. In this equation,
Dqh is the turbulence term, also called turbulence skin, or rate dependent skin factor . (see Joshi (p.443)
(1991), Brown (p.439) (1984) and Golan and Whitson (p.442) (1986)). This term accounts for the extra
pressure drop in the near wellbore region due to high gas velocity. This term was neglected when dealing
with oil flow. In addition, the term makes the solution of 4.116 (p.313) iterative.
The equation 4.118 (p.313) is given in Golan and Whitson (p.442) (1986)
Conclusions
The following can be concluded from this review:
The assumption of constant pressure drop in the wellbore is no longer valid, especially for long well lengths
and when turbulent/multiphase flow occurs.
More realistic production geometries are being used in the existing models to calculate horizontal well
productivity.
Existing models need to be verified and validated with actual field data. The absence of case studies in the
literature is indicative of the 'tight-hole' status of most horizontal well projects.
Distributed Productivity Index Method
for liquid reservoirs

Q = J (Pws Pwf)L

Eq. 4.119

for gas reservoirs

Q = J Pws Pwf L

Eq. 4.120

where J is the distributed productivity index.

Oil / Water Relative Permeability tables

( )

( )

A table of oil and water relative permeabilities as functions of water saturation (kro Swat , krw Swat ) can be
defined in conjunction with the Pseudo Steady-State (p.279) or Tranisent (p.284) liquid IPRs for vertical
completions or the Steady State (p.306) or Pseudo-Steady State (p.309) liquid IPRs for horizontal
completions.
If the reservoir water saturation is known, the water cut of the fluid flowing into the well can be calculated:

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WCUT = 100

Qw
Qo + Qw

= 100

krw(Swat) / w

kro(Swat) / o + krw(Swat) / w

Eq. 4.121

Alternatively, if the water cut is known, the water saturation can be found by solving the same equation for
the water saturation, Swat.
The oil and water inflows can then calculated separately using the relevant liquid IPR equation and summed
to give the liquid flow rate.
Keywords
Data is entered, in keyword mode, using the additional engine keyword feature (p.450). Use the PERMTAB
(p.550) keyword to define the table. Use the LAYER keyword to define the reservoir water saturation, if
required.
See also other IPR methods (p.274)

Coning
In order to simulate gas and/or water breakthrough from the reservoir, flowrate-dependent values of GOR
and watercut may be entered. In a homogeneous reservoir, analysis of the radial flow behavior of reservoir
fluids moving towards a producing well shows that the rate dependent phenomenon of coning may be
important. The effect of increasing fluid velocity and energy loss in the vicinity of a well leads to the local
distortion of a gas-oil contact or a water-oil contact. The gas and water in the vicinity of the producing
wellbore can therefore flow towards the perforation. The relative permeability to oil in the pore spaces around
the wellbore decreases as gas and water saturation increase. The local saturations can be significantly
different from the bulk average saturations (at distances such as a few hundred meters from the wellbore).
The prediction of coning is important since it leads to decisions regarding:

Preferred initial completions

Estimation of cone arrival time at a producing well

Prediction of fluid production rates after cone arrival

Design of preferred well spacing

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PIPESIM User Guide

Chokes, Valves and Fittings

Choke
A choke is a constriction in a pipe that limits the flow rate through the pipe. The fluid velocity increases
through the constriction and for compressible fluids can reach the sonic velocity. As the pressure difference
across the choke increases the flow rate through the choke increases and the flow velocity increases too.
At this point the velocity becomes sonic, the flow is said to be critical, and is independent of the down stream
pressure. See Brill and Mukerjee (p.445) (1999) for a good description of flow through chokes and
restrictions.

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PIPESIM User Guide

Figure 4.6. Typical flow-pressure relationship for a choke

The choke is modeled by splitting the flow into two regimes:
flow is subcritical P < P
crit
down < Pup q < qcrit
flow is critical

0 < Pdown < Pup

q = qcrit

where

Pup

is the upstream pressure

Pdown is the downstream pressure

psi or lbf / in2 N / m 2

psi or lbf / in2 N / m 2

Pcrit

is the critical (downstream) pressure psi or lbf / in2 N / m 2

is the flow rate

qcrit

is the critical flow rate

lb / s
lb / s

kg / s
kg / s

The choke performance is determined by the following:

1. The choke geometry and fluid properties
2. The subcritical flow correlation
3. The critical pressure ratio
4. The critical flow correlation
Choke geometry
The main choke parameters are:

dup

in

upstream diameter

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PIPESIM User Guide

in

dbean constriction (bean) diameter

cv

flow coefficient (used in the Ashford & Pierce (p.319) correlation)

cvL

liquid flow coefficient (used in the Mechanistic (p.320) correlation)

cvG

gas flow coefficient (used in the Mechanistic (p.320) correlation)

cd

discharge coefficient (used for calculating the flow coefficients)

The flow coefficients can either be specified or calculated from the discharge coefficient:

cv =

cd

Eq. 4.122

1 4

where:

dbean is the diameter ratio dimensionless

dup

Subcritical flow correlations

There are essentially two subcritical flow models used in PIPESIM, the Mechanistic (p.320) correlation and
Ashford and Pierce (p.319) (1975) correlation . A third correlation API-14B (p.321) is a modification of the
Mechanistic correlation
Critical pressure ratio
For single phase liquids, the sonic velocity is high and flow is always subcritical. For single phase gas flow
and multiphase flow, the critical pressure is given by

Pcrit = CPR Pup

Eq. 4.123

The value of the critical pressure ratio CPR can be set by the user or calculated (p.321).
Critical flow correlations
A critical flow correlation can be used to set the critical flow rate qcrit. There is a danger that this will not
match the subcritical flow at the critical pressure ratio. PIPESIM therefore adjusts the subcritical flow
correlation to ensure the flow is correct at the critical pressure. To do this it first calculates the subcritical
flow at the critical pressure:

qlim = qsub(Pup, Pdown) evaluated at Pdown = Pcrit

The choke downstream pressure is then calculated from the subcritical correlation using the upstream
pressure and a scaled flow rate qlim / qcrit q. This matching can be turned off, in which case the critical flow
correlation is ignored when calculating the pressure drop, although it is used for reporting purposes.

One of twelve correlations of four distinct types can be selected for the critical flow:
1. Mechanistic (p.323), API-14B (p.323)

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PIPESIM User Guide

2. Ashford Pierce (p.322), A-P Tulsa, Poettmann-Beck (p.322)

3. Omana (p.323)
4. Achong (p.323), Baxendale (p.323), Gilbert (p.323), Pilehvari (p.323), Ros (p.323), User defined
(p.323)
Engine keywords
See Choke keyword (p.497)

Choke Subcritical Flow Correlations

Two subcritical flow correlations, Ashford-Pierce (p.319) and Mechanistic (p.320) are available. A third,
API 14B (p.321) is a version of the mechanistic correlation.
Ashford-Pierce
Ashford-Pierce (1975) (p.438) give the following equation for oil flow rate through a choke

c1cv(64dbean)

qo =

c2

Pup

1 + RL(1 k) / k
1 + RL

1/

Bo + Fwo

o + c3GRs + Fwow
o + c3GR + Fwow

where

Bo

is the oil formation factor volume factor

c1 = 3.51

is a constant

c2 = 198.6

is a constant

c3 = 0.000217

is a constant

cv

is the flow coefficient

dbean

is the bean diameter

k=

bbl / STB

ft

dimensionless

Fwo

is the upstream water to oil ratio

Pup

is the upstream pressure

Pdown

is the downstream pressure

qo

is the oil flow rate at standard conditions bbl / d

Rs

is the upstream gas oil ratio

is the gas oil ratio at standard conditions scf / STB

scf / STB

Technical Description

319

Eq. 4.124

PIPESIM User Guide

RL =

TupZup(R Rs) is the upstream gas liquid ratio

dimensionless

198.6Pup
is the pressure ratio

dimensionless

is the ratio of specific heats

dimensionless

is the upstream oil specific gravity

dimensionless

is the upstream gas specific gravity

dimensionless

is the upstream water specific gravity

dimensionless

=
=

Pdown
Pup
Cp
CV

The Ashford and Pierce formula is based on the following assumptions

polytropic expansion of gas-liquid mixture

equal gas and liquid velocities at the throat

incompressible liquid phase

liquid dispersed in a continuous gas phase

negligible friction losses

Recommended values for the flow coefficient cv are:

diameter in 1/64 in d
bean
8

0.125

1.2

12

0.1875 1.2

20

0.3125 0.976

24

0.375

0.96

32

0.5

0.95

Mechanistic Correlation
The pressure drop across the choke is given by the weighted average of the liquid and gas phase pressure
drops:

P = L pL + G pG

Eq. 4.125

The liquid phase pressure drop is given by Bernouilli's equation:

n
v
pL =
2 c cvL ZL

Eq. 4.126

The gas phase pressure drop is given by Bernouilli's equation:

Technical Description

320

PIPESIM User Guide

n
v
pG =
2c c Z
vG
G

Eq. 4.127

is the mixture velocity

through the choke

ft / s

m/s

is the mass flow rate

lb / s

kg / s

2
Abean = dbean

is the choke area at the

constriction

ft2

m2

n = L L + G G

is the no-slip density

lb / ft3

kg / m 3

L and G

are the liquid and gas

phase flowing fractions

L and G

are the liquid and gas

phase densities

lb / ft3

kg / m 3

ZL = 1 and

are the liquid and gas

compressibilities

c = 144 g
lb / ( ft s 2) / psi

c=1

v=

q
Abean n

ZG = 1

0.41 + 0.35 4

Pup

is a conversion factor for

engineering units

Total pressure drop for the two-phase system is therefore:

n v 2
P =

2c

(cvL ZL)

Eq. 4.128

(cvG ZG)2

API 14-B Formulation

The API 14-B formulation is similar to the mechanistic formulation, with the addition of the following
assumptions:
1. Liquid flow through the choke is incompressible. The discharge coefficient is constant with a value of

cvL = 0.85.
2. Subcritical gas flow through the choke is adiabatic and compressible. The discharge coefficient is
constant with a value of

cvG = 0.9.

Choke Critical Pressure Ratio

The critical pressure ratio CPR is used to determine the downstream pressure when critical flow occurs in
the choke. You can set a value of CPR or it can be calculated, either from the single-phase gas formula (used

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321

PIPESIM User Guide

with the Mechanistic subcritical flow correlation) or using the Ashford and Pierce formula (used with the
Ashford and Pierce subcritical flow correlation).
Single phase gas critical pressure ratio
For a single phase gas flow, the critical pressure is given as a function of the specific heat ratio:

2
CPR =
+1

Eq. 4.129

The value of = CP CV is calculated by the program, but can be overridden by the user. For diatomic gases
(for example air) 1.4 and CPR = 0.53
Ashford and Pierce critical pressure ratio
Ashford-Pierce (1975) (p.438) give the critical flow condition

qo
= 0 at = CPR. Differentiating the

Ashford and Pierce equation (4.124 (p.319))for qo and simplifying gives:

1 + RL(1 k) / k

=0

1 + RL 1 /

Eq. 4.130

This can be manipulated to give an equation for = CPR:

(1 + RL

1/ 2

2RL

+1

(1 + RL (1 k) / k )

Eq. 4.131

Choke Critical Flow Correlations

The following choke correlations are available:
Ashford and Pierce / Sachdeva / Poetmann-Beck
The Ashford-Pierce (1975) (p.438) critical flow can be obtained by evaluating equation 4.124 (p.319) at
= CPR, determined from equation 4.131 (p.322). The stock tank critical oil flow rate takes the form:

c1cv(64dbean)

qo =

c2

Pup

1 + RL(1 k) / k

1 + RL 1 /

Bo + Fwo

o + c3gRs + Fwow
o + c3gR + Fwow

Eq. 4.132

The Sachdeva (p.437) critical flow correlation takes a similar form:

qo = 0.858cv(64dbean) Pup
2

RL + 0.76
RL + 0.56

Bo + Fwo

(62.4(o + c3gR + Fwow))2 + (62.4(o + c3gRs + Fwow)) 1

The Poetmann-Beck (p.446) critical flow correlation takes a similar form:

Technical Description

322

Eq. 4.133

PIPESIM User Guide

qo = 88992 9273.6 0.4513 Abean Pup

RL + 0.766
RL + 0.5663

1
5.61L + 0.0765GR

L+ R LG

Eq.
3

+
R

L G
2 L

4.134

Mechanistic / API14B
The critical mass flow rate can be found by inverting the 4.128 (p.321) and evaluating it at the critical value
of the pressure drop:

2g n P

q = Abean
c1

(cvL ZL)

Eq. 4.135

(cvG ZG)

P = (1 CPR )Pup

Eq. 4.136

The API14B critical flow uses the mechanistic critical flow formula, with cvL = 0.85 and cvG = 0.9
Omana Correlation
The Omana (p.446) correlation gives a formula for the stock tank critical liquid flow rate:

qL = 1.953 10 3 L 1.245 L1.545 (1 + RL)

0.657

1.8
3.19
dbean
G 3.49 Pup

Eq. 4.137

where:

surface tension at upstream conditions (dynes/cm)

Gilbert, Ros, Baxendall, Achong, Pilehvari and User defined correlations
The equations proposed by Gilbert, Ros, Baxendall, Archong and Pilehvari (Ghassan (p.442)) for stock
tank critical liquid flow are all of the form:
c 1/e

qL =

Pup (64dbean)

Eq. 4.138

a GLRb

where

GLR - producing gas liquid ratio (scf/STB)

a, b, c - empirical coefficient given below
Correlation a

Achong

3.82

0.650 1.88 1

Baxendall

9.56

0.546 1.93 1

Gilbert

10

0.546 1.89 1

Pilehvari

46.67 0.313 2.11 1

Ros

17.4

0.5

2.00 1

Users can also define their own parameters for this formula by using engine keywords (p.497). For example:

Technical Description

323

PIPESIM User Guide

CHOKE CCORR=USER a=0.1 b=0.546 c=1.89 e=1.0 ADJUSTSC dbean =

Keywords can be entered in the GUI by replacing the choke with an Engine Keyword Tool (p.64).

Flow Control Valves Mechanistic Theory

PIPESIM's mechanistic choke equation is based on the theory for subcritical flow (see the Beggs and Brill
course notes).
Subcritical flow
The mass flow rate is given in terms of the pressure drop as follows:

2gns P

Qsc = 12 Abean

fL

(ZLcL)

fG

Eq. 4.139

(ZGcG)

where:

fL and fG are the liquid and gas phase fraction

cL and cG are the liquid and gas flow coefficient
is the choke cross-section

Abean

P is the pressure drop, which is given by:

P = fL P L + fG PG
and

P L =
PG =

( )
( )(
1

2gns
1

2gns

Eq. 4.140

q
(12ZLcLAbean)

q
12ZLcLAbean)

Eq. 4.141

Eq. 4.142

where

ZL = 1

is the liquid compressibility factor

ZG = ZG(k , DP, Pup) is the gas compressibility factor

ns = fLL + fGG

is the no slip density

Critical flow
The critical mass flow is given by the subcritical correlation evaluated at the critical pressure drop:

Pcrit = Pup(1 CPR)

Eq. 4.143

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324

PIPESIM User Guide

where CPR is the critical pressure ratio.

Fittings
The pressure drop across a fitting is given by the Crane Technical Paper 140 (p.440):

v2
P = K
2c

Eq. 4.144

K is a dimensionless friction factor or resistance

v is the fluid velocity

ft / s

m/s

is the fluid density

lb / ft3

kg / m 3

c is a conversion factor for engineering units

c = 144 g lb / ( ft s 2) / psi c = 1

The velocity of the fluid in the fitting depends on the internal diameter of the fitting where the velocity is
measured. If the fitting has two internal diameters, d1 and d2, the velocities are related by:
2

1 d1 v1 2 d2 v2
=
=q
4
4

Eq. 4.145

For incompressible fluids the density can be taken as constant and the velocities are inversely proportional
to the square of the diameters. Therefore the pressure drop can be written in terms of either velocity:
2

v1

P = K1

2c

= K2

v2

Eq. 4.146

2c

The fitting resistances are related by:

K2 =

K1

Eq. 4.147

and = d1 d2 is the ratio of the internal diameters.

Comparison with the choke model
The fitting can be modeled as a choke (p.316) using a mechanistic sub-critical (p.320) liquid flow correlation.
The choke diameter is taken as the minimum diameter of the fitting d1 and the flow coefficient is calculated
from the fitting resistance at d1:

cv =

Eq. 4.148

K1

Resistance calculation
The fitting resistance K can be specified by the user. Since it is a function of the internal diameter, d, this
value must also be specified to allow the velocity to be calculated correctly.

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325

PIPESIM User Guide

The fitting resistance can also be calculated by PIPESIM using formulae from the Crane Technical Paper
140 (p.440). The resistance is a function of the fitting type, the pipe nominal diameter, dN the internal
diameter, d2 and the diameter of any constriction, d1. These Crane Technical Paper 140 (p.440) formula
can be written as:

K1 = a1 fT(dN) + a2 0.5 1 2 + a3 (1 2)

Eq. 4.149

The first term a1 fT represents friction due to the shape of the pipe fitting, the second term
a2 0.5 (1 2) is the resistance due to sudden contraction through any constriction in the fitting and the
2

third term a3 (1 2) is the resistance due to sudden expansion after a constriction. The constants a1,

a2 and a3 depend on the fitting type and are given by:

Fitting

a1

a2

a3

Check Swing Valve Conventional

100 0

Check Swing Valve Clearway

50

Standard 90 degree Elbow

30

Standard 45 degree Elbow

16

Standard 90 degree Short Radius Elbow 14

Standard 90 degree Long Radius Elbow 12

Tee - Flow through run

20

Tee - Flow through branch

60

Check Lift Globe Valve

600

Globe Valve Conventional

340

Angle Valve Conventional

150

Globe Valve Y-Pattern

55

Check Lift Angle Valve

55

Gate Valve < 45o

Gate Valve 45o < < 180o

Ball Valve < 45o

Ball Valve 45o < < 180o

1.6 sin
sin

1.6 sin
sin

2.6 sin
2
2
1

2.6 sin
2
2
1

The friction factor fT, depends on the nominal size of the pipe:

Technical Description

326

PIPESIM User Guide

Nominal size dN (inch) fT

1/2

.027

3/4

.025

.023

1 1/4

.022

1 1/2

.021

.019

2 1/12, 3

.018

.017

.016

.015

8 - 10

.014

12 - 16

.013

18 - 24

.012

Compressors, Pumps and Expanders

Centrifugal Pumps and Compressors

Technical Description

327

PIPESIM User Guide

Centrifugal pumps and compressors are described by curves of head and efficiency as functions of the flow
rate for a given speed:

Head (q, Nc) = Headc(q)

(q, Nc) = c(q)

Eq. 4.150
Eq. 4.151

where:

Head is the head

ft lbf / lb Nm / kg

is the efficiency, expressed as a fraction, 0 < 1

is the flow rate

Nc

is the compressor speed for the curve

lb / s

kg / s

The fan laws can be used to determine the head and efficiency for speeds N that differ from the curve
speed :

( )

N 2
q
Headc
Nc
N / Nc
q
(q, N ) = c
N / Nc
Head (q, N ) =

Eq. 4.152
Eq. 4.153

The change in pressure of the fluid and the power needed to run the pump or compressor can be determined
from the head and efficiency:

P = Pout Pin = c1 Head

Eq. 4.154

c2 q Head

Eq. 4.155

Power =
where

(Pin, Tin) + (Pout, Tout)

2

is the average density

lb / ft3

kg / m 3

Pin

is the suction pressure

psi or lbf / in2

N / m2

Pout

is the discharge pressure

psi or lbf / in2

N / m2

Tin

is the suction temperature

Tout

is the discharge temperature

Power

is the power required by the pump or

compressor

hp

c1

is a conversion factor for engineering units

1 in
144 ft

c2

is a conversion factor for engineering units

1
hp
550 ft lbf / s

Technical Description

328

( )

PIPESIM User Guide

The outlet temperature depends on how much of the pump energy is transferred to the fluid. Three different
models can be used:
Adiabatic Route:

Tin
T = Tout Tin =

Polytropic Route:

T = Tout Tin = Tin

((

Pout
Pin

Pout
Pin

n 1
n

Eq. 4.156

Eq. 4.157

Mollier Route (Isentropic): S ( P , T ) = S ( P , T )

out
out
in
in

Eq. 4.158

where

=
=

(Pin, Tin) + (Pout, Tout)

2

is the average value of

is the ratio of specific heats

Cp
CV

n =

n(Pin, Tin) + n(Pout, Tout)

2

is the average value of n

=
n1
1

is the polytropic coefficient

is the specific entropy

BTU
J
o
lb F kg K

Note that:

Only a fraction of the power is converted to head. When using the adiabatic route, the energy that is
not converted to head is assumed to be converted to fluid heat. The usual adiabatic temperature increase
is multiplied by a factor 1 / 1.

The polytropic route PV n = constan t can be used to model constant pressure (n = 0) , constant
temperature (n = 1) , constant enthalpy (n = ) and constant volume (n = ) changes as well as
intermediate routes. PIPESIM uses a value of n that is a function of the efficiency () and the specific
heat ratio (). This value can only be used when > ( 1) / .

In the special case when the efficiency = 1, the polytropic coefficient equals the specific heat ratio
n = and the polytropic and adiabatic formulas are the same.

The Mollier Route can only be used in compositional models, the PIPESIM blackoil model does not
calculate entropy.

Engine keywords
See compressor keywords (p.504).

Technical Description

329

PIPESIM User Guide

Reciprocating Compressor Operation

This graph shows how the reciprocating compressor will operate for various field deliverabilities:
Note the following:
1. If the field deliverability falls below the minimum compressor flowrate, recycle mode will be invoked. Due
to the low pressure operation in this region, it may be necessary to add a reverse block to the branch
containing the compressor.
2. If the field deliverability falls below the minimum suction pressure of the compressor, no solution is
possible. This occurrence should be identified using FPT with an event conditional on the minimum rate
through the compressor.
3. To limit the flowrate through a compressor, place a choke in the branch upstream and specify a maximum
gas constraint in FPT.
4. Always run the network model in Wells Offline mode, with no reverse blocks set.

Expanders
Expanders are modeled in a similar way to centrifugal compressors (p.327), except they work in reverse.
Fluid flows through the expander and power is extracted. As with compressors, expanders can be described
by curves of head and efficiency as functions of the flow rate for a given speed:

Head (q, Nc) = Headc(q)

(q, Nc) = c(q)

Eq. 4.159
Eq. 4.160

where:

Head is the head

ft lbf / lb Nm / kg

is the efficiency, expressed as a fraction, 0 < 1

is the flow rate

Nc

is the expander speed for the curve

lb / s

kg / s

The fan laws can be used to determine the head and efficiency for speeds N that differ from the curve
speed :

( )

N 2
q
Headc
Nc
N / Nc
q
(q, N ) = c
N / Nc
Head (q, N ) =

Eq. 4.161
Eq. 4.162

The change in pressure of the fluid and the power needed to run the pump or compressor can be determined
from the head and efficiency:

P = Pin Pout = c1 Head

Eq. 4.163

Power = c2 q Head

Eq. 4.164

where

Technical Description

330

PIPESIM User Guide

(Pin, Tin) + (Pout, Tout)

=
2

is the average density

lb / ft3

kg / m 3

Pin

is the suction pressure

psi or lbf / in2

N / m2

Pout

is the discharge pressure

psi or lbf / in2

N / m2

Tin

is the suction temperature

Tout

is the discharge temperature

Power

is the power extracted by the expander

hp

c1

is a conversion factor for engineering units

1 in
144 ft

c2

is a conversion factor for engineering units

1
hp
550 ft lbf / s

( )

The outlet temperature depends on how much of the energy is removed from the fluid. Three different
models can be used:
Adiabatic Route:

T = Tout Tin = Tin

Polytropic Route:

T = Tout Tin = Tin

Pout
Pin

Pout
Pin

n 1
n

Eq. 4.165

Eq. 4.166

Mollier Route (Isoentropic): S ( P , T ) = S ( P , T )

out
out
in
in

Eq. 4.167

where

=
=

(Pin, Tin) + (Pout, Tout)

2

is the average value of

is the ratio of specific heats

Cp
CV

n =

n(Pin, Tin) + n(Pout, Tout)

2

is the average value of n

n
1

=
n1 1

is the polytropic coefficient

is the specific entropy

Technical Description

331

BTU
J
o
lb F kg K

PIPESIM User Guide

Notes:

Only a fraction of the head is converted to power. When using the adiabatic route, the energy that is
not converted to power is assumed to be converted to fluid heat. The usual adiabatic temperature
decrease is multiplied by a factor 1.

The polytropic route PV n = constant can be used to model constant pressure ( n = 0), constant
temperature ( n = 1), constant enthalpy ( n = ) and constant volume ( n = ) changes as well as
intermediate routes. PIPESIM uses a value of n that is a function of the efficiency ( ) and the specific
heat ratio ( ). This value can only be used when < / ( 1).

In the special case when the efficiency = 1, the polytropic coefficient equals the specific heat ratio
n = and the polytropic and adiabatic formulas are the same.

The Mollier Route can only be used in compositional models; the PIPESIM blackoil model does not
calculate entropy.

Engine keywords
See expander keywords (p.509)

Multiphase Boosting Technology

Multiphase boosting technology (also referred to as multiphase pumping technology) for the oil and gas
industry has been in development since the early 1980s, and is now rapidly gaining acceptance as a tool
to optimize multiphase production systems (Oxley, Ward and Derks 1999). Particularly for the development
of satellite fields, multiphase boosting has been recognized as a promising technology: rather than
separation, gas compression, liquid pumping and use of dual flow lines back to the host facility, multiphase
boosting enables the full (non-separated) well stream to be boosted in a single machine. Besides the thus
realized simplification of the production system, the potential cost reductions could make development of
marginal fields economic.
Since 1990, well over one hundred multiphase boosters have been installed worldwide, with the vast
majority of the installations based onshore or offshore topsides. Over the years, the development of
multiphase boosting has led to three types of boosters being commercially available:

twin screw type multiphase boosters

progressing cavity type multiphase boosters

helico-axial type multiphase boosters

The first two types mentioned belong to the category of positive displacement type pumps and the third
type to the category of dynamic type pumps.

Technical Description

332

PIPESIM User Guide

Traditional approach
1. The incoming fluid is separated into its constituent liquid and
gas phases.
2. The separated liquids are pumped up to the required pressure
and exported via the liquid export line.
3. Separated gas is compressed up to the required pressure and
exported via the gas export line.
Alternative approach
1. The incoming fluid is separated into its constituent liquid and
gas phases.
2. The separated liquids are pumped up to the required pressure
and separated gas is compressed up to the required pressure.
3. The two phases are recombined and exported via a
multiphase export line.
Multiphase boosting
1. The incoming fluid is directly boosted up to the required
pressure without separation of the gas and liquid phases.
2. It is exported via a multiphase export line.

Figure 4.7. Multiphase boosting versus Traditional approaches

Multiphase boosters are pumps/compressors that can accommodate fluids composed of 100% liquid to
100% gas, and anywhere in between. Although commonly referred to as multiphase pumps, the terminology
used in this document is multiphase booster to recognize the fact that also 100% gas can be handled by
this equipment (albeit with some restrictions, as outlined in later chapters of this document). The figure
above depicts the difference between multiphase boosting technology and the more traditional technology
of separation, pumping and compression.
The rationale for employing multiphase boosters stems from two basic factors:
1. Production Enhancement; accelerated and/or incremental hydrocarbon production as a result of
lowering the backpressure on the well(s);
2. Pressure Boosting; increasing fluid pressure for transportation over long distances or to move fluid from
low pressure systems to higher pressure systems.
In many cases, there will be a combined effect of the two factors, for example, lowering the backpressure
on a well by use of a multiphase booster provides at same time a higher pressure available at the inlet to
the flowline.
To demonstrate the principle of multiphase boosting, take the example of a well which is connected using
a flowline and riser to the inlet separator on the host facility. See the following diagram.

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Figure 4.8. Simplified production system

Based on estimates of the pressure drop across the tubing string, and given the production characteristics
of the formation and the IPR of the well, the curve of tubing-head pressure pth against rate for an individual
well can be obtained; this curve is known as the tubing-head pressure (THP) curve.
Similarly, based on estimates of the pressure drop across flowline and riser, and given the pressure at the
inlet separator of the host facility, the curve of required flowline inlet pressure against rate can be obtained;
this curve is known as the outflow curve.
Figure 3 demonstrates the principle of tubing-head pressure curve and outflow curve; the point of
intersection of the two curves is the system operating point, i.e. pressure and production rate at the wellhead.

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Figure 4.9. Production system analysis: THP curve and outflow curve
From Figure 3, it can be seen that the system operating point involves a tubing head pressure of 39 bara
and production rate of 5 kg/s. We can however also see from the THP curve that the flowing potential of
the well is far greater than the production rate of 5 kg/s, should the back pressure on the well be lower than
the 39 bara. Assuming we could install a booster that allows us to provide a boost of 20 [bar] to the well
fluids directly downstream of the wellhead, the outflow curve shown in Figure 3 will change to that shown
in Figure 4. The new system operating point involves a tubing head pressure of 24 bara and production rate
of 10 kg/s, that is through the boosting of the well stream production has increased by 100%.

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Figure 4.10. Production system analysis: the effect of multiphase boosting visualized
Through the type of analysis outlined in Figure 3 and Figure 4, the effect of multiphase boosting on
production system operating point (tubing head pressure, production rate) can readily be established, as
can be the multiphase booster operating point and power requirement.

Positive Displacement Type

Positive displacement type pumps work on the basis of pressure being added hydrostatically rather than
dynamically, which results in these pumps being less sensitive to fluid density than dynamic type pumps.
As a result of this, positive displacement type pumps appear to figure higher in surface applications than
dynamic type pumps, because with surface applications fluids tend to show higher gas fractions and a
greater tendency for density change than in subsea applications (Butler 1999).
Although initially piston type pumps were also considered for use as multiphase boosters, the commercial
development of positive displacement has concentrated on two types only:
1. twin screw type multiphase booster
2. progressing cavity type multiphase booster
The majority of positive displacement type multiphase boosters on the market are of the twin screw type,
with the remainder being of the progressing cavity type. Within the Shell EP Group of Operating Companies,
no progressing cavity type multiphase boosters have been installed thus far. This chapter will therefore
predominantly address the working principle of twin screw type multiphase boosters, but mention will be
made of the progressing cavity type also.

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Twin Screw Type

The twin screw type booster, also referred to as two-spindle screw pump, works on the basis of liquid carried
between the screw threads of two intermeshing feed screws and displaced axially as the screws rotate and
mesh. In principle, the intermeshing screws form chambers (Karassik et al. 1986), which are:

filled with fluid at the pump suction side;

closed to capture the amount of fluid that has entered the chamber at pump suction;

transported to the discharge side of the pump;

opened to the outlet system once the chamber has reached the pump discharge port.

The following figure shows an example of a twin screw type pump.

Figure 4.11. Twin screw type pump

It should be noted that, unlike screw type compressors, the volume of the chambers is not reduced on its
way from pump suction side to pump discharge side, that is there is no in-built compression in the twin
screw type multiphase boosters. Pressure buildup by the twin screw type multiphase booster is entirely
caused by the fact that a definite amount of fluid is delivered into the outlet system with every revolution of
the feed screws; the pressure developed at pump discharge is thus solely the result of resistance to flow
in the outlet system. However, due to the pressure differential between pump discharge and pump suction,
an internal leakage in the pumping elements results and causes a pressure gradient across the moving
chambers. This internal leakage causes the pump net flow to be less than its theoretical capacity, as
demonstrated in pump performance curves (see the typical pump performance curves shown below).

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Figure 4.12. Pump performance curves (typical)

As can be seen from the typical pump performance curves above, pump flow rate is dependent on pump
differential pressure: the higher the pump differential pressure, the higher the internal leakage, and thus the
lower pump flow rate.
The theoretical capacity of the pump, that is the flow rate if no internal leakage is present, is the flow rate
found for zero pump differential pressure for the pump represented in the typical pump performance
curves, the theoretical flow rate is 500 m3/h; the difference between theoretical flow rate and actual flow
rate is the internal leakage, also called pump slip. As an example, for the pump represented in the typical
pump performance curves, GVF=0%, the actual flow rate for pump differential pressure 40 bar is 400 m3/
h , that is pump slip is (500 400) = 100 m3/h. Given the relative insensitivity of flow rate to differential
pressure, especially for higher GVF, the twin screw multiphase booster is sometimes referred to as a
constant flow rate pump.
As can also be seen from the typical pump performance curves, pump flow rate is dependent on GVF also,
whereas the effect of GVF on pump shaft power is less pronounced.
Whereas the typical pump performance curves may suggest that an unlimited variety of twin screw
multiphase pumps is available to cover an unlimited amount of (differential pressure / flow rate) combinations, in practice however a number of physical limitations applies:

pump differential pressure is typically limited to 70 bar to avoid excessive deflection of feed screws and
possible contact between rotating screws and stator housing;

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pump flow rate (total volumetric flow rate at pump suction) at present limited to approximately 2000
m3/h per single pump;

gas volume fraction at pump suction typically limited to 95% maximum (for GVF>95%, some form of
liquid recirculation is typically required to maintain GVF-suction at 95% maximum) ;

pump inlet pressure and outlet pressures restricted by casing design pressure and seal design pressure.

Progressing Cavity Type

The progressing cavity type pump (also known as single-rotor screw pump) operates on the basis of an
externally threaded screw, also called rotor, turning inside an internally threaded stator (see Figure 7 ). The
most simple configuration is the one whereby there is one lead on the rotor and two leads on the stator,
commonly referred to as a 1:2 ratio element profile. Other configurations are also feasible, provided that
the stator has one more lead than the rotor (Mirza 1999).

Figure 4.13. Moyno progressing cavity pump

As with the screw type pump, as the rotor rotates within the stator, chambers are formed and filled with fluid
and progress from the suction side of the pump to the discharge side of the pump conveying the process
fluid. The continuous seal line between the rotor and the stator helix keeps the fluid moving steadily at a
fixed flow rate proportional to the pump rotational speed. Application of the progressing cavity type pump
for multiphase boosting has been less widespread than the twin screw type multiphase booster, and flow
rates and differential pressures are typically lower than those achievable with the twin screw type. Claimed
to be the largest progressing cavity type pump for multiphase applications is Moynos R&M Tri-Phaze
System, capable of transferring multiphase flows up to 29,000 bbl/day (192 m3/h) at differential pressures
up to 300 psi (20.7 bar). Through the installations of various pumps in series/parallel arrangement, higher
flow rates and higher differential pressures are achievable, however at the expense of complexity (Mirza
1999).
Given their wider operating range and wider established application in the oil and gas industry, the modeling
of positive displacement type multiphase boosters in PIPESIM has been limited to the twin screw type
multiphase booster only.

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Dynamic Type
Dynamic type pumps work on the principle of pressure being raised by adding kinetic energy to the fluid,
which is then converted to pressure. The actual increase in pressure is directly proportional to the density
of the pumped fluid, that is the higher the fluid density, the higher the pressure increase. Because of this,
dynamic type pumps are more sensitive to fluid density than positive displacement type pumps, and tend
therefore to be used in applications with lower maximum gas volume fractions than positive displacement
type pumps, for example in subsea applications.
The commercial development of dynamic type multiphase boosters has concentrated on the helico-axial
type, based on helico-axial hydraulics developed and licensed by Institute Franois du Petrole (IFP). For
very high gas volume fractions (GVF>95%), there is also the contra-rotating axial (CRA) machine, originally
developed by Framo Engineering AS and Shell.
The design of the helico-axial type pump has further concentrated on the driver mechanism for subsea use,
and led to the availability of electric motor driven units as well as hydraulic turbine driven units. For onshore
or offshore topsides applications, other driver types can also be used.

Helico-Axial Type
The helico-axial type multiphase booster features a number of individual booster stages, each consisting
of an impeller mounted on a single rotating shaft, followed by a fixed diffuser. In essence, the impeller
imparts kinetic energy to the fluid, which is converted to pressure in the diffuser. The impeller blades have
a typical helical shape, and profile of the open type impeller and diffuser blade arrangement are specifically
designed to prevent the separation of the multiphase mixture inside the pump (de Marolles and de Salis,
1999).
The following figure shows an example of a helico-axial pump stage.

Figure 4.14. Helico-axial pump stage

The boosting capabilities of the helico-axial type booster are a function of GVF-suction and suction pressure,
as well as speed, number of impeller stages and impeller size. See Figure 9. The quoted flow rates and
speed limitation represent present technology status.

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Figure 4.15. Helico-axial type multiphase booster Pressure boosting potential

As can be seen from Figure 9, the pressure boosting capability drastically reduces for higher GVF. Also,
for reduced speed or reduced number of stages, the pressure boosting capability will be less than the
maximum shown in Figure 9. For a given pump with given number of stages, speed and impeller diameter,
pump performance curves can be provided as shown in Figure 10. These curves are valid for given GVFsuction, p-suction and fluid density only; for differing GVF-suction, p-suction and fluid density, new performance
curves will apply.

Figure 4.16. Pump performance curve (typical)

Practical operating limits of the helico-axial type multiphase booster are (Siep-RTS 1998):

pump differential pressure typically limited to 70 bar

pump flow rate (total volumetric flow rate at pump suction) at present limited to approximately 1500
m3/h per single pump;

gas volume fraction at pump suction typically limited to 95% maximum;

pump inlet pressure 3.4 bara minimum;

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pump outlet pressure restricted by casing design pressure and seal design pressure.

Contra-Rotating Axial Type

The CRA operates on the basis of axial compressor theory, but rather than having one rotor and a set of
stator vanes, the CRA employs two contra-rotating rotors. The inner rotor consists of several stages
mounted on the outside of an inner cylinder. The outer rotor consists of several stages on the inside of a
concentric, larger diameter cylinder. See Figure 11.

Figure 4.17. Contra-rotating axial (CRA) compressor

The exact mechanism underlying pressure buildup inside the CRA compressor have not yet been fully
understood, nor are sufficiently mature design rules available for the scaleup of CRA performance to larger
flow rates.
Flow rates that can be handled by the CRA are of same order of magnitude as for helico-axial type
multiphase booster, however achievable differential pressures (maximum 20 bar) and realized efficiencies
(approximately 25%) are significantly less than whats achievable with conventional boosting systems.
Given their wider operating range and wider established application in the oil and gas industry, the modeling
of dynamic type multiphase boosters in PIPESIM has been limited to the helico-axial type multiphase
booster only.

Alternative approach
The alternative approach described in Figure 1 has also been implemented in PIPESIM. This generic
booster splits the fluid into liquid and gas and pumps the liquid and compresses the gas. Efficiency values
for the compressor efficiency have been obtained from field data and are available in the help system.

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Guide to Multiphase Booster Efficiencies

Tables 1 and 2 gives guidelines on the (pump and compressor) efficiencies to enter in the generic
multiphase booster module, when the generic model is needed to simulate a Helico-Axial Booster
(p.343) or Twin Screw Booster (p.343).
Helico-Axial
The following table gives guidelines on the efficiencies to enter in the generic multiphase booster module
to simulate a Helico-Axial multiphase booster.
FLUID GVF (%)

APPROXIMATE PUMP EFFICIENCY (%) APPROXIMATE COMPRESSOR

EFFICIENCY (%) (see 2) (p.344)

0 (see 1) (p.344) 10

10-100

10

50

20 -100

20

40

60-100

30

40

80-100

40

30-40

80-100

50

40(50) (see 3) (p.344)

40 (20) (see 3) (p.344)

60

40(50) (see 3) (p.344)

30(20) (see 3) (p.344)

70

30

60

80

30

50

90

20

70

100

10

100

Table 4.3: Helico-Axial Multiphase Booster

Twin screw
The following table gives guidelines on the efficiencies to enter in the generic multiphase booster module
to simulate a Twin Screw multiphase booster.
FLUID GVF (%)

APPROXIMATE PUMP EFFICIENCY

(%)

APPROXIMATE COMPRESSOR
EFFICIENCY (%) (see 2) (p.344)

20 -100

10

30

20 -100

20

30

70 -100

30

30

80 -100

40

30

90

50

40(50) (see 3) (p.344)

40(20) (see 3) (p.344)

60

40

50

70

30

70

80

20

60

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90

10

30

100 (see 4) (p.344) 10

100

Table 4.4: Twin Screw Multiphase Booster

See also the Twin screw curve format (p.80) description.
Notes:
1. Helico-Axial multiphase booster not recommended for pure liquid operations.
2. When using fluids with high liquid content the compressor efficiency has little effect as long as the
compressor efficiency is within the range indicated.
3. Two sets of pump and compressor efficiencies are valid for fluids with these gas volume fractions.
4. Twin screw multiphase booster not recommended for pure gas operations

Heat Transfer Modelling

Energy Equation for Steady-State Flow
PIPESIM uses the first law of thermodynamics to perform a rigorous heat transfer balance on each pipe
segment. The first law of thermodynamics is the mathematical formulation of the principle of conservation
of energy applied to a process occurring in a closed system (a system of constant mass m). It equates the
total energy change of the system to the sum of the heat added to the system and the work done by the
system. For steady-state flow, it connects the change in properties between the streams flowing into and
out of an arbitrary control volume (pipe segment) with the heat and work quantities across the boundaries
of the control volume (pipe segment). For a multiphase fluid in steady-state flow, the energy equation is
given by:

H+

1 2
v + gz dm = Q Ws
2 m

Eq. 4.168

where the specific enthalpy:

H = U + PV

Eq. 4.169

is a state property of the system since the internal energy U the pressure P and the volume V are state
properties of the system.
It is clear from the left-hand side of equation 4.168 (p.344), that the change in total energy is the sum of the
change in enthalpy energy,

Hdm = (U + PV )dm

Eq. 4.170

the change in gravitational potential energy:

EP = (gz)dm

Eq. 4.171

and the change in total kinetic energy (based on the mixture velocity vm)

EK =

( 12 v )dm 0
2
m

Eq. 4.172

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which is assumed to be negligible.

On the right-hand side of equation 4.168 (p.344), Q includes all the heat transferred to the control
volume (pipe segment) and Ws represents the shaft work, that is work transmitted across the boundaries
of the control volume (pipe segment) by a rotating or reciprocating shaft.

Heat Transfer Coefficient

Steady state heat transfer between the fluid inside a pipe (flowline, riser or tubing) and its surroundings
occurs due to the difference between the bulk fluid temperature Tb and the ambient temperature Ta. In the
case of a flowline or riser, the ambient temperature is the temperature of the ambient fluid (air or water)
moving above the mud line. In the case of a tubing, the ambient temperature is the ground temperature at
a distance far from the well, given by the geothermal gradient at the tubing depth. The rate at which heat
is transferred depends on various thermal resistances such as:

Inside fluid film (which is used to model heat transfer between a moving fluid and the pipe wall)

Wax layers on the inside of the pipe wall

Pipe wall and surrounding layers (for example coatings, fluid filled annuli)

Ground and surrounding medium (air or sea)

The heat transfer Q per unit length of pipe can be expressed as:

Q = UA(Tb Ta)

Eq. 4.173

where A = Do is a reference area based on the pipe outside diameter and U is the overall heat transfer
coefficient. The overall heat transfer coefficient can be calculated from the heat transfer coefficients for each
resistance, which in turn can be found from theoretical heat transfer models. The method of calculation
depends on whether the resistances are in series, parallel, or both.

Resistances in series
For resistances in series, (for example pipe coatings, see Fig 4.18 (p.346)) the temperature difference can
be written as the sum of the temperature differences across each resistance:

Ta Tb = Ti

Eq. 4.174

Therefore

A
1
Ti =
Q i
i hi

Eq. 4.175

Here hi is the heat transfer coefficient for resistance i given by:

hi

A
T
Q i

Eq. 4.176

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Figure 4.18. Pipeline and Layers

Resistances in parallel
For resistances in parallel, (for example partially buried pipes, see Fig 4.19 (p.347)) the overall heat transfer
can be written as the sum of the heat transfer through each resistance:

Q = Qi = Ui A(Tb Ta)
i

Eq. 4.177

Therefore the overall heat transfer coefficient can be found by summing the heat transfer coefficients for
each resistance in parallel:

U = Ui

Eq. 4.178

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Figure 4.19. Burial configurations

Heat transfer models

Heat transfer models are required for:

radial heat transfer between a moving fluid and the pipe wall, see Inside film coefficient (p.348).

radial heat transfer through a conductive layer (p.352) , such as internal wax layers, the pipe wall and
insulation.

radial heat transfer through a convective layer (p.353) , such as a fluid filled annulus.

heat transfer through the ground

between the pipe and the surface for buried and partially buried horizontal flowlines (p.355)

radially, between the pipe and the far field geothermal temperature gradient for vertical wells
(p.358)

heat transfer through the ambient fluid

between the ground and the ambient fluid for buried and partially buried horizontal flowlines

between the pipe and the ambient fluid for partially buried and fully exposed horizontal flowlines

between the pipe and the ambient fluid for fully exposed vertical risers

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Note
Heat transfer coefficients are referenced to the pipe outside diameter. To allow the value to be reported at
a different reference point the HEAT HTCRD (p.553) keyword can be used from the EKT (p.64)

Internal Fluid Film Heat Transfer Coefficient

A number of inside film coefficient (IFC) correlations are available in the PIPESIM engines. This heat transfer
coefficient accounts for resistance to heat flow between the bulk of the fluid and the inside of the pipe wall.
A Nusselt number correlation is selected depending on whether the flow is laminar, turbulent or in the
transition region.

KREITH8
Note: This is currently the default method in PIPESIM.
First, liquid and gas Reynolds numbers are calculated based on the superficial velocities vSL and vSG:

ReSL =
ReSG =

LvSLD

Eq. 4.179

L
GvSGD

Eq. 4.180

where is the density, the viscosity, D the pipe diameter and the subscripts L and G refer to the liquid
and gas phase properties.
A total Reynolds number is then obtained:

ReTOTAL = ReSL + ReSG

Eq. 4.181

A Prandtl number is then calculated using fluid mixture properties:

Prm =

mcpm

Eq. 4.182

km

where cp is the specific heat capacity, k the thermal conductivity.

The mixture thermal conductivity is given by:

km =

1
HL
kL

(1 HL)

Eq. 4.183

kg

amd the mixture heat capacity:

Cpm = HLCpL + 1 HL CpG

Eq. 4.184

where H is the holdup.

For turbulent flow (ReTOTAL 6000 ):
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0.8

Nu1PTurb = 0.023ReTOTAL Pr

( ( ))

0.33

0.7

D
1+
L

For laminar flow (ReTOTAL 2000 ):

Nu1PTurb =

NuSD
1 P 0.25ReTOTAL Pr

NuMD
1P

Nu1LD
P

Eq. 4.185

()(
D
L

ln 1

D
L 10

30 10

2.645
Pr0.167 ReTOTAL Pr

Nu1SDP +

1.86 ReTOTAL Pr

( )
D
L

D
L 10
30 10
1
3

( ))
D
L

Nu1LD
P;

L
D

10 <
L
D

10
L
D

30

Eq. 4.186

> 30

where the superscripts SD, MD and LD stand for short duct, medium duct and long duct, respectively.
For transition flow (2000 ReTOTAL 6000 ):

Nu1P = Nu 1P Lam

ReTOTAL
2000

) (

ln Nu1 P
ln Nu1 P
Turb
Lam

ln Remax

) ln (Remin )

Eq. 4.187

Note: As the Reynolds number decreases, the laminar flow Nusselt number is approaches 4. So if the
Reynolds number is less than 2000, then PIPESIM limits the Reynolds number to a minimum of 4.
For transition flow (2000 < ReTOTAL < 6000), PIPESIM uses linear interpolation to find the Nusselt number:
Reference: Kreith (p.444)

Single Phase General Correlations

If the flow regime is mist, single gas phase or froth then the fluid is considered to be a single phase gas and
the superficial Reynolds number is:

ReS = ReSG =

GvSGD

Eq. 4.188

and the Prandtl number is:

Pr = PrG =

GcpG

Eq. 4.189

kG

where is the density, the viscosity, v the velocity, cp the specific heat capacity, k the thermal conductivity,

D the pipe diameter and the subscript SG refers to the superficial gas phase properties.

If the flow regime is otherwise, then the fluid is considered to be a single phase liquid and the Reynolds
number is:

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ReS = ReSL =

LvSLD

Eq. 4.190

and the Prandtl number is:

Pr = Pr L =

LcpL

Eq. 4.191

kL

where the subscript SL refers to the superficial liquid phase properties.

The following minimum and maximum superficial Reynolds numbers before entering the laminar-turbulent
transition region are defined:

ReSmin = 2000

Eq. 4.192

ReSmax = 6000

Eq. 4.193

Sieder and Tate

For turbulent flow (ReS > ReSmax ):
4/5

Nu1PTurb = 0.023ReS Pr

1/3

( )

0.14

Eq. 4.194

For laminar flow (Re ReSmax ) :

( )

D
Nu1PLam = 1.86ReS Pr
L

1
3

( )

0.14

Eq. 4.195

where L is the length of the pipe and the subscript W refers to water properties. The viscosity is either
the liquid or gas viscosity depending on the flow regime (as described above).
Reference: Sieder and Tate (p.447)
Single phase Inside Film Coefficient
If the flow regime is mist, single gas phase or froth then the fluid is considered to be a single phase gas and
the Inside Film Coefficient is:

hi1P =

kGNu1P
D

Eq. 4.196

If the flow regime is otherwise, then the fluid is considered to be a single phase liquid and the inside film
coefficient is:

hi1P =

kLNu1P
D

Eq. 4.197

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Multiphase Correlations
If the flow is multiphase then the void fraction is given by

AvG

Eq. 4.198

AvG + AvL

where the cross-sectional area of the pipe:

A=

D 2
4

Eq. 4.199

The gas-weighted two phase fluid thermal conductivity is defined as:

k2P = kG + (1 )kL

Eq. 4.200

The two phase inside film coefficient for the correlations below (unless otherwise stated) is defined as:

hi2P =

Nu2Pk2P
D

Eq. 4.201

Kaminsky
For turbulent flow (Re 2300 ):

hi2P = hi1PSL S

P2Pf

Eq. 4.202

P1Pf

The single phase turbulent heat transfer is estimated by the Sieder-Tate correlation (p.350).
For horizontal (i.e. if the pipe angle | | < swap) stratified flow, the wetting of the pipe wall is calculated
from

S = D

Eq. 4.203

where is the wetted wall fraction given by Grolman's correlation (p.442) :

( )

W
= 0

0.15

LuLSD
1
+
)
(

L + G cos

} {(
0.25

uGS

1 HL) gD
2

0.8

Eq. 4.204

in which the minimum wetted wall fraction 0 is approximated by:

0 0.624HL0.374

Eq. 4.205

For all other types of flow, heat transfer it is reasonable to assume that heat transfer is circumferentially
uniform (i.e. S = 1).
For laminar flow (Re < 2300 ):

hi2P =

(2 HL)hi1PSL

Eq. 4.206

2
3

HL

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The single phase laminar heat transfer is estimated by the Sieder-Tate correlation (p.350).
Reference: Kaminsky (p.443)

Calculation of Conductive Heat Transfer Coefficients

Brill and Mukherjee (p.439) give a formula for radial heat transfer Q per unit length of pipe through a
conductive layer:

T = To Ti =

Qln (ro / ri)

2k

Eq. 4.207

where

k is the conductivity of the layer.

ri is the inner radius of the layer

ro is the outer radius of the layer
Ti is the temperatures at the inside edge of the layer
To is the temperatures at outside edge of the layer
This equation can be used to calculate the heat transfer coefficient for a conductive layer:

ln (ro / ri)
A
A
T =

Q
2
k

Eq. 4.208

where

Do is the radius of the reference area (normally the pipe outside radius)
A
=
2
2

Wax Heat Transfer Coefficient

4.208 (p.352) can be used for heat transfer through a wax layer on the inside wall of the pipe, where

k = kwax

is the conductivity of the wax layer.

is the inner radius of the wax layer (equal to the pipe inner radius minus the wax thickness)
Di
ri =
rwax
2

ro =

Di
2

is the outer radius of the wax layer (equal to the pipe inner radius)

Pipe wall heat transfer coefficient

4.208 (p.352) can be used for heat transfer through the pipe wall, where

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k = kpipe is the conductivity of the pipe wall.

is the inner radius of the pipe

ri =

Di
2

ro =

Do is the outer radius of the pipe

2

Conductive layer heat transfer coefficient

4.208 (p.352) can be used for heat transfer through conductive layers, such as foam insulation or cement,
where
is the conductivity of the n th layer

k = kn

Dni is the inner radius of the n th layer

ri =
2
Dno is the outer radius of the n th layer
ro =
2

Calculation of Convective Heat Transfer Coefficients

Convective heat transfer can occur in a number of places in a well and surface network, across a fluid filled
annulus; between a pipe or surface and the air or sea. Free (or natural) convection occurs when the bulk
fluid is at rest and convection is driven by buoyancy effects alone. Forced convection occurs when the fluid
is moving, which will increase the rate at which heat is transferred.
The heat transfer coefficient for free convection at a wall is given in terms of the Nusselt number (Nu), the
fluid conductivity (k) and a length scale (L):

h=

k Nu
L

Eq. 4.209

The Nusselt number can be found experimentally, depending on the geometry of the convective surfaces.
It also depends on the fluid properties, which are encapsulated in two dimensionless numbers, the Prandtl
number (Pr ) representing the ratio of velocity and temperature gradients:

Pr =

cp
k

Eq. 4.210

and the Grashof number representing the ratio of buoyancy to viscous forces:

Gr =

L 3 2gT
2

Eq. 4.211

Fluid thermal expansion coefficient K 1

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Fluid dynamic viscosity

kg m 1 s 1

Fluid density

kg m 3

cp Fluid heat capacity

W kg 1

k Fluid thermal conductivity

W m 1 s 1

Fluid properties are calculated at a film temperature Tfilm half way between the wall temperature and the
bulk fluid temperature:

Tfilm = (Twall + T f) / 2

Eq. 4.212

The wall temperature and bulk fluid temperature are used to calculate the temperature difference in the
formula for the Grashof number:

T =

| T f Twall |

Eq. 4.213

Because the fluid properties and Grashof numbers are functions of the wall temperatures, the heat transfer
coefficient is also a function of the wall temperatures. The heat loss calculation therefore needs to be solved
iteratively.

Convection in a fluid filled vertical annulus

PIPESIM can model the heat transfer in a fluid filled annulus by free convection. The heat transfer coefficient
can be determined from the heat transfer coefficients at the inner and outer walls:

hannulus

hinner

Eq. 4.214

houter

For vertical pipes (angle 45 ), the Nusselt number is given by Eckert and Jackson (1950) (p.441)
(quoted in Kreith and Bohn(1997) (p.444)) in terms of the Rayleigh number (Ra):

Nu = 0.555Ra0.25 for Ra 109

Eq. 4.215

Nu = 0.021Ra0.4 for Ra > 109

Eq. 4.216

where

Ra = Pr Gr

Eq. 4.217

The bulk fluid temperature is assumed to be the average of the annulus wall temperatures:

Tf = (Tinner + Touter) / 2

Eq. 4.218

Convective Heat transfer through fluid filled annuli can be modeled by the use of the EKT (p.64). Refer to
the Expert Mode Keyword Reference section on fluid coats (p.558).

Convection in a fluid filled horizontal annulus

PIPESIM uses the same equations to calculate the heat transfer for a horizontal fluid annulus as for a vertical
annulus. except that the Nuuslet number is given by:

Nu = 0.53Ra0.25

Eq. 4.219

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Fully exposed pipe

For a flowline or riser exposed to the sea or the air, the ambient heat transfer coefficient can be calculated
by summing the free and forced convection heat transfer coefficients:

ha = h forced + h free

Eq. 4.220

For forced convection, the heat transfer coefficient depends on the Reynolds number of the flow

Nuforced = (0.4Re0.5 + 0.06Re0.67 )Pr0.4

Eq. 4.221

Heat Transfer Between a Horizontal Flowline and the Ground Surface

Fully Buried Ground Heat Transfer Coefficient
The fully buried heat transfer coefficient for a flowline is evaluated by determining a conduction shape factor
to account for the geometrical and thermal effects of the burial configuration. Once the shape factor is
known, the ground heat transfer coefficient is calculated from:

hg =

kgS
R

Eq. 4.222

where R is a chosen reference length. By default, in PIPESIM, this is the outer radius of the pipe. The shape
factor used differs depending on the partial burial option (p.119) that is selected.
A pseudo film coefficient is then added in series in order to model the ambient fluid moving above ground
level:

hext

hg

Eq. 4.223

ha

2009 Method
The conduction shape factor is obtained from a solution to the steady-state heat conduction equation (the
Laplace equation) with convective boundary conditions on the pipe inside wall and ground surfaces:

S=

Bpabur

cosh 0 Bpabur +

where

0 = cosh 1

Bp
Bg

) (
2

1+

Bp
Bg

2 1

Eq. 4.224

( RZ )

Eq. 4.225

is a auxiliary geometrical quantity and

abur = sinh

0 =

( RZ ) 1
2

Eq. 4.226

is a scale factor for bicylindrical coordinates and

Bp =

UipcR

Eq. 4.227

kg

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PIPESIM User Guide

is the Biot number of the pipe and

Bg =

haR

Eq. 4.228

kg

is the Biot number of the ground. Uipc is the combined heat transfer coefficient of the inside film, pipe,
coatings (and wax)

Uipc

hi

hwax

Eq. 4.229

hpipe & layers

Equation 4.224 (p.355) is not valid when the pipe&layers surface is just touching the ground surface (Z/
R=1). In such a case, the shape factor is calculated from the following asymptotic expression

1+

Bp

Bp
Bg

)(

1 + 2 Bp

1
2

Eq. 4.230

We obtain the ground heat transfer coefficient from:

hg =

kgS
R

Eq. 4.231

Note: This is the default method in PIPESIM. The shape factor above is accurate to within 2.5% of the
numerical simulation studies given by Schneider (p.447)
1983 & 2000 Methods
The conduction shape factor is obtained from a solution to the steady-state heat conduction equation (the
Laplace equation) with isothermal boundary conditions on the pipe inside wall and ground surfaces:

S=

cosh

2
Z
Rpipe & layers

Eq. 4.232

Reference: Kreith (p.444)

Partially Buried Ground Heat Transfer Coefficient

To calculate the overall heat transfer coefficient for a partially buried pipeline, buried and exposed heat
transfer coefficients must be calculated and combined in parallel . The method of combination and the
ground conduction shape factors used differ depending on the partial burial option (p.70) that is selected.
2009 Method
1. A fully exposed pseudo pipe of the same diameter is created and an overall heat transfer coefficient
(Uexp ) is calculated using the methods described in the sections above.
2. A partially buried conduction shape factor is calculated using the methods described in the sections
above. The shape factor is computed from

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S=

( )
Bp

1+

1 + Apart

1 Apart

Bpapart

( )
Bp

1+

( )

where

Apart = 1

Apart 1

Bg

Apart + 1

Bg

Apart > 1

Apart 1

( )(

Apart = 1 +

Bp

Eq. 4.233

Bg

2 B paparttanh 1

1+

1 < Apart < 1

Bg

Bp

1 Apart

2 B paparttan1

( ) )

cos 0 + Bpapart + 0

Bp
Bg

Eq. 4.234

is an auxiliary geometrical quantity and

( )

Z
apart = sin 0 = 1
R

Eq. 4.235

is a scale factor for bicylindrical coordinates.

3. The fully buried and fully exposed heat transfer coefficients are then combined in parallel (according to
the fraction of pipe exposed and the fraction of pipe buried) using equation 4.236 (p.357) to give the
overall heat transfer coefficient:
Note: This is the default method in PIPESIM.
2000 Method
1. A fully exposed pseudo pipe of the same diameter is created and an overall heat transfer coefficient
(Ubur ) is calculated using the methods described in the sections above.
2. A fully buried pseudo pipe (Z=+R) of the same diameter is created and an overall heat transfer coefficient
(Uexp ) is calculated using the methods described in the sections above.
3. The fully buried and fully exposed heat transfer coefficients are then combined in parallel (according to
the fraction of pipe exposed and buried) to give the overall heat transfer coefficient:

( )

U = 1+

0
0
Uexp Ubur

Eq. 4.236

where the negative of half of the angle of the exposed arc:

( RZ )

0 = cos1

Eq. 4.237

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1983 Method
1. A fully exposed pseudo pipe with diameter corresponding to the exposed surface area is created and
an overall heat transfer coefficient (Uexp ) is calculated using the methods described in the sections
above.
2. A fully buried pseudo pipe with diameter corresponding to the buried surface area is created and an
overall heat transfer coefficient (Ubur ) is calculated using the methods described in the sections above.
3. The fully buried and fully exposed heat transfer coefficients are then combined in parallel (according to
the surface areas of pipe exposed and buried) to give the overall heat transfer coefficient:

U=

Aexp
Abur
Uexp +
U
A
A bur

Eq. 4.238

where the total surface area of the buried pipe:

A = 2R

Eq. 4.239

The surface area of the exposed portion of the pipe is:

Aexp = R 1

bur
2

Eq. 4.240

where the angle of the buried arc:

( RZ )

bur = sin1

Eq. 4.241

The surface area of the buried portion of the pipe is:

Abur = A Aexp

Eq. 4.242

Heat Transfer Between a Vertical Well and the Surrounding Rock

Ramey Model
Heat transfer between a well and its surroundings varies with time: the well exchanges energy with the
formation, heating it up (or cooling it down), until the formation is at the same temperature as the well.
The Ramey (1962) (p.447) model is an analytical method for determining the ground heat transfer
coefficient, hg , given the length of time t a well has been operating. The model assumes that heat transfer
in the wellbore is steady-state, whilst heat transfer to the formation is by transient radial conduction. In his
paper, Ramey quotes various solutions for different boundary conditions. He observed that the solutions
eventually converge after about a week. He concluded that a line source with constant heat flux gives a
good asymptotic solution for long times (times greater than one week).
The wellbore (ground) heat transfer coefficient is given by:

hg =

2k g
D f (t)

Eq. 4.243

where the time function:

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PIPESIM User Guide

( ) ( )

D2
D2
1
f (t) = E1
exp
2
4T
4T

Eq. 4.244

The exponential integral is given by:

( )
2

D
E1
= 0
4t

D2
4T

1 exp ( r)

( )

D2
d r ln

4t

Eq. 4.245

For large values of time t, Ramey uses a series expansion for the exponential integral, which to leading
order gives:

f (t) ln

( )

Dco

2
4 t

Eq. 4.246

kg

ground thermal resistance

Wm 1K 1

outside diameter of pipe

Dco

outside diameter of pipe and thermal coatings m

ground thermal diffusivity

m 2s 1

cg

ground specific heat capacity

Jkg 1K 1

ground density

kgm 3

radial distance from the centre of the well

kg
gcg

0.577 Euler-Mascheroni gamma constant

dimensionless

In the case of a tubing we see that:

hext

Eq. 4.247

hg

and the ambient temperature used in equation 4.243 (p.358) is given by the geothermal temperature at
some radial distance far from the centre of the well.
Note: To compute a geothermal gradient and hence a geothermal temperature at a particular well depth,,
PIPESIM requires knowledge of at least two ambient temperatures at two corresponding measured depths
(MD) or true vertical depth (TVD) usually these are the ambient temperatures at top and bottom of the
tubing.
Reference: "Wellbore Heat Transmission", H.J. Ramey (p.447)

Fluid Modelling
A number of fluid and solid phases may be present in oil and gas pipeline. These include:

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Fluids

Vapour hydrocarbon and water (gas)

Liquid hydrocarbon (oil)

Liquid water

Other liquids (e.g. liquid CO2)

Solids

Hydrate I

Hydrate II

Wax

Asphaltene

Ice

Scale

PIPESIM simulates flow of only three fluid phases, oil, gas and water. In fact some flow models only consider
two phases, liquid and gas. Liquid properties are determined by combining the oil and water properties.
PIPESIM can be used to model wax precipitation and deposition. Other solid phases cannot be modelled,
although the appearance of hydrates, asphaltene and ice can be predicted. Scale cannot be modelled or
predicted.
Fluid models are used to determine the phase state (e.g. single phase oil, single phase gas, two phase oil
and gas etc) and the phase thermodynamic and transport properties needed for simulation (e.g. density,
enthalpy and viscosity). PIPESIM allows three different types of fluid description:

Black oil (p.360) Three phases are allowed, oil, gas and water. The hydrocarbon fluid is made up of
oil and gas. Simple correlations are used to determine how much gas can dissolve in oil and the phase
properties.

Compositional (p.101) The number of phases allowed depends on the flash package. Fluid is made
up of components, such as methane, ethane, water etc. Phase state is determined by minimizing Gibbs
energy of the system (the flash). This can be a complicated calculation and is therefore significantly
slower than black oil. PIPESIM can use a number of different flash packages.

Fluid Property Table Files (p.403) Two phase (liquid and gas) properties can be output from
compositional packages in a tabular form that PIPESIM can read.

Black Oil Fluid Modeling

Black oil fluids are modelled as three phases, oil, gas and water. The amount of each phase is defined at
stock tank conditions, by specifying two ratios, typically the gas oil ratio (GOR) and the water cut (WCUT).
Properties at pressures and temperatures other than stock tank are determined by correlations (p.361).
Water is assumed to remain in the water phase. The key property for determining the phase behaviour of
the hydrocarbons is the solution gasoil ratio (p.363), Rs( P, T ), which is used to calculate the amount of
the gas dissolved in the oil at a given pressure and temperature:
Stock tank volume of gas dissolved in oil: R V
s
O

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PIPESIM User Guide

Stock tank volume of free gas:

VG = (GOR Rs) VO

At stock tank conditions Rs = 0. The bubble point pressure (p.367) Pb(T ) can be found by calculating the
pressure at which all the gas is dissolved in the oil Rs( Pb, T ) = GOR
For pressures below the bubble point the oil is saturated (no more gas can dissolve in it at that pressure
and temperature). For pressures above the bubble point, there is no vapour phase and the oil is
undersaturated, since more gas could be dissolved in it if it were available. Above stock tank pressure
P > Ps the oil contains dissolved gas, and is known as live oil. Oil at stock tank pressure (or oil with GOR=0)
is known as dead oil. Different correlations apply for dead oil, saturated live oil, and unsaturated live oil
properties.
Correlations (p.361) are needed for the fluid properties needed for simulation:

the oil formation volume factor (p.367) (which is used to determine oil density),

the gas compressibility (p.374) (to determine the gas density)

the water density

the oil viscosity (p.368)

the gas viscosity (p.377)

the water viscosity

the fluid enthalpy (p.378)

the oil-gas surface tension (p.378)

the water-gas surface tension (p.378)

Liquid properties (p.404) are calculated by combining the oil and water properties.

Black oil Correlations

The following black oil correlations are available:
Solution gas (p.363) and bubble point pressure
(p.367)

Lasater (p.365), Standing (p.366), Vasquez and

Beggs (p.366), Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt
(p.365), Glas (p.364), De Ghetto et al (p.363) or
Petrosky and Farshad (p.365).

Oil formation volume factor of saturated systems

Standing (p.367), Vasquez and Beggs (p.367),

Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt (p.368)

Oil formation volume factor of undersaturated

systems

Vasquez and Beggs (p.368)

Dead oil viscosity (p.369)

Beggs and Robinson, Glas, Kartoatmodjo, De

Ghetto, Hossain, Petrosky, Elsharkawy or Users
data.

Live oil viscosity of saturated systems (p.371)

Chew and Connally, Kartoatmodjo, Khan, De

Ghetto, Hossain, Petrosky, Elsharkawy, or Beggs
and Robinson.

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PIPESIM User Guide

Live oil viscosity of undersaturated systems (p.372) Vasquez and Beggs, Kouzel, Kartoatmodjo, Khan,
De Ghetto, Hossain, Petrosky, Elsharkawy,
Bergman or None.
Viscosity of oil/water mixtures (p.404)

Inversion, Volume Ratio, or Woelflin.

Gas viscosity (p.377)

Lee et al.

Gas compressibility (p.374)

Standing, Hall and Yarborough, or Robinson et al.

Oil-gas surface tension (p.378)

Water-gas surface tension (p.378)
Correlation data
The data points spanned the following ranges :

Data

Lasater (p.444)

Standing (p.448)

Vasquez and Beggs

(p.368)

Correlation was
developed in 1958
from 158 experimental
data points

Correlation was based

on 105 experimentally
determined bubble point
pressure of California oil
systems.

Correlations use data

from more than 600 oil
systems. Approximately
6,000 measured data
points were collected.

Pb

bubble point pressure 48 to 5,780

(psia)

130 to 7,000

50 to 5,250

temperature (F)

82 to 272

100 to 258

70 to 295

17.9 to 51.1

16.5 to 63.8

16 to 58

0.574 to 1.223

0.59 to 0.95

0.56 to 1.18

20 to 1,425

20 to 2,070

API API gravity ( API)

G

gas specific gravity

Rsb

solution gas at bubble 3 to 2,905

point pressure (scf/
STB)

Beggs and Robinson

Data

Chew and Connally

Data from 600 oil systems were Data from 457 oil systems was
used to develop correlations for used to develop correlation for
dead and live oil viscosity. 460
live oil viscosity
dead oil observations and 2,073
live oil observations were used.

Pb

bubble point pressure (psia)

50 to 5,250

132 to 5,645

temperature (F)

70 to 295

72 to 292

API API gravity ( API)

G

16 to 58

gas specific gravity

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PIPESIM User Guide

Rsb

solution gas at bubble point

pressure (scf/STB)

20 to 2,070

51 to 3,544

Glas (p.442) developed PVT correlations from analysis of crude oil from the following North Sea Fields:Ekofisk Stratfjord Forties Valhall COD 30/7-2A.

Solution Gas-oil Ratio

The solution gas-oil ratio, Rs (scf/STB), can be determined using one of a number of correlations:

De Ghetto et al (p.363)

Glas (p.364)

Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt (p.365)

Lasater (p.365)

Petrosky and Farshad (p.365)

Standing (p.366)

Vasquez and Beggs (p.366)

The correlations depend on:

pressure (psia)

temperature (F)

API API gravity ( API)

G

gas specific gravity

De Ghetto et al.
De Ghetto et al. give different correlations for the solution gas-oil ratio and the bubble point pressure. In
PIPESIM it is important to use related formula for these two properties to ensure consistency. The PIPESIM
implementation of the solution gas-oil ratio is therefore derived from the De Ghetto et al equations for the
bubble point pressure.
Extra heavy oil, API < 10
For extra heavy oil the De Ghetto formula is a modified version of the Standing (p.366) formula:

Rs(P, T ) = C G

P
10.7025 A(T )

1.1128

Eq. 4.248

Here A is a function of the fluid temperature and the oil API density:

log 10A = 0.002 T 0.0142 API

Eq. 4.249

C is a calibration (p.366) constant.

Heavy oil, 10 < API < 22.3
For heavy oil the De Ghetto formula is a modified version of the Standing (p.366) formula:

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PIPESIM User Guide

Rs(P, T ) = C G

P
15.7286 A(T )

1 / 0.7885

Eq. 4.250

Here A is a function of the fluid temperature and the oil API density:

log 10A = 0.002 T 0.0142 API

Eq. 4.251

C is a calibration (p.366) constant.

Medium oil, 22.3 < API < 31.1
For medium oil the De Ghetto formula is a modified version of the Kartoatmojdo and Schmidt (p.365)
formula:

Rs = C C1 G (1 + gcorr)

C2

A(T ) P

C4

Eq. 4.252

Here A is a function of the fluid temperature and the oil API density:

log 10A = C3

API
T + 460

Eq. 4.253

If the separator pressure and temperatures are known then a non-zero gas specific gravity correction factor
is used:

gcorr = 0.1595 API0.4078 Tsep

0.2466

( )

log10

Psep
114.7

Eq. 4.254

C is a calibration (p.366) constant.

The constants C1, C2, C3 and C4 :

C1

C2

C3

C4

0.10084 0.2556 7.4576 0.9868

Light oil, 31.1 < API
For light oil the De Ghetto formula is a modified version of the Standing (p.366) formula:

Rs(P, T ) = C G

P
31.7648 A(T )

1 / 0.7885

Eq. 4.255

Here A is a function of the fluid temperature and the oil API density:

log 10A = 0.0009 T 0.0148 API

Eq. 4.256

C is a calibration (p.366) constant.

Glas
The Glas formula for the solution gas-oil ratio is:

Rs = G f (P)

1.22549

API

1.212009

T 0.210784

Eq. 4.257

Here:

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PIPESIM User Guide

log10 f (P) = 2.887 1 1 0.397 (log10 P C )

Eq. 4.258

C is a calibration (p.366) constant.

Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt
The Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt formula for the solution gas-oil ratio:

Rs = C C1 G (1 + gcorr)

C2

A(T ) P

C4

Eq. 4.259

Here A is a function of the fluid temperature and the oil API density:

log 10A = C3

API
T + 460

Eq. 4.260

If the separator pressure and temperatures are known then a non-zero gas specific gravity correction factor
is used:

gcorr = 0.1595 API0.4078 Tsep

0.2466

( )

log10

Psep
114.7

Eq. 4.261

C is a calibration (p.366) constant.

The constants C1, C2, C3 and C4 depend on the oil API density:

C1

C2

C3

C4

API < 30 0.05958 0.7972 13.1405 1.0014

API > 30 0.0315

0.7587 11.2895 1.0937

Lasater
The Lasater formula for the solution gas-oil ratio:

Rs(P, T ) = C 132755

YG

(1 YG)

YG = 0.08729793 + 0.37912718 ln

Eq. 4.262

MWO

P G
+ 0.769066
T + 460

Eq. 4.263

The oil molecular weight is given by

MWO = 677.3893 13.2161 API + 0.024775 API2 + 0.00067851 API3

Eq. 4.264

The oil specific gravity is given by

O =

141.5
API + 131.5

Eq. 4.265

C is a calibration (p.366) constant.

Petrosky and Farshad
The Petrosky and Farshad formula for the solution gas-oil ratio is

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PIPESIM User Guide

Rs(P, T ) = C

1
0.5774

0.8439

G
P
+ 12.34
A(T )
112.727

Eq. 4.266

Here A is a function of the fluid temperature and the oil API density:

A(T ) = 4.561 10 5 T1.3911 7.916 10 4 API1.541

Eq. 4.267

C is a calibration (p.366) constant.

Standing
The Standing formula for the solution gas-oil ratio used in PIPESIM is:

P
A(T ) 18

Rs(P, T ) = C G

1 / 0.83

Eq. 4.268

Here A is a function of the fluid temperature and the oil API density:

log 10A = 0.00091 T 0.0125 API

Eq. 4.269

C is a calibration (p.366) constant.

Vasquez and Beggs
The Vasquez and Beggs formula for the solution gas-oil ratio used in PIPESIM is:

Rs(P, T ) =

C
C
g (P 14.7) 2 A(T )
C1

Eq. 4.270

Here A is a function of the fluid temperature and the oil API density:

log 10A =

C3 API
T + 460

Eq. 4.271

C is a calibration (p.366) constant.

The constants C1, C2 and C3 depend on the oil API density:

C1

C2

C3

API < 30 11.172 1.0937 11.172

API > 30 10.393 1.187

10.393

Calibration

If a calibration data point is provided, Rscal = Rs Pcal, Tcal , then the calibration term C is calculated to ensure
the calibration point is a solution of the relevant solution gas-oil ratio equation. For example, for the Vasquez
and Beggs (p.366) equation, the calibration term will be given by

Rscal =

C
C
g (Pcal 14.7) 2 A(Tcal)
C1

Eq. 4.272

Hence the Vasquez and Beggs (p.366) equation for the solution gas oil ratio can be re-written as:

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

Rs(P, T ) = Rscal

P 14.7
Pcal 14.7

C2

A(T )
A(Tcal)

Eq. 4.273

It is assumed that the calibration point is a bubble point (p.367), although this will in fact only be the case
if the calibration solution gas-oil ratio Rscal is equal to the fluid GOR.
If no calibration data is provided, PIPESIM uses C = 1.
Bubble point pressure
The bubble point pressure Pb(T ) is the pressure at which all the free gas is dissolved, i.e. when the solution
gas-oil ratio is equal to the fluid GOR:

Rs(Pb, T ) = Rsb

Eq. 4.274

The bubble point can therefore be determined by solving the relevant solution gas-oil ratio (p.363) equation.

Oil Formation Volume Factor

The oil formation volume factor (FVF) is the ratio of the oil volume (at a given pressure and temperature)
to the stock tank oil volume. As pressure increases, two competing processes take place: gas is dissolved
in oil which increases the volume, and the oil is compressed, which decreases the volume. Below the bubble
point, the effect of gas dissolving in oil dominates and the saturated oil FVF increases with pressure.
However at the bubble point pressure, all the available gas has dissolved in the oil. Therefore above the
bubble point pressure the only effect is compressibility and the undersaturated oil FVF increases with
pressure.
Separate correlations are available for the saturated oil FVF (p.367) and undersaturated oil FVF (p.368).
Oil Formation Volume Factor for Saturated Systems
For saturated systems P < Pb the oil formation volume factor Bob (bbl/STB) depends on the solution gas-oil
ratio Rs and the temperature T.
Standing
The saturated oil formation volume factor is given by:

Bob = 0.972 + 0.000147F 1.175

Eq. 4.275

where the correlating factor is calculated using :

()

F = Rs

g
o

0.5

+ 1.25T

Eq. 4.276

Data used to develop correlation (p.362)

Vasquez and Beggs
The saturated oil formation volume factor is given by:

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

( )

Bob = 1 + C1Rs + C2(T 60)

C1

( )

API
API
+ C3Rs(T 60)
G
G

C2

C3

API < 30 4.677 10 4 1.751 10 4

API > 30 4.67 10 4

Eq. 4.277

1.811 10 4

1.751 10 5 1.337 10 9

Data used to develop correlation (p.362)

Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt
The saturated oil formation volume factor is given by:

Bob = 0.98496 + 0.0001F 1.50

Eq. 4.278

Where the correlating factor

0.755

F = RS

0.25

1.50

+ 0.45T

Eq. 4.279

Oil Formation Volume Factor for Undersaturated Systems

The oil formation volume factor Bo (bbl/STB) for pressures above the bubble point is given by a simple
compressibility law:

Bo = Bob(Rsb) exp Zo( pb p)

Eq. 4.280

where Zo is the oil compressibility and is a calibration factor (used in mixing different fluids).
Vasquez and Beggs
The Vasquez and Beggs correlation for the oil compressibility is

Zo = 10 5

5 Rsb + 17.2 T 1180 G + 12.61 API 1433

Eq. 4.281

Data used to develop correlation (p.362)

Oil Viscosity
As pressure increases, two competing processes take place: gas is dissolved in oil which lightens the oil,
reducing its viscosity, and the oil is compressed, which increases the viscosity. Below the bubble point, the
effect of gas dissolving in oil dominates and the saturated viscosity decreases with pressure. However at
the bubble point pressure, all the available gas has dissolved in the oil. Therefore above the bubble point
pressure the only effect is compressibility and the undersaturated viscosity decreases with pressure.
Three sets of correlations are used to determine the oil viscosity:
1. At stock tank pressure the oil viscosity is given by dead oil viscosity correlations (p.369) as a function
of the flowing fluid temperature o( Ps, T ) = od(T ).

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2. At pressures below the bubble point the oil viscosity is given by live oil viscosity correlations (p.371) as
a function of the dead oil viscosity and the solution gas-oil ratio o( P, T ) = ob(od, Rs).
3. At pressures above the bubble point the oil viscosity is given by undersaturated oil viscosity correlations
(p.372), as a function of the bubble point viscosity and the pressure o( P, T ) = ou(ob, P).
Dead Oil Viscosity
The correlations available for calculating dead oil viscosity are:
Beggs and Robinson
Dead oil viscosity is calculated as follows :

od = 10x 1

Eq. 4.282

where x = yT 1.163
and y = 10z and z = 3.0324 0.02023 gAPI
Data used to develop correlation (p.362)
Glas
Dead oil viscosity is calculated as follows :

od = c log 10(gAPI)

Eq. 4.283

where

c = 3.141 1010 T 3.444 and d = 10.313 log 10(T ) 36.447

Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt
Dead oil viscosity is calculated as follows :

od = c log 10(gAPI)

Eq. 4.284

where

c = 16 108 T 2.8177 and d = 5.7526 log 10(T ) 26.9718

De Ghetto et al
De Ghetto et al. use a combination of four correlations to compute the dead oil viscosity depending on the
value of the API.
For API < 10 (extra heavy oils) the following correlation is used:

od = 10x 1

Eq. 4.285

where x = 10y and y = 1.90296 0.012619 g API 0.61748 log10 (T )

For 10 < API < 22.3 (heavy oils) the following correlation is used:

od = 10x 1

Eq. 4.286

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where x = 10y and y = 2.06492 0.0179 g API 0.70226 log 10(T )

For 22.3 < API < 31.1 (medium oils) the following correlation is used:

od = c log 10(gAPI)

Eq. 4.287

where c = 220.15 109 T

3.556

and d = 12.5428 log 10(T ) 45.7874

For API > 31.1 (light oils) the following correlation is used

od = 10x 1

Eq. 4.288

where x = 10y and y = 1.67083 0.017628 gAPI 0.61304 log 10(T )

Petrosky and Farshad
Dead oil viscosity is calculated as follows:

od = c log 10(gAPI)

Eq. 4.289

where c = 2.3511 107 T

2.10255

and d = 4.59388 log 10(T ) 22.82792

Hossain et al
Hossain et al. correlation for dead oil viscosity is only valid for heavy oils (10 < API < 22.3) and it is given
as follows:

od = 10A T B

Eq. 4.290

where A = 0.71523 gAPI + 22.13766 and B = 0.269024 g API 8.268047

Elsharkawy and Alikhan
Elsharkawy and Alikhan dead oil viscosity is only valid in the API range 20-48 and is calculated as follows:

od = 10x 1

Eq. 4.291

where x = 10y and y = 2.16924 0.02525 gAPI 0.68875 log 10(T )

User's data
If user's data is selected for the dead oil viscosity method, then a curve is fitted through the two supplied
data points 1, T1 and 2, T2 of the following form:

log (od) = log ( B) C log (T )

Eq. 4.292

where

log

C=
log

()
()
1
2

Eq. 4.293

T2
T1

and
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C

B = 1T1 = 2T2

Eq. 4.294

Live Oil Viscosity Correlations

Many of the correlations available for calculating live oil viscosity are of the form

ob = A od

Eq. 4.295

where A and B are functions of the Solution gas-oil ratio Rs:

Correlation
Chew and
Connally

Data used to
develop
correlation
(p.362)

Beggs and
Robinson

Data used to
develop
correlation
(p.362)

0.2 +

0.8
0.000852Rs

10

10.715 (Rs + 100)

0.482 +

0.000777Rs

10

5.44 (Rs + 150)

0.515

Elsharkawy
and Alikhan

1241.932 (Rs + 641.026)

Hossain et al

1 1.7188311 10 3 Rs +

1.12410

0.1651 + 0.6165 0.9886 10

0.338

1768.841 (Rs + 1180.335)

1.06622

1 2.052461 10 3 Rs +
2

+1.58031 10 6 Rs
Petrosky and
Farshad

0.518

+3.47559 10 6 Rs
4 Rs

0.5131 + 0.5109 0.9973 10

3 Rs

Other authors use more complicated formulas:

Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt
Live oil viscosity is calculated as follows:

ob = 0.06821 + 0.9824F + 0.0004034F 2

Eq. 4.296

where

F = A od

0.43 + 0.5165 B

Eq. 4.297

and

A = 0.2001 + 0.8428 10

0.000845Rs

Eq. 4.298

and

B = 10

0.00081Rs

Eq. 4.299

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Khan
Live oil viscosity calculated by Khan is a function of the gas and oil specific gravities (G, O), the solution
gas-oil ratio (Rs), the bubble pressure (Pb), and the flowing pressure (P). It is given as follows:

ob = A ey

Eq. 4.300

where

y = ln (0.09) + 0.5 ln (G)

( )

1
T
ln (Rs) 4.5 ln
3 ln (1 O)
3
460

Eq. 4.301

and

A=

( PbP )

0.14

2.5 10

4(

P Pb)

Eq. 4.302

De Ghetto et al
De Ghetto et al. expression of the live oil viscosity is a combination of 4 correlations depending on the value
of oil API.

F
For API
< 10
(extra
heavy
oils)

ob = 2.3945 + 0.8927F +

A od

A
0.5798 + 0.3432 B

+0.01567F 2

0.0335 +
+1.0875 10

10
0.000845 Rs

For 10 < = 0.6311 + 1.078F A 0.4731 + 0.5664 B 0.2478 +

ob
od
API <
22.3
0.000845 Rs
0.003653F 2
+0.6114 10
(heavy
oils)
For 22.3 = 0.0132 + 0.9821F
ob
< API <
31.1
0.005215F 2
(medium
oils)
For API
> 31.1
(light
oils)

ob = A od

A od

0.3855 + 0.5664 B

0.2038 +
+0.8591 10

Undersaturated Oil Viscosity

The correlations available for calculating undersaturated oil viscosity are:
Vasquez and Beggs
Undersaturated oil viscosity is calculated as follows:

Technical Description

372

10

10

0.00081 Rs

0.00081 Rs

0.000845 Rs

25.1921 (Rs + 100)

0.00081 Rs

0.6487

2.7516 (Rs + 150)

0.2135

PIPESIM User Guide

( )

ou = ob

p
pb

Eq. 4.303

where A = 2.6 p 1.187exp ( 8.98 10 5p 11.513)

Data used to develop correlation (p.362)
Kouzel
Undersaturated oil viscosity is derived from the equation:

ou = ob
F ( p) =

10F ( p)

Eq. 4.304

F ( pb)

10

p 14.7

1000 A + Bod

Eq. 4.305

0.278

Where A and B are parameters entered by the user. Suggested values for A and B are 0.0239 and 0.01638
respectively.
Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt
Undersaturated oil viscosity is calculated as follows:

ou = 1.00081ob + 0.001127A( p pb)

Eq. 4.306

) + 0.038(ob1.59)

1.8148

A = 0.006517 ob
Khan

Undersaturated oil viscosity is calculated as follows:

ou = obexp 9.65e 5( p pb)

Eq. 4.307

De Ghetto et al
De Ghetto et al. expression of the undersaturated oil viscosity is a combination of 3 correlations depending
on the value of oil API.
For API < 10 (extra heavy oils) the following correlation is used:

( )(

ou = ob 1

p
pb

A
B

where A = 10 2.19 od

Eq. 4.308

)( pb0.3132) and B = 10(0.0099gAPI)

1.055

For 10 < API < 22.3 (heavy oils) the following correlation is used:

ou = 0.9886ob + 0.002763A( p pb)

Eq. 4.309

) + 0.03610(ob1.5939)

1.7933

where A = 0.01153 ob

For API > 22.3 ( medium and light oils) the following correlation is used:

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( )

ou = ob 1

p A
pb B

Eq. 4.310

where A = 10 2.19 oD

)( pb0.3132) and B = 10( 0.00288gAPI)

1.055

Hossain et al
Undersaturated oil viscosity is calculated as follows:

ou = ob + 0.004481( p pb)( A B)

Eq. 4.311

) and B = 0.527737(ob1.063547)

1.068099

where A = 0.555955 ob
Petrosky and Farshad

Undersaturated oil viscosity is calculated as follows:

ou = ob + 1.3449E 3( p pb)(10A)

Eq. 4.312

( )

where A = 1.0146 + 1.3322 X 0.4876 X 2 1.15036 X 3 and X = log10 ob

Elsharkawy and Alikhan
Undersaturated oil viscosity is calculated as follows:

ou = ob + A 10 2.0771 ( p pb)
where A = od

1.19279

ob

0.40712

Eq. 4.313

pb

0.7941

Bergman and Sutton

Undersaturated oil viscosity is calculated as follows:

ou = obexp A( p pb)

where A = 2.278877 10

Eq. 4.314
4

1.48211 10 5 X + 6.5698 10 7 X2,

B = 0.873204 + 2.24623 10 2 X and X = log 10(ob)

Disabling the calculation of undersaturated oil viscosity

If you select None as the undersaturated oil viscosity method, then the undersaturated oil viscosity is
assumed to be the same as the saturated live oil viscosity at the same temperature and pressure.

Gas Compressibility
The real gas law is given by pV = ZRT where

p pressure
V volume
R universal gas constant

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PIPESIM User Guide

T absolute temperature
Z gas compressibility factor
Numerous equations of state have been proposed to predict this Z-factor. Standing and Katz presented a
generalized Z-factor chart for predicting the volumetric behavior of natural gases. To employ this chart, we
require knowledge of the critical properties of the gas (namely, critical pressure and critical temperature)
as a function of the specific gravity. These are given in the black oil model by Standing (1977) for natural
gas and gas-condensate systems:
Gas Systems
2

Tc = 168 + 325G 12.5G

Eq. 4.315

Gas-Condensate Systems
2

Tc = 187 + 330G 71.5G

Eq. 4.316

pc = 706 51.7G 11.1G

Eq. 4.317

where

Tc critical temperature
pc critical pressure
G specific gravity of the gas mixture
This allows us to calculate the reduced temperature and reduced pressure, defined respectively as:

Tc =

T
Tc

Eq. 4.318

pc =

p
pc

Eq. 4.319

Various correlations have been proposed for curve fitting this reduced pressure-reduced temperature Zfactor chart and are available in PIPESIM:
Hall-Yarborough Z-Factor Correlation (p.375)
Standing Z-Factor Correlation (p.376)
Robinson et al. Z-Factor Correlation (p.376)
Hall-Yarborough Z-Factor Correlation
Gas compressibility (Z-factor) is calculated as follows:

Z=

0.06125 pRTR

x 1.2 1 TR

)2

Eq. 4.320

where the reduced density is a root of the following equation:

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PIPESIM User Guide

(R + R2 + R3 R4)
F (R) = 0.06125 prTR 1.2(1 TR) +
((1 R)3 (14.67TR 9.76TR24.85TR3)R)2
(2.18 + 2.82TR) = 0
2
3
+ (90.7TR 242.2TR + 42.4TR )R
2

Eq. 4.321

where
where R reduced density

pR

reduced pressure

TR

reciprocal of the reduced temperature

The method is not recommended for use within a pressure range pR = 0, 1 .

Standing Z-Factor Correlation
Gas compressibility (Z-factor) is calculated as follows:

Z=

A + (1 A)
e xB + FPr

Eq. 4.322

where the coefficients A to G are given by:

A = 1.39(Tr 0.92)

0.5

0.36TR 0.101
6

0.32 pR
0.666
2
B = (0.62 0.23Tr)pR +
0.037 pR +
9(T 1)
(Tr 0.86)
10 R

C = (0.132 0.32log (TR))

2
0.3016 0.49TR + 0.1824TR )
(
D = 10

The method is not valid for TR < 0.92.

Robinson et al. Z-Factor Correlation
Gas compressibility (Z-factor) is calculated as follows:

Z = 1 + A1 +
+

A7
Tr

( )( )
A2

TR

A3

TR

R 1 + A8R

R + A4 +

)e (

x A8R

( )
A5

TD

R +

A5A6
R

where

Technical Description

376

DR

Eq. 4.323

PIPESIM User Guide

D=

0.27 pR

TR

A1 = 0.310506237
A2 = 1.4067099
A3 = 0.57832729
A4 = 0.53530771
A5 = 0.61232032
A6 = 0.10488813
A7 = 0.68157001
A8 = 0.68446549
The method is valid within a temperature and pressure range of Tr = 1.05, 3.0 and pr = 0.2, 3.0 .

Gas Viscosity
Gas viscosity is calculated using the Lee (p.444) correlation as follows:

g = K exp X g

Eq. 4.324

where

K=

(7.77 + 0.183 G) (T + 460)1.5

(122.4 + 373.6 G + T + 460)

X = 2.57 +

1914.5

10 4

+ 0.275g

Y = 1.11 + 0.04 X

g is the gas viscosity (cp)

g is the gas specific gravity
g is the gas density (g/cc)
T is the temperature ( oF)

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Surface Tension
Oil-gas Surface Tension
The oil-gas surface tension is given by Baker and Swerdloff (p.438):

O = 37.7 0.05 (T 100) 0.26 API

1 7.1 10

P + 2.1 10

Eq. 4.325

P + 2.37 10

11

is the surface tension between the oil and the gas (dynes/cm)

is the pressure

(psia)

is the temperature

( oF)

API is the oil API gravity

Water-gas Surface Tension
The water-gas surface tension is given by Katz:

W = 70 0.1 (T 74) 0.002 P

Eq. 4.326

W is the surface tension between the water and the gas (dynes/cm)
P is the pressure

(psia)

T is the temperature

( oF)

Black Oil Enthalpy

Black Oil Fluid Enthalpy Model
The black oil fluid model makes some approximations in the entropy balance based upon the
thermodynamic behavior of typical hydrocarbon fluids. The black oil model is suitable for light, medium and
heavy oil based fluids, particularly if significant quantities of water are present. The black oil model is fast,
simple to use and easy to calibrate. It is also suitable for gas and gas/condensate screening studies.
There are currently two black oil enthalpy calculation methods available in PIPESIM.
2009 Method
The enthalpy of the gas phase is given by:

Hg = cpgT gcpgP + Hvap

Eq. 4.327

The enthalpy of the oil phase is given by:

Ho = cpoT ocpoP

Eq. 4.328

The enthalpy of the water phase is given by:

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PIPESIM User Guide

Hw = cpwT wcpwP

Eq. 4.329

where the gas, oil and water Joule Thomson coefficients are approximated by (Ref: Alves, Alhanati and
Shoham (p.438):

g =

T Z
Z T

gcpg

o =
w =

ocpo

wcpw

5.40395

Eq. 4.330

5.40395

Eq. 4.331

5.40395

Eq. 4.332

The total enthalpy of the fluid is given by:

H = Hgwg + Howo + Hwww

Eq. 4.333

where:

is the specific enthalpy

BTU / lb

is the flowing temperature

is the flowing pressure

psia

cp

is the specific heat capacity at constant pressure BTU / lb oF

is the Joule Thomson coefficient

is the flowing density

lb / ft3

is the gas compressibility factor

dimensionless

is the flowing mass fraction

dimensionless

F / psia

BTU / lb

Hvap is the latent heat of vaporization

1 BTU / ft3 = 5.40395 psia
1983 Method
The enthalpy of the gas phase is given by:

Hg = cpgT + P (1.619 10 10P + 1.412 10 6)P 0.02734

Eq. 4.334

The enthalpy of the oil phase is given by:

Ho = cpoT + 3.36449 10 3P

Eq. 4.335

The enthalpy of the water phase is given by:

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PIPESIM User Guide

Hw = cpwT +

2.9641 10 3

Eq. 4.336

The total enthalpy of the fluid is given by:

H = Hgmg + Homo + Hwmw

Eq. 4.337

where:

m is the stock tank mass fraction

dimensionless

is the stock tank specific gravity dimensionless

Black Oil Mixing

Introduction
Mixing occurs in network models, when two or more streams meet at a junction and in single branch models
where injected fluid, or fluids from multiple completions mix with fluid already in the branch. The fluid
properties of the mixed stream need to be determined.
Stock Tank Oil Properties
Phase ratios (Gas Oil Ratio / Water cut)
The phase ratios for a mixed stream are calculated by adding the individual phase rates of each stream
and then calculating the ratio of the phases. The calculations are at stock tank conditions.

GORmix =

Qvg, mix

Eq. 4.338

Qvo, mix
Qvw, mix

WCUTmix =

Eq. 4.339

Qvw, mix + Qvo, mix

Here:

GORmix

is the gas oil ratio of the mixture

WCUTmix

is the water cut of the mixture

n

Qvo, mix = Qvo, i

is the stock tank oil volume rate of the combined stream

i=1
n

Qvw, mix = Qvw, i

is the stock tank water volume rate of the mixture

i=1
n

Qvg, mix = Qvg, i

is the stock tank gas volume rate of the mixture

i=1

Qvo, i = QvL, i (1 WCUTi) is the stock tank oil volume rate of stream i
Qvw, i = QvL, i WCUTi

is the water volume rate of stream i

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Qvg, i = QvL, i GORi

is the stock tank gas volume rate of stream i

QvL, i = Qvo, i + Qvw, i

is the stock tank liquid volume rate of stream i

WCUTi

is the water cut of stream i

GORi

is the gas oil ratio of stream i

is the number of streams in the mixture

Phase densities
The phase densities (and specific gravities) are determined as a volumetric average of the input stream
densities:

DODmix =

DODi Qvo, i

Eq. 4.340

Qvo, mix
GSGi Qvg , i

GSGmix =

Eq. 4.341

Qvg, mix

WSGmix =

WSGi Qvw, i

Eq. 4.342

Qvw, mix

Here:

DODmix is the dead oil density of the mixture

GSGmix is the gas specific gravity of the mixture
WSGmix is the water specific gravity of the mixture

DODi

is the dead oil density of stream i

GSGi

is the gas specific gravity of stream i

WSGi

is the water specific gravity of stream i

Contaminants
The mole fractions of contaminants for the mixed stream is determined using a gas phase volumetric
average of the individual stream mole fractions:

Zj

, mix =

Z j

,i

Qvg , i

Eq. 4.343

Qvg, mix

Here:

Zj

, mix

is the mole fraction of contaminant j in the mixture

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Zj

,i

is the mole fraction of contaminant j in stream i

Thermal Data (Heat Capacity and thermal conductivity)

The phase thermal properties of mixed streams are calculated using mass averages of the phase properties
of the input streams:

CP, i Q, i

CP, mix =
K, mix =

Eq. 4.344

Q, mix

K, i Q, i

Eq. 4.345

Q, mix
Hvap, i Qg , i

Hvap, mix =

Eq. 4.346

Qg, mix

Here:

is the phase, oil = O, vapor (gas) = G, or water = W

CP, mix

is the heat capacity of phase in the mixture

K, mix

is the thermal conductivity of phase in the mixture

Hvap, mix

is the latent heat of vaporization of the gaseous phase g in the mixture

CP, i

is the heat capacity of phase in stream i

K, i

is the thermal conductivity of phase in stream i

Hvap, i

is the latent heat of vaporization of the gaseous phase g in stream i

n

Q, mix = Q, i

is the mass flow rate of phase of the mixture

i=1

Q, i

is the mass flow rate of phase of stream i

Correlations
Unlike other properties, the choice of correlations used for the combined fluid can not be decided by
averaging. Instead, the selected correlation for the mixed stream is chosen as the one which has the highest
flow rate associated with it for the relevant phase. For example the correlation for mixture Oil Viscosity is
set to be the correlation that has maximum stock tank rate associated with it.
While deciding the correlation for the mixed stream, we have to consider following rules:

All properties are independent of each other. For example the. choice for mixture dead Oil viscosity
correlation has nothing to do with mixture live Oil viscosity

Resultant mixture correlation is decided based on associated phase rate (for example, oil if we are
deciding Oil property) ; not based on number of streams using that correlation

Stock tank flow rates are used at the point of mixing.

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Example 1
For an example assume we are mixing 7 flow streams which have different sets of correlations as tabulated
below:
Stream Flow rate (STB/day) Dead Oil Viscosity

Live Oil Viscosity

Under-saturated Oil
Viscosity

5000

Hossain

Kartoatmodjo

Vasquez and Beggs

2000

Glasso

Khan

Kouzel

4000

Petrosky-Farshad

Chew and Connally Kouzel

3000

Beggs and Robinson Khan

Kouzel

6000

Beggs and Robinson Kartoatmodjo

Bergman and Sutton

8000

Glasso

Bergman and Sutton

2000

Beggs and Robinson Elsharkawy

Hossain

Kouzel

The total oil flow for each correlation, and the correlations selected for the combined fluid are tabulated
below:
Stream

Flow rate (STB/day) Dead Oil Viscosity

4,5,7

11000

Beggs and Robinson

2,6

10000

Glasso

5000

Hossain

4000

Petrosky-Farshad

combined 30000

Beggs and Robinson

Stream

Flow rate (STB/day) Live Oil Viscosity

1,5

11000

Kartoatmodjo

8000

Hossain

2,4

5000

Khan

4000

Chew and Connally

2000

Elsharkawy

combined 30000

Kartoatmodjo

Stream

Flow rate (STB/day) Under-saturated Oil Viscosity

5,6

14000

Bergman and Sutton

2,3,4,7

11000

Kouzel

5000

Vasquez and Beggs

combined 30000

Bergman and Sutton

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Example 2
Mixing of fluids that use different correlations may produce unexpected results. In the above example, a
51%-49% mixture of streams 1 and 2 will use the same correlations as stream 1, but a 49%-51% mixture
will use the same correlations as stream 2. So, even though these to mixtures are similar, their properties
may be modelled completely differently. Therefore it is important to select compatible correlations when
modelling networks.
Calibration data
A number of correlations are calibrated using user supplied data. This section describes how streams with
different calibration data are mixed.
Dead oil viscosity

{(T1, 1), (T2, 2)} calibration

data; or as a User Supplied Table with multipoint calibration data {(T1, 1), , (Tn, n)}. If none of the
Dead oil viscosity (p.369) can be specified using no calibration data; 2point

streams in a mixture use calibration data, then the mixing is done by simply determining the mixture
correlation, as outlined in Correlations (p.382). If however, at least one of the input streams uses dead oil
viscosity with calibration data then a User Supplied Table is used for the mixture deadoil viscosity. The
table entries are calculated in three steps:

{ }

1. The number and value of the temperature points Tx in the table are determined:

If the inlet streams use multipoint calibration, then the mixed stream will use multipoint calibration.
PIPESIM will try to include all the input temperatures in the mixture table, up to a maximum of 40
points.

If the inlet streams only use 2point calibration data, then the mixed stream will use only two points.
The Temperature will be set to the minimum and maximum temperatures of the input stream
calibration temperatures.

( )

2. The viscosity of each inlet stream i Tx is calculated at each temperature in the mixed stream table.
3. The mixture viscosity is calculated at each point in the stream using the Kendall and Monroe cubic mixing
rule:

Qvo, i

i=1

Qvo, mix

comb(Tx) =

(i(Tx))

1/3

Eq. 4.347

Example 3
Streams 13, defined in the table below, mix at a junction. All streams use dead oil correlations without
data, so the mixed stream, stream 4, uses the dead oil correlation with the biggest flow, in this case Beggs
and Robinson. Stream 4 then mixes with stream 5 at another junction. Stream 5 uses a correlation with
calibration data. Even though stream 5 has less flow than stream 4, the mixture, stream 6, will use a User
Supplied Table to define its dead oil correlation.
Stream

Flow rate (STB/day) Dead Oil Viscosity

2000

Beggs and Robinson

2500

Chew and Connally

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PIPESIM User Guide

1000

Beggs and Robinson

4= 1+2+3 5500

Beggs and Robinson

2500

Any correlation with 2point data, or a User Supplied Table

6 = 4+5

8000

User Supplied Table

Solution Gas Rs

If one or more of the input streams has a single point calibration data, Rsi Pref , i, Tref , i , then the mixed
stream solution gas will also be calibrated using a single point:
1. Determine the correlation (p.382) for the mixed stream.

2. Determine reference pressure and temperature values Pref , mix, Tref , mix for calibrating the mixed
stream viscosity. These are calculated as the mass flow rate average of the input stream reference
pressures and temperatures for those input streams with calibration data.
3. Determine the solution gas of each stream at the reference pressure and temperature for the mixed
stream Rsi Pref , mix, Tref , mix . For those streams that are undersaturated at Pref , mix, Tref , mix the
potential solution gas is determined by extrapolation.

4. The solution gas for the mixed stream is determined as a volume average of all the input stream solution
gas (or potential solution gas) values.
Live oil viscosity
A number of steps are needed to determine the live oil viscosity of a mixture:
1. Determine the correlation (p.382) for the mixed stream.

2. Determine reference pressure and temperature values Pref , mix, Tref , mix for calibrating the mixed
stream viscosity. These are calculated as the mass flow rate average of the input stream reference

Technical Description

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pressures and temperatures, for those input streams with calibration data. If the mixed stream is not
saturated at the calculated reference pressure and temperature, the reference pressure is reduced to
the saturation pressure
n

Qo, i

1=1

Qo, mix

Tref , mix =

Tref , i

Qo, i

1=1

Qo, mix

Pref , mix = MIN

Pref , i, Psat, mix(Tref , mix)

3. Determine the input stream viscosities at the mixture reference pressure and temperature
o, i Pref , mix, Tref , mix . If an input stream is undersaturated at Pref , mix, Tref , mix then its viscosity is
calculated by first adding more gas so that the stream is saturated. The added gas has a specific gravity
equal to that of the mixture.

4. The live oil viscosity of the mixture is calculated at Pref , mix, Tref , mix using the 4.347 (p.384) equation.

5. The live oil correlation can then be calibrated using o, mix Pref , mix, Tref , mix

Compositional Fluid Modeling

In compositional fluid models the user can specify a number of components that make up the fluid. These
can be real molecules, such as methane, ethane or water, known as library components or pseudo
components that represent the properties of several molecules, known as petroleum fractions. The phase
behaviour and thermodynamic properties are determined by an equation of state (EOS). This equation of
state is either a cubic equation (p.387) (this is a modified form of the Van der Waals equation) or a noncubic equation (p.390). The number of phases that can be modelled depends on the flash package:

Technical Description

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Two phase flash. Water is removed from the fluid and the remaining hydrocarbons are flashed to
determine the amount of oil and vapour. This method is used for most compositional flash packages
(and for black oil models). This means that water only appears in the water phase and does not appear
in the vapour phase.

Three phase flash. If the Multiflash compositional package is used, then a three phase flash is
performed. This means that there is a possibility that water will appear in the vapour phase, and some
components (e.g. water, methanoll) will appear in the aqueous phase.
The three phase flash gives a more accurate model of water behaviour than the two phase flash.
However, there can be problems when the flash produces two non-aqueous liquids one of these may
be mis-identified as water.

Multiphase flash. The Multiflash compositional standalone package can be used to model vapour and
three liquid phases as well as solid phases. Within PIPESIM flow simulations, Multiflash is only ever
used to model two liquid phases. However, it can be used within PIPESIM to plot phase envelopes and
to predict whether solid phases (asphaltene, hydrates, wax and ice) would be present.

Cubic Equations of State

Equations of state (EoS) describe the pressure, volume and temperature (PVT) behavior of pure
components and mixtures. The phase state and most thermodynamic properties (e.g. density, enthalpy,
entropy) are derived from the equation of state. Separate models are used for transport properties, such
as Viscosity (p.368), thermal conductivity and surface tension. PIPESIM can use both cubic and non-cubic
(p.390) Equations of State.
The cubic equation of state can be written as:

P=

nRT
a
+
V b (V + m1 b) (V + m2 b)

Eq. 4.348

Where:

is the pressure of the fluid

is the total volume of the container containing the fluid

is a measure of the attraction between particles

is the volume excluded from V by a particle

is the number of moles

is the temperature

is the gas constant

m1, m2 constants:

for the Peng-Robinson EOS m1, m2 = (1 + 2, 1 2)

for the Soave RedlichKwong EOS m1, m2 = (1, 0)

The EoS is a cubic equation for the volume, as a function of the pressure, temperature and EoS parameters.
It is often written in terms of the compressibility:

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

Z=

PV
nRT

Eq. 4.349

In the special case m1, m2 = (0, 0) the cubic EoS reduces to van der Waals equation, and in the special
case when a = b = 0 the cubic EoS reduces to the ideal gas equation.

The parameters a and b are in fact functions of the pressure, temperature, composition, component
properties and the mixing rules. If there is more than one phase present, the composition of each phase
differs and hence each phase has different equation of state parameters. Assuming a quadratic mixing rule
for a and a linear mixing rule for b the parameters for phase are given by

n2 R2 T2
1/2
a =
( Ai A j) (1 ij) xi xj
P
nRT
b =
Bi xi
P

Eq. 4.350
Eq. 4.351

Where:

xi is the mole fraction of component i in phase

Ai is a function of the temperature T, the component critical pressure Pci , critical temperature Tci and
acentric factor i

Bi is a function of the component critical pressure Pci and critical temperature Tci
ij is the Binary Interaction Parameter (p.451) between component i and component j
Thermodynamic properties
Thermodynamic properties can be calculated from the equation of state. The method may vary between
flash packages. The following equations are used in SIS flash.
The fugacity coefficient i for each component in each phase is used to determine the phase state and
phase split. It is given by:

ln i =

RT

( )

RT
P

V
ni

T, V , nj

d V ln

PV
RT

Eq. 4.352

The phase density can be found from the phase volume. For a two parameter Equation of State, this is
found by solving the cubic equation. However, this can give poor prediction of the liquid density. For a three
parameter Equation of State, the phase volume is modified by subtracting a volume shift term:

V = Veos xi Vsi

Eq. 4.353

The phase enthalpy H is calculated from the ideal gas enthalpy: Ho:

H = Ho V T

( TP )

P d V RT + PV

Eq. 4.354

The phase entropy S is calculated from the ideal gas entropy: So:
Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

S = So V

( TP )

R
PV
d V + R ln
V
RT

Eq. 4.355

o
The ideal gas enthalpy and entropy are determined from the ideal gas specific heat Cp
:

Ho = TT Cop dT

Eq. 4.356

ref

So

TT
ref

Cop
P
dT R ln
R ( xi ln xi)
T
Pref

Eq. 4.357

The ideal gas specific heat is calculated by summing the component specific heats
o
Cp
= Cpio xi

Eq. 4.358

For library components, the component specific heat Cpio is a known functions of temperature. For user
defined petroleum fractions, the component specific heat is calculated as a function of temperature and the
component molecular weight MWi, boiling point temperature TBi, specific gravity i and acentric factor i.
SIS Flash / E300 Flash
PIPESIM contains two implementations of the ECLIPSE compositional flash. The first implementation is
based on PVTi code, but only contains the Peng-Robinson equation of state. The second implementation
uses PVT-Toolbox code and contains both the Peng Robinson and the Soave RedlichKwong (SRK)
equations of state. The ECLIPSE version of the Peng Robinson EoS has an option correction for the Ai
term for large acentric factors (ECLIPSE PRCORR keyword).
SIS flash name

E300 flash name Peneloux Volume Shift

Correction

2 Paramater Peng
Robinson Standard

Peng-Robinson

2 Paramater Peng
Robinson

Peng-Robinson

Peng Robinson 1978

Acentric Factor
Correction

Yes

3Paramater Peng Robinson Peng-Robinson

Standard

Yes

3 Paramater Peng
Robinson

Peng-Robinson

Yes

SRK

Yes

Yes

SRK
Multiflash
The Multiflash Implemnetation in PIPESIM has the cubic Equations of State, Peng-Robinson and RKS,
along with the Cubic Plus Association (CPA) model, which is an extension of the RKS (advanced) cubic
EoS to handle polar and hydrogen bonding components. The Multiflash implementation also includes noncubic EoS (p.390).

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

EoS names differ from those in the Multiflash GUI.

PIPESIM GUI name

Multiflash GUI name

Peng Robinson 1978

Peneloux Volume Shift
Acentric Factor
Correction
Correction

Peng-Robinson

PR (Advanced)

Yes

NOT CURRENTLY
AVAILABLE

PR78 (Advanced)

SRK

RKS (Advanced)

Yes

Association (CPA)

Association (CPAInfochem)

Yes

Yes

Versions of the Peng-Robinson and SRK equations of state without the volume shift correction are available,
but are not recommended. Liquid densities predicted by these equations of state can be poor. In particular
the liquid water density is out by about 15%. This causes problems in PIPESIM, since it can predict water
being lighter than oil. This particular problem does not arise in two phase flashes, where the water properties
are not determined by the equation of state. It does occur in 3 phase flashes, such as Multiflash.
PIPESIM GUI name

Multiflash GUI name

Standard Peng-Robinson

PR

NOT CURRENTLY
AVAILABLE

PR78

Standard SRK

RKS

Volume Shift
Correction

Peng Robinson 1978

Acentric Factor
Correction

Yes

DBR flash
The DBR flash has both the Peng Robinson and the Soave RedlichKwong equations of state, with both
two and three parameter (volume shift) options:
DBR flash

Volume Shift Correction

Peng-Robinson
Peng-Robinson Yes
SRK
SRK

Yes

Non-cubic Equations of State

Equations of state (EoS) describe the pressure, volume and temperature (PVT) behavior of pure
components and mixtures. The phase state and most thermodynamic properties (e.g. density, enthalpy,
entropy) are derived from the equation of state. Separate models are used for transport properties, such
as viscosity, conductivity and surface tension.
PIPESIM can use both cubic (p.387) and non-cubic and Equations of State.

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

Multiflash
BWRS
The BWRS is an 11-parameter non-cubic equation. The BWRS equation gives much more accurate
volumetric and thermal property predictions for light gases and hydrocarbons. It should give reasonable
vapor-liquid phase equilibrium predictions but owing to its complexity, it requires more computing time than
the cubic EOS (e.g SRK or Peng-Robinson). The EoS is similar to a virial expansion in density:

P=

) ( )

C
2
2
RT
B
C
D
n+
+ 2 + 5 +

1
+

exp
V
V V
V
V5
V2
V2

Eq. 4.359

The BWRS EoS can be used with most of the components that can be used with the cubic EoS. (p.392)
However, it will not work with the Hydrogen component.
CSMA
CSMA is the Multiflash multi-reference fluid corresponding states model. The CSMA model is based on a
collection of very accurate equations of state for a number of common substances. The density, thermal
properties and VLE of each substance are generally reproduced to within the accuracy of experimental
measurements. The properties of mixtures can be estimated from a model that reduces to the (accurate)
pure component values as the mixture composition approaches each pure component limit.
An important application is mixtures containing CO2, H2S and light hydrocarbons. It can only be used with
a limited selection of components (p.397).
Note: It can only be used via an MFL file.
CPA
The CPA (cubic-plus-association) model extends the capabilities of industry-standard cubic equations of
state to polar and hydrogen-bonding components. It is applicable to a wide variety of systems of importance
to the upstream oil industry such as hydrocarbons, gases, water and hydrate inhibitors (alcohols and
glycols).
The Multiflash CPA model is based on the Infochem RKSA (advanced Redlich-Kwong-Soave) equation of
state. It has the advantage that, for non-polar substances, it reduces to the RKSA eos so that all the
characterisation methods and parameters for standard oil and gas mixtures can be used. Extra terms in the
equation describe polar and associating compounds. In addition, the Infochem electrolyte model extends
CPA to salt solutions. The main application in Multiflash is representing the fluid phases when modelling
hydrates and hydrate inhibition but CPA shows improvements over standard cubic eos for other systems
such as acid gases and water.
The CPA model is the subject of an active research programme that is extending its applicability to many
other systems of industrial importance.
Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport Properties REFPROP
REFPROP is an acronym for REFerence fluid PROPerties. The flash package provides thermodynamic
and transport properties of industrially important fluids and their mixtures with an emphasis on refrigerants
and hydrocarbons, especially natural gas systems. It is developed by the National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST).

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

REFPROP is based on highly accurate single component and mixture models based on the Helmholtz
energy.
NIST recommendation for pure fluids / mixture
For single components, REFPROP has a recommended set of equations of state explicit in Helmholtz
energy. That is, for each single component, a specific equation of state explicit in Helmholtz energy is
chosen. e.g. for carbon dioxide this is Span and Wagner (1996) (p.448) . Mixture calculations employ a
model that applies mixing rules to the Helmholtz energy of the mixture components; it uses a departure
function to account for the departure from ideal mixing.

Components for Cubic Equations of State

For the cubic equations of state (p.387), non-aqueous components can either be selected from a library
(p.392), or user-defined components (petroleum fractions (p.397)) can be selected by defining their
properties.
For two phase flashes, water can be selected, but it is treated differently from the other components. It is
removed from the flash calculations, and the water phase properties are calculated separately. For three
phase flashes (Multiflash), aqueous components (p.396) can be selected from the component library. Userdefined aqueous components are not allowed.
Non-aqueous library components
Different library components are available for each package. When converting from one package to another,
if a library component is not available in the new package, it will be converted into a petroleum fraction
(p.397). Default molecular weight and boiling point temperature are used to define the petroleum fraction
data for pure components are taken from Poling et al (p.446).
The non-aqueous library components can be divided into three types
1. Pure hydrocarbon components (p.392)
2. Non-hydrocarbon components (p.394)
3. Pseudo-components (p.395)
Pure hydrocarbon components
The following pure library components can be selected:
Formula Multiflash

SIS flash / E300 flash DBR 2phase flash MW (g/gmol) Tbp (K)

CH4

Methane

C1

C2H4

Ethylene

C2H6

Ethane

C1

16.043

111.66

Ethylene

28.054

169.42

C2

30.070

184.55

C3H4

Propadiene

40.065

238.77

C3H6

Propylene

42.081

225.46

C3H6

Cyclo-C3

42.081

240.34

C3

44.097

231.02

1,3-Butadiene

54.092

268.62

C3H8

Propane

C2

C3

C4H6

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

C4H6

1,2-Butadiene

54.092

269.00

C4H8

iso-Butene

56.108

266.24

C4H8

1-Butene

56.108

266.92

C4H8

tr2-Butene

56.108

274.03

C4H8

cis2-Butene

56.108

276.87

C4H10

Isobutane

IC4

i-C4

58.123

261.34

C4H10

N-Butane

NC5

n-C4

58.123

272.66

1-Pentene

70.134

322.38

Cyclo-C5

70.134

303.11

72.150

282.65

C5H10
C5H10

Cyclopentane

C5H12

2,2-Dimethylpropane

C5H12

Isopentane

i-C5

72.150

300.99

C5H12

N-Pentane

n-C5

72.150

309.22

C6H6

Benzene

Benzene

78.114

353.24

1-Hexene

84.161

336.63

BEN

C6H12
C6H12

Methylcyclopentane

Mcyclo-C5

84.161

344.98

C6H12

Cyclohexane

Cyclo-C6

84.161

353.93

C6H14

N-Hexane

n-C6

86.177

341.88

C7H8

Toluene

Toluene

92.141

383.79

1Heptene

98.188

366.79

Mcyclo-C6

98.188

374.09

100.204

365.00

100.204

371.57

100.204

365.00

TOL

C7H14
C7H14

Methylcyclohexane

C7H16

3-Methyl Hexane

C7H16

N-Heptane

C7H16

3-Methyl Hexane

C8H10

Ethylbenzene

C2-Benzene

106.167

409.36

C8H10

P-Xylene

p-Xylene

106.167

411.53

C8H10

M-Xylene

m-Xylene

106.167

412.34

C8H10

O-Xylene

o-Xylene

106.167

417.59

1Octene

112.215

394.44

112.215

404.00

n-C8

114.231

398.82

124MBenzene

120.194

442.49

120.194

425.52

128.258

423.97

134.22

456

142.285

447.30

n-C7

C8H16
C8H16

Ethylcyclohexane

C8H18

N-Octane

C9H12
C9H12

Cumene

C9H20

N-Nonane

n-C9

C10H14 1,2-Diethylbenzene
C10H22 N-Decane

n-C10

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

C11H24 N-Undecane

156.312

469.08

C12H26 N-Dodecane

170.338

489.48

C13H28 N-Tridecane

184.365

508.63

178.233

611.55

C14H30 N-Tetradecane

198.392

526.76

C15H32 N-Pentadecane

212.419

543.83

C16H34 N-Hexadecane

226.446

559.98

C17H36 N-Heptadecane

240.473

574.56

C18H38 N-Octadecane

254.500

588.30

C19H40 N-Nonadecane

268.527

602.34

C20H42 N-Eicosane

282.554

616.84

C14H10

Phenanthrene

C21H44 N-Heneicosane
C22H46 N-Docosane
C23H48 N-Tricosane
C24H50 N-Tetracosane
C25H52 N-Pentacosane
C26H54 N-Hexacosane
C28H58 N-Octacosane
C29H60 N-Nonacosane
C30H62 N-Triacontane
C32H66 N-Dotriacontan
C36H74 N-Hexatriacontane
Non-hydrocarbons
The following pure library components can be selected:
Formula Multiflash

SIS flash / E300 flash DBR 2phase flash MW (g/gmol) Tbp (K)

H2

Hydrogen

H2

He

Helium

N2

Nitrogen

O2
Ar

H2

2.016

20.38

Helium

4.003

4.30

N2

28.014

77.35

Oxygen

O2

31.999

90.17

Argon

Argon

39.948

87.27

Kr

Krypton

83.800

119.74

Xe

Xenon

131.290

165.01

N2

NH3

Ammonia

NH3

17.031

239.81

H2S

Hydrogen Sulphide H2S

H2S

34.082

212.84

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

CO

Carbon Monoxide

CO

CO

28.010

CO2

Carbon Dioxide

CO2

CO2

44.010

SF6

146.06

SF6

81.66
209.00

Pseudo-hydrocarbon components
Some packages contain pseudo components, essentially pre-defined petroleum fractions (p.397), that can
be used to represent the heavy end of the oil.
Formula Multiflash SIS flash / E300 flash DBR 2phase flash MW (g/gmol) Tbp (K)
C4

58.124

268.9

C5

72.151

305.9

C6

C6

84.00

341.9

C7

C7

96.00

371.6

m&p-Xylene

106.167

411.9

C8

C8

107.00

398.8

C9

C9

121.00

424.0

C10

C10

134.00

447.0

C11

C11

147.00

469.0

C12

C12

161.00

489.0

C13

C13

175.00

508.0

C14

C14

190.00

527.0

C15

C15

206.00

544.0

C16

C16

222.0

560.0

C17

C17

237.00

575.0

C18

C18

251.00

589.0

C19

C19

263.00

603.0

C20

C20

C21

C21

C22

C22

C23

C23

C24

C24

C25

C25

C26

C26

C27

C27

C28

C28

C29

C29

C8H10

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

C30

C30

C31

C31

C32

C32

C33

C33

C34

C34

C35
C36
C37
C38
C39
C40
C41
C42
C43
C44
C45
Bitumen

544.00

773.2

Aqueous library components

Aqueous components are defined as those that will distribute mainly in the second liquid phase. These are
water and the hydrate suppressants methanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol. The
calculation in of the amount of aqueous components to add corresponds to an agreed definition. The water
phase is added as a proportion of the DRY gas at stock tank conditions (15 degrees C, 1bar). The
discrepancy between hand calculations and software is because the software makes a correction for the
amount of aqueous components that will partition to the gas phase. That is, it aims to add the amount of
aqueous components requested as a separate aqueous phase. There will also be some loss to the
hydrocarbon liquid phase but this will not be significant unless the aqueous phase contains a lot of methanol.
The amount lost to the vapor phase will be significant if there is a large amount of gas present relative to
other phases.
Formula

Multiflash

H2O

Water

CH3OH

Methanol

C2H5OH Ethanol
C2H6O2

Ethylene Glycol (MEG)

C4H10O3 Diethylene Glycol (DEG)

C6H14O4 Triethylene Glycol (TEG)
NaCl

Salt Component

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

Petroleum fractions
User-defined components can be created by defining key properties: molecular weight MWi, critical
pressure Pci, critical temperature Tci, boiling point temperature TBi, specific gravity i and acentric factor

i. It is not always necessary to supply values for all these properties the flash packages can use
correlations to determine unspecified properties from those that are specified. Minimum data required is
shown in the table below:
Multiflash SIS flash E300 flash / DBR flash
yes

yes

MWi, TBi yes

yes

MWi, i
TBi, i

yes
yes

MWi
Pci, Tci, i. yes

Note: The Multiflash routines that calculate the petroleum fraction properties assume the molecular weight
of petroleum fractions exceed 72.

Components for Non-Cubic Equations of State

Only library components can be used for the CSMA and NIST-REFPROP non-cubic equations of state
(p.390).
Formula

Multiflash (CSMA)

NIST-REFPROP

CH4

Methane

methane

C2H6

Ethane

ethane

C3H8

Propane

propane

i-C4H10

Isobutane

isobutane

n-C4H10

Butane

butane

i-C5H12

Isopentane

isopentane

n-C5H12

Pentane

pentane

n-C6H14

Hexane

hexane

n-C7H16

Heptane

heptane

n-C8H18

Octane

octane

n-C9H20

nonane

n-C10H22

decane

C2H2

Ethylene

Technical Description

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PIPESIM User Guide

C6H12

Cyclohexane

C7H8

Toluene

H2

Hydrogen

hydrogen (normal)

He

Helium

helium

N2

Nitrogen

nitrogen

O2

Oxygen

oxygen

Ar

Argon

argon

H2S

Hydrogen Sulphide hydrogen sulfide

CO

Carbon Monoxide

carbon monoxide

CO2

Carbon Dioxide

carbon dioxide

NH3

Ammonia

Multiflash is a 3phase flash and allows aqueous components. NIST-REFPROP allows water, but is a two
phase flash. The water component is therefore removed before the flash calculation, and water properties
are calculated outside the flash.
Formula

Multiflash (CSMA) NIST-REFPROP

H2O

Water

water

C2H5OH Ethanol
NIST-REFPROP Component Restrictions
In the NIST-REFPROP flash Binary interaction parameters (BIPs) (p.106) are not being available for all
pairs of components. The NIST-REFPROP flash will not work if the fluid contains any component pair with
a missing BIP. The problem only occurs with fluids containing Hydrogen Sulphide, Nonane or Decane. Pairs
of components that are not allowed are marked with an 'X' in the table below. (Note that the water component
is allowed in the simulation, but is not used in the flash).
Hydrogen Sulphide Nonane Decane
Water
Methane

Ethane

Propane

Isobutane

Butane

Isopentane

Pentane
Hexane

Heptane

Octane

Technical Description

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Nonane

Decane

Hydrogen

Helium

Nitrogen
Oxygen

Argon

Hydrogen Sulphide

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Dioxide

Viscosity Models for Compositional Fluids

Select Setup Compositional, then on the Property Models tab, select one of the following models for
determining viscosity:

Pedersen (the default)

LBC (Lohrenz-Bray-Clark)

Aasberg-Petersen (only available for E300 and DBR)

NIST recommendation for pure fluids / mixture (only available for REFPROP)

Note: Not available under SIEP SPPTS.

Preliminary testing has shown the Pedersen method to be the most widely applicable and accurate for oil
and gas viscosity predictions. Multiflash uses the Pedersen method as the default viscosity model, though
an option is available to choose the LBC model for backward compatibility. The Pedersen method has been
adopted as the default in response to the deficiencies of the LBC method. The Pedersen method is based
on the corresponding state theory, as is the LBC method.
The results for different components are as follows:
Lower Alkanes
Predicted liquid viscosities using LBC and Pedersen methods have been compared to experimental
data for Methane and Octane as a function of both temperature and pressure and for Pentane as
a function of temperature. For both Methane and Pentane the Pedersen method predictions show
close agreement with experimental data. For Octane, the Pedersen and LBC methods give
comparable results. For the aromatic compound, Ethyl Benzene, the Pedersen method is not as
good as LBC.
Higher Alkanes
The results for higher alkanes Eicosane and Triacontane are mixed: the Pedersen method is
adequate for Eicosane whereas LBC is slightly better than Pedersen for Triacontane. For
Triacontane both the LBC and Pedersen methods are inadequate. However, in the majority of cases
the higher hydrocarbons should be treated as petroleum fractions rather than as single named
components.
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Petroleum Fractions
The LBC method describes viscosity as a function of the fluid critical parameters, acentric factor
and density. The LBC model is therefore very sensitive to both density and the characterization of
the petroleum fractions.
Water
The Pedersen method suffers the same drawback as LBC in that it is unable to predict the
temperature dependence of water, a polar molecule. To overcome this problem, the Pedersen
method has been modified especially for water so that it now accurately models the viscosity of
water in the liquid phase. This was achieved by the introduction of a temperature-dependent
correction factor. However the prediction of the viscosity of the gas phase is also affected, though
in only a minor way.
Methanol
Neither the LBC nor Pedersen method can deal with polar components, with the Pedersen method
slightly worse than LBC. This is not surprising, as both methods were developed for non-polar
components and mixtures. The Pedersen method works best with light alkanes and petroleum
mixtures in the liquid phase. It performs as well or better than the LBC method in nearly all situations.
The choice of the equation of state has a large effect on the viscosities predicted by both methods. The
LBC method is more sensitive to the equation of state effects than is the Pedersen method.
See also: Package (p.102), Binary Interaction Parameters (p.106), Emulsions (p.404), Equation of State
(p.387)

Solid Precipitation
Asphaltene Prediction
ONLY AVAILABLE WITH MFL FILES
Asphaltene formation line is displayed automatically on the phase envelope to enable the determination of
the conditions (temperature and pressure) at which asphaltene appears
Hydrates
Only available with Multifllash.
Requires additional licensing option.
Hydrate lines are displayed automatically on the phase envelope (p.109) if water is in the component list
and hydrates will form. The amount of water may influence the results of the calculations, particularly when
inhibitors or water-soluble gases are present.
Background
Natural gas hydrates are solid ice-like compounds of water and light components of natural gas. They form
at temperatures above the ice point and are therefore a serious concern in oil and gas processing
operations. The phase behavior of the systems involving hydrates can be very complex because up to six
phases must normally be considered. The behavior is particularly complex if there is significant mutual
solubility between phases.

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The Multiflash hydrate model uses a modification of the SRK equation of state for the fluid phases plus the
van der Waals and Platteeuw model for the hydrate phases. The model can explicitly represent all the effects
of the presence of inhibitors.
Hydrate Inhibitors
Hydrate inhibitors decrease the hydrate formation temperature or increase the hydrate formation pressure
in a given gas mixture. The model includes parameters for the commonly used inhibitors such as Methanol,
and the glycols MEG, DEG and TEG.
A new mixing rule has been developed for the SRK equation of state to model the inhibitors' effects on the
fluid phases. The treatment of hydrate inhibition has the following features. The model can represent
explicitly all the effects of inhibitors, including the depression of hydrate formation temperature, the
depression of the freezing point of water, the reduction in the vapor pressure of water (i.e. the dehydrating
effect) and the partitioning of water and inhibitor into the oil, gas and aqueous phases. The model has been
developed using all available data for mixtures of water with Methanol, MEG, DEG and TEG. This involves
simultaneously representing hydrate dissociation temperatures, depression of freezing point data and
vapor-liquid equilibrium data. The solubilities of hydrocarbons and light gases in water/inhibitor mixtures
have also been represented. There is no fundamental difference between calculations with and without
inhibitors. To investigate the effect of an inhibitor it must be added to the list of components in the mixture
and the amount must be specified just as for any other component. It is not possible to specify the amount
of inhibitor in a particular phase, only the total amount in the mixture. This is because the inhibitor will be
split among the different phases present at equilibrium with the amount in a particular phase depending on
the ambient conditions and the amounts of other components present in that phase This is exactly what
happens in reality. The amount of inhibitor typically needed would be approximately 35% by mass of inhibitor
relative to water.
Model features
The main features of the model are:

The description of the hydrate phase behavior uses a thermodynamically consistent set of models for
all phases.

The vapor pressures of pure water are reproduced. The following natural gas hydrate formers are
included: METHANE, ETHANE, PROPANE, ISOBUTANE, BUTANE, NITROGEN, CO2 AND H2S.

The thermal properties (enthalpies and entropies) of the hydrates are included, permitting flashes
involving these phases.

The properties of the hydrates have been fixed by investigating data for natural gas components in both
simple and mixed hydrates to obtain reliable predictions of both structure I and structure II hydrates.

The properties of the empty hydrate lattices have been investigated and the most reliable recent values
have been adopted.

Proper allowance has been made for the solubilities of the gases in water so that the model parameters
are not distorted by this effect. This is particularly important for Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen Sulphide,
which are relatively soluble in water.

Correct thermodynamic calculations of the most stable hydrate structure have been made. The model
has been tested on a wide selection of open literature and proprietary experimental data. In most cases
the hydrate dissociation temperature is predicted to within 1 degree Kelvin.

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To ensure that reliable results are obtained, it is particularly important to use the correct set of models and
phase descriptors. The hydrates model set contains a complete set of model and phase specifications.
Hydrate Model Details
The hydrate model set has the following definitions:
FLUID PHASE MODEL
The recommended fluid phase model is the advanced SRK equation of state with the a parameter
fitted to the pure component vapor pressure, the Peneloux density correction and the INFOCHEM
mixing rule. The required binary interaction parameters (BIP) for hydrocarbons, light gases, water
and inhibitors are available from the OILGAS2 BIP data set.
HYDRATE MODELS
The hydrate model consists of lattice parameters for the empty hydrate and parameters interaction
of gas molecules with water in the hydrate. There are different parameter values for each hydrate
structure, HYDRATE I and II. In addition, the hydrate must be associated with a liquid phase model
that is used to obtain the properties of water. It is important that this is the same model that is used
for water as a fluid phase.
PHASES
In most cases, six phase descriptors are required: gas, hydrocarbon liquid, aqueous liquid, hydrate
I, hydrate II and ice. At high pressures and/or low temperatures the `gas' phase may become liquidlike and a second non-aqueous liquid PD is needed. This is also the case if there is a significant
amount of CO2 or H2S present. In most practical cases, the gas contains propane and has a hydrate
II stable hydrate structure. Key components are defined to distinguish between the hydrocarbon
and aqueous liquid phases. In principle, hydrate calculations and phase envelope plotting with
Multiflash are no different from flash calculations and envelope plotting for the fluid phases alone.
Multiflash treats fluid and solid phases the same. It can carry out a full range of flashes for streams
with hydrates.
Ice Prediction
Only available with Multiflash Flash.
Ice is treated as a pure solid phase. The ice formation line is displayed automatically on the phase envelope
if water is in the component list and ice will form.
Wax Prediction
ONLY AVAILABLE WITH MFL FILES
Waxes are complex mixtures of solid hydrocarbons that freeze (solidify) out of crude oils if the temperature
is low enough - below the critical wax deposition temperature. They are mainly formed from normal paraffins
or if isoparaffins and naphthenes are present. The wax formation line is displayed automatically on the
phase envelope to enable the determination of the conditions (temperature and pressure) at which wax
could deposit.
Wax deposition (p.146) can also be modelled.

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Fluid Property Table Files

Fluid properties can be pre-calculated for a range of pressure and temperature values and stored in a table.
PIPESIM reads the table and can interpolate it to get properties for any pressure and temperature. Tables
in a format that can be read by PIPESIM can be generated by a range of Compositional Fluid Packages,
including PIPESIM itself. Table files representing different fluids cannot be mixed. They are therefore useful
in single branch models, but less so in network models, unless the entire network contains only a single
fluid.
The tables contain liquid and gas properties:
Property
Pressure

psia

kPa

Temperature

Liquid Volume Fraction

Water cut

Liquid Density

lb / ft3

kg / m 3

Gas Density

lb / ft3

kg / m 3

Gas Molecular Weight

lb / lbmol

kg / kgmol

Liquid Viscosity

cP

cP

Gas Viscosity

cP

cP

Total Enthalpy

BTU / lbmol
kJ / kgmol
BTU / (lbmol F ) kJ / (kgmol K )
BTU / (lbmol F ) kJ / (kgmol K )
BTU / (lbmol F ) kJ / (kgmol K )
dyne / cm
dyne / cm
BTU / (hr ft F ) W / (m K )

Gas Compressibility

Total Entropy
Liquid Heat Capacity
Gas Heat Capacity
Liquid Surface Tension
Gas Thermal Conductivity

BTU / (hr ft F ) W / (m K )
Water Thermal Conductivity BTU / (hr ft F ) W / (m K )
Oil Thermal Conductivity

The number of phases and the phase volume fractions, can be determined from the liquid fraction and water
cut. However, since only liquid and gas properties are available, these tables are only suitable for use with
two-phase flow models.
The table files also contain the total molecular weight of the fluid, which is independent of the pressure and
temperature. This allows PIPESIM to calculate the liquid molecular weight from the other table properties.
The total molecular weight, liquid molecular weight and gas molecular weight are then used to convert the
molar quantities (enthalpy, entropy and heat capacities) to mass based quantities.

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Table files may also contain compositional data. In this case the table data may be ignored and PIPESIM
may use normal compositional flashing.

Internal fluid property tables

PIPESIM can also use property tables to store fluid data in compositional runs. Properties are interpolated
from the table properties and as the simulation progresses, tables values are filled in when necessary. This
can speed up compositional simulations, although it requires more memory to store the data. These tables
can be used in network simulations with multiple fluids a new mixture can be created by mixing the fluid
components and a new internal table created for the new fluid.

Liquid Properties
Two phase flow correlations model flow of a liquid and a gas phase. When there are two liquid phases,
such as oil and water, the two liquid phases need to be combined and modelled as a single liquid phase.
The oil and water will flow at the same velocity. The liquid density can be simply averaged. However more
complicated models are used for liquid viscosity (p.404) and liquid-gas surface tension (p.408).

Liquid Viscosity and Oil/Water Emulsions

An emulsion is a mixture of two immiscible liquid phases. One phase (the dispersed phase) is carried as
droplets in the other (the continuous phase). In Oil/Water systems at low watercuts, oil is usually the
continuous phase. As watercut is increased there comes a point where phase inversion occurs, and water
becomes the continuous phase. This is the Critical Watercut of Phase Inversion, otherwise called the
cutoff. It occurs typically between 55% and 70% watercut. The viscosity of the mixture is usually highest
at and just below the cutoff. Emulsion viscosities can be many times higher than the viscosity of either phase
alone.
Correlations and methods
The methods available for calculating the oil/water mixture viscosity are:

Inversion

Volume Ratio

User-supplied Table

In addition a number of emulsion correlations are available:

Woelflin

Brinkman

Vand

Richardson

Leviton and Leighton

The cutoff can be entered as a watercut, or calculated using the Brauner and Ullman correlation. The cutoff
is used by all the emulsion correlations and methods, except for the Volume ratio method.

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Figure 4.20. Viscosity of oil/water mixtures

Inversion
The inversion method sets the liquid viscosity to the viscosity of the continuous phase. This means that, at
a watercut below or equal to the cutoff, water droplets are carried by a continuous oil phase, and the mixture
assumes the viscosity of the oil. At a watercut above the cut-off value, oil droplets are carried by a continuous
water phase, and the mixture assumes the viscosity of the water.
Volume ratio
The Volume ratio method calculates mixture viscosity as follows:

m = oo + ww

Eq. 4.360

where

o is oil viscosity
o is the volume fraction of oil
w is the water viscosity
w is the volume fraction of water
User-Supplied Table
This method uses a user-supplied table of viscosities or viscosity multipliers against flowing (in situ)
watercut. The table is entered in the dialog revealed by pressing the Setup emulsion table button. The
first watercut value in the table must be zero. The viscosity value at zero watercut is used to divide into all
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the others to yield multipliers. Therefore, the viscosity table can be populated with absolute viscosity values,
or with multipliers.
The table is applied to watercuts from zero up to the supplied watercut cutoff value; above this, the liquid
viscosity is set to the water viscosity using a transition region.
Woelflin
The Woelflin correlations assume that the continuous phase changes from oil to water at a given watercut
cutoff point. This means that, at a watercut below or equal to the cutoff value, a water-in-oil emulsion forms,
and the emulsion viscosity is given by the Woelflin correlation. At a watercut above the cutoff value, oil
droplets are carried by a continuous water phase, and the mixture assumes the viscosity of the water, using
a transition region.
In his 1942 paper, Woelflin described 3 types of water-in-oil emulsions, which he labeled loose, medium
and tight. The paper provides tables of viscosity multiplication factors as a function of watercut for the 3
types, and a chart showing curves to fit the data. The PIPESIM implementation is a digitization of the curves.
The viscosity of all 3 emulsion types increases with watercut up to the specified cutoff value, above which
it falls and assumes the value of the water viscosity. It should be noted that all 3 emulsion types can yield
emulsion viscosities many times greater than the oil viscosity. In the case of the tight emulsion,
multiplier values in the region of 100 are readily obtained. In his experiments on tight emulsions, Woelflin
reported that the viscosity of a 60% watercut emulsion could not be determined, because the mixture was
too viscous to flow through the viscometer.
Versions of PIPESIM prior to the 2007.1 release implemented only the loose emulsion correlation, using a
curve-fit as follows:

2.2

m = o 1 + 0.00123VW

Eq. 4.361

where o is oil viscosity, and w is volume fraction of water. This option is retained for backwards
compatibility and is called Pipesim Original Woelflin. It gives very similar answers to the new loose
emulsion option up to a watercut of 60%, but diverges above this.
Brinkman
The Brinkman correlation calculates elevated emulsion viscosities on either side of the cutoff, using the
formula

L = c(1 d)

2.5

Eq. 4.362

where c is the viscosity of the continuous phase and d is the volume fraction of the discontinuous phase.
Vand
The Vand correlations calculate elevated emulsion viscosities on either side of the cutoff, using the formula

L = c

(k1d)

Eq. 4.363

(1 k2d)

where c is the viscosity of the continuous phase,

d is the volume fraction of the discontinuous phase,

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and the coefficients k1 and k2 are selected as follows. The Vand coefficients are 2.5 and 0.609; Barnea and
Mizrahi are 2.66 and 1.0; the user-supplied coefficients are entered in the accompanying data entry boxes.
Richardson
The Richardson correlation calculates elevated emulsion viscosities on either side of the cutoff, using the
formula

L = c(kd)

Eq. 4.364

where c is the viscosity of the continuous phase,

d is the volume fraction of the discontinuous phase,

and k is a user-supplied constant. Separate values of k can be provided for oil-in-water and water-in-oil
conditions, the default values are 3.8 and 6.6.
Leviton and Leighton
The Leviton and Leighton correlation calculates elevated emulsion viscosities either side of the cutoff, using
the formula

2.5(d + 0.4c)

L = c

Eq. 4.365

(d + c)(d + d1.66 + d3.66)

where d and c are the viscosities of the discontinuous and continuous phases, and d is the volume fraction
of the discontinuous phase.
Brauner and Ullman
The Brauner and Ullman correlation can be used to calculate the watercut cutoff value. It uses the formula

c=1

((

t0.6t

0.4

1 + t0.6t

0.4

Eq. 4.366

where

t =

is the cutoff/100

o
w

is the oil viscosity (in cP)

is the water viscosity (in cP)

t =

o
w

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is the oil density (in lb/ft3)

is the water density (in lb/ft3)

See also: Inversion (p.405) and Volume Ratio (p.405).

Limits and Safety factors
Emulsion correlations and methods have the potential to cause difficulty for the calculation engine.
Extremely large viscosities can be predicted, this can cause convergence failure. The discontinuous
behavior around the inversion point (cutoff) can also cause problems, particularly in a network model. As
a result, a number of limits and safety factors have been introduced, as described below. All of these are
properties of the model: only one value is held, and it is applied to all fluids in the model.
Maximum cutoff
A typical value for the cutoff is between 55% to 70%, and the default is 60%. The Woelflin correlations are
particularly sensitive to high cutoff values, so there is a maximum limit of 70%, which will be applied silently.
The limit may be extended using the keyword MAXCUTOFF= (p.462).
Transition region above the cutoff
The Woelflin and user-supplied table methods exhibit pronounced discontinuity about the cutoff. For these
methods therefore, the discontinuity about the cutoff is smoothed with a transition region, extending from
the cutoff value in the direction of increasing watercut. By default this is 5% wide. Predicted viscosities in
this region are interpolated between the value predicted at the cutoff (the maximum emulsion viscosity point,
with oil the continuous phase) and the value at cutoff plus transition region width (the viscosity predicted
from a continuous water phase). The size of the transition region can be controlled with the keyword
SMOOTHCUTOFF (p.462) =.
Maximum Emulsion Table Multiplier
The user-supplied and Woelflin correlations are subject to a maximum multiplier limit, default value 100.
This can be controlled with the keyword MAXEMULSION (p.462) =.
Maximum liquid viscosity
As viscosity increases, the resistance to fluid flow also increases. There comes a point where viscosity is
so high that the term 'fluid' ceases to be appropriate, and the prediction of pressure drops due to fluid flow
can be regarded as non physical. The maximum liquid viscosity is by default 1.0E+7 (ten million) cP, this
can be controlled by the keyword MAXLIQVISC (p.462) =.

Liquid-gas Surface Tension

The surface tension between the liquid and gas phase is used in two phase flow correlations, for example
to calculate bubble velocity. If there are two liquid phases present, the surface tension will depend on the
oil-gas surface tension, the water-gas surface tension, and the water cut.
In black oil models, when there is sufficient oil, it is assumed that the liquid is segregated with the water
below the oil. The gas in therefore only in contact with the oil, and the surface tension is given by:

L = O WCUT < 60

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If water dominates the liquid then the surface tension is taken as an average of the oil-gas and water-gas
surface tensions:

L = O 1

WCUT
WCUT WCUT > 60
+ O
100
100

is the surface tension between the oil and the gas

(dynes/cm)

is the surface tension between the oil and the gas

(dynes/cm)

is the surface tension between the water and the gas (dynes/cm)

WCUT is the water cut

(%)

Solids Deposition Modelling

PIPESIM-DBR Wax Deposition Models
The DBR wax models are described in Pan (p.446).

Single phase (oil) Wax Deposition Model

The single phase wax model consists of two mechanisms, shear stress effects and molecular diffusion. The
molecular diffusion mechanism is the same approach taken by many authors (Brown et al, 1993 (p.439),
Singh, 2000 (p.447), Hernandez (p.443) and others). The diffusion coefficient of each component is
calculated with the Hayduk and Minhas (p.443) correlation. The shear removal effects are modelled using
the Venkatesan (2004) (p.448) correlation.

(1 )

( )

sp

d
dt

d Ciwax
a
dT
= Di

k b
dT
dr

( )

Eq. 4.367

The wax porosity is modelled as a function of the shear stress

= max

0.5 +

max

= max

for
for

max

max

> 0.5
Eq. 4.368

< 0.5

Two Phase (Gas/Oil) Wax Deposition Model

Oil wetting of the wall is one of the primary driving forces for wax deposition. Therefore the flow pattern
contributes to the amount of wax deposited. Matzain (p.444) used empirical correlations for varying flow
patterns. DBRs plan is to account for the flow pattern through liquid holdup (available from the flow model)
and to directly calculate the surface wetting (Grolman, 1996 (p.442)). The new two phase deposition rate
will then be:

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( )
d
dt

tp

=S H

( )
d
dt

sp

Eq. 4.369

where

1
2

==

In doing this, the model is setup to address three phase wax deposition by scaling the deposition rate by
the surface wetting of oil.

Nomenclature

Wax deposition thickness (m)

d
dt

Single phase wax deposition rate at point i in the pipe (m/s)

d
dt

Two phase wax deposition rate at point i in the pipe (m/s)

sp
i
tp
i

Di

Diffusion coefficient (m 2 / s)

Ciwax

Concentration of wax components

Temperature (variable K)

radius (variable m)

Inner radius of pipe (m)

Shear reduction multiplier or parameter

Shear stress (variable Pa)

max

Yield stress of wax (Pa)

Porosity of wax

max

Maximum porosity

Surface wetted coefficient

Liquid holdup coefficient

Shear stress coefficient (a=1.9 )

Wax porosity coefficient (b=2.3 )

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Porosity coefficient (z= 1)

Surface wetting ratio

Liquid holdup

Workflows
Solvers
Tolerance Equations
The tolerance of each pressure is calculated from the equation:

((

tol = abs

( p pav)

pav 100 % )

Eq. 4.370

If all tolerance values are within the specified network tolerance then that node has passed the pressure
convergence test. This is repeated for each node. The total mass flowrate into and the total mass flowrate
out of a node are averaged.
The tolerance is calculated from the equation:

( ((

tol = abs

Totalmqin Totalmqav)
Totalmqav 100 % )

Eq. 4.371

Addressing Network Speed Issues

This page summarizes a set of settings that can be used to speed up PIPESIM execution times. See also
Speed up the calculation engine (p.126).
In general, Performance is a trade off between speed and accuracy. When dealing with models that are
taking too long to run, the user can try to adjust the parameters of PIPESIM and the model in four (4) steps:
Step 1 (p.411): Changes to the system, the PIPESIM execution and reporting parameters
Step 2 (p.412): High level changes to the PIPESIM model
Step 3 (p.413): Low Level changes to the PIPESIM model or trade off of accuracy vs. speed
Step 4 (p.415): Revert back to more accurate settings
Step 1: Changes to the system, the PIPESIM execution and reporting parameters
These settings do not modify the model, but try to reduce the workload on your system to get the result
faster.
-v1 switch

Add this switch to the engine. Set this using Setup Preferences Engine then the
Advanced tab. This stops the engine from writing data to the PIPESIM branch window.
This is the default setting from version 1.30 of PIPESIM.

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Restart File

This uses the results from the previous simulation as estimates for the unknown
variables. This is the equivalent of having the best possible estimates. This is most
effective when you are running many similar scenarios with only small variations. See
Restart Model (p.152) for the limitations.

Minimize
window

Minimize the PIPESIM-Net engine window using the minimize button (top right) after
the engines starts. This lets the computer optimize the updates to the window.

Network

Save the model to the local PC rather than to a Network drive. This will remove potential
network delays. Also use a local license file if possible.

-k0 switch

Reduce the output to the minimum.

Step 2: High level changes to the PIPESIM model

These settings are high level changes that can be quickly reverted back once you have fine tuned your
model and want to get more accuracy. They involve some trade off of accuracy vs. speed.
Tolerance

PIPESIM uses an iterative approach and stops calculation when the iterative error is
less than a given tolerance. Thus, the tolerance has a direct impact on the number of
iterations and the time taken to have an acceptable result. The default tolerance is 1%.
You can put a higher tolerance to get some quick results under Setup Iterations.
Note that results with tolerance greater than 2% are not recommended.

Moody friction
factor

When the specified phase correlation is the Moody correlation or the Cullender-Smith
correlation, PIPESIM will calculate the Moody friction factor using either an iterative
implicit method (Colebrook-White equation (Moody chart)), an explicit method (see the
Sonnad and Goudar paper (p.448)) or a fast explicit or approximate method (see the
Moody paper (p.445)) . The default calculation method for the friction factor is the
explicit method. The Moody friction factor calculation method will also have an impact
on the horizontal and vertical flow correlations as the friction factor used to compute the
pressure gradient in the flow correlations will be evaluated based on the method
specified by the Moody friction factor calculation method. The reader is referred to Single
Phase Flow Correlations (p.265) for more details. The fastest but less accurate method
is the approximate method. To activate it, in the bottom text box under Setup Engine
options, type the following on two lines:
OVERRIDE
SPHASE MOODYCALC = APPROXIMATE

Segment
length

Pipes are subdivided by PIPESIM in shorter segments to calculate pressure drops. More
subdivisions of the pipe provide more accurate answers but typically takes more time.
The default number of subdivisions in PIPESIM is 4. You can change it using Setup
Engine options and the Option Control tab. Set the Segments per pipe length to 3.
Note that if you set this to 2, the simulation may go even faster but the answers may be
less stable. Finally if PIPESIM encounters discontinuities using the user-suggested
subdivision, it will override it, which may ... as a final consequence slow the simulation.

Extra one foot

segment

PIPESIM reports pressure, temperature, flow, etc. at the middle point of each segment.
To be able to report accurate values at the start and end of each node, PIPESIM adds
an extra one foot segment at either side of each node. If you are not interested in the

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exact values at the beginning and end of each node, or are performing some fine tuning,
deactivate that option using Setup Engine options and selecting the Option
Control tab. Deselect Additional short segments either side of each node and selecting
under Options Control Group, Use network options. Alternatively, in the bottom text box
under Setup Engine options, type the following on two lines:
OVERRIDE
OPTION EOFS =OFF
Wells offline

Wells offline allow a production well, in a network model, to be modeled using a well
performance curve of flowrate versus [outlet] well head pressure - example curve. These
well performance curve(s) are stored in ASCII files and can be created using a PIPESIM
operation or any other suitable Nodal analysis package. This option has been introduced
to reduce the time required to solve large networks. Indeed in a network model, a
significant amount of time is spent computing well bore pressure losses. In addition, it
insures that the well operates in its stable region by providing a smooth curve. The
reader is referred to Well Curves (p.19) for more details. To enable Wells offline for a
specific well, select Setup Boundary Conditions and select PQ Curve for that well.
Generally the user can set all wells offline by typing on two lines in the bottom text box
under Setup Engine options
OVERRIDE
SETUP WOLMODE= CREATE?
The user is referred to SETUP keywords (p.603) for the other options for the wells offline
mode.

Flashing
settings

Flashes are very expensive in term of performance. PIPESIM can minimize the number
of flashes depending on the settings in Setup Flashing. See Options Calculations
procedure (p.462) for more details. The options available include:
Always Interpolate (fastest): this option uses interpolation between physical
properties determined by in a predefined grid of temperature and pressure points.
Rigorous Flash when close to the Phase Envelope, interpolation elsewhere: this is a
compromise between speed and accuracy, which assumes that properties will
change more rapidly when close to a phase boundary. Interpolation is performed
whenever the grid points comprising a rectangle all show the presence of the same
phases. For example. if all 4 points in the rectangle have some oil, some gas, and
no water, then we assume the rectangle lies entirely within the 2-phase region of the
hydrocarbon phase envelope, so interpolation is appropriate. If however one, two or
three of the points have no oil, then clearly the hydrocarbon dew point line crosses
the rectangle, so a rigorous flash is required.
Always Rigorous Flash (slowest). Interpolation never occurs: properties are obtained
by flashing at the required pressure and temperature. This is the slowest method but
most accurate method.

Step 3: Low Level changes to the PIPESIM model or trade off of accuracy vs. speed

Technical Description

413

PIPESIM User Guide

These settings typically involve trade off of speed vs. accuracy and might require some substantial work
to revert once you have fine tuned your model and want to get more accuracy.
Tolerance

PIPESIM uses an iterative approach and stops calculation when the iterative error is
less than a given tolerance. Thus, the tolerance has a direct impact on the number of
iterations and the time taken to have an acceptable result. The default tolerance is 1%.
You can put a higher tolerance to get some quick results under Setup Iterations.
Note that results with tolerance greater than 2% are not recommended.

Boundary
conditions

Enter flow rates as the fixed inlet boundary condition. This usually solves faster.

Loops

Avoid loops in the network topology if possible. Loops require extra checks from
PIPESIM to ensure overall consistency (e.g. elevation difference)

Moody friction
factor

When the specified phase correlation is the Moody correlation or the Cullender-Smith
correlation, PIPESIM will calculate the Moody friction factor using either an iterative
implicit method (Colebrook-White equation (Moody chart)), an explicit method (see the
Sonnad and Goudar paper (p.448)) or a fast explicit or approximate method (see the
Moody paper (p.445)) . The default calculation method for the friction factor is the
explicit method. The Moody friction factor calculation method will also have an impact
on the horizontal and vertical flow correlations as the friction factor used to compute the
pressure gradient in the flow correlations will be evaluated based on the method
specified by the Moody friction factor calculation method. See Single Phase Flow
Correlations (p.265) for more details. The fastest but less accurate method is the
approximate method. To activate it, in the bottom text box under Setup Engine
options, type the following on two lines:
OVERRIDE
SPHASE MOODYCALC = APPROXIMATE

Segment
length

Pipes are subdivided by PIPESIM in shorter segments to calculate pressure drops. More
subdivisions of the pipe provide more accurate answers but typically takes more time.
The default number of subdivisions in PIPESIM is 4. You can change it using Setup
Engine options and the Option Control tab. Set the Segments per pipe length to 3.
Note that if you set this to 2, the simulation may go even faster but the answers may be
less stable. Finally if PIPESIM encounters discontinuities using the user-suggested
subdivision, it will override it, which may slow the simulation.

Fluid model

In general, blackoil models are faster than compositional.

Flow
correlation

The native bja package is the fastest. In that package, the No Slip assumption
correlation will be the less realistic but the fastest. 3rd party-based Olga correlations will
be the slowest.

Wells offline

Wells offline allow a production well, in a network model, to be modeled using a well
performance curve of flowrate versus [outlet] well head pressure - example curve. These
well performance curve(s) are stored in ASCII files and can be created using a PIPESIM
operation or any other suitable Nodal analysis package. This option has been introduced
to reduce the time required to solve large networks. Indeed in a network model, a
significant amount of time is spent computing well bore pressure losses. In addition, it
ensures that the well operates in its stable region by providing a smooth curve. The

Technical Description

414

PIPESIM User Guide

reader is referred to Well Curves (p.19) for more details. To enable Wells offline for a
specific well, select Setup Boundary Conditions and select PQ Curve for that well.
Generally the user can set all wells offline by typing the following on two lines in the
bottom text box under Setup Engine options
OVERRIDE
SETUP WOLMODE= CREATE?
The user is referred to SETUP keywords (p.603) for the other options for the wells offline
mode.
Flashing
settings

Flashes are very expensive in term of performance. PIPESIM can minimize the number
of flashes depending on the settings in Setup Flashing. The reader is referred to
Options Calculations procedure (p.462) for more details. The option available include:
Always Interpolate (fastest): this option uses interpolation between physical
properties determined by in a predefined grid of temperature and pressure points.
Rigorous Flash when close to the Phase Envelope, interpolation elsewhere: this is a
compromise between speed and accuracy, which assumes that properties will
change more rapidly when close to a phase boundary. Interpolation is performed
whenever the grid points comprising a rectangle all show the presence of the same
phases. For example. if all 4 points in the rectangle have some oil, some gas, and
no water, then we assume the rectangle lies entirely within the 2-phase region of the
hydrocarbon phase envelope, so interpolation is appropriate. If however one, two or
three of the points have no oil, then clearly the hydrocarbon dew point line crosses
the rectangle, so a rigorous flash is required.
Always Rigorous Flash (slowest). Interpolation never occurs: properties are obtained
by flashing at the required pressure and temperature. This is the slowest but the most
accurate method.

Step 4: Revert to more accurate settings

Once your model has been fine tuned, you may want to increase accuracy again by considering the
following:
Tolerance

PIPESIM uses an iterative approach and stops calculation when the iterative error is
less than a given tolerance. Thus, the tolerance has a direct impact on the number of
iterations and the time taken to have an acceptable result. The default tolerance is 1%.
You can put a lower tolerance to increase accuracy using Setup Iterations. Note that
results with tolerance less than 0.1% are not recommended as the time needed for lower
tolerance will increase very quickly.

Boundary
conditions

Enter appropriate boundary conditions.

Loops

Enter appropriate topology with any loop.

Moody friction
factor

When the specified phase correlation is the Moody correlation or the Cullender-Smith
correlation, PIPESIM calculates the Moody friction factor using either an iterative implicit
method (Colebrook-White equation (Moody chart)), an explicit method (see the Sonnad

Technical Description

415

PIPESIM User Guide

and Goudar paper (p.448)) or a fast explicit or approximate method (see the Moody
paper (p.445)). The default calculation method for the friction factor is the explicit
method. The Moody friction factor calculation method will also have an impact on the
horizontal and vertical flow correlations as the friction factor used to compute the
pressure gradient in the flow correlations will be evaluated based on the method
specified by the Moody friction factor calculation method. See Single Phase Flow
Correlations (p.265) for more details. To use a more accurate calculation method for
the Moody friction factor, enter the following on two lines in the bottom text box under
Setup Engine options:
OVERRIDE
SPHASE MOODYCALC = EXPLICIT
or
OVERRIDE
MOODYCALC=IMPLICIT
Extra one foot
segment

PIPESIM reports pressure, temperature, flow, etc. at the middle point of each segment.
To be able to report accurate values at the start and end of each node, PIPESIM adds
an extra one foot segment at either side of each node. If you are interested in the exact
values at the beginning and end of each node you can activate that option using
Setup Engine options and the Option Control tab by checking Additional short
segments either side of each node and selecting under Options Control Group, Use
network options. Alternatively, in the bottom text box under Setup Engine options,
you can enter the following on two lines:
OVERRIDE
OPTION EOFS =ON

Fluid model

If using a compositional model, you can increase the number of flash points by typing
the following on two lines in the bottom text box under Setup Engine options.
OVERRIDE
OPTION NUMGRIDPRES =60 NUMGRIDTEMP=60
Note: The maximum flash grid size is 60x60 while the default size is 20x20

Flow
correlation

Enter the appropriate flow correlation.

Wells offline

Wells offline allow a production well, in a network model, to be modeled using a well
performance curve of flowrate versus [outlet] well head pressure - example curve. These
well performance curve(s) are stored in ASCII files and can be created using a PIPESIM
operation or any other suitable Nodal analysis package. This option has been introduced
to reduce the time required to solve large networks. Indeed in a network model, a
significant amount of time is spent computing well bore pressure losses. In addition, it
insures that the well operates in its stable region by providing a smooth curve. The
reader is referred to Well Curves (p.19) for more details. To disable Wells offline for a
specific well, select Setup> Boundary Conditions and unselect PQ Curve for that well.

Technical Description

416

PIPESIM User Guide

Generally the user can set all wells online by typing the following on two lines in the
bottom text box under Setup Engine options
OVERRIDE
SETUP WOLMODE= OFF
The user is referred to SETUP keywords (p.603) for the other options for the wells offline
mode.
Flashing
settings

Flashes are very expensive in term of performance. PIPESIM can minimize the number
of flashes depending on the settings in Setup Flashing. Select Always Rigorous Flash
(slowest) for most accuracy. See Options Calculations procedure (p.462) for more
details.

Typical and Default Data

Limits
The following limitations apply to the PIPESIM modules;

General

Maximum number of components in a stream: 50

Pipeline and facilities

Maximum number of sources: 1

Maximum number of sinks: 1

Maximum number of pipe coatings: 4

Maximum number of nodes for a pipeline or riser: 101

Well Performance

Maximum number of completions: 10

Maximum number of sinks: 1

Maximum number tubing coatings (using Expert mode) : 10

Maximum number of nodes for a tubing: 100

Maximum number of geothermal survey points: 100

Maximum number of tubing strings: Detailed model = 20, Simple model = 4

Network

Maximum number of wells / branches: Unlimited.

Maximum number of nodes: Unlimited.

Maximum number of PVT files: 500

Maximum number of compositions: 1,000

Technical Description

417

PIPESIM User Guide

Maximum number of Black Oil compositions: 1,024

Maximum number of PQ data points: 30

Note: Although the maximum number of wells, and so on, is unlimited practical limits may apply depending
upon the configuration of the PC used. The limiting factors [for large models] will be memory and processor
speed.

Tubing and Pipeline Tables

Tubing/Casing Tables
Nominal Weight OD in ID in
Bore
lb/ft

WT
in

1 1/4in

3.02

1.660 1.278 0.191

1 1/4in

2.3

1.660 1.379 0.140 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90

1 1/4in

2.33

1.660 1.379 0.140

1 1/4in

2.4

1.660 1.379 0.140 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90

1 1/4in

2.1

1.660 1.410 0.125

2 3/8in

7.7

2.375 1.703 0.336

2 3/8in

6.2

2.375 1.853 0.261

2 3/8in

5.8

2.375 1.867 0.254 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-105

Tubing

2 3/8in

5.95

2.375 1.867 0.254 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-105

Tubing

2 3/8in

5.3

2.375 1.939 0.218

2 3/8in

4.6

2.375 1.995 0.190 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-105

Tubing

2 3/8in

4.7

2.375 1.995 0.190 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-105

Tubing

2 3/8in

2.375 2.041 0.167 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90

Tubing

2 7/8in

11

2.875 2.065 0.405

2 7/8in

10.7

2.875 2.091 0.392

2 7/8in

9.5

2.875 2.195 0.340

2 7/8in

8.6

2.875 2.259 0.308 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-105

Tubing

2 7/8in

8.7

2.875 2.259 0.308 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-106

Tubing

2 7/8in

7.8

2.875 2.323 0.276 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-105

Tubing

2 7/8in

7.9

2.875 2.323 0.276 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-106

Tubing

2 7/8in

6.4

2.875 2.441 0.217 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-105

Tubing

2 7/8in

6.5

2.875 2.441 0.217 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-105

Tubing

3 1/2in

16.7

3.500 2.480 0.510

3 1/2in

15.8

3.500 2.548 0.476

Technical Description

418

Tubing
Tubing

PIPESIM User Guide

3 1/2in

12.7

3.500 2.750 0.375 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-105

Tubing

3 1/2in

12.95

3.500 2.750 0.375 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-106

Tubing

3 1/2in

12.8

3.500 2.764 0.368

3 1/2in

9.2

3.500 2.992 0.254 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-105

Tubing

3 1/2in

9.3

3.500 2.992 0.254 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,P-105

Tubing

3 1/2in

10.2

3.500 2.992 0.254 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90

Tubing

3 1/2in

7.7

3.500 3.068 0.216 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90

Tubing

4 in

13.4

4.000 3.340 0.330

4 in

11.6

4.000 3.428 0.286

4 in

11

4.000 3.476 0.262 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90

Tubing

4 in

9.5

4.000 3.548 0.226 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90

Tubing

4 1/2 in

19.2

4.500 3.640 0.430

4 1/2 in

19.1

4.500 3.626 0.437 Q-125*,V-150*

Casing

4 1/2 in

16.6

4.500 3.750 0.375 Q-125*,V-150*

Casing

4 1/2 in

15.1

4.500 3.826 0.337 HC-95*,P-110,Q-125,V-150*

Casing

4 1/2 in

15.5

4.500 3.826 0.337

4 1/2 in

13.5

4.500 3.920 0.290 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110

4 1/2 in

12.6

4.500 3.958 0.271 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90

Tubing

4 1/2 in

12.75

4.500 3.958 0.271 H-40,J-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90

Tubing

4 1/2 in

11.6

4.500 4.000 0.250 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110

Casing

4 1/2 in

10.5

4.500 4.052 0.224 J-55,K-55

Casing

4 1/2 in

9.5

4.500 4.090 0.205 H-40,J-55,K-55

Casing

5 in

24.2

5.000 4.000 0.500 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,P110,Q125

Casing

5 in

23.2

5.000 4.044 0.478 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125,V150*

Casing

5 in

21.4

5.000 4.126 0.437 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,P110

Casing

5 in

20.8

5.000 4.156 0.422

5 in

20.3

5.000 4.184 0.408

5 in

18

5.000 4.276 0.362 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125,V150*

Casing

5 in

15

5.000 4.408 0.296 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,

P110,Q125,V150*

Casing

5 in

13

5.000 4.494 0.253 J-55,K-55

Casing

5 in

11.5

5.000 4.560 0.220 J-55,K-55

Casing

5 1/2in

35

5.500 4.200 0.650 C-90

Casing

5 1/2in

26.8

5.500 4.500 0.500 Q-125*,V-150*

Casing

5 1/2in

26

5.500 4.548 0.476 C-90

Casing

Technical Description

419

PIPESIM User Guide

5 1/2in

23

5.500 4.670 0.415 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125,V150*

Casing

5 1/2in

20

5.500 4.778 0.361 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125*,V150*

Casing

5 1/2in

17

5.500 4.892 0.304 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125* Casing

5 1/2in

15.5

5.500 4.950 0.275 J-55,K-55

Casing

5 1/2in

14

5.500 5.012 0.244 H-40,J-55,K-55

Casing

5 1/2in

13

5.500 5.044 0.228

6 in

26

6.000 5.132 0.434

6 in

23

6.000 5.240 0.380

6 in

20

6.000 5.352 0.324

6 in

18

6.000 5.424 0.288

6 in

15

6.000 5.675 0.163

6 5/8 in

32

6.625 5.524 0.550 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,P110,Q125*,V150*

Casing

6 5/8 in

28

6.625 5.791 0.417 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,P110,Q125*,V150*

Casing

6 5/8 in

24

6.625 5.921 0.352 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,P110,Q125*,V150*

Casing

6 5/8 in

20

6.625 6.049 0.288 H-40,J-55,K-55

Casing

6 5/8 in

17

6.625 6.135 0.245

7 in

42.7

7.000 5.750 0.625 Q125*,V150*

Casing

7 in

38

7.000 5.920 0.540 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125,V150*

Casing

7 in

35

7.000 6.004 0.498 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125,V150*

Casing

7 in

32

7.000 6.094 0.453 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125*,V150*

Casing

7 in

29

7.000 6.184 0.408 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125*,V150*

Casing

7 in

26

7.000 6.276 0.362 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110

Casing

7 in

23

7.000 6.366 0.317 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*

Casing

7 in

20

7.000 6.456 0.272 H-40,J-55,K-55

Casing

7 in

17

7.000 6.538 0.231 H-40

Casing

7 5/8 in

47.1

7.625 6.375 0.625 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,P110,Q125

Casing

7 5/8 in

45.3

7.625 6.435 0.595 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125,V150*

Casing

7 5/8 in

39

7.625 6.625 0.500 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125,V150*

Casing

7 5/8 in

33.7

7.625 6.765 0.430 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125*,V150*

Casing

7 5/8 in

29.7

7.625 6.875 0.375 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125*,V150*

Casing

7 5/8 in

26.4

7.625 6.969 0.328 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*

Casing

7 5/8 in

24

7.625 7.025 0.300 H40

Casing

7 5/8 in

20

7.625 7.125 0.250

8 5/8 in

49

8.625 7.511 0.557 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125,V150*

Casing

8 5/8 in

44

8.625 7.625 0.500 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125*,V150*

Casing

Technical Description

420

PIPESIM User Guide

8 5/8 in

40

8.625 7.725 0.450 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125*

Casing

8 5/8 in

36

8.625 7.825 0.400 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*

Casing

8 5/8 in

32

8.625 7.921 0.352 H-40,J-55,K-55

Casing

8 5/8 in

28

8.625 8.017 0.304 H-40

Casing

8 5/8 in

24

8.625 8.097 0.264 J-55,K-55

Casing

9 5/8 in

71.8

9.625 8.125 0.750

9 5/8 in

70.3

9.625 8.157 0.734 V150*

Casing

9 5/8 in

61.1

9.625 8.375 0.625 HC-95*,Q125*,V150*

Casing

9 5/8 in

58.4

9.625 8.435 0.595 HC-95*,Q125*,V150*

Casing

9 5/8 in

53.5

9.625 8.535 0.545 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125,V150*

Casing

9 5/8 in

47

9.625 8.681 0.472 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110,Q125

Casing

9 5/8 in

43.5

9.625 8.755 0.435 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P110

Casing

9 5/8 in

40

9.625 8.835 0.395 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*

Casing

9 5/8 in

36

9.625 8.921 0.352 H-40,J-55,K-55

Casing

9 5/8 in

32.3

9.625 9.001 0.312 H-40

Casing

9 5/8 in

29.3

9.625 9.063 0.281

10 3/4 in 79.2

10.75 9.282 0.734 Q125*,V150*

0

Casing

10 3/4 in 73.2

10.75 9.406 0.672 Q125*,V150*

0

Casing

10 3/4 in 71.1

10.75 9.450 0.650 HC-95*,Q125*,V150*

0

Casing

10 3/4 in 65.7

10.75 9.560 0.595 HC-95*,P-110,Q125,V150*

0

Casing

10 3/4 in 60.7

10.75 9.660 0.545 HC-95*,P-110,Q125,V150

0

Casing

10 3/4 in 55.5

10.75 9.760 0.495 L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P-110,Q125*

0

Casing

10 3/4 in 51

10.75 9.850 0.450 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P-110

0

Casing

10 3/4 in 45.5

10.75 9.950 0.400 H-40,J-55,K-54

0

Casing

10 3/4 in 40.5

10.75 10.05 0.350 H-40,J-55,K-55

0
0

Casing

10 3/4 in 32.75

10.75 10.19 0.279 H-40

0
2

Casing

11 3/4 in 66.7

3.915 11.75 10.65 Q-125*,V-150*

0
6

Casing

Technical Description

421

PIPESIM User Guide

11 3/4 in 60

3.522 11.75 10.77 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P-110,Q-12 Casing

0
2
5

11 3/4 in 54

11.75 10.88 0.435 J-55,K-55

0
0

Casing

11 3/4 in 47

11.75 11.00 0.375 J-55,K-55

0
0

Casing

11 3/4 in 42

11.75 11.08 0.333 H-40

0
4

Casing

11 3/4 in 38

11.75 11.15 0.300

0
0

13 3/8 in 100.3

13.37 11.90 0.734 V-150*

5
7

13 3/8 in 98

13.37 11.93 0.719

5
7

13 3/8 in 92.5

13.37 12.03 0.672 Q-125*

5
1

Casing

13 3/8 in 86

13.37 12.12 0.625 HC-95*

5
5

Casing

13 3/8 in 85

13.37 12.15 0.608

5
9

13 3/8 in 77

13.37 12.27 0.550

5
5

13 3/8 in 71

13.37 12.28 0.547 Q-125*

5
1

Casing

13 3/8 in 72

13.37 12.34 0.514 C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,HC-95*,P-110,Q-125

5
7

Casing

13 3/8 in 68

13.37 12.41 0.480 J-55,K-55,C-75,L-80,N-80,C-90,C-95,P-110

5
5

Casing

13 3/8 in 61

13.37 12.51 0.430 J-55,K-55

5
5

Casing

13 3/8 in 54.5

13.37 12.61 0.380 J-55,K-55

5
5

Casing

13 3/8 in 48

13.37 12.71 0.330 H-40

5
5

Casing

16 in

109

16.00 14.68 0.656

0
8

16 in

84

16.00 15.01 0.495 J-55,K-55

0
0

Casing

16 in

75

16.00 15.21 0.393 J-55,K-55

0
4

Casing

Casing

Technical Description

422

PIPESIM User Guide

16 in

65

16.00 15.25 0.375 H-40

0
0

16 in

55

16.00 15.37 0.312

0
6

Casing

18 5/8 in 87.5

18.62 17.75 0.435 H-40,J-55,K-55

5
5

Casing

20 in

133

20.00 18.73 0.635 J-55,K-55

0
0

Casing

20 in

106.5

20.00 19.00 0.500 J-55,K-55

0
0

Casing

20 in

94

20.00 19.12 0.438 H-40,J-55,K-55

0
4

Casing

Pipeline tables
Nominal Bore Schedule OD in ID in

Wall Thickness in

1/8in

Sch 80

0.406

0.217

0.094

1/8in

Sch 40

0.406

0.268

0.069

1/4in

Sch 80

0.539

0.303

0.118

1/4in

Sch 40

0.539

0.362

0.089

3/8in

Sch 80

0.673

0.421

0.126

3/8in

Sch 40

0.673

0.492

0.091

1/2in

XXS

0.839

0.252

0.293

1/2in

Sch 160

0.839

0.461

0.189

1/2in

Sch 80

0.839

0.543

0.148

1/2in

Sch 40

0.839

0.622

0.108

3/4in

XXS

1.051

0.437

0.307

3/4in

Sch 160

1.051

0.614

0.219

3/4in

Sch 80

1.051

0.744

0.154

3/4in

Sch 40

1.051

0.827

0.112

1in

XXS

1.315

0.599

0.358

1in

Sch 160

1.315

0.815

0.250

1in

Sch 80

1.315

0.957

0.179

1in

Sch 40

1.315

1.049

0.133

1 1/4in

XXS

1.661

0.898

0.382

1 1/4in

Sch 160

1.661

1.161

0.250

1 1/4in

Sch 80

1.661

1.280

0.191

Technical Description

423

PIPESIM User Guide

1 1/4in

Sch 40

1.661

1.382

0.140

1 1/2in

XXS

1.902

1.102

0.400

1 1/2in

Sch 160

1.902

1.339

0.281

1 1/2in

Sch 80

1.902

1.500

0.201

1 1/2in

Sch 40

1.902

1.610

0.146

2in

XXS

2.375

1.503

0.436

2in

Sch 160

2.375

1.687

0.344

2in

Sch 80

2.375

1.939

0.218

2in

Sch 40

2.375

2.067

0.154

2 1/2in

XXS

2.874

1.772

0.551

2 1/2in

Sch 160

2.874

2.469

0.203

2 1/2in

Sch 80

2.874

2.323

0.276

2 1/2in

Sch 40

2.874

2.126

0.374

3in

XXS

3.500

2.300

0.600

3in

Sch 160

3.500

2.624

0.438

3in

Sch 80

3.500

2.900

0.300

3in

Sch 40

3.500

3.068

0.216

4in

XXS

4.500

2.728

0.886

4in

Sch 160

4.500

3.438

0.531

4in

Sch 120

4.500

3.622

0.439

4in

Sch 80

4.500

3.826

0.337

4in

Sch 40

4.500

4.026

0.237

5in

XXS

5.563

4.063

0.750

5in

Sch 160

5.563

4.311

0.626

5in

Sch 120

5.563

4.563

0.500

5in

Sch 80

5.563

4.815

0.374

5in

Sch 40

5.563

5.047

0.258

6in

XXS

6.625

4.897

0.864

6in

Sch 160

6.625

5.187

0.719

6in

Sch 120

6.625

5.504

0.561

6in

Sch 80

6.625

5.761

0.432

6in

Sch 40

6.625

6.211

0.280

8in

Sch 160

8.626

6.815

0.906

8in

XXS

8.626

6.878

0.874

8in

Sch 140

8.626

7.004

0.811

Technical Description

424

PIPESIM User Guide

8in

Sch 120

8.626

7.189

0.719

8in

Sch 100

8.626

7.437

0.594

8in

Sch 80

8.626

7.626

0.500

8in

Sch 60

8.626

7.815

0.406

8in

Sch 40

8.626

7.980

0.323

8in

Sch 30

8.626

8.071

0.278

8in

Sch 20

8.626

8.126

0.250

10in

Sch 160

10.748 8.496

1.126

10in

Sch 140

10.748 8.748

1.000

10in

Sch 120

10.748 9.059

0.844

10in

Sch 100

10.748 9.311

0.719

10in

Sch 80

10.748 9.559

0.594

10in

Sch 60

10.748 9.748

0.500

10in

Sch 40

10.748 10.020 0.364

10in

Sch 30

10.748 10.134 0.307

10in

Sch 20

10.748 10.248 0.250

12in

Sch 160

12.752 10.126 1.313

12in

Sch 140

12.752 10.500 1.126

12in

Sch 120

12.752 10.752 1.000

12in

Sch 100

12.752 11.063 0.844

12in

Sch 80

12.752 11.378 0.687

12in

Sch 60

12.752 11.630 0.561

12in

Sch 40

12.752 11.941 0.406

12in

Sch 30

12.752 12.091 0.331

12in

Sch 20

12.752 12.252 0.250

14in

Sch 160

14.000 11.189 1.406

14in

Sch 140

14.000 11.500 1.250

14in

Sch 120

14.000 11.811 1.094

14in

Sch 100

14.000 12.126 0.937

14in

Sch 80

14.000 12.500 0.750

14in

Sch 60

14.000 12.811 0.594

14in

Sch 40

14.000 13.122 0.439

14in

Sch 30

14.000 13.252 0.374

14in

Sch 20

14.000 13.378 0.311

14in

Sch 10

14.000 13.500 0.250

Technical Description

425

PIPESIM User Guide

16in

Sch 160

16.000 12.811 1.594

16in

Sch 140

16.000 13.126 1.437

16in

Sch 120

16.000 13.563 1.219

16in

Sch 100

16.000 13.937 1.031

16in

Sch 80

16.000 14.311 0.844

16in

Sch 60

16.000 14.689 0.656

16in

Sch 40

16.000 15.000 0.500

16in

Sch 30

16.000 15.252 0.374

16in

Sch 20

16.000 15.378 0.311

16in

Sch 10

16.000 15.500 0.250

18in

Sch 160

18.000 14.437 1.781

18in

Sch 140

18.000 14.874 1.563

18in

Sch 120

18.000 15.252 1.374

18in

Sch 100

18.000 15.689 1.156

18in

Sch 80

18.000 16.126 0.937

18in

Sch 60

18.000 16.500 0.750

18in

Sch 40

18.000 16.878 0.561

18in

Sch 30

18.000 17.122 0.439

18in

Sch 20

18.000 17.378 0.311

18in

Sch 10

18.000 17.500 0.250

20in

Sch 160

20.000 16.063 1.969

20in

Sch 140

20.000 16.500 1.750

20in

Sch 120

20.000 17.000 1.500

20in

Sch 100

20.000 16.650 1.675

20in

Sch 80

20.000 17.937 1.031

20in

Sch 60

20.000 18.378 0.811

20in

Sch 40

20.000 18.811 0.594

20in

Sch 30

20.000 19.000 0.500

20in

Sch 20

20.000 19.252 0.374

20in

Sch 10

20.000 19.500 0.250

24in

Sch 160

24.000 19.311 2.344

24in

Sch 140

24.000 19.874 2.063

24in

Sch 120

24.000 20.378 1.811

24in

Sch 100

24.000 20.937 1.531

24in

Sch 80

24.000 21.563 1.219

Technical Description

426

PIPESIM User Guide

24in

Sch 60

24.000 22.063 0.969

24in

Sch 40

24.000 22.622 0.689

24in

Sch 30

24.000 22.878 0.561

24in

Sch 20

24.000 23.252 0.374

24in

Sch 10

24.000 23.500 0.250

30in

Sch 30

30.000 28.748 0.626

30in

Sch 20

30.000 29.000 0.500

30in

Sch 10

30.000 29.378 0.311

Typical Values
Fluid Properties
The table below gives typical values for properties, in Engineering units and data for various oil locations
worldwide.
Default

Min Max North

Sea

North
America

South
America

Water cut

GOR

required

340 -1,100 600-20,000

Gas s.g.

0.64

0.64 - 0.81 0.65 - 0.8

Water s.g.

1.02

1.01 - 1.03 1.01 - 1.05

API

30

Middle
East

Far
East

32-44

34

Black Oil
Properties

Solution Gas Lasater

Correlation

100

38

13 - 56

Glaso

Lasater

7-45

Viscosity
Data
Dead Oil
viscosity

Beggs and
Robinson

Beggs and
Robinson

Viscosity @
200F

2.247

0.4 -11

5 - 10,000

Viscosity @
60F

117.8

3.8 82,000

120 - 10,000

Heat
capacities
Oil (p.571)

0.45

Gas (p.571)

0.55

Technical Description

427

Australia

PIPESIM User Guide

Water
(p.571)

1.0

Default values can be changed - click the relevant link.

Roughness
Material

ft.

in

Drawn tubing (brass, lead, glass, and the like) 0.000005

0.00006

Commercial steel or wrought iron

0.00015

0.0018

Asphalted cast iron

0.0004

0.0048

Galvanized iron

0.0005

0.006

Cast iron

0.00085

0.010

Wood stave

0.0006-0.003 0.0072-0.036

Concrete

0.001-0.01

0.012-0.12

Riveted steel

0.003-0.03

0.036-0.36

Thermal Conductivities
Material

Density

Thermal Conductivity Thermal Conductivity

(kg/m3)

Btu/hr/ft/F

Anhydrite

(W/m/K)

0.75

Carbon Steel

7900

Concrete Weight Coat

2000 - 3000 0.81 - 1.15

1.4 - 2.0

Corrosion Coat (Bitumen)

0.19

0.33

Corrosion Coat (Epoxy)

0.17

0.30

Corrosion Coat (Polyurathane) -

0.12

0.20

Dolomite

1.0

Ground (Earth)

0.37 - 1.5

Gypsum

0.75

Halite

2.8

Ice

900

28.9

1.27

50

2.2

Lignite

2.0

Limestone

0.54

Line pipe

27

46.7

Mild Steel tubing

26

45

0.75 - 1.5

1.3 - 2.6

Mud

1500

Technical Description

428

PIPESIM User Guide

Neoprene Rubber

0.17

0.3

Plastic coated pipe

20

34.6

Plastic coated tubing

20

34.6

Polyurathane Foam (dry)

30 - 100

0.011 - 0.023

0.02 - 0.04

Polyurathane Foam (wet)

0.023 - 0.034

0.4 - 0.6

PVC Foam (dry)

100 - 340

0.023 - 0.025

0.040 - 0.044

Sandstone

1.06

Shale

0.7

Stainless Steel

8.67

15

Stainless steel (13%)

18

31.14

Stainless steel (15%)

15

26

Syntactic Foam (dry)

500

0.052

0.09

Syntactic foam (wet)

0.17

0.3

Volcanics
Wet Sand

1.6
1600

1.04 - 1.44

1.8 - 2.5

Thermal Conductivities in W/m/K (Liquids and Gases)

Fluid

Default Temperature Temperature Temperature Temperature

5 oC

20oC

100oC

200oC

0.024

0.026

0.030

0.037

0.14

0.14

0.12

0.10

0.26

0.25

0.20

0.14

0.030

0.032

0.045

0.062

Natural Gas (p.560) (P=100 bara)

0.045

0.045

0.052

0.070

Natural Gas (p.560) (P=200 bara)

0.071

0.067

0.064

0.074

Natural Gas (p.560) (P=300 bara)

0.090

0.085

0.076

0.083

0.56

0.59

0.68

0.68

Air
Crude Oil (p.560) (30 API)

0.138

Glycol (DEG)
Natural Gas (p.560) (P=1 bara)

Water (p.560)

0.035

0.605

Default values can be changed - click the relevant link.

Permeability
For a gas well, this is gas permeability. For an oil well, this is total liquid permeability.
Typical values are:

< 1 md : Very low

1 - 10 md: Low

10 - 50 md: Mediocre

Technical Description

429

PIPESIM User Guide

50 - 200 md: Average

200 - 500 md: Good

> 500 md: Excellent

Drainage Radius
Common drainage radii are:

40 acres 745 ft (227 m)

80 acres 1053 ft (321 m)

160 acres 1490 ft (454 m)

640 acres 2980 ft (908 m)

Fittings
Model fittings
Fittings (elbows, values and tees) are modeled by the standard practice of utilizing equivalent length. From
the fittings table determine the extra length of pipe that needs to be added to the model to exert the same
pressure drop as the required fitting.
Valves - Equivalent lengths of 100% open valves in feet
Model as a pipe with the required ID and set the equivalent length as indicated in the table below. For
example to model a 3/4 inch angle value add a pipe section of ID 3/4 and a length of 12 feet.
Pipe Size Gate Valve Globe Valve Angle Valve
(Inches)

(feet)

(feet)

(feet)

1/2

.35

17

3/4

.50

22

12

.6

27

14

1 1/4

.8

38

18

1 1/2

1.0

44

22

1.2

53

28

2 1/2

1.4

68

33

1.7

80

42

2.3

120

53

2.8

140

70

3.5

170

84

4.5

220

120

10

5.7

280

140

12

400

190

Technical Description

430

PIPESIM User Guide

14

10

450

210

16

11

500

240

18

12

550

280

20

14

650

300

22

15

688

335

24

16

750

370

Elbows: Equivalent length of elbows in feet

Model as a pipe with the required ID and set the equivalent length as indicated in the table below. For
example to model a 3/4 standard elbow add a pipe section of ID 3/4 and a length of 2.2 feet.
Pipe Size: St'd elbow Med. sweep elbow Long sweep elbow
Inches

feet

feet

feet

1/2

1.5

1.3

3/4

2.2

1.8

1.3

2.7

2.3

1.7

1 1/4

3.6

2.3

1 1/2

4.5

3.6

2.8

5.2

4.6

3.5

2 1/2

6.5

5.5

4.3

5.2

11

14

12

16

14

11

21

18

14

10

26

22

17

Tees: Equivalent length of Tees in feet

Model as a pipe with the required ID and set the equivalent length as indicated in the table below. For
example to model a 3/4 inch Tee (straight through) add a pipe section of ID 3/4 and a length of 1.3 feet
Pipe Size: Tee (straight through) Tee (rt. angle flow)
Inches

feet

feet

1/2

3.2

3/4

1.3

4.5

1.7

5.7

1 1/4

2.3

7.5

Technical Description

431

PIPESIM User Guide

1 1/2

2.8

3.5

12

2 1/2

4.3

14

5.2

16

22

27

11

33

14

43

10

17

53

Glossary
The PIPESIM help uses the following symbols:

Roman Letters
a

is the major axis of the drainage ft

ellipse

A=

D 2
4

is the pipe cross-sectional area ft2

m2

B=

hR
k

is the Biot number

dimensionless

dimensionless

Bo

is the oil formation volume

factor

bbl / STBO

c, C

is the specific heat capacity

BTU / lb oF

J / kg K

d, D

is the pipe diameter

ft

is the specific total energy

BTU / lb

J / kg

is the friction factor

dimensionless

dimensionless

is the frequency

Hz

Hz

F, R

is the gas/oil ratio

dimensionless

dimensionless

is the acceleration due to

gravity

= 32.17 ft / s 2

= 9.81m / s 2

dimensionless

dimensionless

L 3 2gT is the Grashof number

Gr =
2
Technical Description

432

PIPESIM User Guide

is the local heat transfer

coefficient

BTU / h ft2 oF

W / m2 K

H = U + PV

is the specific enthalpy

BTU / lb

J / kg

HL

is the liquid holdup

dimensionless

dimensionless

Head

is the head

ft lbf / lb

N m / kg

is the productivity index

is the thermal conductivity

BTU / h ft oF

W /m K

ft2

m2

ft

is the absolute permeability

is the pipe length

is the horizontal well length

is the mass

lb

kg

is the molecular weight

lb / mol

kg / kmol

is the number of magnetic

poles in an ESP

dimensionless

dimensionless

is the polytropic coefficient

dimensionless

dimensionless

is the number of moles

mol

mol

is the Nusselt number

dimensionless

dimensionless

p, P

is the pressure

psi or lbf / in2

N / m2

Power

is the power

hp

is the Prandtl number

dimensionless

dimensionless

is the mass flow rate

lb / s

kg / s

is the heat transfer rate

BTU / h

ft

n
N

Nu =

Pr =

is the compressor speed

hL
k

cp
k

is the average liquid rate

is the radial distance from the

centre of well

Technical Description

433

PIPESIM User Guide

rw

is the wellbore radius

ft

reh

is the is the drainage radius of ft

a horizontal well

is the pipe radius

ft

is the gas constant

= 1545.35lbf ft / lb mol oR = 8.314 J / K mol

Ra = Pr Gr

is the Rayleigh number

dimensionless

dimensionless

Re

is the Reynolds number

dimensionless

dimensionless

is the specific entropy

is the pipe burial shape factor

BTU
lb oF

J
kg K

is the skin

dimensionless

dimensionless

is the well operating time

is the temperature

is the specific internal energy

BTU / lb

J / kg

is the overall heat transfer

coefficient

BTU / h ft2 oF

W / m2 K

is the fluid velocity

is the ESP speed

ft / s
rev / min

m/s
rev / s

is the volume

ft3

J / kg

wt

is the pipe wall thickness

ft

Ws

is the shaft work

BTU

is the vertical displacement

above a gravitational datum
level

ft

is the compressibility

ft

S=

Q
2k T

is the pipe burial depth

F, oR

Greek Letters

is the angle of the pipe to the horizontal

Technical Description

434

PIPESIM User Guide

( RZ )

is the angle of the buried arc of a partially buried

pipe

bur = sin1
k
cp

is the thermal diffusivity

ft2 / s

m2 / s

is the volumetric thermal expansion coefficient

1 / oF, 1 / oR

1/ K

is the ratio of specific heats

dimensionless

dimensionless

CV

is the specific gravity (relative density)

dimensionless

dimensionless

dbean

is the choke diameter ratio

dimensionless

dimensionless

is the pipe roughness

ft

is the efficiency, expressed as a fraction,

is the void fraction

dimensionless

dimensionless

is the fluid dynamic viscosity

cp = 10 3Pa s Pa s = kg / m s

is the density

lb / ft3

kg / m 3

ns = LL + GG is the no-slip density

lb / ft3

kg / m 3

is the flowing fraction

dimensionless

dimensionless

is the interfacial (surface) tension

dynes / cm

N /m

( )

1
=
T

Cp

dup

0<1

AvG
AvG + AvL

Subscripts
b bubble point
bulk

c critical
G gas phase

Technical Description

435

PIPESIM User Guide

L liquid phase
m mixture
o oil
r reduced
R reservoir
s gas/oil ratio, solution
slip or slippage

v vaporization or vapor phase

volume or volumetric

w water

Conversion Factors
Common conversion factors used in PIPESIM are tabulated below.

Length
1 ft = 0.3048 m 1 m = 3.28084 ft
1 ft = 12 in

Volume
1 ft3 = 0.02832 m 3

1 m 3 = 35.31467 ft3

1 barrel = 5.61458 ft3 1 ft3 = 0.17811 barrel

1 barrel = 0.15899 m3 1 m3 = 6.28981 barrel

Mass
1 lb = 0.4536 kg 1 kg = 2.2046 kg

Time
1 hour = 3600 s
1 day = 86400 s

Technical Description

436

PIPESIM User Guide

Gravity
g = 32.18 ft s 2

g = 9.81 m s 2

g = 1 / 144 psi ft2 lb 1

Pressure
The engineering units of pressure psi, needs to be treated with care. One psi is one pound-force per square
inch, or 144 pound force per square foot. A pound force is the force exerted by one pound weight, which is
one pound times the acceleration due to gravity g = 32.18 ft s 2.

1 psi = 144

lbf
ft
1
2 = 144 g lb 2
ft
s
ft2

1 bar = 105 Pa

1 bar = 14.504 psi

1 Atm = 1.01325 bar

1 Atm = 14.70 psi

Energy
1 BTU = 1.055056 kJ 1 kJ = 0.947817 BTU
1 kJ = 10 3 Pa m 3

Power
1 hp = 550 g ft2 lb s 3 1 hp = 0.7457 kW

Dynamic viscosity
1 cP = 10 3 Pa s

Permeability
1 mD = 10 10

Pa
m2
Atm

References

Technical Description

437

PIPESIM User Guide

Aggour

"Hydrodynamics and Heat Transfer in Two-Phase TwoComponent Flow", PhD thesis, University of Manitoba,
Winnepeg, Canada (1978).

Al-Hussainy, R., Ramey Jr., H. J. and Crawford, "The Flow of Real Gases Through Porous Media", JPT
P. B.
(1966) 624-636.
Alhanati, F. J. S., Schmidt, Z., Doty, D. R. and
Lagerlef, D. D.

"Continuous Gas-Lift Instability: Diagnosis, Criteria,

and Solutions", SPE 26554 (1993)

Alves,I.N., Alhanati, F. J. S. and Shoham,O.

"A Unified Model for Predicting Flowing Temperature

Distribution in Wellbores and Pipelines", SPE 20632
(1992)

Ashford, F.E. and Pierce, P.E.

"Determining Multiphase Pressure Drops and Flow

capacities in Down-Hole Safety Valves", Journal of
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Aziz, K., Govier, G. W. and Forgasi, M.

"Pressure Drop in Wells Producing Oil and Gas," J.

Cdn. Pet. Tech. (July-Sept. 1972) 38-48.

Babu, D. K. and Odeh, A. S.

"Productivity of a Horizontal Well", SPE Reservoir

Engineering (November 1989) 417-421.

Baker, A., Nielsen, K., and Gabb, A.

"Pressure Loss, Liquid-Holdup Calculations

Developed," Technology, Oil & Gas Journal (Mar. 14,
1988).

Baker, O. and Swerdloff, W.

"Calculation of Surface Tension - 3";, Oil & Gas Journal

(Dec. 5, 1955) 141.

Beal, C.

"The Viscosity of Air, Water, Natural Gas, Crude Oil and

its Associated Gases at Oil Temperatures and
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Beggs, H. D.

"Gas Processing Operations", OCGI Publications,

(1984), ISBN 0-930972-06-6

Beggs, H. D., and Brill, J. P.

"A Study of Two Phase Flow in Inclined Pipes", J. Pet.

Tech. (May 1973) 607-617.

Beggs, H. D. and Robinson, J. R.

"Estimating the Viscosity of Crude Oil Systems", J. Pet.

Tech. (Sept. 1975) 1140-1.

Bendakhlia, H. and Aziz, K.

"Inflow Performance Relationships for Solution-Gas

Drive Horizontal Wells", SPE paper 19823 presented at
the Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San
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Technical Description

438

PIPESIM User Guide

Bergman, D. F. and Sutton, R. P.

"Undersaturated Oil Viscosity Correlation for Adverse

Conditions", SPE 103144 (2006).

Bhatti and Shah

"Turbulent and Transition Flow Convective Heat

Transfer in Ducts", Handbook of Single-Phase
Convective Heat Transfer, ed. Kakac, Shah, Aung
Wiley Interscience, NY (1987)

Brill, J. P. et al.

"Analysis of Two-Phase Tests in Large Diameter Flow

Lines in Prudhoe Bay Field", SPEJ (June 1981).

Brill, J. P. and Beggs, D. H.

"Two-Phase Flow in Pipes", 6th Edition, University of

Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, (December 1988).

Brill, J.P. and Mukherjee, H.

"Multiphase Flow in Wells", SPE Monograph 17, (1999)

Brons, F. and Marting,V. E.

"The Effect of Restricted Fluid Entry on Well

Productivity", Trans., AIME (1961) 222, 1972.

Brown, T.S., Niesen, V.G., And Erickson, D.P.

"Measurement and Predition of Kinectics of Paraffin

Deposition", SPE 26548, 68th Annua Technical
Conference and Exhibition of SPE Houston, TX, 3-6
October, 1993.

Brown, K.E.

"The Technology of Artificial Methods", Penwell

Publishing Company, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1984.

Butler, B.

"Success grows in pumping high-gas-fraction

multiphase fluids", Petroleum Engineer International,
July 1999.

Celier, G. C. M. R., Jouault, P. and de Montigny, "Zuidwal: A Gas Field Development With Horizontal
O. A. M. C.
Wells", SPE paper 19826 presented at the Annual
Technical Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio,
October 1989.
Cheng, A.M.

"Inflow Performance Relationships for Solution-GasDrive Slanted/Horizontal Wells", SPE paper 20720
presented at the Annual Technical Conference and
Exhibition, New Orleans, September 1990.

Chew, J. and Conally, C. A. Jr.

"A Viscosity Correlation for Gas Saturated Crude Oils",

Trans., AIME (1974) 23.

Chu and Jones

"Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient Studies in

Upward and Downward, Vertical, Two-Phase, NonBoiling Flows", AIChE Symp. Ser., vol. 76, 79-90
(1980).

Technical Description

439

PIPESIM User Guide

Cinco, H., Miller, F.G.,and Ramey H.J.

"Unsteady-State Pressure Distribution created By a

Directionally Drilled Well," JPT 5131, (1975)

Cinco, H., Samaniego, V., and Dominguez A.

"Transient Pressure Behavior for a Well With a FiniteConductivity Vertical Fracture", SPE 6014, August
1978.

Cinco-Ley, H., and Samaniego, F.

"Transient Pressure Analysis for Fractured Wells", JPT,

1749 - 1766, September 1981a.

Cinco-Ley, H., and Samaniego, F.

"Transient Pressure Analysis: Finite Conductivity

Fracture Case versus Damage Fracture Case", SPE
Paper 10179, 1981b.

Colburn

"A Method of Correlating Forced Convection Heat

Transfer Data and a Comparison With Fluid Friction",
Trans. AIChE, 19, 174 (1933) [reprinted in Int. J. Heat
Mass Transfer, 7, 1359 (1964]..

Cooper, R.E., and Troncoso, J.C.

"An Overview of Horizontal Well Completion

Technology", SPE paper 17582 presented at the
International Meeting on Petroleum Engineering,
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Crane Technical Paper 410

"Flow of fluids through valves, fittings and pipe", 1988,

Crane Co.

Dake, L.P.

"Fundamentals of Reservoir Engineering", Elsevier

Scientific Publishing Co., New York, (1978).

De Ghetto, G. et al.

"Reliability Analysis on PVT Correlations", SPE 28904

(1994).

De Ghetto, G. et al.

"Pressure-Volume-Temperature Correlations for

Heavy and Extra Heavy Oils", SPE 30316 (1995).

de Marolles, C. abd de Salis, J.

"Innovations in multiphase hydrocarbon operations",

www.pump-zone.com, (1999)

Dikken, B.J.

"Pressure Drop in Horizontal Wells and its Effect on

Production Performance", JPT (November 1990)
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Dipprey and Sabersky

"Heat and Momentum Transfer in Smooth and Rough

Tubes at Various Prandtl Numbers", Int. J. Heat Mass
Transfer, 6, 329 (1963)

Dittus and Bolter

"Heat Transfer in Automobile Radiators of the Tubular

Type", University of California Pub. Eng., 2, 443 (1930).

Technical Description

440

PIPESIM User Guide

Drexel and McAdams

"Heat Transfer Coefficients for Air Flowing in Round

Tubes and Around Finned Cylinders", NACA ARR No.
4F28, [also Wartime Report W-108 (1945)].

Dukler, E. A., et al.

"Gas-Liquid Flow in Pipelines, I. Research Results",

AGA-API Project NX-28 (May 1969).

Duns, H., and Ros, N. C. J.

"Vertical Flow of Gas and Liquid Mixtures in Wells", 6th.

World Pet. Congress (1963) 452.

Earlougher, R. C. Jr,

"Advances in Well Test Analysis", SPE Monograph 5,

(1977)

Eaton, B. A.

"Prediction of Flow Patterns, Liquid Holdup and

Pressure Losses Occurring During Continuous TwoPhase Flow in Horizontal Pipelines", Trans., AIME
(1967) 815.

Economides, M.J., Hill, D.A., and Economides,

C.E.

"Petroleum Production Systems", PTR Prentice Hall,

1994.

Economides, M.J., McLennan, J.D., Brown, E.,

and Roegiers, J.C.

"Performance and Stimulation of Horizontal Wells",

World Oil, (July 1989) 69-76.

Eckert, E.R.G. and Jackson, T.W.

"Analysis of Turbulent Free Convection Boundary

Layer on a Flat Plate", NACA Repot 1015 (July 1950)

Elsharkawy, A.M. and Alikhan, A.A.

"Models for predicting the viscosity of Middle East crude

oils", Fuel 78 (1999), 891-903.

Elamvaluthi and Srinivas

"Two-Phase Heat Transfer in Two Component Vertical

Flows", Int. J. Multiphase Flow, vol. 10, no. 2, p.
237-242 (1984).

Fetkovich, M.J.

"The Isochronal Testing of Oil Wells", SPE 4259,

(1973).

Fetkovich, M.J. and Vienot, M.E.

"Shape Factors, CA, Expressed as a Skin, sCA", JPT

(February 1985) 321-322.

Flanigan, O.

"Effect of Uphill Flow on Pressure Drop in Design of

Two-Phase Gathering Systems", Oil and Gas J. (March
10, 1958) 56, 132.

Folefac, A. N., Archer, J. S. and Issa, R. I.

"Effect of Pressure Drop Along Horizontal Wellbores on

Well Performance", SPE paper 23094 presented at the
Offshore Europe Conference held in Aberdeen
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Forchheimer, Ph.

"Wasserbevegung durch Boden", Z. Ver. Deutch. Ing.,

Vol. 45 (1901) p. 1781 - 1788

Technical Description

441

PIPESIM User Guide

Framo Webpage

http://www.framoeng.no/pump.php

Friend and Metzner

"Turbulent Heat Transfer inside Tubes and the Analogy

among Heat, Mass, and Momentum Transfer", AIChE
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Ghassan, H. A., and Maha, R. A.

"Correlations developed to predict two-phase flow

through wellhead chokes", The Journal of Canadian
Petroleum technology, Volume 30, No 6, 1991

Giger, F. M., Reiss, L. H., and Jourdan, A. P.

"The Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Horizontal

Drilling", SPE paper 13024 presented at the Annual
Technical Conference and Exhibition in Houston,
September 1984.

Glas, O.

"Generalized Pressure Volume Temperature

Correlation", J. Pet. Tech. (May 1980) 785.

Golan, M. and Whitson, C.H.

"Well Performance", International Human Resources

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Goode, P. A. and Wilkinson, D. J.

"Inflow Performance of Partially Open Horizontal

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(1989).

Gowen and Smith

"Turbulent Heat Transfer from Smooth and Rough

Surfaces", Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 11, 1657 (1968)

Grolman, E.

"Gas-Liquid Flow with Low Liquid Loading in Slightly

Inclined Pipes", Ph.D. Dissertation, U. of Amsterdam,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands (1994).

Grolman, Commandeur, de Basst and Fortuin

"Wavy-to-Slug Flow Transition in Slightly Inclined GasLiquid Pipe Flow", AIChE Journal, vol 42. No. 4, p901
(1996)

Gurley, D. G., Copeland, C. T. and Hendrick, J. L. "Design Plan and Execution of Gravel-Pack
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Hagedorn, A. R. and Brown, K. E.:

"Experimental Study of Pressure Gradients Occurring

During Continuous Two-Phase Flow in Small-Diameter
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Hausen

"Neue Gleichungen fur die Warmeubertragung bei

frieier oder erzwungener Stromung", Allg. Warmetchn.,
9, 75 (1959).

Hawkins, M. F., Jr.

"A Note on the Skin Effect", Trans. AIME, 207: 356-357,

(1956).

Technical Description

442

PIPESIM User Guide

Hayduk, W. and Minhas, B.S.

"Correlations for Predictions of Molecular Diffusivities

in Liquids", The Canadian Journal of Chemical
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Hernandez, O.C., Hensley, H., Sarica, C., Brill,

J.P., Volk, M., Delle-Case, E.

"Improvements in Single-Phase Paraffin Deposition

Modeling", SPE Production and Facilities, 237, (2004).

Hossain, M.S. et al.

"Assessment and development of Heavy-Oil Viscosity

Correlations", SPE/PS-CIM/CHOA 97907,
PS2005-407.

Jones, L.G., Blount, E.M. and Glaze, O.H.

"Use of Short Term Multiple Rate Flow Tests To Predict

Performance of Wells Having Turbulence", SPE 6133
(1976).

Jones, L. G. and Slusser, M. L.

"The Estimation of Productivity Loss Caused by

Perforation - Including Partial Completion and
Formation Damage", SPE paper 4798 (1974).

Joshi, S. D.

"Horizontal Well Technology", Penwell Publishing

Company, Tulsa, Oklahoma (1991).

Joshi, S. D.:

"A Review of Horizontal and Drainhole Technology",

SPE paper 16868 presented at the Rocky Mountain
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Kaminsky, R. D.

"Estimation of Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer in

Pipes", J Energy Res Tech, vol 121, p 75 (1999).

Karakas, M. and Tariq, S,M.

"Semianalytical Productivity Models for Perforated

Completions", SPE 18247 (1991).

Karassik, J. et al.

"Pump Handbook", 2nd edition, McGraw-Hill Inc., 1986

Kartoatmodjo, R.S.T. and Schmidt, Z.

"New Correlations For Crude Oil Physical Properties",

SPE 23556 (1991).

Katz, D. L. et al.

"Handbook of Natural Gas Engineering", McGraw Hill

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Kawase and Ulbrecht

"Turbulent Heat and Mass Transfer in Dilute Polymer

Solutions", Chem Eng Sci, 37, 1039 (1982)

Kawase and De

"Turbulent Heat and Mass Transfer in Dilute Polymer

Solutions Flowing Through Rough Tubes", Int. J. Heat
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Kern, D.Q. and Seaton, R.E.

"A Theoretical Analysis of Thermal Surface Fouling",

British Chemical Engineering, Brit. Chem. Eng. 4, 258
(1959).

Technical Description

443

PIPESIM User Guide

Khoze, Dunayev, Sparin

"Heat and Mass Transfer in Rising Two-Phase Flows in

Rectangular Channels", Heat Transfer-Sov. Res., vol.
8, no. 3, p 87-90, (1976)

King

"Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop for an Air-Water

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Knott et al.

"An experimental Study of Heat Transfer to NitrogenOil Mixtures", Ind. Eng. Chem., vol. 51, no. 11, p.
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Kreith, F. and Bohn, M.

"Principles of Heat Transfer", 5th Edition, PWS

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Kudirka, Grosh, McFadden

"Heat Transfer in Two-Phase Flow of Gas-Liquid

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(1965)

Lasater, J. A.:

"Bubble Point Pressure Correlation", Trans., AIME

(1958) 379.

Lee, A. L., Gonzales. M.H. and Eakin, B.E.

"The Viscosity of Natural Gases", Trans., AIME (1966),

237, 997-1000.

Lockhart, R. W. and Martinelli, R. C.

"Proposed Correlation of Data for Isothermal Twophase, Two-Component Flow in Pipes", Chem. Eng.
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Martin and Sims

"Forced Convection Heat Transfer to Water with Air

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"Multiphase Flow Paraffin Deposition Modeling", Ph.D.

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Matzain, A., Apte, M.S., Zhang, H.-Q., Volk, M.,

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Proceedings of ETCE 2001, ETCE2001-17114, 927
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Matzain, A., Apte, M.S., Zhang, H.-Q., Volk, M.,

Brill, J.P., Creek, J.L.

"Investigation of Paraffin Deposition During Multiphase

Flow in Pipelines and Wellbores-Part 1: Experiments",
Transactions of the ASME, 124, 180 (2002).

McCain, William D. Jr.

"Petroleum Fluids", edition 2..

McLeod, H. O.

"The Effect of Perforating Conditions on Well

Performance", JPT (Jan. 1983).

Technical Description

444

PIPESIM User Guide

Manabe, R.

"A comprehensive heat transfer model for two phase

flow with high pressure flow pattern validation",
University of Tulsa, (2001).

Manhane, J. M., Gregory, G. A. and Aziz, K.

"A Flow Pattern Map for Gas-Liquid Flow Pattern in

Horizontal Pipes", Int. J. of Multiphase Flow.

Martinelli

"Heat Transfer to Molten Metals", Trans. ASME, 69,

947 (1947).

Minami, K. and Brill, J. P.

"Liquid Holdup in Wet Gas Pipelines", SPE J. Prod.

Eng. (May 1987).

Mirza, K. Z.

"Progressing cavity multiphase pumping systems:

expanding the possibilities", presented at BHR
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Moody, L.

"An approximate Formula for Pipe Friction Factors",

Transactions ASME, vol 69, pp. 1005 (1947)

Mukherjee, H. and Brill, J. P.

"Liquid Holdup Correlations for Inclined Two-Phase

Flow", JPT (May 1983) 1003-1008.

Mukherjee, H. and Economides, M. J.

"A Parametric Comparison of Horizontal and Vertical

Well Performance", SPE paper 18303 presented at the
Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition in
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Muskat, M.

"The Flow of Homogeneous Fluids Through Porous

Media", I.H.R.D.C., Boston (1937).

Mutalik, P. N., Godbole, S. P. and Joshi, S. D.

"Effect of Drainage Area Shapes on Horizontal Well

Productivity", SPE paper 18301 presented at the
Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Houston
(October 1988).

Norris, L.

"Correlation of Prudhoe Bay Liquid Slug Lengths and

Holdups Including 1981 Large Diameter Flowlines
Tests", Internal Report Exxon (October 1982).

Nunner

"Warmeubergang und Druckabfall in Rauhen Rohren",

VDI-Forschungsheft 445, ser B, 22, 5 (1956) or 786Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell UK

Oliemans, R. V. A.

"Two-Phase Flow in Gas-Transmission Pipeline",

ASME paper 76-Pet-25, presented at Pet. Div. ASME
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Technical Description

445

PIPESIM User Guide

Oliver and Wright

"Pressure Drop and Heat Transfer in Gas-Liquid Slug

Flow in Horizontal Tubes", Bri. Chem. Eng., vol. 9, no.
9, p 590-596 (1964)

Omana, R. et al.

"Multiphase Flow Through Chokes", SPE 2682, 1969

Orkiszewski, J.

"Predicting Two-Phase Pressure Drops in Vertical

Pipes", J. Pet. Tech. (June 1967) 829-838.

Oxley, K. C., Ward, J.M. and Derks, W.G.

"How multiphase pumping can make you money",

presented at Facilities 2000 Conference, New Orleans
1999

Palmer, C. M.

"Evaluation of Inclined Pipe Two-Phase Liquid Holdup

Correlations Using Experimental Data", M.S. Thesis,
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Payne, G. A.:

"Experimantal Evaluation of Two-Phase Pressure Loss

Correlations for Inclined Pipe", M.S. Thesis, The
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Pan, S., Zhu, J., Zhang, D., Razouki, A., Talbot,

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"Case Studies on Simulation of Wax Deposition in

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Poettman, F. H. and Beck, R. L.

"New Charts Developed to Predict Gas-Liquid Flow

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Prandtl, L.

"Furhrrer durch die Stomungslehre", Vieweg,

Braunschweig, p 359 (1944)

Petrosky, G.E. Jr. and Farshad, F .F.

"Pressure-Volume-Temperature Correlations for Gulf

of Mexico Crude Oils", SPE 51395 (1998)

Petukhov and Gnielinski

Int. Chem. Eng., 16-2, p 359, (1976)

Petukhov and Kirillov

"Heat Transfer and Friction in Turbulent Pipe Flow with

Variable Physical Properties", Adv. Heat Tranfer, vol.
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Poling, B.E., Prausnitz, J.M. and O'Connell, J.P. "The Properties of Gases and Liquids", Fifth Edition,
McGraw-Hill
Pots, B. F. M., Bromilow, I. G. and Konijn, M. J. W. "Severe Slug Flow on Offshore Flowline/Riser
Systems", SPE paper 13723, (March 1985).
Prats, M.

"Effect of Vertical Fractures on Reservoir BehaviorIncompressible Fluid Case", SPEJ, pp. 105-118, June
1961.

Pucknell, J.K. and Mason J.N.E.

"Predicting the Pressure Drop in a Cased-Hole Gravel

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Technical Description

446

PIPESIM User Guide

Ramey, H.J.

"Wellbore Heat Transmission", JPT 435 Trans AIME,

No. 225 (April 1962)

Ravipudi and Godbold

"The Effect of Mass Transfer on Heat Transfer Rates

for Two-Phase Flow in a Vertical Pipe", Proc. 6th Int.
Heat Transfer Conf.-Toronto, vol. 1, p 505-510, (1978)

Rawlins, E.L. and Schellhardt, M.A,

"Backpressure Data on Natural Gas Wells and Their

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Renard, G. I. and Dupuy, J. M.

"Influence of Formation Damage on the Flow Efficiency

of Horizontal Wells", SPE paper 19414 presented at the
Formation Damage Control Symposium, Lafayette
(February 1990).

Rezkallah and Sims

"An Examination of Correlations of Mean Heat Transfer

Coefficients in Two-Phase and Two-Component Flow
in Vertical Tubes", AIChE Symp. Ser., vol. 83, pp.
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Romero, D.J., Valko, P.P., and Economides, M.J. "The Optimization Of The Productivity Index And The
Fracture Geometry Of A Stimulated Well With Fracture
Face And Choke Skins", SPE 73758, 2002.
Sandall et al.

"A New Theoretical Formula for Turbulent Heat and

Mass Transfer with Gases or Liquids in Tube Flow",
Can. J. Chem. Eng., 58, 443 (1980)

Shell report SIEP 98-5463

"Satellite multiphase boosting - Multiphase boosting

study", Siep-RTS, ABB Lummus Global

Scott, S. L., Shoham, O., and Brill, J. P.

"Prediction of Slug Length in Horizontal LargeDiameter Pipes", SPE paper 15103 (April 1986).

Schneider, G. E.

"An Investigation Into Heat Loss Characteristics of

Buried Pipes", Journal of Heat Transfer Vol. 107
(pp696-699) (Aug 1985).

Shah

"Generalized Prediction of Heat Transfer during Two

Component Gas-Liquid Flow in Tubes and Other
Channels", AIChE Symp. Ser., vol. 77, no. 208, p.
140-151, (1981).

Sieder and Tate

"Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop of Liquids in Tubes",

Ind. Eng. Chem., 28, 1429 - 1453 (April 1986).

Singh, P.

"Gel Deposition on Cold Surfaces", U. of Michigan, Ann

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Technical Description

447

PIPESIM User Guide

Sonnad, J. and Goudar, C.

"Explicit Reformulation of the Colebrook-White

Equation for turbulent Flow friction Factor calculation",
Ind. Eng. Chem. Res, 46, pp. 2593-2600, (2007)

Span, R. and Wagner, W.

"A New Equation of State for Carbon Dioxide Covering

the Fluid Region from the Triple-Point Temperature to
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Standing, M. B.

"Volumetric and Phase Behavior of Oil Field

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Standing, M. B.

"A General Pressure Volume-Temperature Correlation

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Standing, M. B. and Katz, D. L.

"Volumetric and Density of Natural Gases", Trans.,

AIME (1942) 140.

Taitel, Y. and Dukler, A. E.

"A Model for Predicting Flow Regime Transitions in

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(Jan. 1976) 47-55.

Vasquez, M., and Beggs, H. D.

"Correlations for Fluid Physical Property Prediction",

SPE paper 6719, presented at the 52nd Annual
Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of
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Venkatesan, R.

"The Deposition and Rheology of Organic Gels", U. of

Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (2004).

Vijay, Aggour, and Sims

"A Correlation of Mean Heat Transfer Coefficients for

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Proc. 7th Int. Heat Transfer Conf., vol. 5, p. 367-372
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von Karman,

"The Analogy Between Fluid Friction and Heat

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Vogel, J. V.

"Inflow performance relationships for solution gas drive

wells", Journal Pet. Tech., SPE 1476, (1968)

Webb

"A Critical Evaluation of Analytical Solutions and

Reynolds Analogy Equations for Turbulent Heat and
Mass Transfer in Short Tubes", Warme-und
Stoffubertrag, 4, 197 (1971).

Woelflin, W.

"The Viscosity of Crude-Oil Emulsions", Drill. and Prod.

Prac., API (1942) 148.

Technical Description

448

PIPESIM User Guide

Zhang, H.Q., Wang, Q., Sarica, C., Brill, J.P.

"Unified Model for Gas-Liquid Pipe Flow Via Slug

Dynamics - Part 1: Model Development", ASME
Journal of Energy Resources Technology, Vol.125
(December 2003) 274.

Zhang, H.-Q., Wang, Q., Sarica, C. and Brill, J.P. "Unified Model for Gas-Liquid Pipe Flow Via Slug
Dynamics - Part 2: Verification", ASME Journal of
Energy Resources Technology, Vol.125 (December
2003) 266.

Technical Description

449

PIPESIM User Guide

Keyword Index
Input Files and Input Data Conventions (p.454)
General Data (p.461)
Compositional Data (p.574)
Blackoil Data (p.562)
Heat Transfer Data (p.553)
Flow Correlation Data (p.488)
System and Equipment Data (p.496)
Well Performance Modeling (p.533)
PIPESIM Operations (p.583)
Keyword List
PIPESIM-Net Keywords (p.603)

Keyword List
A (p.450) B (p.450) C (p.450) D (p.451) E (p.451) F (p.451) G (p.451) H (p.451) I (p.452) J (p.452)
K (p.452) L (p.452) M (p.452) N (p.452) O (p.453) P (p.453) Q (p.453) R (p.453) S (p.453) T
(p.453) U (p.454) V (p.454) W (p.454) X (p.454) Y (p.454) Z (p.454)

ASSIGN (p.595)

BACKPRES (p.545)

BEGIN (p.484)

BLACKOIL (p.563)

BRANCH (p.606)

CASE (p.462)

CALIBRATE (p.572)

CHOKE (p.497)

COMP (p.575)

COMPCRV (p.501)

COMPLETION (p.502)

COMPRESSOR (p.504)

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CONETAB (p.544)

CONFIG (p.561)

CONTAMINANTS (p.574)

CORROSION (p.505)

CPFLUID (p.571)

DE

END (p.484)

ENDCASE (p.484)

ENDJOB (p.484)

EROSION (p.506)

EQUIPMENT (p.507)

ESP (p.527)

EXPANDER (p.509)

FETKOVICH (p.536)

FITTING (p.510)

FLOWLINE (p.502)

FMPUMP (p.512)

FORCHHEIMER (p.551)

FRACTURE (p.551)

FRAMO2009 (p.512)

GASLIFT (p.513)

HCORR (p.491)

HEATER (p.513)

HEADER (p.461)

HEAT (p.553)

HORWELL (p.545)

HVOGEL (p.551)

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IFPPSSE (p.537)

IFPTAB (p.543)

IFPCRV (p.541)

INLET (p.474)

INJGAS (p.519)

INJFLUID (p.519)

INJPORT (p.517)

IPRCRV (p.541)

ITERN (p.471)

JOB (p.461)

JONES (p.536)

JUNCTION (p.612)

KCOAT (p.558)

LAYER (p.547)

LVIS (p.566)

MPBOOSTER (p.521)

MPUMP (p.522)

MULTICASE (p.587)

NAPLOT (p.583)

NAPOINT (p.587)

NODE (p.523)

NOPRINT (p.484)

NSEPARATOR (p.613)

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OPTIONS (p.462)

OPTIMIZE (p.596)

PERMCRV (p.549)

PERMTAB (p.550)

PETROFRAC (p.533)

PIPE (p.525)

PLOT (p.481)

PRINT (p.474)

PROP (p.565)

PUMP (p.527)

PUMPCRV (p.501)

PUSH (p.486)

QR

RATE - Compositional (p.579)

RATE - Blackoil (p.470)

REINJECTOR (p.530)

RISER (p.502)

SEPARATOR (p.531)

SETUP (p.603)

SINK (p.611)

SLUG (p.532)

SOURCE (p.608)

SPHASE (p.493)

TABLE (p.594)

TCOAT (p.557)

TIME (p.146)

TPRINT - Compositional (p.579)

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TPRINT - Blackoil (p.572)

TRANSIENT (p.551)

TUBING (p.502)

UNITS (p.462)

USERDLL - Flow Correlations (p.495)

USERDLL - Equipment (p.488)

VCORR (p.489)

VOGEL (p.536)

Wax Deposition (p.146)

WELLHEAD (p.533)

WELLPI (p.535)

WCOPTION (p.538)

WPCURVE (p.536)

XYZ

Input Files and Input Data Conventions

General
The PIPESIM engine input processor accepts data under a system of main-code and sub-code keywords.
The entire input data file is checked for syntax errors before program execution begins; if any input errors
are detected, diagnostics are written to the terminal (for interactive jobs) and to the Input Data Echo in the
main job output, and program execution is halted.

Statements
Data is entered in statements. Each statement must begin with a main-code keyword (unless it is a comment
card or a blank line), and is followed by sub-code keywords and equated values appropriate to the maincode.
Statements are usually entered one per line in the file; but if desired, a statement can be split across multiple
lines, or multiple statements can be provided on one line. In all cases there is a limit of 256 characters per
statement, and per line, including spaces.
Statements are composed of printable text characters. Valid characters are those in the 7- or 8-bit ASCII
set between decimal values 32 (space, [ ]) and 126 (tilde, [~]). Some computers or installations will generate

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characters outside this range, due to differences in national language alphabets and punctuation. Usually
this will not cause any problems but this cannot be guaranteed.
(Files containing ASCII codes greater than 128 or less than 32 are often created using a word-processing
program, because these characters are used as formatting instructions to produce a correctly formatted
printed page. For PIPESIM however they are not required and will sometimes cause the program to
generate large numbers of syntax errors. Use of such programs for preparing input files is best avoided,
you should use a text editor instead; alternatively acceptable results may be obtained by requesting the
word-processor to produce ASCII text files as output.)
Upper and lower case can be freely mixed, except where doing so would cause the computer system to
assign a different meaning to the data. All Maincodes and Subcodes described in this document are caseinsensitive, but for example some computer systems are case-sensitive in filenames, so where these are
specified care must be taken to provide the correct case.

Delimiters
There are a number of characters reserved for use as delimiters. In general these can only be used for the
purpose described, however if a reserved delimiter character is required for use in a character string, the
string can be quoted with apostrophes or double quotes. The delimiters (with ASCII decimal codes) are:

[ ] One or more blanks or spaces can be used to delimit main-code and sub-code entries, and to improve
readability in conjunction with other delimiter characters. (ASCII 32)

[,] A comma (with or without one or more blanks) can also be used to delimit main-code and subcode
entries, but its main use is to delimit data items when a multiple set of values is provided with parentheses
(see below). (ASCII 46)

[=] An equal's sign is used to separate each subcode from its associated numeric or character data.
Additional spaces may be inserted either side of the equals to improve readability. Some subcodes do
not require values; if no value is provided the equals must be omitted. (ASCII 61)

['] Apostrophes (also known as closing single quotes) can be used in matching pairs to delimit character
data which itself contains delimiter characters, e.g. embedded blanks. (Do not confuse apostrophe with
the opening single quote[`], and do not attempt to match opening and closing single quotes with one
another.) (ASCII 39)

["] Double quotes can be used in matching pairs as an alternative to apostrophes in delimiting character
data. This is useful when the character string contains one or more single quotes. (Note that double
quote is itself a single character or keystroke, and is not equivalent to two single quotes.) (ASCII 34)

[$] or [!] Either a dollar sign or an exclamation point is used to delimit end-of-line comments from input
data. All characters on the line between the comment delimiter and end-of-line will be ignored. (ASCII
36 and 33)

[(] [)] Parentheses are used to enclose Multiple Value Data Sets when 2 or more values are provided
for a subcode. Supplied data values should be separated with commas. (Additional separators are valid
in multiple data sets, see below.) (ASCII 40 and 41)

[&] The ampersand is used to continue a statement across two or more lines. It is placed as the last
character on a line to specify that the statement continues on the next line. There is no limit to the number
of continuation lines, but the complete statement cannot span more than 256 characters, including
spaces. The ampersand should appear between subcodes. Continued lines can be separated with blank
lines, but not with comment lines. (ASCII 38)

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[;] The semicolon is used to separate multiple statements provided on a single line. (ASCII 59)

Examples
RATE LIQUID = 6000 GLR = 400 WCUT = 20
RATE, LIQ=6000, GLR=400, WCUT=20
MULTICASE LIQ = ( 200, 250, 300 ) GLR = ( 95, 105 )
HEADER PROJECT=TEST, USER=J. BLOGGS
HEADER PROJECT=TEST, USER='JOE BLOGGS'
$ This line is a comment and will be ignored
! This line is also a comment
MULTICASE LIQ=(200.250,300) GLR=(95,105) ! This is an
end-of-line comment
RATE, LIQ=6000, GLR=400, WCUT=20 $ This is also an end-of-line comment
MULTICASE LIQ=(200.250,300) & ! This statement is continued on the next line
GLR=(95,105)
! the next line contains two statements
RATE, LIQ=6000, GLR=400, WCUT=20 ; MULTICASE
LIQ=(200,250,300) GLR=(95,105)

Abbreviations
Main-code and sub-code keywords can be abbreviated down to the minimum number of letters required to
make them unique in their context. For maincodes the context is all other main-codes; thus for example the
GASLIFT maincode can be abbreviated to G because no other maincode starts with G, but COMP is an
illegal abbreviated maincode because it matches COMPRESSOR, COMPLETION and COMPOSITION.
The context for subcodes is restricted to the set of legal subcodes for the maincode concerned. If the
keyword is abbreviated too much, the input processor will generate a syntax error and processing will
terminate.

Example
For example the following 2 lines are equivalent:
OPTIONS SEGMENTS=10
OPT S=10

Numeric data
Except where noted, all numeric data must be equated to a preceding subcode with an equals sign [=].
Decimal points are optional, if provided only one is allowed and it must be the period or full stop character,
[.] (ASCII 46). Large and small values may carry an exponent, for example, 1200000 may be written as
1.2e6 (or 0.12E7, .12e7, 1.2+6, 1.2e+6, 1.2D6, and so on). For example 0.000034 may be written as 3.4e-5
(or 0.34e-6, and so on). Do not embed spaces or commas in numeric data; they will be interpreted as
delimiters signaling the end of the data item, and the remaining digits will then cause a syntax error.
Some main-codes allow data to be provided without keywords, in a strict positional order. Usually this is to
allow easy entry of tabular data. Examples are PERMTAB (p.550), CONETAB (p.544), IFPTAB (p.543).

Example
In the following example, all lines are equivalent:

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RATE MASS=224.0
RATE MASS=.224e+3
RATE MASS=224

Units Description
A Units Description String can accompany numeric data. Such strings are the best way to provide data in
units different to the defaults established with the UNITS statement. The string must contain no embedded
blanks or other recognized delimiters. It can appear after the data to which it refers, or between the keyword
and the equals. For example:
RATE LIQ = 3000 bbl/day WCUT = 55 % GOR = 300 scf/bbl
RATE LIQ bbl/day = 3000 wcut % = 55 GOR scf/bbl =
300

Multiple value data sets equated to non-symbolic subcodes can also accept unit's description strings placed
outside the parentheses, for example:
PUMPCRV head = (300, 250,200,150,100,50) kj/kg

Symbolic subcodes (eg ?ALPHA, ?BETA on Multicase) will not allow units description strings. Instead, the
description can be placed on the line where the symbol is used, for example:
MULTICASE ?ALPHA=(20,30,40)
PUMP DP = ?ALPHA kg/cm2

Character Input
Character data should be enclosed in a single or double quotes if it contains reserved delimiter characters
(for example embedded blanks). It must be equated to a sub-code with an [=] sign.

Example
For example:
HCORR PLOSS = BJA HOLOUP = BJA MAP = TD
NODE dist=0 elev = 0 t=100 u=0.8 label = "Station Z' to
J2"

Comment Statements and Blank Lines

Any information to the right of a comment delimiter [$ or !] is ignored. Lines beginning with a comment
delimiter sign will be ignored completely and can be entered at any location in the input data file.
Blank lines are also ignored and so may be used to improve layout and readability.

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Example
$ ~---- THIS LINE WILL BE IGNORED ----RATE, MASS=224 $ THIS IS AN IN-LINE COMMENT

Multiple Value Data Sets

Some subcodes accept more than one value, and for these an explicit syntax is available using parentheses.
At its simplest the Multiple Value Data Set is a 2 or more values, separated by commas, and enclosed by
parentheses. For example:
MULTICASE LIQ=(200,250,300) GLR=(95,105)
CHOKE dbean = 0.5 ccorr = (pratio, sonicup, flowrate)
DOVCORR uovcorr=table temps=(80,100,120,140)
viscs=(6.5,5,2,1.5)
PRINT CUSTOM=(g3,h3,i3,k1,l1,m4,g4,f4,h11,i11,j11,m11)
PLOT CASE=(+,f7,g7,h7)

Multiple value sets can become very long, and care should be taken to avoid the maximum statement limit
of 256 characters.
A range of data values can be specified for numeric data, this is a convenient alternative to entering long
strings of explicit values. The syntax is ( start : finish ; iop increment), which specifies a Starting value, a
Finishing value, an Increment Operator, and an Increment Value. The special characters used are:
colon [:]

separates the starting value from the finishing value

semicolon [;]

separates the finishing value from the increment operator

plus [+]

the addition operator

minus [-]

the subtraction operator

asterisk [*]

the multiplication operator

hash/sharp/number sign [#] the enumeration operator.

Note: On computers outside the USA, the hash character will sometimes
display as the national currency symbol. The required ASCII code is 35
decimal.

Examples
Some examples:
Example 1
To specify values from 10 to 100 by repeated addition of 5:
(10:100;+5).

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Example 2
To specify values from 10 to 100 in 50 equal-sized steps:
(10:100;#50)

Example 3
To specify values from 10 to 100 by repeated multiplication by 1.5:
(10:100;*1.5)

Example 4
To specify values from 100 to 10 by repeated subtraction of 7:
(100:10;-7)

Example 5
The range syntax can appear many times and be combined with other values, E.g.:
MULTICASE GLR=( 0, 1:1000;*1.5, 1200, 1600, 2000:10000;+1000 )

Input Files
General
The input data may appear in more than one file. At least one file is required, this may contain explicit
references to further files if desired. In addition certain other files, if they exist, will be automatically read
and processed in addition to your main input file.

The main input ('.PSM' or '.PST') file

Conventionally, the main input file has a filename with an extension of '.PSM'. It is specified on the engine
command line or in answer to the engine prompt 'INPUT FILE NAME:'. In fact however any extension can
be chosen, and will be used as specified. Beware however that word-processing programs can generate
files with embedded formatting characters (that the engine will not recognize) if certain extensions are used,
for example .TXT, .DOC. You are advised to use .PSM as the extension for all PIPESIM keyword main input
files.
Note: The PIPESIM Graphical User Interface (GUI) program generates temporary engine keyword files
with the extension .PST. All such files are assumed by it to be volatile, so if you choose to create files with
a .PST extension, they are likely to be overwritten with no warning. Use .PSM instead.

Included files and the INCLUDE statement

Input data can be explicitly split among 2 or more files by use of the INCLUDE statement. INCLUDE has
no subcodes, and the only value allowed is the name of the file to be included. The contents of the included

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file will be processed as though it appeared in the input file instead of the INCLUDE statement. For example
if the file 'oil23.inc' contains the following:
UNITS in=eng
BLACKOIL
PROP gassg=.68 watersg=1.05 api=37.6
PROP psat=600 psia tsat=120 F GSAT=370
RATE wcut=20 GOR=320

This file can be referenced from the main input file by use of an INCLUDE at the appropriate point, for
example:
INCLUDE oil23.inc

The Included file is assumed to reside in the same directory as the main input file; if this is not the case a
path can be provided, such as:
include ..\..\proj-45\common\oil23.inc

Filenames containing spaces and other delimiter characters must be quoted, for example:
INCLUDE "k:\my special projects\pipesim files\my common
files\proj-45\common\oil type 23c.inc"

Included files can themselves contain INCLUDE statements, and such nested includes can go to a
maximum of 10 levels. Take care to ensure such an include nest does not attempt to include a file that has
already been included.
All Included files should specify a UNITS statement before any numeric data is supplied. Failure to do this
is not an error, but the interpretation of the contents of the included file will then depend on the units in force
in the main input file at the point of the INCLUDE statement. This is an unsafe situation, and can lead to
unforeseen errors, which do not necessarily manifest themselves immediately. Any UNITS statement in an
included file will only affect data in that file, and will not be remembered when processing returns to the
main input file. Thus an included file cannot be used to alter units settings in the main input file.

AUTOEXEC.PSM
This is a special include file that, if it exists in the same directory as the main input file, is automatically
included for processing as though an INCLUDE statement referenced it. The file is named after the MSDOS control file AUTOEXEC.BAT because of the obvious parallels between them. Note however that, while
AUTOEXEC.BAT must reside in the root directory of a DOS boot disk to do its job, AUTOEXEC.PSM must
instead reside in the same directory as the engine main input file. It is therefore possible to have many
different autoexec.psm files in different directories of a computer's file system.

modelname.U2P or branchname.U2P
The .U2P file is a file whose contents are defined identically to AUTOEXEC.PSM, but whose applicability
is limited to just one main input file name. This is specified by matching the rootnames of the files. For
example if the main input file is called fred.psm, the matching .u2p file is fred.u2p.

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General Data
HEADER (p.461) Job Accounting Header
JOB (p.461) Job Title
CASE (p.462) Case Title
UNITS (p.462) Input and Output Units
OPTIONS (p.462) Calculation Procedure Options
RATE (p.470) Fluid Flow Rate Data
ITERN (p.471) Iteration Data (Optional)
INLET (p.474) System Inlet Data
PRINT (p.474) Output Printing Options
NOPRINT (p.484) Output Print Suppression Options
PLOT (p.481) Output Plotting Options
BEGIN, END (p.484) Block delimiters
PUSH (p.486) Remote action editing
PLOT FILE DATA (p.487)
EXECUTE (p.487)
USERDLL (p.488) Equipment

HEADER - Job Accounting Header (Required)

Main-code: HEADER
The HEADER card must be the first card in a job and must contain both a PROJECT and USER sub-code.
PROJECT=

Project name (12 characters maximum) which should be entered in quotes if the string
contains delimiters (such as blanks or commas).

USER=

User name (12 characters maximum) which should be entered in quotes if the string
contains delimiters (such as blanks or commas).

PASSWORD= Password (12 characters maximum) which should be entered in quotes if the string
contains delimiters (such as blanks or commas).

Example
HEADER PROJ=TEST USER='JOE BLOGGS'

JOB - Job Title (Optional)

Main-code: JOB
JOB Job title (70 characters maximum). Quotes are not required even if the title string includes delimiters.

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CASE - Case Title (Optional)

Main-code: CASE
CASE Case title (70 characters maximum). Quotes are not required even if the title string includes
delimiters.

UNITS - Input and Output Units (Optional)

Main-code: UNITS
INPUT=

Specifies the units in the input file

SI

Input data in SI units (default).

ENG Input data in engineering units

OUTPUT=

Specifies the units in the output file

SI

Output data in SI units (default).

ENG Output data in engineering units

ALL=

Specifies the units in both the input and output files.

SI

Input data in SI units (default).

ENG Input data in engineering units

The UNITS statement should appear before the input data to which it relates and is therefore usually placed
at the top of the input file after the HEADER statement.
If input data is provided in additional files, viz. AUTOEXEC.PSM, (p.454) branchname .U2P, or files
specified on INCLUDE statements, each file should commence with its own UNITS statement to ensure the
units in the file are not dependent on the position in the main input file where it is processed. A UNITS
statement in an additional file does not affect the units already established for the main input file.
The UNITS statement may appear many times in the input file, to ensure the subsequent data has the
desired units system. Please note however it is preferable for each data item to be qualified with its own
units description string.

Example
UNITS INPUT=SI OUTPUT=ENG

OPTIONS Calculation Procedure Options (Optional)

Main-code: OPTIONS
SEGMENTS=

The number of segments in each pipeline section. Default is 4. The

pipeline is divided into sections by entering distance and elevation
data on NODE statements. Each section is then sub-divided by the

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program into from 1 to 256 segments for calculation purposes. The

intermediate segment data will only be printed if PRINT (p.474) subcode SEGMENT is selected. The MAXSEGLEN= subcode (below)
can also be used to sub-divide sections.
MAXSEGLEN=

The maximum segment length to be used by the program (ft or m).

The number of segments in each section is computed by dividing the
section length by the specified MAXSEGLEN= length. The final
number of segments used is the maximum of this calculation,
rounded up, and the number specified by the SEGMENTS= subcode.
above. The default for MAXSEGLEN= is infinite.

SEC=

Controls the calculation of pressure losses due to Sudden

Expansions and Contractions (SEC) of pipe diameter. Can be set to
ON or OFF. The default is ON.

SECLIM=

The lower limit for printing of SEC pressure losses. Any SEC DP less
than this value will not be reported. DPs are reported with a one-line
message in the primary output page. Default is 10 psi.

GRIDPRES=(...)

Values of pressure to be used in the P/T grid for compositional

interpolated flash calculations. Psia or bara. Exclusive with
NUMGRIDPRES=.

GRIDTEMP=(...)

Values of temperature to be used in the P/T grid for compositional

interpolated flash calculations. F or C. Exclusive with
NUMGRIDTEMP=.

NUMGRIDPRES=

The number of grid pressure points desired in the P/T grid for
compositional interpolated flash calculations. A number between 4
and 60, default 20. If this subcode is specified, the actual values of
grid pressure will be generated internally using an arithmetic
increment algorithm, between atmospheric pressure and
approximately. 40,000 psi. Exclusive with GRIDPRES=.

NUMGRIDTEMP=

The number of grid temperature points desired in the P/T grid for
compositional interpolated flash calculations. A number between 4
and 60, default 20. If this subcode is specified, the actual values of
grid temperature will be generated internally using a linear increment
algorithm, between -60 and +300 F. Exclusive with GRIDTEMP=.

HTCRD=

Heat Transfer Coefficient Reference Diameter. All HTCs printed on

the Heat Transfer Output pages will normally use a reference
diameter equal to the local pipe outside diameter. However, if a value
is provided for HTCRD=, the supplied reference diameter will be used
instead. This is useful when sensitizing on pipe diameter, or when
different pipe diameters are present in the system, because it allows
HTCs to be compared without the need to convert for different
diameters. Units are In. or mm.

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GTGRADIENT=

Controls geothermal gradient assumptions in flowlines and risers.

When a temperature profile is provided for a well tubing with TEMP=
on the various NODE statements, the values are assumed to specify
measured points on a geothermal gradient, so temperatures are
interpolated between them based on the true vertical Depth.
However, when temperatures are provided for flowlines and risers,
they are assumed to be specifications that exhibit a step-change at
the nodes. This subcode can be used to force flowlines and risers to
interpolate the temperatures according to the elevation or depth (not
distance). Can be set to ON of OFF, the default is OFF.

PPMETHOD=

Compositional Flashing method (p.113) for determination of fluid

transport properties. Can be set to 1, 2, or 3. The default is 1. The
meaning of these is:
1: Always Interpolate (fastest). This option uses interpolation
between physical properties determined by in a predefined grid of
temperature and pressure points. This grid can be modified with the
GRIDPRES= and GRIDTEMP= subcodes above.
2: Rigorous Flash when close to the Phase Envelope, interpolation
elsewhere. This is a compromise between speed and accuracy,
which assumes that properties will change more rapidly when close
to a phase boundary. Interpolation is performed whenever the grid
points comprising a rectangle all show the presence of the same
phases. For example. if all 4 points in the rectangle have some oil,
some gas, and no water, then we assume the rectangle lies entirely
within the 2-phase region of the hydrocarbon phase envelope, so
interpolation is appropriate. If however one, two or three of the points
have no oil, then clearly the hydrocarbon dew point line crosses the
rectangle, so a rigorous flash is required.
3: Always Rigorous Flash (slowest). Interpolation never occurs:
properties are obtained by flashing at the required pressure and
temperature. This is the slowest method but most accurate method.

THMETHOD=

Compositional Flashing method (p.113) for Temperature/enthalpy

balance calculation. In most simulations, for every PP flash that is
performed, there are about 5 to 10 TH flashes, so these have the
greatest effect on speed and run-time. The inaccuracies of TH
interpolated flashes are usually minimal. Can be set to 1, 2, or 3, as
for PPMETHOD=.

EOFS=

Extra One-Foot Segments. Pipe sections between NODE

statements are divided into segments for calculation purposes, under
the control of the SEGMENTS= and MAXSEGLEN= subcodes
above. In addition, extra short segments are added to the start and
end of the section to ensure the reported fluid properties and
flowrates are calculated at an almost identical temperature and

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pressure as that reported at the node. In fact, the fluid properties are
calculated at segment average pressure and temperature. With
EOFS enabled the discrepancies caused by this mismatch are
minimized, but it does have some effect of the run-time. can be set
to ON or OFF, default ON.
IFP=

This is a way to switch off all existing completion options in the model.
Should only be used by another program controlling the engine as a
sub-task. can be set to ON or OFF, default is ON.

ACTIVELAYER=

In a multi-layer well, specifies that only one of the reservoir layers is

to be active. Must be set to a number between 1 and the number of
reservoir layers in the well. Layers are numbered starting with 1 for
the deepest.

COMPLETION= or COMPHBAL=

Controls the way temperature and enthalpy changes are handled

when modelling the pressure drop calculations across a completion.
may be set to:
ADIABATIC or ISENTHALPIC: The pressure change will be at
constant enthalpy, so the fluid will undergo a temperature change
according to it's Joule-Thomson coefficient. For Liquids this will result
in a temperature increase; for gases, temperature will usually
decrease, but in high-pressure reservoirs it may increase.
ISOTHERMAL: The pressure change will be at constant temperature.
The fluid temperature will not change, so a consequent enthalpy
change will occur,

MAXEMULSION=

Maximum value for the multiplier as interpolated or extrapolated from

the emulsion viscosity table for user-supplied and Woleflin emulsion
correlations (p.566). Default 100. The limit will be applied silently.
This is a global (model-wide) option.

MAXCUTOFF=

Maximum value for the BOUNDARY= and CUTOFF= (p.566)

keywords on the LVIS statement, default 70. Limit will be applied
silently. This is a global (model-wide) option.

MAXLIQVISC=

Maximum liquid viscosity the engine will allow. If any correlation

predicts values greater than this they will be limited to it. Default 1e7
cP. Limit will be applied with warnings. This is a global (model-wide)
option.

SMOOTHCUTOFF=

Size of the transition region that is used to interpolate the viscosity

multiplier when watercut is above the cutoff value. Default 5%. This
is a global (model-wide) option.

EMUL3PHASE=

Method for assigning priority between Emulsion options and a 3phase flow correlation. This is a PIPE component level option. May
be set to one of the following values:

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EMULSION: Emulsion option will take priority. Any fluid with an

emulsion viscosity will override a 3-phase correlation. Oil and water
phase Viscosities and densities will be set to the emulsion liquid
phase values before calling the correlation.
3PHASE: 3 phase correlation will take priority. Separate oil and water
phase densities and viscosities will be passed to it, and its answers
will be used as-is. The liquid phase emulsion viscosity will be ignored.
This is the default setting, chosen for backward compatibility with
previous versions of the engine.
HYBRID: The 3 phase correlation will be called as for the 3PHASE
option, and its prediction of the mixing status of the liquid phase will
be examined. If it predicts separate, unmixed oil and water phases,
the answers will be used as-is. If however it predicts mixed oil and
water, and the fluid has an emulsion viscosity, then the answers will
be discarded, and a further call made in the EMULSION mode as
described above.

Note: The test for "the fluid has an emulsion viscosity" is that the
mixed liquid viscosity has to be at least 1% greater than the maximum
of the oil and water phase viscosities. The test will therefore give a
positive result for any emulsion option, that is, it is not restricted to
Woleflin and user-supplied-table options

HYDRATECALC=

Controls calculation of Hydrate Formation Temperature (HFT) in

compositional models. HFT optionally appears in the profile plot file,
but calculating it results in a large increase in CPU time required,
hence it is not enabled by default. Can be set to OFF or ON.

WAXCALC=

Controls calculation of Wax Formation Temperature (WFT or Cloud

Point) in compositional models. WFT optionally appears in the profile
plot file, but calculating it results in a large increase in CPU time
required, hence it is not enabled by default. Can be set to OFF or ON.

ASPHALTCALC=

Controls calculation of Asphaltene Formation Temperature (AFT) in

compositional models. AFT optionally appears in the profile plot file,
but calculating it results in a large increase in CPU time required,
hence it is not enabled by default. Can be set to OFF or ON.

ALHANATI=

Controls calculation of Alhanati Gas Lift Instability (GLI) criteria. GLI

criteria can be calculated for wells that have gas lift, but the
calculation requires a number of additional data items that are not
needed for any other purpose. Can be set to ON or OFF, default OFF.
ON: GLI criteria calculation is requested. If the additional data items
are available, the calculated criteria values will be written to the

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system plot file; otherwise, diagnostic message(s) will be issued to

enumerate the missing data. To remove the messages, you can
either supply the missing data, or switch the calculation OFF.
OFF: GLI criteria will not be calculated, and diagnostic messages will
not appear.
GLMAXMASS=

Specifies a maximum gas lift rate limit, in mass ratio terms. Unlimited
gas lift in a network branch can lead to the existence of multiple
network solutions, so the network may converge to an unwanted
solution, where a well produces nothing but lift gas. This subcode
specifies the maximum mass rate of gas that can be injected, as a
ratio with the current production mass flow rate. Its purpose is to
prevent the well from converging at the unwanted solution. It is only
applied in a network model. The default value is 0.2, thus the gas lift
mass rate will be limited to 20% of the current production mass
flowrate in a network model.

GLMAXGLR=

Specifies a maximum gas lift rate limit as a GLR. Unlimited gas lift in
a network branch can lead to the existence of multiple network
solutions, so the network may converge to an unwanted solution,
where a well produces nothing but lift gas. This subcode specifies the
maximum rate of gas that can be injected, as a volume ratio with the
current production stock-tank liquid flow rate. Its purpose is to prevent
the well from converging at the unwanted solution. The default value
is infinite. A sensible value for this limit is in the range 1000 to 2000
scf/sbbl. Units are scf/sbbl or sm3/sm3.

FMMINTEMPERA=

Specifies in degF the minimum temperature used to flash. The default

value is 452degF (absolute zero). However certain flash packages
(like NIST Refprop) will not flash below 100 degF. The user can
use this keyword to limit the temperature range for the iterative
algorithm when it is trying to get the appropriate temperature. If the
temperature is out of the flash package range, you get an error
message stating that the temperature is out of range and what is the
minimum temperature allowed for the package. use this key to set
the equivalent minimum temperature in deg F. A similar keyword
FMMAXTEMPERA is used for the maximum temperature

SYSTEMTYPE=

Specifies if the branch or model represents a Production well or an

injection well. Usually there is no ambiguity between these and it is
unnecessarry for this to be explicitly stated by the user. However
sometimes the model is open to interpretation either way, and if it
makes a difference, the user can supply an override value here One
example where this can be important is the production of VFP tables
for a flowline branch. If there is no elevation difference between the
branch start and end, then the system type is moot. However VFP
tables must be written with VFPPROD for a production branch and
and VFPINJ for an injection branch. Can be set to PRODUCER or

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INJECTOR. If omitted, PIPESIM will determine the system type,

based on overall branch elevation change and the location(s) and
numbers of completions it contains.
LAYERINJECT=

Controls the ability for reservoir layers to operate in injection mode.

By default layers are able to accept fluid injection if the tubing
pressure exceeds the layer pressure. Setting this option to NO makes
all layers to refuse to allow injection; if the tubing pressure exceeds
the layer pressure, the layer's flowrate will be zero. Can be set to YES
or NO, default is YES.

ELIQLOADING=, LLE=

Specifies the correction factor to be applied to Turner's general

equation in liquid loading (p.273) calculations. Minimum is 0.1,
maximum is 10.0 and the default is 1.2.

LLVELOCITY=

Controls which Gas Velocity is used in liquid loading (p.273)

calculations to get the Critical Gas Rate (CGR). Choices are: VSG,
VM, VG, and EQN, whose meanings are:
VSG: The Superficial Gas Velocity is used. This yields a result that
is closest to that obtained by a hand calculation (from which it differs
because the fluid phase behaviour is predicted by the selected fluid
PVT package). However it is insensitive to Liquid Volume Fraction
(LVF), and under some conditions can predict a CGR that reduces
when LVF increases. This is the default.
VM: The fluid Mean Velocity is used (i.e. the average of the gas and
liquid phase velocities, the velocity at no-slip conditions). This yields
a conservative result, i.e. a CGR somewhat higher than that obtained
with VSG. Its main advantage is that the CGR it calculates should
increase with VFL.
VG: The Actual Gas Velocity is used. VG is calculated by the selected
multiphase flow correlation, thus in principle it ought to be the most
accurate choice. The CGR it calculates is generally the largest, or
most conservative. However it will always be considerably larger than
a hand calculated result, and will be strongly affected by the choice
of multiphase flow correlation.
EQN: The gas velocity is calculated from the Stock-tank gas flowrate
using the equation: Vg = Qgas* (T+460) * Z / (3.067 * P * A) . This
allows the resulting CGR to be verified by hand calculation. However,
it takes no account of the fluid PVT behaviour.

LLANGLEMIN= or ALIQLOADING= Maximum pipe angle for liquid loading (p.61) calculations. The Turner
equation assumes vertical or near vertical uphill flow. As deviation
increases, so the equation becomes less applicable; so it makes
sense to restrict it to pipe sections where the local deviation angle is
a reasonable approximation to the vertical. By default the limit is 45
degrees. It can be set to any vertical deviation angle between 0.1 and

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90 degrees. When the Pipe is deviated greater than this, the

calculation is not performed.
LLFRNLIQMAX=

Maximum Liquid Volume Fraction (LVF) for liquid loading (p.61)

calculations. The Turner equation assumes a continuous gas phase
with small dispersed liquid droplets entrained in it. As LVF increases,
so the equation becomes less applicable, and it makes sense to
restrict it to pipe segments where the LVF is consistent with the
description liquid droplets in a continuous gas phase. By default the
limit is 0.1. It can be set to any value between 0 and 1. When the LVF
is greater than this, the calculation is not performed.

RAMEYTIME=

Specifies the length of time a well has been operating when HEAT
(p.553) subcode RAMEYMETHOD is invoked for a piece of tubing.
Minimum is 0 hour and default is 168 hours. The minimum
recommended value for RAMEYMETHOD=LARGETIME is 168
hours.

UFACTOR=

Specifies a multiplier for all supplied (not calculated) U-values in heat

loss calculations. U-values are entered on the numerous NODE
statements that specify the geometry of the pipe and tubing of the
branch. This multiplier is applied to all of these before they are used
in calculation of heat transfer and temperature change of the fluid.
This is useful if you want to sensitize on the overall effective U-value
for the branch. Note it is NOT used if the U-value is calculated. Default
is 1, allowed range is 0 to 1e10.

SEPMASSCALC=

Method for calculating the flowrate of fluid separated when a

compositional fluid passes through a separator. Can be set to TABLE
or FLASH, default TABLE.

MPBOOSTROUTE=

Specifies an override thermodynamic route to adjust the fluid

temperature and enthalpy at the discharge of any multiphase booster.
Can be set to ISENTHALPIC, ISOTHERMAL, or NONE.

FCVSHUTMODE=

Shut-in behaviour for Flow Control Valves (FCVs). An FCV can be

specified with a table of fixed bean areas, and a flowrate limit.
PIPESIM enforces the flowrate limit by selecting the largest area that
results in a flowrate at or below the limit. However, it may happen that
the smallest bean area in the table is too large to enforce the limit. In
this case the value specified on this subcode is used to select a mode
of behaviour. Can be set to OPEN, SHUT, or EXACT, whose
meanings are:
OPEN: The smallest non-zero bean area is used, so the flowrate will
exceed the specified limit.
SHUT: The valve will be set to the closed position, so the flowrate will
be zero.

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EXACT: The flowrate will be set to the limit, and the required bean
area will be calculated and reported.
RETAINHEEL=

Can be set to YES or NO. if YES, selects the Multiple Completion

algorithm for the well's iterative solution, regardless of the number of
completions the well may contain.

IFC=

An override on the state of the IFC= subcode on the HEAT statement.

Can be set to INPUT or CALC; if set to CALC, this overrides any
subsequent HEAT statement that may set it to INPUT.

SLUGREGIME=

Specifies the Flow Regimes that allow slug length calculations.

NOSLUGREGIME=

Specifies the Flow Regimes that do not allow slug length calculations.

MINSEGLEN=

The minimum segment length to be used when pipe sections are

subdiivided. (ft or m).

OPPOINTS=

Controls the explicit generation of Operating Points in the Nodal

Analysis operation. Can be set to YES, to generate them, or NO, to
omit them. This subcode is also available on the NAPLOT (p.583)
statement; it is duplicated here so that it can be used without the
additional effects that occur when NAPLOT is used.

RATE: Fluid Flow Rate Data

Main-code: RATE
RATE allows flow rate to be defined for all fluid types.
For both Blackoil and Compositional fluids, a flow rate may be defined in volumetric terms using the GAS=
or LIQ= subcodes, or in mass terms using MASS=. A mass rate refers to the total stream without regard
for which phases may exist. A volumetric rate refers only to the phase it specifies, and is always measured
at stock-tank conditions. (p.470) The other phase may or may not be present at stock-tank conditions,
depending on the fluid definition, but it is never included in the specified flowrate.
Stock tank conditions are 1.013 bara and 15.6 oC, or 14.7 psia and 60 oF.
LIQ=

Gross liquid flow rate at stock tank conditions (sm 3/d or STB/D). The liquid phase includes
both hydrocarbon and aqueous phases (oil and water), but not gas.

GAS=

Gas flow rate at stock tank conditions (MMsm 3/d or MMscf/d).

MASS=

The total mass flow rate (kg/s or lb/s). Note this defines the mass flow rate of the total
stream, in contrast to LIQ= and GAS=, which defines a flow rate for one phase only.

MULTIPLIER= Factor to mix or split a previously defined flow rate by a fixed ratio. Supplied value must
be greater than zero. Valid only within the system profile, that is after the PROFILE or the
first NODE statement.

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ADDLIQ=

Quantity to be added to a previously defined stock-tank liquid flow rate. Supplied value
may be greater or less than zero. (sm 3/d or STB/D). Valid only within the system profile,
that is after the PROFILE or the first NODE statement. See also the INJFLUID. (p.519)
statement.

ADDGAS=

Quantity to be added to a previously defined stock-tank gas flow rate. Supplied value may
be greater or less than zero. (MMsm 3/d or MMscf/d). Valid only within the system profile,
that is after the PROFILE or the first NODE statement.. See also the INJFLUID and
INJGAS. (p.519) statements.

ADDMASS=

Quantity to be added to a previously defined total mass flow rate. Supplied value may be
greater or less than zero. (kg/s or lb/s). Valid only within the system profile, that is after the
PROFILE or the first NODE statement.. See also the INJFLUID. (p.519) statement.

ADDER=

Quantity to be added to a previously defined flow rate (may be greater or less than zero).
Note The units of ADDER= are inferred from the type of flowrate as originally defined, viz.
Gas, Liquid or Mass, and the system of unit conversions currently in force, that is
Engineering or SI. ). Valid only within the system profile, that is after the PROFILE or first
NODE statement.

WCUT=

Obsolete: see the BLACKOIL. (p.563) statement.

GWR=

Obsolete: see the BLACKOIL. (p.563) statement.

WGR=

Obsolete: see the BLACKOIL. (p.563) statement.

GLR=

Obsolete: see the BLACKOIL. (p.563) statement.

GOR=

Obsolete: see the BLACKOIL. (p.563) statement.

LGR=

Obsolete: see the BLACKOIL. (p.563) statement.

OGR=

Obsolete: see the BLACKOIL. (p.563) statement.

A Blackoil fluid must define its stock-tank volume phase split on the BLACKOIL statement, using the
subcodes: GLR=, GOR=, OGR=, or LGR=, and WCUT=, WGR= or GWR=. For historical reasons these
subcodes are also available on the RATE statement. However, since RATE applies to all types of fluid
(Compositional and Steam in addition to Blackoil), it is natural to assume that GLR= and so on behave
similarly. Alas they do not, they apply to black oil fluids only. You are strongly encouraged to refrain from
using these subcodes on RATE; use them on the BLACKOIL or COMPOSITION. (p.575) statement instead.

ITERN Iteration Data (Optional)

Allows the System Outlet Pressure to be specified.
Because PIPESIM performs a heat balance simultaneously with the pressure loss calculations, it is
necessary for the calculation procedure to begin at the pipeline source and proceed in the direction of flow.
A problem with a fixed delivery pressure therefore requires an iterative solution. The program will iterate on
the user's specified Control variable, whuich can be System Inlet Pressure, Flow Rate, or a user-defined
variable, as specified with the TYPE subcode.

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The ITERN main-code should appear in the initial part of the input file, i.e. before the PROFILE or NODE
statements.
Main-code: ITERN
POUT=

The required System Outlet Pressure (psia or Bara).

TYPE=

Specifies the identity of the Control variable ('guess') to be changed ('guessed') in order
to match the specified outlet pressure. May be one of:
PRESSURE or IPRESSURE: The system inlet pressure.
GFLOW: The system gas flow rate.
LFLOW: The system liquid flow rate.
MFLOW: The system mass flow rate.
PGEN+: A User-specified variable, as defined with the special symbol ?XITERN. See
note 1 below. Outlet pressure is expected to increase as ?XITERN increases.
PGEN-: A User-specified variable, as defined with the special symbol ?XITERN. See note
1 below. Outlet pressure is expected to decrease as ?XITERN increases.

XEST=

Initial Estimate of the Control Variable ('guess') to be changed ('guessed') in order to

match the specified outlet pressure. The units for this is dependent on the TYPE. For
example: = Estimated inlet pressure (bara or psia) if TYPE=PRES. = Estimated mass flow
rate (kg/s or lb/s) if TYPE=MFLOW. = Estimated gas flow rate (kg/s or lb/s) if
TYPE=GFLOW.= Estimated liquid flow rate (kg/s or lb/s) if TYPE=LFLOW

PTOL=

Allows control over the Outlet Pressure Tolerance. The program will iterate until the
difference between the calculated outlet pressure and the pressure specified in the POUT
sub-code is less than outlet pressure tolerance. The user can specify the required
tolerance, as a percentage, by use of the PTOL sub-code. If PTOL is not specified, the
program will use a value of 1% or 1 psi, whichever is the smaller.

XTOL=

Allows control over the Control Variable ('guess') Tolerance. This is important if the system
being simulated is prone to becoming 'ill-conditioned' (i.e., when a small change in guess
results in a disproportionately large change in outlet pressure). Under such conditions it
may take the iterative procedure many more iterations than usual to calculate a solution
to within the outlet pressure tolerance (if it can manage it at all). Also, the user may not
be interested in such accuracy, because for example, s/he may only be able to control
the guess to within fairly coarse limits. XTOL exists to stop the program performing
numerous unnecessarry iterations, by terminating the iterative procedure when two
successive guesses fall within the specified tolerance. The user can control the value of
this tolerance, as a percentage, with the XTOL sub-code. The default value for XTOL is
1.0E-4 %.

XMIN=

Specifies a lower bound for the Control variable. If the iterative procedure attempts to
guess below this limit, the guess will be reset to the limit. If this shows the required answer

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lies below the limit, the iterative procedure will terminate with a suitable diagnostic, and
case output will be written.
XMAX=

Specifies an upper bound for the Control variable. If the iterative procedure attempts to
guess above this limit, the guess will be reset to the limit. If this shows the required answer
lies above the limit, the iterative procedure will terminate with a suitable diagnostic, and
case output will be written.

LIMIT=

Specifies the maximum allowed number of iterations. The default value is 40 and the
maximum is 100. If a solution has not been obtained within this number of iterations, the
iterative procedure will be terminated, and results printed for this case with the current
(i.e. last guessed) value of input pressure or flow rate.

SCREEN

Gives node by node output on the user's terminal for each iteration. If this sub-code is
omitted, the only output that appears on the terminal during the iteration procedure is one
line for each iteration, summarizing the iteration progress so far. Note this sub-code has
no effect if PIPESIM is running in batch mode.

OPWI

Enables OPWI ("Output Printing While Iterating") mode. Node-by-node output for the
system profile is written to the output files during every iteration. Normally, this output
would be suppressed until the iterative procedure has converged. This is useful for
debugging the iterative procedure.

LASTANSWER Using this sub-code, the guess from the previous case is used as an estimate for the next
case. Thus the value which you have set for XEST will only be used in the first case.
CFCMODE=

Controls the iteration routine's interaction with a system containing a Choke in critical flow.
Can be set to ON or OFF, default is ON. In the ON state, a choke in critical flow will
terminate the iterative procedure early. Thus is usually beneficial, since the converged
solution is likely to require the choke to be in critical flow. However when TYPE=PGEN,
and the Control variable is applied downstream of the choke, an early iterative termination
will prevent correct convergence, so the OFF state is preferable.

CFCSOLN=

Controls the post-convergence behaviour when a case has converged with a choke in
critical flow. Can be set to ON or OFF, default ON. In the ON state, a further round of
iteration is performed, to converge on the pressure downstream of the choke that allows
the specified system outlet pressure to be achieved. In the OFF state, this further round
is omitted, thus the system outlet pressure will be higher that the one specified.

TITLE=

Specifies the title to be used for the Control variable in the system and profile plot files.

Notes:
1. When TYPE=PGEN+ or PGEN- is used, the iterations will guess the value of a user-defined variable in
order to achieve the specified outlet pressure. The variable is called ?XITERN, and the user must arrange
that this name appears at a suitable point in the input file as the value of a subcode that will have an
effect on the system outlet pressure. This is how PIPESIM implements its user variable (p.151) feature.

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PGEN is an acronym for "Pseudo-GENeral iterative mode" (it is not truly general since it converges only
on outlet pressure).

INLET System Inlet Data

Main-code: INLET
The INLET statement is optional. It is useful if the system contains no reservoir completions, and is typically
used to define a Generic Source at the start of a surface pipeline model. If supplied, must appear before
the PROFILE or first NODE statement.
TEMPERATURE= The temperature of the fluid entering the system at the System inlet. (oC or oF). If
omitted, the inlet fluid is assumed to enter the system at the ambient temperature as
defined on the first NODE statement.
PRESSURE=

The System inlet pressure (bara or psia). Not required if the inlet pressure is to be
determined using the iteration option (see the ITERN main-code), or if the reservoir
pressure is supplied with a well inflow performance option .

ENTHALPY= or H= As an alternative to temperature, the inlet fluid enthalpy can be supplied; PIPESIM
will then calculate its temperature. (btu/lb or Kj/kg)
QUALITY=

As an alternative to Temperature or Enthalpy, and only if the fluid is specified as

Steam, the inlet steam quality can be supplied. Quality is the steam mass fraction
vapour: must be in the range 0 to 1.

PRINT Output Printing Options (Optional)

Main-code: PRINT
PIPESIM offers a wide choice as to the amount of printed output. The PRINT maincode controls most of
the available options, which can be divided into 4 behavioral categories:
Per-case Output pages
Subcodes such as PRIMARY and AUXILIARY control the production of complete pages which are
repeated for as many cases as desired (as specified on CASES=). Pages are typically 132
characters wide and usually have (at least) one line for every node in the system, or otherwise have
about 60 lines of relevant data. These page selections should be made at the start of the job or
between cases.
Attributes
Subcodes such as SEC and TITLES affect the way data appears on output pages, e.g. by adding
something to an existing page or changing the representation of the data on the page. Page
attributes are best selected at the start of the job and not changed thereafter.
Point reports
Subcodes such as SPOT and PHASE SPLIT control the production of localized reports dedicated
to an aspect of the system at a chosen position, or to a piece of equipment within it. Reports are
requested by supplying the PRINT statement, with the required subcode, at the position within the

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system profile where the information is required. They are written to one of the selected output
pages (as specified on REPORTS=) and appear for as many cases, and as many positions, as
desired.
One-off Output pages
Subcodes such as SYNTAX, ECHO and NARESULT control the production of single page reports
that appear only once per job. These page selections should be made at the start of the job.
Except where noted, the options can appear without a value, in which state a value of ON will be assumed.
Values of OFF or ON can be provided if desired

Per-case output page options

The per-case output page options are as follows:
Default
PRIMARY

The primary output page consists of a line for each node, containing node
ON
distance and elevation, pipe angle, fluid pressure, temperature and mean
velocity, friction and elevation pressure drop, phase flowrates, phase densities,
and Flow Regime pattern.

AUXILIARY

The Auxiliary output page consists of a line for each node, containing node
ON
distance and elevation, , phase superficial velocities, mass flow rates and
viscosities, overall Reynolds number, Liquid volume fraction, Liquid Holdup
fraction, Flowing Liquid Watercut, total enthalpy, Erosion velocity, Erosion rate,
Corrosion rate, Hydrate sub-cooling Delta Temperature, Liquid loading Velocity
ratio, and segment iteration counters. For compositional fluids 3 additional
columns hold table interpolation diagnostics.

HORWELL

The Horizontal Well output page consists of a line for each node, containing: OFF
node distance and elevation; Reservoir and Wellbore Pressure; Reservoir,
Inflow, and Wellbore temperature; Inflow Joule-Thompson Coefficient;
Distributed Productivity Index; Wellbore flowrate; Specific inflow (i.e., flowrate
between wellbore and reservoir, per unit length); Friction Gradient; Reservoir
and Wellbore GLR and Watercut; and Liquid Viscosities for Reservoir, Inflow
and Wellbore. The Horwell output is restricted to the portion of the system that
is defined to be a distributed completion (see the COMPLETION (p.502)
statement).

FLUID

The Input Fluid data page shows the definition of the Blackoil or Compositional ON
fluids used as input to the case (fluid definitions resulting from mixing or
separation can be obtained with the SPOT=FLUIDSPEC subcode, see below).
A compositional fluid is specified mostly by its component list and their
respective molar flowrates, along with other data controlling the attributes of the
selected PVT package and table interpolation control data. A blackoil fluid is
specified by a number of correlation choices and tunable values. This page also
specifies fluid input flowrates.

PROFILE

The profile and Flow Correlations output page consists of a line for each node, ON
containing node distance and elevation, pipe section length, cumulative length,

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ambient temperature, input U-value, node TVD and MD, and fluid definition
detail. In addition the selected Horizontal, Vertical, and Single Phase flow
correlation choices will be echoed, along with pertinent options currently in
force.
ITERATION

The case-level iteration progress log page. This page will only appear if the
ON
case is iterative, i.e. the Outlet Pressure has been specified. Data is one line
per iteration plus information on how each iteration's guess is computed. Errors
encountered during iteration will also appear on this page.

INFLOW

Details of the selected Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) appear on this OFF
page. Data includes relevant input values and all derived or computed values
and answers. If the model contains multiple completions, each will have its own
section on this page.

HINPUT

The heat Transfer Input data page has a line for each node showing the input OFF
data for detailed heat transfer calculations across multiple layers of pipe and
coatings. Values are: node distance, wax pipe and coatings thicknesses, wax
pipe and coatings conductivities, burial depth, ambient fluid velocity, and
ambient temperature.

HOUTPUT

The Heat Transfer Output page has a line for each node showing the results of OFF
heat transfer calculations. Values are: Node distance, fluid temperature and
enthalpy, Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient (HTC), Fluid film HTC, wax pipe and
coatings HTCs, soil/ambient HTC, and text description of burial configuration.
(All HTCs are referenced to the Pipe (Note: not coatings) outside diameter, this
can be changed with the HTCRD= subcode of HEAT (p.553) ).

SLUG

The Slug output page has a line for every node showing the results of slugging OFF
calculations. Values are: node distance and elevation, mean slug length and
frequency, 1 in a thousand slug length and frequency, 1 in a hundred slug length
and frequency, 1 in ten slug length and frequency, PI-SS, and flow regime
pattern.

GLINPUT

The gas Lift Input data page has a line for every gas lift valve in the system,
showing the input data supplied for it.
Note: The lines in this page appear in order of depth from the wellhead, i.e.
shallowest at the top of the page, deepest at the bottom; this is the opposite to
the direction of fluid flow in a gas lifted well, so this page will usually be in reverse
order when compared with all other pages.
Values are: Valve TVD and MD, valve port diameter, Cv, test rack pressure,
Ap/Ab, Throttling factor, valve type, and valve operation mode. (To request this
page be produced in the same direction as the rest of the output pages specify
GLINPUT=*FWD). N.B. The values in this page are only useful when
MODE=SIMULATE has been specified on a GASLIFT (p.513) statement.

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GLOUTPUT

The Gas Lift Output page has a line for every gas lift valve in the system,
OFF
showing all calculated values for the valve. The lines are ordered shallowest
first as for the GLINPUT page (see above). Values are: valve MD, test rack
dome pressure, valve operating temperature at depth, dome pressure at depth,
casing and tubing pressure at depth, valve opening and closing pressures, DP
across valve, Orifice gas flowrate, throttled gas flowrate, actual gas flowrate,
and text description of valve operating status. (To request this page be
produced in the same direction as the rest of the output pages specify
GLOUTPUT=*FWD). N.B. The values in this page are only useful when
MODE=SIMULATE has been specified on a GASLIFT (p.513) statement.

CUSTOM=(x,x,x) The Custom output page allows you to create your own page of output
OFF
organized one node per line. Values appear in columns on the page and are
chosen from the set of Profile Plot variables. Identifiers are provided as a
multiple value set (p.454). An up-to-date list of the available identifiers can be
obtained using the SYNTAX subcode of PLOT (p.482). Each column will be 10
characters wide plus one space, so 11 columns will conveniently fit on a
standard width page. If desired you can specify up to 40 identifiers, but be aware
this will give an output page that is 440 characters wide.
INDATA

This is a combination of PROFILE and FLUID.

ON

EXTRA=

The Extra output page allows installation-specific data to be printed. This

OFF
subcode requires an equated value. If the value TGRAD is provided, the result
is a page containing a line for each node with temperature Gradient information
from heat transfer calculations. Other values are installation-specific..

Attributes
The Attributes are:
Default
TITLES

Print case titles on job summary output

ON

SEGMENTS Print segment data. The pipe or tubing section between each node is sub-divided OFF
for computation purposes into a number of segments (as controlled by OPTIONS
SEG= (p.462) and MAXSEGLEN= (p.462) , and the accuracy needs of the
calculation at each point). With this subcode selected, each segment will have
its own line of output in all the per-case output pages; without it, the output will
be restricted to each node.
SEC

Print details of pressure drops caused by Sudden Expansion and Contraction. ON

When Pipe ID changes, the junctions between the non-matching diameters are
assumed to be straight-edged, and to cause pressure reduction due to turbulence
effects. With this subcode enabled a one-line message will be written to the
primary output where SEC losses are greater than a specified threshold value
(as defined with OPTIONS SECLIM=).

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CASES=

Specifies the number of cases to print. This subcode requires a numeric value. 1
The selected per-case output pages will appear for as many cases as are
specified. In Nodal Analysis jobs, the value applies to both the inflow and the
outflow cases, thus the actual number of cases printed will be double.

REPORTS= Specifies the name of the per-case output page to receive point report output. PRIMARY
Any of the per-case page names can be provided to direct the point reports to
the specified page. In addition the value DEDICATED specifies that an additional
page be created to hold them instead.

Point report subcodes

The point report subcodes must appear on a PRINT statement, positioned within the system profile, at the
position where the values are required. If multiple reports are required at any point a separate
PRINTstatement must be used for each report. Each report is written to the output page chosen with the
REPORTS= subcode above. Reports vary in length between 6 and 200 lines. They are:
SPOT=STPROPS

Fluid Stock-tank properties: phase flowrates and physical properties are reported
at stock-tank conditions, viz. 14.7 psia, 60 F.

SPOT=FLPROPS

Fluid flowing properties: phase flowrates and physical properties are reported at
the current pressure and temperature

SPOT=MPFLOW

Multiphase Flow values: Fluid properties, pipe dimensions, and calculated values
with particular relevance to multi-phase flow calculations. See note 1.

SPOT=SLUG

Slug flow values: fluid properties and calculated values with relevance to slug size
calculations. See note 1.

SPOT=SGLV

Sphere-Generated Liquid Volume values: input data and results from SGLV
calculations. See note 1.

SPOT=HTINPUT

Heat Transfer Input values: fluid properties, pipe and coatings thicknesses and
conductivities etc. as used in heat transfer calculations. See note 1.

SPOT=HTOUTPUT

Heat transfer output and calculated values: heat transfer coefficients, coating layer
temperatures, film coefficients and dimensionless groups. See note 1.

SPOT=FLUIDSPEC

Fluid specification values. The complete set of values that define the fluid. A
compositional fluid is specified mostly by its component list and their respective
molar flowrates, along with other data controlling the attributes of the selected PVT
package and table interpolation control data. A blackoil fluid is specified by a
number of correlation choices and tunable values.

SPOT=ACVALUES

'Accululated' values. These are values that accumulate over the length of the
system, for example total liquid holdup, total friction DP, total pipeline volume, etc.

SPOT=COMPLETION Distributed or multipoint completion values: reservoir inflow, drawdown, Distributed

P.I., Skin values, relevant pipe dimensions, fluid phase flowrates and physical
properties. See note 1.

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USPOT=(x,x,x)

Custom spot report: allows you to create a report of values of your choice. Values
are chosen from the set of Profile Plot variables. Identifiers are provided as a
multiple value set (p.454). An up-to-date list of the available identifiers can be
obtained using the SYNTAX subcode of PLOT. (p.481)

MAP

Print the flow regime map at the current position. A flow regime map is specific to
each choice of multiphase flow correlation, and is affected by fluid properties, pipe
dimensions, and (critically) pipe angle. Since the map must be requested at a node
position, please note that the pipe angle (and perhaps other dimensions) may
change across the selected node. The dimensions and angle used to generate the
map are those of the Upstream pipe section. The fluid properties used are those
at the current pressure and temperature. If the map is requested at the start of the
profile, pipe dimensions and angle are taken from the first pipe section.

PHASESPLIT

Print a Phase Split report, for compositional fluids only. This lists the molar
flowrates of all components in the feed stream and in the phases that exist at that
pressure and temperature. Additional phase properties such as density, viscosity
etc. are also printed.

PRESSURE=

Pressure value for use with PHASESPLIT; if provided, will be used instead of the
system current pressure. (psia or Bara)

TEMPERATURE=

Temperature value for use with PHASESPLIT; if provided, will be used instead of
the system current temperature. (F or C)

PHASENV=

Produce a plot file containing the Phase Envelope (and other lines) for the current
compositional fluid. Note this option produces no printed output; instead, a plot file
will be created, named with an 8-character code known as the handle, and with an
extension of .ENV. This file can be processed by the plotting post-processor
PSPLOT to display the phase envelope.
N.B., you do not need to know the name of the file to plot the phase envelope.
From the GUI, select Profile Plot, then select Series, and choose axes of pressure
and temperature. The phase envelope file(s) will be automatically processed along
with the model's profile plot data, so you should see the phase envelope and other
available line(s) along with the pipeline system's pressure-temperature traverse.
By default the phase envelope file will contain a number of lines, depending on the
phase behaviour of the fluid, the capabilities of the selected PVT package, and the
PVT feature licenses you have available. The lines can be selected by supplying
a list of line types as a multiple value set. (p.458) Available line types are:
HYDROCARBON: the hydrocarbon phase envelope, consisting of a bubble point
line and a dew point line
CRITICALPOINT: the Hydrocarbon critical point
WATERDEW: the water dew point line
HYDRATE1: Hydrate type 1 line

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HYDRATE2: Hydrate type 2 line

WATERICE: the water ice line
WAX: the wax appearance, or cloud point, line
ASPHALTINE: the asphaltine appearance line
If you do not supply a list of line types, the file will contain as many lines as the
PVT package is capable of generating for the fluid, and for which you have a valid
license.
QUALITY=

Values of Quality for use with PHASENV. If present, must be equated to a multiple
value set (p.458) of quality values, each in the range 0 to 1. The resulting plot file
will contain a hydrocarbon quality line for each value.

Note: The values in this report are calculated during the simulation of a piece of pipe, and therefore refer
to the pipe segment immediately upstream of the statement's position.

One-off output pages

The One-off output pages are:
Default
NARESULT

Nodal Analysis result page. Lists the pressure, temperature and flowrate at the ON
Nodal Analysis point for all cases in each inflow and outflow curve. Will only
appear in Nodal Analysis jobs.

SUMFILE

Controls the generation of the summary output file. This file is named from the ON
model file's root name with an extension of .SUM, and contains a line for each
labelled node for every case that was run in the job. Data values are: Stocktank watercut, Stock-tank liquid flow rate, flowing free gas flow rate, pressure,
temperature, friction elevation and total pressure losses, mixture velocity, liquid
holdup fraction, liquid holdup volume, and flow regime pattern.

SUMMARY

Requests that the summary file be copied to the end of the main output file at ON
the end of the job. Requires that SUMFILE be set to ON.

ECHO

Writes a line-numbered copy of the input data file at the start of the job. All
included files will be expanded in-line, and any syntax errors generated will
appear after the line that caused them.

SYNTAX

Print formatted table of valid keyword input data. This extends over about 20 OFF
pages and lists the available maincodes, subcodes, value types they can be
equated to, conversion factors, maximum and minimum limits for numeric data,
and allowable character values. This report is generated from the engine code
used to read and validate the input data file. It is useful when up-to-date
documentation is not to hand or appears to be incorrect.

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PIPESIM User Guide

NEWINPUTDATA Writes a copy of the input data file, but with the numeric data converted to the OFF
units system specified for output (with UNITS OUT=).

PLOT Output Plotting Options (Optional)

Main-code: PLOT (or NOPLOT to switch off)
The PLOT statement requests the production of plot files, and controls various aspects of program behavior
with relevance to plotting. Plot files are post-processed with the BJA plotting program PSPLOT, or your
chosen plotting program (for example Microsoft EXCEL). When driven using the PIPESIM GUI, plots will
normally appear concurrently with running the engine.
CASE or PROFILE

Requests the production of the Profile Plot File, which

contains data that is organized to be plotted against position
in the pipeline system. For example a pressure profile for a
flowline shows pressure on the Y-axis against total distance
on the X-axis; A temperature profile shows temperature
against total distance. For a well the axes may be reversed,
and/or the Y-axis might be elevation or depth. The profile
plot file will contain many quantities that can sensibly be
plotted against distance, elevation, or total length. (They
may also be plotted against one another, with varying
degrees of usefulness.) By default, each NODE (p.523) in
the system will produce a point on the plot, and each case
(p.587) will produce a separate line on the plot. The
SEGMENT subcode (see below) will increase the number
of plot points on each line.

CASE= or PROFILE=

As above, and if a value is provided, it specifies the data that

is to appear in the plot file. Identifiers are provided as a
multiple value set (p.458). An up-to-date list of the available
identifiers can be obtained using the SYNTAX subcode (see
below). If no value is supplied a default set of plot file data
will be written. If your supplied value starts with a plus sign
[+], your identifiers will be added to the default set instead
of replacing it.

JOB or SYSTEM

Requests the production of the System Plot File, which

contains data that is organized to be plotted against
sensitivity variables. For example a job that sensitizes on
flowline ID could produce a plot of ID on the X-axis against
flowrate on the Y-axis (or ID against holdup, or flowrate
against holdup, etc...). The plot file will contain many values,
and you can plot anything against anything, with varying
degrees of usefulness. Each case will produce one point on
the plot, and separate lines on the plot are produced by
combinations of sensitivity variables as specified by
MULTICASE or NAPLOT statements.

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JOB= or SYSTEM=

As above, and if a value is provided, it specifies the data that

is to appear in the plot file. Identifiers are provided as a
multiple value set. An up-to-date list of the available
identifiers can be obtained using the SYNTAX subcode (see
below). If no value is supplied a default set of plot file data
will be written. If your supplied value starts with a plus sign
[+], your identifiers will be added to the default set instead
of replacing it.

SEGMENT

Requests that profile plot data be written for every segment.

By default a point is written only for each node, but the pipe
between each node is usually sub-divided into a number of
segments for calculation purposes. With this subcode you
can plot the intermediate segment data as well.

HERE=

Requests that specified profile plot variables be added to the

existing system plot file at the current profile position. This
can be used for example to obtain fluid properties at any
point, so they can be plotted against sensitivity variables.
This subcode is only valid within the system profile.
Identifiers are provided as a multiple value set (p.458).
chosen from the profile plot variables list (see SYNTAX
below).

SYNTAX

Will create a list (in the standard output file) in two columns
of available plot file variables and their identifiers (for
example A, B, Y2, etc.) These identifiers can be provided to
the JOB=, CASE= or HERE= subcodes (see above), and to
SPOT= and CUSTOM= subcodes of PRINT (p.474).

EQUIPJOB=

Controls the addition of equipment plot variables to the

system plot file. Each item of equipment (for example,
pumps, chokes, heaters, and so on) placed in the profile will,
by default, result in additional plot variables being added to
the system plot file. For each equipment item, between 6
and 20 additional variables will be added, the exact number
and selection being specific to the equipment concerned.
Can be set to ON or OFF, default ON.

PVTDATA=

Presence of this subcode triggers production of a fluid

calibration plot file, similar to that produced when one of the
PLOT buttons in the Black oil dialog advanced calibration
tab is pressed. If a value is provided it must be a multiple
value set of identifiers specifying the fluid properties to be
written to the plot file. The file created is named from the
model or branch root file name with an extension of .PEX.

FORMAT=

The overall textual layout of the plot files. Can be set to:

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BJA: Write the plot files in BJA (i.e., original PIPESIM)

format. This is the default option. BJA format plot files are
composed of printable ASCII characters, arranged in lines
of less than 200 columns. Header information is present at
the start of the file. This is the option to use if you intend to
read the file with PSPLOT.
LOTUS: Write the plot files in LOTUS '.PRN' file format. Files
will be named with the extension .PRN. The Lotus 123
spreadsheet program will recognize .PRN files and will often
read them without further user intervention.
NEUTRAL: Write the plot files in NEUTRAL format.
NEUTRAL format consists entirely of lines of numeric data
arranged in columns. No header information is written.
CSV: Write plot files in Comma Separated Value format.
Files will be named with the extension .CSV. The EXCEL
spreadsheet program will recognize .CSV files and will
usually read them without further user intervention.
PACKEDCSV: As for CSV above, but the data is written in
a compressed form that occupies less space, thus using less
disk space; however, it takes more run-time to produce.
GOAL: Write files in GOAL-compatible format. This is a
combination of revision B (see below) and BJA.
XYJOB=

For the System plot file, specifies the identifiers to be used

as the X and Y axes when the plotfile is first opened by
PSPLOT. Identifiers are provided as a multiple value set.

XYCASE=

For the Profile plot file, specifies the identifiers to be used as

the X and Y axes when the plotfile is first opened by
PSPLOT. Identifiers are provided as a multiple value set.

VERSION= or REVISION=

Specifies the revision standard that the plot file is to be

written to conform to. May be set to B or C, whose meanings
are:
B: Revision B plot files conform to an older standard that
contains some fixed-format data and hence is not forward
compatible. Some older programs that read plot files,
notably GOAL, can only process revision B plot files.
C: Revision C plot files contain additional information, and
are written using textual Tags at the start of every line. This
allows a measure of forward compatibility, thus additional
features may be present in the file, and these can be silently

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ignored by an older reading program, without causing an

error.
COMPOSITIONS=

Controls the addition of composition records to the system

plot file. Composition records specify the fluid definition at
the system outlet, and are important in .PWH files created
for use in PIPESIM.net's Wells Off-line mode. With
composition records present, a PWH file can be used to
replace a well definition in a network run, resulting in
considerable speedup of the network solution. Can be set to
YEs (the default) or NO.

CASEFILENAME= or PROFILEFILENAME= Specifies the name of the profile plot file. By default this will
be created at run-time from the root name of the branch or
model input file name, with an extension of .PLC.
JOBFILENAME= or SYSTEMFILENAME=

Specifies the name of the system plot file. By default this will
be created at run-time from the root name of the branch or
model input file name, with an extension of .PLT.

PVTFILENAME=

Specifies the name of the Fluid calibration plot file produced

with the PVTDATA= subcode. By default this will be created
at run-time from the root name of the branch or model input
file name, with an extension of .PEX.

ALHANATI=

Controls the calculation of Alhanati gas lift Instability criteria.

The Alhanati criteria are required by GOAL, so production
of GOAL-format files will enable this option. If it is enabled,
but some of the data it requires is missing, warning
messages will be produced: these will list the nature of the
required missing data. This subcode allows the calculation
to be controlled explicitly, thus the messages can be
suppressed if the calculation is not required. Can be set to
YES or NO, default being dependent on model input data.

A PLOT statement should appear before the first NODE card in a case, to specify the required SYSTEM
and PROFILE plot options. Additional PLOT HERE statements can appear anywhere in the profile.

NOPRINT Output Print Suppression Options (Optional)

Main-code: NOPRINT
The NOPRINT card has the opposite effect to PRINT (p.474) and suppresses printing of the specified data.
The same sub-codes as specified under PRINT are valid (with the exception of MAP). This card is often
used to suppress output in the second and subsequent cases of a job.

BEGIN , END - Block delimiters

Main-codes: BEGIN, END

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The BEGIN and END statements delimit a block of one or more further statements that collectively define
an entity, and give it a name which can be referred to later. There are two types of entity that can be defined,
a CURVE, or a FLUID. The input file can contain as many BEGIN..END blocks as are needed to define as
many fluids or curves as desired.
FLUID

Specifies that the block defines a fluid. A Blackoil or Compositional fluid can be specified with
as many delimited statements as are necessary, and the resulting fluid can be referred to on
subsequent main-codes (such as . LAYER, INJGAS, INJFLUID, GASLIFT, BLACKOIL,
COMPOSITION) to specify the injected or reservoir layer fluids

CURVE Specifies that the block defines a curve. Curve definitions are used in 2 situations: Inflow
performance : a reservoir or layer can be characterized by a curve of Bottom hole pressure
against flowrate. Also, variation of GLR and Watercut can be specified as a coning relationship.
Pumps and compressors: these devices can be specified with curves of flowrate against head,
power and efficiency
NAME

The name of the entity being defined.

INHERIT Optional, for FLUID blocks only. Controls inheritance of black oil fluid properties from the 'current'
fluid. By default, each new fluid starts off with nothing defined. However the fluid already defined
and currently in use can he inherited as the basis for a new fluid if desired. This is useful in
legacy .PSM files which define only one black oil fluid and do not give it a name, and when
additional fluids are being defined in additional input files. (p.459)

Example
The subcodes can appear on either maincode. Blocks cannot be nested, but it is possible to refer to an
earlier block when defining a subsequent block.
For example:
begin fluid name=oil1
BLACKOIL
PROP API = 33 GASSG=0.65 PSAT=4000 TSAT=250
GSAT=320
LVIS T1=250 VIS1=0.6 T2=60 VIS2=20
RATE GOR=320 WCUT=30
end fluid
begin

BLACKOIL
PROP API = 45 GASSG=0.6 PSAT=3770 TSAT=240
GSAT=350
LVIS T1=250 VIS1=0.63 T2=60 VIS2=22
RATE GOR=300 WCUT=10
end fluid name=oil2

begin fluid name=oil3

BLACKOIL USE = oil1
RATE GOR=600 WCUT=12
end

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BLACKOIL use = oil2

PUSH - Remote Action Editing (optional)

The PUSH statement is provided primarily to allow other computer programs to exert control over a PIPESIM
engine run, without the need to modify an existing input file. For a human, almost everything that is possible
with the PUSH statement can be accomplished far more easily by editing the main input ('.psm') file with a
text editor. However, designing a computer program to reliably interpret and correctly modify a .PSM file
without human help is surprisingly difficult. PUSH is best viewed a replacement for a text editor and a human.
Nevertheless, humans can sometimes find PUSH statements useful as an alternative way to organize input
data. (Beware however that a .psm file containing PUSH statements may not behave as expected if it is
itself the subject of control by another program using PUSH.)
The PUSH statements are generally supplied in an additional input file (p.459) but this is not a requirement.
PUSH allows an editing action (the action ) to be performed on a subsequent statement (the target). The
target is specified by its maincode and label The action can be: the addition of extra text on the end of the
target statement; addition of an extra statement before or after the target; or the removal of the target
statement.
Main-code: PUSH
MAINCODE=

Required: Specifies the target maincode.

LABEL= or OBJECT=

Specifies the label of the target statement. Serves to distinguish the required
target statement when multiple statements having the same maincode are
present. To specify that the target has no label (and thus prevent an earlier
statement that does have a label from being the target), supply LABEL=*NONE.

TEXT=

Text to be appended to the target statement. The text should be enclosed in

quotes since it will usually contain spaces, and equated pairs of keywords and
values. The supplied text must conform to the syntax necessary for the target
maincode, otherwise a syntax error will occur and processing will terminate.

ETEXT=

Exclusive text to be appended to the target statement. When 2 or more PUSH

operations append text to the same target, the appended text will normally grow
as each push is actioned; however if ETEXT= is specified the current text will
replace any existing text resulting from earlier push(es).

LINE= OR LINEAFTER= Text to be added as a separate line after the target statement.
LINEBEFORE=

Text to be added as a separate line before the target statement.

REMOVE

Results in the target statement being removed from the input. (This is actually
achieved by transforming it into a comment by prepending the comment
character '!'.)

ERROR=

Sets the severity of the action when errors occur. The most common error is that
the position or target was not found, so the action did not occur. May be set to
one of the following:

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FATAL: Errors will be fatal, i.e. processing will terminate. A diagnostic message
will be issued to the screen and the output file. This is the default behavior.
WARNING: Errors will result in a diagnostic message on the output file and a
message box on the screen, but processing will continue.
NOTE: Errors will result in a diagnostic message on the output file, processing
will continue.
SILENT: Errors will be silently ignored.
GLOBAL

Specifies that this push statement is to be applied to all matching statements. If

GLOBAL is not specified, the first statement that matches the specified
maincode and label will be the only target.

Notes:

Multiple PUSH statements may be present in the input file or additional files.

If many PUSHes specify the same target, the order in which the actions occur is the order in which they
appear in the file. However the result may turn out to be reversed from that expected by the user. For
example, if 2 pushes each add a line after the same target (the LINE= subcode), the second push will
insert its new line immediately after the target thus displacing the one added by the first push. For the
TEXT= and LINEBEFORE= subcodes this does not cause a problem, because the definition of the action
corresponds to what the user expects. If one push specifies REMOVE=, then all subsequent pushes will
not find the target, so position this push last.

The text added with TEXT=, LINE= etc can be any text valid for the specified position in the file. Multiple
statements can be provided by separating them with a semicolon (':'). Remember to enclose the text in
quotes ('"') or apostrophes ('''). If the text you are adding itself contains quotes , enclose it in apostrophes,
and vice-versa.

The subcodes TEXT=, ETEXT=, LINE=, LINEBOFORE= and REMOVE are mutually exclusive.

Any statement that has a label starting with an exclamation point ('!') will be excluded from being selected
as a PUSH target. This is useful to prevent a line that was previously inserted with one push from being
modified or removed by a subsequent push.

PLOTFILEDATA
Main-code: PLOTFILEDATA

EXECUTE - deferred execution of a statement

Main-code: EXECUTE
The EXECUTE statement allows some other statement to be positioned within the system profile, to be
executed during system simulation. Normally, any statement in the profile is processed by the input
processor, and is used to build the system model. The system model consists of a set of global values, (for
example fluid properties, options, inlet pressure, and so on.) and a set of connected equipment items (for
example pipes, pumps, chokes, flowlines, and so on). When the system model is simulated, the global

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values cannot normally be changed, but use of the EXECUTE statement makes some values available for
control.
EXECUTE has no subcodes: instead, any text supplied on it will be stored, and interpreted as a statement
by the input processor when the system is simulated.
The EXECUTE statement should appear within the profile, that is after the PROFILE statement.
EXECUTE text comprising an otherwise complete and valid statement

USERDLL - Equipment
The API for the inclusion of user-defined 32-bit equipment DLL's is provided by Schlumberger.
See User Equipment DLL Case Study - User Pump (p.238)
Main-code: USERDLL
FILENAME=

The name of the DLL.

EPNAME=

The entry point of the DLL - the actual name of the routine as exported from the
DLL

PSNAME=

The internal PIPESIM name of the routine. The psname's must be unique - the
user should check that other DLLs specified in the userdll.dat file (located in C:
\Program Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\data for a standard installation of
PIPESIM - look for ep_ident) do not use the same psname's.

LINKTYPE= 24

The DLL linkage type. Note that it must be 24

EPTYPE= EQUIPMENT The type entry point for the DLL. Note that it must be equipment to distinguish it
from flow correlations.
TITLE=

The title text describing the DLL.

OPTIONS=

The string that will be sent as the first argument to the routine. (This is a global
option, perhaps specified by the author of the DLL).

SDESCRIPTION=
LDESCRIPTION=

Flow Modeling
FLOW CORRELATION DATA
VCORR (p.489) Vertical Flow Correlation Options
HCORR (p.491) Horizontal Flow Correlation Options
Single Phase Flow Options (p.493)
User Defined DLL (p.495)

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VCORR Vertical Flow Correlation Options

See also: SPHASE Single Phase Flow Options (p.493)
Main-code: VCORR
PLOSS=

Pressure loss correlation (refer to the table next page).

HOLDUP=

Holdup correlation (refer to the table next page).

MAP=

Flow regime map (refer to the table next page).

ANGLE=

Angle above which vertical flow correlations are used (default = 45 o)

TYPE=

This sub-code allows the commonly recommended combinations of flow regime maps,
holdup, and pressure loss correlations to be specified with one sub-code instead of
separate MAP=, HOLDUP=, and PLOSS= sub-codes. Please refer to the table next
page.

FFACTOR=

Correlating or matching factor to be applied (as a multiplier) to the calculated friction

pressure gradient (default = 1.0). This subcode can be used to adjust ('tune') the friction
pressure drop values calculated by the correlation to match measured data.

HFACTOR=

Correlating or matching factor to be applied (as a multiplier) to the calculated liquid

holdup fraction (default = 1.0). This subcode can be used to adjust ('tune') the liquid
holdup (and hence elevation pressure drop) values calculated by the correlation to
match measured data.

SOURCE=
OVERRIDE=
ACCELL=
SWITCHES=
ENTRAINMENT=
OPTIONS=
Summary of Valid Vertical Flow Correlation Combinations
The following table summarizes the valid combinations of pressure loss, holdup and flow pattern map
available for vertical flow. Entering non-valid combinations will result in an input data error.
PLOSS HOLDUP

MAP

TYPE

DR

DR

DR/TD

DR

BBO

BBO

BB/TD

BBO

BBR

BBR

BB/TD

BBR

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ORK

ORK

ORK

ORKISZEWSKI

GA

GA

GA

HB

HB

BB/DR/BJA HBR

HBO

HBO

BB/DR/BJA

BJA

BJA1/BJA2 TD

MB

MB

MB

Any

BRIMIN1

Any

Any

BRIMIN2

Any

BJA

NOSLIP NOSLIP

NOSLIP

NOSLIP

OLGA

OLGA

OLGA

OLGA

GRAY

GRAY

TD

GRAY

Vertical Flow Correlations - Abbreviations

DR
Duns and Ros
BJA
BJA correlation
HB
Hagedorn and Brown (Revised)
BJA1
Original BJA holdup correlation
BJA2
Revised BJA holdup correlation
BRIMIN 1 or 2
Brill & Minami Holdup Correlation
BBO
Beggs & Brill Original
OLGA
OLGA-S steady-state correlation
HBO
Hagedorn & Brown (Original)

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TD
Taitel Dukler
ORK
Orkiszewski
GA
Govier and Aziz and Forgassi
MB
Mukherjee and Brill
NOSLIP
No Slip Assumption
BBR.
Beggs & Brill Revised
GRAY
Gray Vertical Flow Correlation
ANSARI
Ansari Vertical Flow Correlation

HCORR Horizontal Flow Correlation Options

See also: SPHASE Single Phase Flow Options (p.493)
Main-code: HCORR
PLOSS=

Pressure loss correlation (refer to the table next page).

HOLDUP=

Holdup correlation (refer to the table next page).

MAP=

Flow regime map (refer to the table next page).

TYPE=

This sub-code allows the commonly recommended combinations of flow regime maps,
holdup, and pressure loss correlations to be specified with one sub-code instead of the
separate MAP=, HOLDUP=, and PLOSS= sub-codes. Please refer to the table next
page.

FFACTOR=

Correlating or matching factor to be applied (as a multiplier) to the calculated friction

pressure gradient (default = 1.0). This subcode can be used to adjust ('tune') the friction
pressure drop values calculated by the correlation to match measured data.

HFACTOR=

Correlating or matching factor to be applied (as a multiplier) to the calculated liquid

holdup fraction (default = 1.0). This subcode can be used to adjust ('tune') the Liquid
holdup (and hence elevation pressure drop) values calculated by the correlation to
match measured data.

SOURCE=
ANGLE=

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OVERRIDE=
ACCELL=
SWITCHES=
ENTRAINMENT=
Summary of Valid Horizontal Flow Correlation Combinations
The following summarizes the valid combinations of pressure loss, holdup and flow pattern map available
for horizontal or inclined flow. Entering non-valid combinations will result in an input data error.
PLOSS

HOLDUP

MAP

TYPE

DR

DR/BJA

DR/TD

DR

DKAGAF DKAGA

TD

DKAGAF EATON

TD

DKAGAF

BBO

BBO/BJA1/BJA2

BB/TD

BBO

BBR

BBR/BJA1/BJA2

BB/TD

BBR

BJA

BJA1/BJA2/EATON TD

BJA1

BJA1/BJA2/EATON TD

MB

MB

MB

HB

HB

BB/DR/BJA HBR

HBO

HBO

BB/DR/TD

OLI

BJA1/BJA2/EATON TD

MB

MB

MB

Any

BRIMIN1

Any

Any

BRIMIN2

Any

BJA

OLIEMANS

NOSLIP NOSLIP

NOSLIP

NOSLIP

OLGA

OLGA

OLGA

OLGA

Index of Abbreviations
DR
Duns and Ros

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BBR
Beggs and Brill (Revised)
BJA2
Revised BJA holdup correlation
MB
Mukherjee and Brill
TD
Taitel Dukler
DKAGAF
AGA + Flanigan
BRIMIN 1or 2
Brill and Minami Holdup Correlation
OLGA
OLGA-S Steady-State Correlation
BBO
Beggs and Brill (Original)
BJA1
BJA correlation
OLI
Oliemans Correlation
NOSLIP
No Slip Assumption
DKAGA
Dukler (AGA)
HBO
Hagedorn and Brown Original
HB
Hagedorn and Brown Revised
XIAO
Xiao horizontal mechanistic model

SPHASE Single Phase Flow Options (Optional)

See also: Single Phase Flow Correlations (p.265), Horizontal Flow Correlation Options (p.258), Vertical
Flow Correlation Options (p.261)
PIPESIM will automatically select either the specified two-phase or single-phase correlation depending on
the phase behavior at the particular section in the pipeline. The single phase correlation is set by default to

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the MOODY correlation. If no single-phase correlation is specified but single-phase flow is

encountered in the pipeline, the program automatically switches to the MOODY correlation.
In addition, when the specified phase correlation is the Moody correlation or the Cullender-Smith correlation,
PIPESIM will calculate the Moody friction factor using either an iterative implicit method (Colebrook-White
equation (Moody chart)), an explicit method (see the Sonnad and Goudar paper (p.448)) or a fast explicit
or approximate method (see the Moody paper (p.445)) . The default calculation method for the friction factor
is the explicit method. The Moody friction factor calculation method will also have an impact on the horizontal
and vertical flow correlations as the friction factor used to compute the pressure gradient in the flow
correlations will be evaluated based on the method specified by the Moody friction factor calculation method.
Main-code: SPHASE
CORRELATION=

Single-phase flow correlation.

AGA

Use the AGA dry gas equation for single phase flow.

MOODY

At Reynolds numbers greater than 2000, use the method

specified by the MOODYCALC option and at Reynolds
numbers less than 2000, assume laminar flow (f=64/Re)
(default).

PANA
PANB
WEYMOUTH
HAZENWILL
CULLSMITH

Uses the Cullender and Smith Correlation for Gas with a

Moody friction factor calculated using the method
specified by the MOODYCALC option.

DRAGFACTOR=

The AGA drag factor (default = 0.98).

LFMIN=

The liquid volume fraction below which single phase gas

flow is assumed to exist (default = 0.00001).

LFMAX=

The liquid volume fraction above which single phase

liquid flow is assumed to exist (default = 0.99).

TRMIN=
TRMAX=
TRMETHOD=
INTERPOLATE
CUTOFF
MAXIMUM

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CUTOFF
COMPARE=
ON
OFF
C=

Hazen-Williams C parameter

LFPROP=
MOODYCALC

EXPLICIT or SONNAD

Sonnad 2007 linear approximation (default)

APPROXIMATE or MOODY Moody 1947 approximation

IMPLICIT or ITERATIVE

Colebrook-White equation (Moody chart)

USERDLL - Flow Correlations

The API for the inclusion of user-defined 32-bit multiphase flow correlation DLLs is provided by
Schlumberger.
For a standard installation of PIPESIM, an example Fortran project (demo32.dsp) is provided in C:\Program
Files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\Developer Tools\User Flow Correlations\Fortran_code
Main-code: USERDLL
FILENAME=

The name of the DLL.

EPNAME=

The entry point of the DLL - the actual name

of the routine as exported from the DLL

PSNAME=

The internal PIPESIM name of the routine.

The psname's must be unique - the user
should check that other DLLs specified in the
userdll.dat file (located in C:\Program Files
\Schlumberger\PIPESIM\data for a standard
installation of PIPESIM - look for ep_ident)
do not use the same psname's.

LINKTYPE=

2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, or 11 (see userdll.dat for The DLL linkage type.

more info)

EPTYPE=

This value is used to decide where to place

the correlation in the Flow Correlations
dialog in the PIPESIM GUI.
MPFLOW

Horizontal and Vertical Multiphase Flow

Correlation

HMPFLOW

Horizontal Multiphase Flow Correlation

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VMPFLOW

Vertical Multiphase Flow Correlation

TITLE=

The title text describing the DLL, to be

selectable from the SOURCE window of the
Flow Correlations dialog.

OPTIONS=

The string that will be sent as the 1st

argument to the routine. (This is a global
option, perhaps specified by the author of
the DLL).

SDESCRIPTION=
LDESCRIPTION=

SYSTEM DATA
PIPE (p.525) Pipe Dimensions
INLET (p.474) System Inlet Data
EQUIPMENT (p.507) Equipment Data
NODE (p.523) System Profile Data
Changing Parameters within the System Profile (p.497)
SLUG (p.532) Slug Calculation Options
COMPRESSOR (p.504) Compressor
CHOKE (p.497) Choke
EXPANDER (p.509) Expander
HEATER (p.513) Heater/Cooler
PUMP (p.527) Pump
ESP (p.527) Electrical submersible Pump
MPUMP (p.522) Multiphase Pump
PUMPCRV (p.521) Pump Performance Curves
COMPCRV (p.501) Compressor Performance Curves
SEPARATOR (p.531) Separator
EROSION (p.506) Erosion Rate and Velocity
CORROSION (p.505) Corrosion Rate
COMPLETION (p.502) Completion Profile Delimiter
TUBING (p.502) Tubing Profile Delimiter
FLOWLINE (p.502) Flowline Profile Delimiter
RISER (p.502) Riser Profile Delimiter
FMPUMP (p.512)

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REINJECTOR (p.530)
MPBOOSTER (p.521)

Changing Parameters within the System Profile

One of the features of PIPESIM which gives a great deal of flexibility is the ability to change any parameter,
for example, flow rate or fluid property, at any point (node) in the system. In fact, almost any main-code can
be inserted at any point in the System Profile, that is the cards between the first NODE card and the
ENDCASE card. There are one or two exceptions where the main-code must appear before the first NODE
card (for example ITERN main-code) and these are documented in the relevant sections. This feature allows
changes of pipe diameter, fluid inflow and outflow, and so on, to be easily modeled.
The main-code to change parameters within the System Profile should be inserted after the NODE card at
which it is to take effect. There is no limit to the number of parameters which can be changed at a particular
node.
Example
Example:
A pressure control valve is located at a position 2000' down a flowline and sets the downstream pressure
to 800 psia. There is a change of pipe diameter (to 6"), and another flowline from a similar well joins thus
doubling the flow rate.
Multiple Cases
If multiple cases are to be considered, where the same feature within the profile is to be repeated but with
a different value assigned to it, then the user has a choice. Either the whole profile may be repeated or an
ASSIGN (p.595) card may be used to avoid repetition of the profile.
Note: The MULTICASE (p.587) card provides a convenient alternative to the use of repeated ENDCASE
cards.

CHOKE (Optional)
Also refer to Choke Theory (p.316)
Main-code: CHOKE
DBEAN=

Diameter of the choke bean (mm or inches)

CCORR=

Selects the Critical flow correlation. May be one

of:
GILBERT

Gilbert (p.323) correlation

ROS

Ros (p.323) correlation

BAXENDELL

Baxendell (p.323) correlation

ACHONG

Achong (p.323) correlation

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PILEHVARI

Pilehvari (p.323) correlation

ASHFORD

Ashford and Pierce (p.322) correlation

ASHFORDT

Sachdeva (p.322) correlation

POETBECK

Poetmann and Beck (p.322) correlation

OMANA

Omana (p.323) correlation

THEORY or MECHANISTIC (default) The MECHANISTIC choke model is

purely theoretical, based on a combination of
Bernoulli's equation with an equation of
continuity. Advanced users may wish to' finetune' the model, or override some of the
calculated values, by means of the sub-codes
CD, CSP, CPCV, YCRIT, GASCP,and LIQCP.
USER

User-supplied (p.323) correlation. This uses the

same equation as the Gilbert,Ros (p.323) and so
on correlations, but with parameters supplied
with the subcodes A=, B= C= and E=.

SCCORR=

Selects the required sub-critical flow correlation.

Maybe one of:
ASHFORD

= Ashford and Pierce (p.322) correlation

MECHANISTIC

(default) The MECHANISTIC choke model (see

above).

API14B

This is a special-case of the MECHANISTIC

model, wherein the GAS and Liquid Csp values
are preset to 0.9 and 0.85 respectively.

CPRATIO=

Pressure ratio at which flow through choke

becomes critical. (Default = 0.53). (It is also
possible to force PIPESIM to calculate the Critical
Pressure Ratio; to do this, enter CPRATIO=0.0.)

TOL=

Percentage tolerance, for identification of critical

flow conditions. (Default 0.5%)

CD=

Discharge coefficient (default = 0.6). This value

is used to calculate the flow coefficient, CSP.

CSP=

Flow coefficient. This is normally calculated by

PIPESIM, but can be overridden, if desired, by
use of this sub-code. The valid range is 0 to 1.3,
typically it is 0.6. It is used to calculate the
pressure drop.

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CPCV=

Fluid-specific heat ratio, = CP CV. This is

normally calculated by PIPESIM, but can be
overridden if desired. The valid range is 0.7 to 2.
Typically it is 1.26 for a natural gas, for a diatomic
gas it is 1.4. It is used to calculate the critical
pressure ratio, if CPRATIO=0.0 is specified.

YCRIT=

Gas expansion factor at critical flow. This is

normally calculated by PIPESIM, but can be
overridden if desired. The valid range is 0.5 to 1.
It is used to modify the pressure drop equation to
allow for gas compressibility.

GASCSP=

Flow coefficient for the gas phase. This is

normally equal to the value calculated or input for
CSP, but can be overridden if desired. For
API14B compatibility, set it to 0.9.

LIQCSP=

Flow coefficient for the liquid phase. This is

normally equal to the value calculated or input for
CSP, but can be overridden if desired. For
API14B compatibility, set it to 0.85.

CRITERION=

Allows the reasons for identification of critical,

and supercritical, flow to be defined. This
subcode will accept one or more of the following
values, supplied in multiple value syntax
(p.454) :

VERBOSE=

PRATIO

Pressure ratio < critical pressure ratio (default)

FLOWRATE

Flowrate flowrate at critical flow

SONICUP

Upstream velocity sonic

SONICDOWN

Downstream velocity sonic

ALL

All of the above

NONE

The value NONE will effectively prevent the

identification of critical and supercritical flow, thus
flow will always be subcritical. NONE should be
used for API14B compatibility.

ON or OFF

(Default OFF). Allows detailed choke calculation

output for the MECHANISTIC correlation. The
detailed output appears on the user's terminal
screen and on the primary output page. This
output is intended primarily to aid the

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development and debugging of the choke model,

but can also be of use to the advanced user.
SCADJUST ADJUSTSC= ON or OFF

If ON (default), the selected sub-critical

correlation is adjusted to ensure it predicts a
flowrate at critical pressure ratio that matches
that predicted by the critical correlation.

A=, B=, C=, E=

Parameters for the USER critical correlation.

The choke model will calculate the pressure ratio across the choke for the current flow rate. The pressure
ratio calculated is then categorized in one of 3 ways:
Subcritical
The pressure ratio (Pout/Pin) is higher than the critical pressure ratio. PIPESIM continues the case
with the calculated pressure drop.
Critical
The pressure ratio is within the tolerance of the critical pressure ratio. PIPESIM continues the case
with the calculated pressure drop, and writes an explanatory message to all output pages.
Pressures calculated in the profile from this point on represent maximum values rather than true
values; in reality, the pressures could be less than those reported. The reason for this is that in
critical flow, the flow rate is independent of the system's downstream pressure.
Supercritical
The pressure ratio is lower than the critical pressure ratio. This represents a situation that cannot
occur in reality, therefore PIPESIM will abort the case or iteration. In a non-iterative case, this will
result in a CASE ABORTED message, but in an iterative case, a further iteration is started, at a
higher inlet pressure or lower flow rate.
PIPESIM does not attempt to model the entire system analytically, rather it breaks it down into small
elements, each of which are then analyzed in turn to achieve the desired answer. Because the system's
heat balance is calculated rigorously at every element, it is not possible for PIPESIM to work backwards up
the system profile from a known outlet pressure. Consequently, if the user fixes the outlet pressure, an
iterative solution to the case is required. For non-iterative cases, PIPESIM starts its analysis of the profile
with a fixed inlet pressure and flow rate. Iterative cases are made up of several passes down the profile,
with the iteration routine taking informed guesses at the inlet pressure or flow rate; thus, for each separate
iteration, the inlet pressure and flow rate are effectively fixed, as for the non-iterative case.
When PIPESIM encounters a choke in the profile, it evaluates the pressure drop across the choke, and
labels it as one of critical, subcritical, or supercritical. The supercritical condition means that the current flow
rate cannot pass through the choke with the current upstream pressure: i.e., it is a situation that cannot
occur in reality. (Another example of such an impossible situation is a negative pressure; PIPESIM must
cope with this too). PIPESIM deals with this by aborting the case or iteration. If the case is iterative, the
iteration routine will then guess a lower flow rate or higher inlet pressure, and another pass down the profile
will begin. The critical condition is comparatively difficult to hit; it means that, at the current pressure
upstream of the choke, the flow rate is very close to the maximum possible flow rate through the choke.
When critical conditions exist, the flow rate is independent of the downstream pressure. The subcritical
condition needs no special handling.

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In an iterative case, it often happens that the user's specified outlet pressure cannot be met. This occurs
when a choke in the profile is in critical flow. Any increase in the flow rate will result in supercritical flow
through the choke, and so this sets an upper limit for the iteration routine. However, the outlet pressure for
the flow rate that gives critical flow might be much higher than that required. Normally in this situation, the
iteration routine would increase the flow rate and try again, but the presence of the choke in critical flow
makes this pointless. Therefore, the iteration routine considers the case to have converged on a solution,
and prints the case results. The pressure profile on the downstream side of the choke, while it does not
represent the actual required solution, nevertheless represents the maximum pressure that can be achieved
there; in reality, the pressures will be lower.
A wellhead choke or bean is used to control the production rate from a well. In the design of tubing and well
completions one must ensure that neither the tubing nor the perforations control the production from the
well. The flow capacity of the tubing and perforations always should be greater than the inflow performance
behavior of the reservoir. It is the choke that is designed to control the production rate from a well. Wellhead
chokes usually are selected so that fluctuations in the line pressure downstream of the choke have no effect
on the well flow rate. To ensure this condition, flow throughout the choke must be at critical flow condition;
that is, flow through the choke is at acoustic velocity. For this condition to exist, downstream line pressure
must be approximately 0.55 or less of the tubing or upstream pressure. Under this conditions the flow rate
is a function of the upstream or tubing pressure only.
Chokes are subjected to sand and gas cutting as well as asphalt and wax deposition, which changes the
shape and size of the choke. This then could result in considerable error when compared to calculate values
of choke for a standard choke size. A small error in the choke size caused by a worn choke can produce a
much larger error in the predicted oil rate. Thus a 'cut' choke could result in estimated oil rates considerably
lower than measured.
From the inflow performance relationship of a well and by knowing the tubing size in the well, the tubing
pressure curve for various flow rates can be calculated.

COMPCRV and PUMPCRV: Compressor and Pump performance curves

Main-code: PUMPCRV or COMPCRV
Centrifugal pump and compressor performance curves are specified as a range of head and efficiency or
power values versus volumetric flow rates. These values should be specified before the profile, and each
curve is given a name so it can be referenced on a subsequent PUMP or COMPRESSOR statement.
NAME=

Required: The name of the curve, for referencing on a subsequent PUMP or

COMPRESSOR statement.

SPEED=

The speed for which this curve was generated. (rpm)

Q=

Values of flow rate, supplied as a multiple value set (p.454) . Flowrates are measured in
volumetric terms at the flowing pressure and temperature at the inlet to the device. For a
pump curve, units are bbl/day or m3/day; for a compressor curve, they are ft 3/min or m3/
sec. (See note below).

FLOWRATE= Synonym for Q =.

HEAD=

Values of head, supplied as a multiple value set (p.454). For a pump curve, units are feet
or metres. For a compressor curve they are ft-lbf/lbm (foot-pounds force per pound mass)
or Kj/kg. Note that the conversion factor between ft-lbf/lbm and feet is 1.

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EFFICIENCY= Values of efficiency (%), supplied as a multiple value set (p.454). (Default is 100%).
Exclusive with POWER=.
POWER=

Values of power (hp or kw), supplied as a multiple value set (p.454). Exclusive with
EFFICIENCY=.

STAGES=

For a Pump curve only, the number of stages for which this curve is defined (normally 1).

WHEELS=

For a compressor curve only, the number of compressor wheels for which this curve is
defined.

The multiple value sets (p.454) supplied for Q=, HEAD=, and EFF= or POWER= sub-codes must contain
at least 3, and no more than 30 values, separated by commas, and enclosed in parentheses. The values
need not be entered in ascending or descending order, however there is a strict one-for-one correspondence
between the values in each list, based on their position. Each list must contain the same number of values.
Since the multiple value lists can be quite lengthy, they may be supplied across more than one line in the
input file. This can be achieved either by use of the continuation character &, or by repeating the maincode
and curve name on each line. The examples below illustrate this, they both have the same effect:
Examples
Example 1
PumpCrv
name
PumpCrv
name
10666.7)
PumpCrv
name
2338.76,971.734)
PumpCrv
name
31.7383)

= GN7000
= GN7000

stages = 100
Q
= (1250

= GN7000

head = (4827.88

,4176.29,3624.68,3160.3 ,

= GN7000

eff

,55.0738,67.3463,71.3873,63.476 ,

= (23.6865

speed = 3600
,3750
,5800

,7400

,9000

Example 2
PumpCrv
name = GN7000
stages = 100
speed = 3600
Q
= (1250
,3750
,5800
,7400
,9000
,10666.7)
head = (4827.88 ,4176.29,3624.68,3160.3 ,2338.76,971.734)
eff = (23.6865 ,55.0738,67.3463,71.3873,63.476 ,31.7383)

&
&
&

COMPLETION Completion Profile Delimiter

Main-code: COMPLETION
The profile delimiters (supercodes) are used by PIPESIM as required flags if the model contains horizontal
wells or if you wish to perform system analysis anywhere in the system profile. The presence of the
COMPLETION delimiter informs PIPESIM that subsequent wellbore sections form a "completion," or
"productive interval." The program will therefore model the flow of reservoir fluid into the wellbore.
INLINE=

If this sub code is present, the entire profile is modeled as a single unit. If it is absent, the
completion is modeled separately from the rest of the system profile.

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EFFLENG= The effective length of the horizontal completion (m or ft). This allows you to specify a
completion length which is less than the actual length supplied with subsequent NODE
maincodes. Thus, sensitivities on length can be performed using the NAPLOT maincode.
IPRPOINT=
DPRETIO=
TOL=
LABEL=
TYPE=
For datum reset feature, please refer to Node (p.523) .
Supercode
The supercodes are:
TUBING
Tubing Profile Delimiter
FLOWLINE
Flowline Profile Delimiter
RISER
Riser Profile Delimiter
Main-code: TUBING, FLOWLINE, RISER
The profile delimiters (supercodes) are used by PIPESIM as required flags if the model contains horizontal
wells or if you wish to perform system analysis anywhere in the system profile. The portions of profile so
delimited are sometimes be described as objects.
When any of these are encountered after the COMPLETION delimiter, the inflow modeling is switched off,
and the resulting flowrate is used for the remainder of the system profile.
Other modes of program behavior depend on the current delimiter, and the junctions of different delimiters.
For example, Heat Transfer data implying that a pipe is buried, will not be applied to a riser; the junction of
a flowline and an upward-going riser is identified as a riser-base and triggers checks on slugging
parameters; the junction of tubing and flowline triggers actions relevant to the wellhead.
LABE L= or NAME= The name of the profile object. This is used to print on the output file, and for object
identification with the PUSH (p.486) statement.
DATUMRESET=

Can be set to YES (the default) or NO. The NODE statements on either side of a
supercode are, by default, assumed to be coincident. This allows the last node of (for
example) a previous flowline to specify the same position as the first node of the next
flowline, with no intermediate length of pipe joining them, regardless of the values of
distance and elevation these 2 nodes may specify. This behavior can be reversed
with DATUMRESET=NO, which will model a pipe section between the 2 nodes in the
same way as between any other 2 nodes in the same object.

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INHERIT=

Can be set to YES (the default) or NO. Controls the application of Upstream
Inheritance. Pipe object dimensions (for example Pipe ID, wall thickness, coatings
thickness and conductivity, burial configuration, and so on.) are by default inherited
from upstream objects. This allows each subsequent object to be specified with a
minimum of input data, as the only required values are those that change between
objects. However, mistakes in the specification of data can easily occur with this
mode of behavior, particularly when complex pipe coatings and burial configurations
are being specified, as unwanted data from previous objects can be mistakenly
inherited by the current object. Specification of INHERIT=NO will ensure that each
new object inherits nothing from its upstream neighbor.

COMPRESSOR Compressor (Optional)

Main-code: COMPRESSOR
Sub-codes: TYPE, ROUTE, POUT, DP, PRATIO, POWER, EFF, NAME, SPEED, WHEELS, STONEWALL
VERBOSE
TYPE=

COMPRESSOR type.
CENTRIFUGA Centrifugal compressor

ROUTE=

ADIABATIC

Adiabatic compression is performed (default). For black oil models the

heat capacity ratio (C p/C v) for the adiabatic exponent in the compression
equations is assumed to be constant with a value equal to 1.26. For
compositional models the heat capacity ratio is calculated using the
relationship: Cp = Cv - R The heat capacity is obtained at the average of
the compressor suction and discharge conditions.

POLYTROPIC Polytropic compression is performed. The heat capacity ratio (C p/C v) is

calculated as outlined above for ADIABATIC compression. This is the
default for Black Oil cases.
MOLLIER

Compression is based upon the Mollier method, that is isoentropic

compression from suction to discharge pressures. This option is valid for
compositional models only, where it is also the default.

POUT=

Discharge pressure from the compressor (bara or psia) (default 20,000

psia)

DP=

Pressure differential across the compressor (bar or psi) (default 10,000

psi)

PRATI=

Compressor pressure ratio (default 1000)

POWER=

Power available for compression (KW or hp) (default unlimited)

EFF=

Overall efficiency of the compression (default = 100%)

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NAME=

The name of a previously specified Compressor Curve (see the

COMPCRV (p.501) maincode)

SPEED=

Speed at which the compressor will run. This is only useful when a
compressor curve name has been specified. (rpm) (default unlimited)

WHEELS=
STONEWALL=
VERBOSE=
Notes:
1. At least one of the subcodes POUT, DP, PRATIO, POWER and SPEED should be supplied. If 2 or more
are present, PIPESIM will treat them as upper limits, and will use whichever gives the smallest DeltaP.
The others will be recalculated and displayed as answers on the output file.
2. If a compressor curve name is supplied, the speed may also be specified. This is used to adjust the
supplied curve against its specified speed (as set with SPEED (p.501) = on the COMPCRV (p.501)
maincode). The adjustment is done using the so called affinity or fan laws, which state that "capacity is
directly proportional to speed, head is proportional to square of speed, and power is proportional to cube
of speed".
3. In order to avoid confusion with the COMPOSITION main code, the minimum abbreviation acceptable
for COMPRESSOR is COMPR.

CORROSION
Maincode: CORROSION
Subcodes:
This maincode allows corrosion rate to be calculated.
METHOD= or MODEL=

Specifies the correlation to be used. Choices are:

DEWAARD Uses the de Waard model.
NONE

disables corrosion calculations

PHACT=

Optional: Specifies the actual pH of the fluid system. If not supplied

the value will be calculated internally.

CC= or EFFICIENCY=

The multiplier Cc to correct for inhibitor efficiency or to match field

data

RODPUMP: Rod- or Beam-pump

Main-code: RODPUMP or CVFMD
The RODPUMP statement allows the outline specification for a Rod- or Beam-pump to be supplied.

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A rod-pump is an example of a Constant Volume Fluid Motive Device (CVFMD). CVFMDs are fixed-volume,
positive-displacement pumps or compressors designed to move liquids, gases or 2-phase mixtures. Other
notable CVFMD examples are: Progressive cavity pumps, Twin screw multiphase boosters, and
reciprocating compressors. The statement allows a simplistic simulation of such a device to be performed.
NOMLIQRATE=

The flowing volume flowrate that the pump would produce, if it were pumping with no
back-pressure at its discharge (m3/day or bbl/day).

SLIPCOEF=

A coefficient to specify the change in flowrate with respect to Delta pressure (m3/day/
bar or bbl/day/psi). This is used to compute the pressure rise across the device when
the actual flowrate is less than the specified nominal rate.

MAXDP=

Maximum pressure rise the device is allowed to exhibit (psi or bar). This is used to
prevent excess rod loading.

MAXPOWER=

Maximum power the device is allowed to draw (hp or kw). This is used to prevent excess
rod loading.

RODDIAMETER= The Diameter of the drive rod (in or mm). The drive rod will be assumed to exist in the
downstream pipe or tubing, and will stretch up to the wellhead or the end of the tubing.
The fluid will flow in the annular space between the tubing ID and the rod OD. The rod
diameter can be adjusted in downstream pipe sections by use of the RODDIAM=
subcode on the PIPE (p.525) statement, this is useful to simulate taper rods.
VOLUME=

The swept volume of the pump cylinder, i.e. its cross-section area multiplied by the
stroke length (bbl or m3). In conjunction with SPEED=, this is an alternative to the
nominal rate.

SPEED=

The pump speed, in strokes per minute. In conjunction with VOLUME=, this is an
alternative to the nominal rate.

NOMINALRATE= The flowing volume flowrate that the pump would produce, if it were pumping with no
back-pressure at its discharge (m3/sec or ft3/min). this is the same information as
NOMLIQRATE= but in different units, more suited to other types of CVFMD.

EROSION Erosion Rate and Velocity (Optional)

Maincode: EROSION
This maincode allows erosion rate and erosional velocity to be calculated.
METHOD=

Specifies the correlation method to be used. Available methods are:

API14E: The API 14 E method. This calculates erosional velocity assuming solidsfree production. Erosion rate is not calculated. The only other subcode this method
recognizes is K=, all others are ignored
SALAMA The SALAMA 2000 method.

K= or KEROS=

The desired constant in the API 14 E equation. Default value is 100 in engineering
units. A value of 100 specified when SI units are being used will be in SI units: this
translates to approximately 82 in engineering units. The value may be qualified

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with the units descriptor 'ENG' or 'SI' to specify which units system to use when
interpreting it.
H= or EROSRATE=

The acceptable erosion rate. Used to calculate erosional velocity. Units are in/1e3/
year or mm/year, default 0.1 mm/year.

SANDRATIO=

The rate of sand production, specified as a ratio with liquid rate. Units are Parts
Per Million , by volume, against stock-tank liquid rate. (The equations in
Salama's paper use a sand rate in Kg/day. This is obtained from the supplied
volume ratio using Salama's 'typical value' for sand density, 2650 kg/m3.) If sand
production ratio is zero, erosion rate will not be calculated

W= or SANDRATE=

The absolute rate of sand production, kg/day or lb/day. Use of this subcode is not
recommended unless the model also fixes the system flowrate. Sand production
rate is better specified as a ratio with liquid rate, using the SANDRATIO= subcode
(see above).

SM= or S=

This is the Geometry constant Sm in the Salama method, default 5.5.

CE= or EFFICIENCY= Multiplier to match field data, default 1.

D= or SANDSIZE=

The mean size of the sand grains. Units are in/1e3 or mm. Default 0.25 mm

SANDDENSITY=

Density of the sand grains. Units are lb/ft3or kg/m3. Default 2650 kg/m3.

SANDSG=

Specific gravity of the sand grains relative to water. Default 2.650

EQUIPMENT Generic Equipment

Main-code: EQUIPMENT
The EQUIPMENT maincode may be used to simulate a generic unit operation in which the pressure and/
or temperature of the stream are modified.
DP=

Pressure gain (positive), or loss (negative). (Bar or psi). NB. In a network model, the
DP is assumed to follow the flow direction in the branch, so if the branch flow reverses,
the DP will change sign. This can be controlled with DPIFD=, see below. See note 2

DPIFD=

"DP is Independent of Flow Direction". Set this to YES to ensure the sign of the dp
supplied with DP= is independent of branch flow direction in a network model. Default
is NO, thus if the branch flow reverses, the dp will change sign. An example of a device
whose DP is direction -independent is a choke. An example of a direction-dependent
DP is a vertical section of pipe.

POUT= or SETP= Equipment outlet set pressure (bara or psia). NB. In a network model, the imposition
of a set pressure is likely to prevent the model from converging. In a single-branch
model, if the outlet pressure and flowrate are fixed, the use of SETP= will cause an
input data error. See note 2
PRATIO=

Pressure Ratio: the equipment outlet pressure is set to the specified multiple of the inlet
pressure. Exclusive with MAXP=, MINP=, SETP= and DP=. See note 2.

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MAXP=

Maximum pressure (psia or bara). If the pressure at the equipment is greater than the
supplied limit, then it will be adjusted down to the limit. See note 3.

MINP=

Minimum pressure (psia or bara). If the pressure at the equipment is less than the
supplied limit, then it will be adjusted up to the limit. See note 3.

ROUTE=

Allows the thermodynamic route to be specified, for calculation of fluid temperature

change consequent upon changes in pressure. Exclusive with DT= and SETT= ;can
be used with DUTY=. See note 4. Available choices are:
ISENTHALPIC or ADIABATIC: Constant enthalpy (default)
ISENTROPIC or MOLLIER: Constant entropy (compositional cases only)
ISOTHERMAL: Constant temperature

DT=

Temperature gain (+ve), or loss (-ve). (C or F). See note 1.

TOUT= or SETT= Outlet set temperature ( &deg;C or&deg;F). See note 1.

DUTY=

Duty to be used to raise the temperature of the fluid (KW or Btu/hr). See notes 1, 4 and
6.

MAXT=

Maximum temperature (F or C). If the temperature at the equipment is greater than the
supplied limit, then it will be adjusted down to the limit. See note 7.

MINT=

Minimum temperature (F or C). If the temperature at the equipment is less than the
supplied limit, then it will be adjusted up to the limit See note 7.

NAME=

Defines the NAME of a user-supplied equipment entrypoint, as defined in a prior

USERDLL statement. Note: The presence of this subcode causes all others (except
OPTIONS=) to be ignored.

OPTIONS=

A character string that is supplied to the user-supplied equipment routine. Must be used
with NAME=.

VERBOSE=

Controls the appearance of the one-line output in the report. may be set to ON or OFF,
default ON.

Notes:
1. The subcodes SETT=, DT= and DUTY= are mutually exclusive.
2. The subcodes SETP=, DP= and PRATIO= are mutually exclusive.
3. If a MAXP= or MINP= is specified, the limit is applied AFTER any pressure change resulting from a
SETP=, DP= or PRATIO=, and BEFORE any temperature or enthalpy change is applied or calculated.
4. If SETT= or DT is specified, the fluid outlet temperature will be set accordingly, otherwise it will be
calculated using the selected (or defaulted) thermodynamic ROUTE= and DUTY=.

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5. If SETP=, DP= or PRATIO= are specified in the absence of TOUT and DT, the choice of thermodynamic
route is used to calculate the fluid outlet temperature. To simulate chokes and to predict Joule-Thomson
cooling across pressure reduction valves etc. the most appropriate route is ISENTHALPIC (the default).
6. If a DUTY is specified, the corresponding fluid enthalpy change will be calculated, and added to that
resulting from any pressure change using the selected ROUTE=. The outlet temperature is then adjusted
accordingly.
7. If a MAXT= or MINT= is specified, the limit is applied AFTER any temperature change resulting from
any other subcode.
8. All subcodes are optional.
Examples
Example 1
A pipeline compressor station (located at distance 120 Km and elevation 20 m) raises the pipeline pressure
35 bar and after coolers cool the compressed gas down to 40 C before it reenters the pipeline. Pipeline gas
is withdrawn to power the compressors, so a RATE statement is used to subtract 2.5 kg/sec from the
pipeline. The following three lines define the compressor station:
NODE

DIST= 120 km ELEV= 20 m

EQUIPMENT DP = 35 bar SETT = 40 C
RATE
ADDMASS = -2.5 kg/sec

Example 2
A wellhead choke is to be set to reduce the calculated wellhead pressure to 60 bara. The program will
calculate the resulting temperature change across the choke (assuming an isoenthalpic expansion) :
EQUIPMENT

SETP = 60 bar

EXPANDER Expander (Optional)

Main-code: EXPANDER
DP= Pressure differential across the expander (bar or psi) (default 10,000)
POUT=

Discharge pressure from the expander (bara or psia) (default 20 psia)

PRATIO= Expander pressure ratio (Pin/Pout ; default 1000)

EFF=

Overall efficiency of the expansion (%) (Default = 100%)

POWER=

Power required from expansion (KW or hp) (default unlimited)

ROUTE=

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ADIABATIC

Adiabatic expansion is performed (default). For black oil models the heat
capacity ratio (C p/C v) used as the adiabatic exponent in the expansion
equations is assumed to be constant with a value equal to 1.26 . For
compositional models the heat capacity ratio is calculated using the
relationship : Cp = Cv - R. The heat capacity is obtained at the average
of the expander suction and discharge conditions.

POLYTROPIC Polytropic expansion is performed. The heat capacity ratio (C p/C v) is

calculated in a similar manner to that outlined above for ADIABATIC
expansion. This is the default for Black Oil cases.
MOLLIER

Expansion is based upon the Mollier method, that is isoentropic expansion

from suction to discharge pressures. This option is valid for compositional
models only, where it is the default.

UNDEFINED

Undefined

NAME=
SPEED=
WHEELS=
STONEWALL=
ON
OFF
VERBOSE=
ON
OFF
Note: At least one of the subcodes POUT, DP, PRATIO, and POWER should be supplied. If 2 or more are
present, PIPESIM will treat them as upper limits, and will use whichever gives the smallest DeltaP. The
others will be recalculated and displayed as answers on the output file.

FITTING : Valves and Fittings

Main-code: FITTING
Pipe fittings can be modeled in PIPESIM using the FITTING keyword. Either a resistance coefficient should
be specified, or the type and dimensions of the fittings should be specified and the resistance will be
calculated.
TYPE=

"GLOBE-CONV"

Globe Valve Conventional

"GLOBE-YPAT"

Globe Valve Y-Pattern

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"ANGLE-CONV"

Angle Valve Conventional

"CHECK-SWING1" Check Swing Valve Conventional

"CHECK-SWING2" Check Swing Valve Clearway
"CHECK-LIFT1"

Check Lift Globe Valve

"CHECK-LIFT2"

Check Lift Angle Valve

"BALL-VALVE"

Ball Valve

"GATE-VALVE"

GateValve

"ELBOW-STD45"

Standard 45 degree Elbow

"ELBOW-STD90"

Standard 90 degree Elbow

"ELBOW-LR90"

Standard 90 degree Long Radius Elbow

"ELBOW-SR90"

Standard 90 degree Short Radius Elbow

"TEE-RUN"

Tee - Flow through run

"TEE-BRANCH"

Tee - Flow through branch

NOMINALD

Nominal diameter (mm or inches)

MINORD=

Minor internal diameter (mm or inches)

MAJORD=

Major internal diameter (mm or inches)

DANGLE=

Deflection angle

KVALUE =

Resistance coefficient

If the resistance K is not specified it will be calculated. In this case the nominal diameter (p.423) must be
specified, together with the internal diameter of the fitting. Some fittings require two internal diameters to
be specified, the minor diameter d1 at a constriction and the major diameter d2.
If the resistance is specified, one of the internal diameters (d1 or d2) should also be specified. If both internal
diameters are specified, the resistance is assumed to apply at the major internal diameter d2, that is

K = K2.
See the Technical description (p.325) for further details.
EXAMPLES
The fitting keyword can be inserted between node keywords in a pipe. The fitting is placed immediately
after the preceding node.

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...
node
dist = 0 elev = 0
node
dist = 1000 elev = 0
fitting kvalue = 1.6 majord = 4.815
node
dist = 1010 elev = 0
fitting type = "ANGLE_CONV" nominald = 5 majord = 5.047 minord = 4 dangle = 45
node
dist = 1200 elev = 0
...

FMPUMP (Optional)
Main-code: FMPUMP

FRAMO 2009 (Optional)

See also Multiphase Boosting Technology (p.332), Framo 2009 Helico-Axial Multiphase Booster (p.75).
Main-code: FRAMO2009
This keyword requests a Framo pump, modelled with the framo2009 dll provided by Framo.
POUT=

Discharge pressure from the pump (bara or psia)

DP=

Pressure differential across the pump (bar or psi)

PRATIO=

Pump pressure ratio

POWER=

Power available for pump (KW or hp)

LIMSPEED= Maximum pump speed (valid range 0.2 1.0)

TUNE=

Tuning parameter (valid range 0.7 1.5)

QRECIN=

Flow in recirculation

NPARA=

Number of pumps in parallel (valid range 1-7)

NAME=

The name of the pump

FILE=

Framo file containing pump performance curves. This sub-code must be specified. Only the
file name should be specified, not the path. The file must exist in the framo09 sub-directory
of the PIPESIM data directory (default location C:\Program files\Schlumberger\PIPESIM
\data\framo09).

PLOT

Requests a pump performance plot. A plot file called file_n.pfm will be created in the model
directory, where file is the pump name specified by the NAME sub-code and n is the
case number.
The pump name should be unique, otherwise plot files will over write each other.
If the NAME sub-code is not given, the plot file will be called framopump_n.pfm.
Pump performance plot files can be viewed by PSPlot.

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EXAMPLE
framo2009 file='framopump.dat' name='test' dp=100 plot

HEATER Heater/Cooler (Optional)

Main-code: HEATER
DP=

Pressure drop across the heater (bar or psi) (Default =0)

POUT=

Discharge pressure from the heater (bara or psia)

PRATIO=

Pressure ratio across the heater

TOUT=

Discharge temperature from the heater (oC or oF)

DT=

Temperature drop/increase through the heater/cooler (oC or oF)

VERBOSE=
STATUS=
Notes:
1. The subcodes TOUT DT and DUTY are mutually exclusive only one should be supplied. Specification
of the outlet temperature or DT will result in the calculation of the duty required to meet these conditions.
If the DUTY is supplied PIPESIM will calculate the outlet temperature.
2. The subcodes POUT and DP are mutually exclusive and optional. Changes in pressure across a heater
are modeled using an isoenthalpic route; if large pressure changes are required you are better served
by modeling the DP with a separate EQUIPMENT maincode which gives a choice of route.

GASLIFT: Multiple Injection Ports in Gaslifted Wells

The GASLIFT statement is required to simulate the multiple gas lift valves resulting from a Gas Lift Design
in the PIPESIM GUI. It is also used to calculate the Deepest point of Injection (DIP).
GASLIFT should be entered in the initial part of the input file, ie. before the profile or the first NODE
statement. It specifies generic gas lift data such as casing head pressure (CHP), injection gas flow rate and
properties, etc. The profile may then include one or more INJPORT statements to specify the position and
properties of the gas lift valves.
Two modes of operation are available, viz. Deepest Injection Point (DIP), and Simulate; these are selected
with the MODE= subcode.
In DIP mode, PIPESIM will calculate the deepest possible injection point for the system as specified. Any
existing injection points and gas lift valves will be ignored. Required subcodes for this mode are
INJGASRATE=, DP=, CHP= and TEMP=.
In SIMULATE mode, PIPESIM will accept a set of gas lift valves positioned at various depths in the system
profile. Each valve has its associated settings such as Port diameter, test rack Pressure Setting. etc. The
program will simulate the entire system as specified, determining which valve(s) are operating, and calculate

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the injection gas flowrate through each valve. Required subcodes for this mode are MAXQ=, CHP=, and
TEMP=.
For either mode, the recommended job will fix the reservoir pressure and outlet (wellhead) pressure, and
calculate the system flowrate; i.e., use ITERN (p.471) TYPE=LFLOW. (Other iteration types are more
difficult to use since the design of the gaslift system constrains the Injection valves to a narrow range of
operating pressure, outside which no gas injection will occur, rendering meaningful results unlikely.)
Main-code: GASLIFT
MODE=

Required. Specifies the operational mode for the gaslift system.

Available modes are:
SIMULATE: requests a rigorous simulation of the system with a set of
gas lift valves installed. The important feature of this mode is that it
calculates the total flowrate of gas that is injected into all the valves,
using the positions and settings of the installed gas lift valves. Be aware
however, that this mode is very sensitive to the exact position and
settings of the valves. Consequently its results are usually difficult to
interpret due to the likleyhood multiple solutions, or no solution, to the
model cases. For this reason, PIPESIM uses one of the DIP modes
instead (see below). Injection valves must be provided at appropriate
depths with INJPORT (p.517) statements.
DIP: requests a calculation of the Deepest Injection Point (DIP). In this
mode, any existing Injection valves will be ignored. The program will
simulate the injection of gas at the maximum possible depth for the given
system parameters, and report the calculated DIP depth. In this mode
the fixed flowrate of gas as specified with INJGASRATE= is injected
at the deepest depth.
DIP3: similar to DIP mode, but the calculated deepest injection depth is
constrained to be coincident with the position of one of the existing
injection valves specified with INJPORT statements. See note 2.

MAXFLOWRATE= or MAXQ=

Required for MODE=SIMULATE. The maximum available lift gas flow

rate (MMscf/d or MMm 3/d).

TEMPERATURE=

Required. The temperature of the lift gas (F or C) at the casing head.

The program will adjust this by a formula that takes account of
geothermal temperature gradient and production temperature to
calculate the annulus temperature for each injection valve.

CHP=

Required. The casing head pressure (psia or bara) at the wellhead

where the lift gas is supplied to the well. The program will adjust this by
the pressure of the static head of gas in the annulus between the
wellhead and the injection port to calculate the annulus pressure for
each injection valve.

DP=

Required for MODE=DIP. The minimum allowable pressure difference

across the injection valve. The valve will be positioned at a depth that

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ensures the DP between casing and tubing is at least this value. (psi or
bar)
FLOWRATE= or INJGASRATE= For MODE=DIP. The flow rate of lift gas (MMscf/d or MMm 3/d) to be
injected. See note 1.
FTEMPERATURE=

Optional. A factor (f) that allows the injection port temperature (Tp) to be
interpolated between the casing gas temperature (Tc) and the
production wellbore temperature (Tw) using the formula Tp = Tc*(1-f) +
Tw*f. Can be set to a value between 0 and 1, default 1. The injection
port temperature is important in gas-charged valves because it
determines the dome pressure and hence the valve opening and closing
pressures.

PLOT=

Optional, can be set to OFF or ON, default OFF. Produces a plot file
representing the performance characteristics of each valve. One file is
produced for each valve, these are named model.Vxx, where model is
the model file core name, and xx is the valve number (shallowest being
01). The valve performance is exercised over a range of casing and
tubing pressures, and the plot typically has tubing pressure on the Xaxis against gas flowrate in the Y-axis, with the casing pressure giving
a number of different lines.

MINFLOWRATE= or MINQ=

Optional, for MODE=SIMULATE. The lower limit of gas flowrate to be

injected (MMscf/d or MMm 3/d). If the simulation for any case predicts
less than this gas flowrate, additional gas will be injected at the
shallowest valve. This simulates the effect of the operator increasing
CHP to inject more gas.

FLUIDNAME= or USE=

Optional. The name of the fluid (Black Oil or Compositional) representing

the lift gas fluid specification, as specified with a BEGIN FLUID (p.484)
block.

SGGAS=

Optional. For Black Oil fluids only, the lift gas specific gravity. (Default =
SG of the produced gas).

KGAS=

Optional. For Black Oil fluids only, The lift gas thermal conductivity.
(Default = K of the produced gas).

CPGAS=

Optional. For Black Oil fluids only, The lift gas heat capacity. (Default =
CP of the produced gas).

METHOD=

Optional. Specifies the equation used to calculate gas flowrate across

the valve. Allowable values are 1 for PIPESIM's standard mechanistic
choke correlation, and 2 for the Thornhill-Craver equation.

PVTFILE=

Optional. For compositional fluids only, the name of the PVT file
containing the composition of the lift gas.

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GLR=

For MODE=DIP, injects the gas flowrate required to make the production
fluid Gas Liquid Ratio (GLR) equal the supplied value. (scf/sbbl or sm3/
sm3) See note 1.

GOR=

For MODE=DIP, injects the gas flowrate required to make the production
fluid Gas Oil Ratio (GOR) equal the supplied value. (scf/sbbl or sm3/
sm3) See note 1.

INJGLR=

For MODE=DIP, injects the gas flowrate required to increase the

production fluid Gas Liquid Ratio (GLR) by the supplied value. (scf/sbbl
or sm3/sm3) See note 1.

INJGOR=

For MODE=DIP, injects the gas flowrate required to increase the

production fluid Gas Oil Ratio (GOR) by the supplied value. (scf/sbbl or
sm3/sm3) See note 1.

MAXDEPTH=

Optional, for MODE=DIP, limits the injection depth to the specified

maximum.

FRICTION=

Optional, For Mode=DIP. Requests a rigorous treatment of injection gas

pressure profile resulting from friction in the annulus. This can make a
significant difference to the calculated DIP when gas rate is high or
annulus cross-section area is small. Can be set to ON or OFF, default
OFF.

U=

Optional, for FRICTION=ON, specifies the overall Heat Transfer

Coefficient to be used for calculating injection gas temperature changes
due to heat exchange with the tubing and casing. (btu/hr/ft2/F or W/m2/
C). Default 20 btu/hr/ft2/F.

IFACTOR=

Optional, for FRICTION=ON, A factor (f) that allows the ambient

temperature (Ta) used in gas friction heat transfer calculations to be
interpolated between the ambient rock temperature (Tr) and the
production wellbore temperature (Tw) using the formula Ta = Tr*(1-f) +
Tw*f. Can be set to a value between 0 and 1, default 0.9.

PRINTF=

Optional, for FRICTION=ON, requests detailed output from the

simulation of gas flow in the annulus. The resulting output pages are
similar to those produced for the production wellbore. Can be set to ON
or OFF, default ON.

SIP=

Optional. Specifies the Surface Injection Pressure used for Alhanati Gas
Lift Instability Criteria calculation (p.172) . (psia or bara)

Notes:
1. The subcodes FLOWRATE=, GLR=, GOR=, INJGLR= and INJGOR= are mutually exclusive.
2. Any subcode valid for MODE=DIP is also valid for MODE=DIP3.

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INJPORT Gas Lift Injection Valve

INJPORT statements specify the position of Gas Lift Injection Valves. In conjunction with the GASLIFT
(p.513) statement they allow a well with multiple injection valves to be simulated. PIPESIM will calculate
the production flowrate and the quantity of gas injected through each valve.
INJPORT statements should be positioned in the system profile immediately following the NODE statement
representing the desired position for each valve. In a typical gas lift design, the profile will contain between
4 and 10 injection valves.
Main-code: INJPORT
DPORT=

The diameter of the valve port (in. or mm). Required.

PTR=

The Test Rack Pressure Setting for the valve, measured at test rack
conditions, that is 60 oF and 14.7 psia. This is the pressure (applied to the
casing side of the valve, with the tubing side open to atmosphere) required
to just open the valve. Required.

MODE=

The valve's mode of operation. Required.

DUMMY
ORIFICE
TUBING
IPO
PPO
CASING

AP2AB=

The ratio of the Port Area to the Bellows Area, AP/AB, for the valve.
Required.

CV=

The flow coefficient for the valve port. This is a value normally in the range
0.4 to 1.6, used to characterize the port in the equation for gas flow. The
valve manufacturer usually measures this in the laboratory. Optional,
default 0.6.

TYPE=

The construction type of the valve. (Optional,)

DUMMY
ORIFICE
BELLOWS Default
SPRING

LABEL=

An identifier for the valve.

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TF=

Throttling factor for the valve (mscfd/psi or msm3d/bar). Optional, if not

supplied it will be calculated using an assumed value of (P open-Pclose).

PCO=

Experimental: the Casing Opening pressure for the valve. If supplied this
value will be used instead of the calculated value.

PTC=

Experimental: the Tubing Closing pressure for the valve. If supplied this
value will be used instead of the calculated value.

PDT=

Experimental: the Dome Pressure of the valve at operating temperature.

If supplied this value will be used instead of the calculated value.

TEMPERATURE=

Experimental: The valve operating temperature. If supplied this value will

be used instead of the calculated value.

The values of TYPE= and OPMODE= determine the characteristics of the valve.
A Bellows valve has a dome and bellows, which is charged with gas (usually nitrogen) in the test rack to
provide the required closing force on the valve plunger. The force exerted by the gas charge depends on
its pressure, which increases with temperature. Since the temperature where the valve is installed in the
tubing is much higher than test rack temperature, this pressure correction must be done using an accurate
value for valve operating temperature if the valve simulation is to be relied upon.
A Spring valve has a spring instead of a bellows to provide the closing force on the valve plunger. The spring
force is relatively insensitive to temperature variation.
An Orifice valve has no plunger, and is equivalent to a normal choke. It will always be open, regardless of
tubing and casing pressure, thus in theory not only can gas flow from casing to tubing, but production fluid
can also flow from tubing to casing. In practice this is not a problem as static head limits fluid buildup in the
casing. An orifice valve is sometimes specified as the deepest injection valve, because it will not suffer from
unwanted closure if the gas lift design no longer matches the system operating parameters.
A dummy valve is a plug that passes no gas.
Bellows and spring valves are sensitive to both tubing and casing pressure to a greater or lesser extent,
depending on their construction and the way they are installed in the tubing string. The objective of valve
design, placement and test rack pressure setting is to achieve a desired response to changes in tubing and
casing pressure. These are called Modes of Operation, and have the following names and meanings:
IPO:
Injection Pressure operated. Valve will respond only to changes in injection gas pressure.
Response is off-on rather than proportional.
PPO:
Production Pressure Operated. Valve will respond only to changes in tubing pressure. Response
is off-on rather than proportional.
TUBING:
Tubing-sensitive proportional response. Valve will respond predominantly to changes in tubing
pressure, exhibiting a proportional response.

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CASING:
Casing-sensitive proportional response. Valve will respond predominantly to changes in casing
pressure, exhibiting a proportional response.

INJGAS: Injection Gas (Optional) and INJFLUID: Fluid Injection

INJGAS and INJFLUID allow the injection and mixing of a side-stream fluid. They both work for Blackoil
and Compositional fluids.
INJGAS simulates a single gas injection point, and allows a specified quantity of gas to be added to the
production fluid at any position. This quantity can be expressed in volume or ratio terms. It differs from
GASLIFT (p.513) in that it always injects the specified gas quantity, whereas GASLIFT (p.513) will calculate
how much gas is injected.
INJFLUID simulates a single fluid injection point, and allows the mixing of the main stream with a sidestream of any required composition and phase. It allows a base pressure and temperature to be specified
for the side stream, this is used to fix the volume flowrate if specified as a gas or liquid rate.
INJGAS will only allow the injected fluid to be gas, it will apply certain sanity limits when working in PIPESIMNET mode, and it will calculate values for Alhanati Gas Lift Stability criteria. It also allows injected gas
properties such as SG, Cp and K to be defined for a black oil fluid.
Main-code: INJGAS or INJFLUID
GASRATE=

Defines the flow rate of injection gas in volumetric terms (mmscf/d or

mmsm3/d).

MASSRATE=

Defines the flow rate of injected fluid in mass terms (lb/sec or kg/sec).

LIQRATE=

INJFLUID only. Defines the flow rate of injected fluid in volumetric terms of its
stock-tank liquid phase (sbbl/day or sm3/day).

FLOWRATE= or RATE=

INJGAS only, a synonym for GASRATE=.

GOR= or GLR=

Defines the flowrate of injection gas in terms of Gas Liquid Ratio or Gas Oil
Ratio. Sufficient gas will be injected to adjust the produced fluid's GLR or GOR
to the specified value. If the fluid currently has a higher value, no gas will be
injected.

INJGLR= or INJGOR=

Defines the flowrate of injection gas in terms of an increase in Gas Liquid Ratio
or Gas Oil Ratio. Sufficient gas will be injected to increase the produced fluid's
GLR or GOR by the specified value.

TEMP= or IPTEMP=

Temperature of injection fluid at the point of injection (F or C). If omitted,

defaults to the temperature of the produced fluid at the injection point

SG=

INJGAS only, optional. For black oil fluids only, Specific gravity of the injection
gas (default = Value of gas SG from produced fluid)

CP=

INJGAS only, optional. For black oil fluids only, Heat capacity of injection gas
(default = Value of gas Cp from produced fluid)

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KGAS=

INJGAS only, optional. For black oil fluids only, Thermal conductivity of
injection gas (default = Value of gas K from produced fluid)

CHP=

INJGAS only, Optional. Casing head pressure to be used for Alhanati Gas Lift
Stability Criteria calculation. (psia or Bara)

DSIC=

INJGAS only, Optional. Diameter of the Surface Injection Choke. Used for
Alhanati Gas Lift Stability Criteria calculation (in. or mm). Exclusive with SIP=.

IDCT=

INJGAS only, optional: the presence of the IDCT= subcode signals that gas
injection is occurring through coiled tubing. The value supplied is the Internal
Diameter of the Coiled Tubing (in. or mm.). The Cullinder & Smith correlation
is used to calculate the DP in the injection string, this is compared with the
available Casing Head Pressure and tubing pressure, and insufficient CHP
will trigger an informative message. NB: Subsequent flow up the tubing should
be specified as ANNULAR, using an appropriate PIPE statement that supplies
the correct annulus dimensions with AID= and AOD= subcodes. Coiled tubing
being used as a 'velocity string' (i.e. with no injected gas) should be specified
simply as annular flow with an appropriate PIPE statement as above, there is
no need for any INJGAS statement.

SIP=

INJGAS only, optional. Surface Injection Pressure. Used for Alhanati gas Lift
Stability Criteria calculation. (psia or Bara).

DP=

INJGAS only, Optional.. Injection port delta pressure (psia or Bara). used to
calculate casing pressure for Alhanait Gas Lift Stability Criteria calculation.
(psi or Bar). Exclusive with DPORT=.

DPORT=

INJGAS only, Optional. Injection port diameter. Used for Alhanati gas Lift
Stability Criteria calculation. (in. or mm)

PVTFILE=

Optional. For compositional fluids only, the name of a PVT file containing the
composition of the injected fluid. Exclusive with FLUIDNAME=, USE=, and
STREAMNAME=.

FLUIDNAME= or USE=

Optional. The name of the fluid (Black Oil or Compositional) representing the
injected fluid specification, as specified with a BEGIN FLUID (p.484) block. ( A
special-case fluid name of *SEP_DISCARD specifies that the injected fluid
specification and flowrate is obtained from the discard stream of a separator
(p.531) located somewhere upstream in the same branch. See also
STREAMNAME= below.). Exclusive with PVTFILE= and STREAMNAME=.

HANDLE=
STREAMNAME=

Optional, INJFLUID only. The name of the fluid stream representing the
injected fluid specification, as specified on the DISCARDNAME= subcode of
an upstream separator. The injected stream definition includes its fluid
definition (Black Oil or Compositional), flowrate, and enthalpy. This feature
provides the same functionality as *SEP_DISCARD described above, but in
addition ensures the fluid enthalpy is conserved. Multiple separated streams

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PIPESIM User Guide

may be re-injected within the same branch by ensuring they are defined with
unique names. Exclusive with PVTFILE=, FLUIDNAME= and USE=.
PRINT=

Optional. Requests a verbose printout of the specification of the injected fluid.

CHTEMP=

INJGAS only, Optional. Injection gas temperature can be provided at the

casing head (wellhead) as an alternative to TEMP=. This will be corrected to
a temperature at the injection point by use of a formula that depends on
geothermal gradient and production temperature. (F or C)

LIMIT= or LIMITMR=
GLRLIMIT= or LIMITGLR=
The quantity of gas or fluid to be injected must usually be specified, either as a volumetric or mass rate, or
as a ratio with the liquid phase of the produced fluid. Thus one of the subcodes GASRATE=, MASSRATE=,
LIQRATE= GOR=, GLR=, INJGOR= or INJGLR= should be specified. However, if STREAMNAME= or
*SEP_DISCARD is used, the flowrate is obtained from the upstream separator..
Mixing of the injected and the produced fluid is assumed to occur at the pressure which pertains at the
injection point during the simulation. The temperature of the fluid after mixing is calculated by a heat balance
around the mixing point.
Alhanati gas-lift stability criteria are calculated for a gas lift system and added to the Plot file for use by the
GLO feature (Gas lift Optimization), if sufficient information is provided on the INJGAS statement. Any two
of the subcodes SIP=, DPORT=, CHP=, DP= and DSIC= should be provided, preferably the first two. The
others will then be calculated.

MPBOOSTER (Optional)
Main-code: MPBOOSTER
TYPE=

Multiphase pump type.

GENERIC
TWINSCREW
VENDOR

NAME=

The pump name.

ROUTE=
ADIABATIC

Adiabatic compression is performed (default). For black oil models the heat
capacity ratio (C p/C v) for the adiabatic exponent in the compression
equations is assumed to be constant with a value equal to 1.26. For
compositional models the heat capacity ratio is calculated using the
relationship: Cp = Cv - R. The heat capacity is obtained at the average of the
compressor suction and discharge conditions.

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POLYTROPIC Polytropic compression is performed. The heat capacity ratio (C p/C v) is

calculated as outlined above for ADIABATIC compression.
MOLLIER

Compression is based upon the Mollier method, that is isoentropic

compression from suction to discharge pressures. This option is valid for
compositional models only

POUT=

Discharge pressure from the multiphase pump (bara or psia) (default 20,000
psia)

DP=

Pressure differential across the pump (bar or psi) (default 10,000 psi)

PRATIO=

Multiphase pump pressure ratio (default 1000)

POWER=

Power available (KW or hp) (default unlimited)

PUMPEFF=

Efficiency of compression of the gas phase (default 100%)

SPEED=

Pump speed

VISCORR=
STATUS=

Status of the pump.

GENERIC
TWINSCREW
VENDOR

MPUMP Multiphase Pump (Optional)

Main-code: MPUMP
TYPE=

Multiphase pump type.

CENTRIFUGA Centrifugal pump.

NAME=

The pump name.

ROUTE=
ADIABATIC

Adiabatic compression is performed (default). For black oil models the

heat capacity ratio (C p/C v) for the adiabatic exponent in the
compression equations is assumed to be constant with a value equal
to 1.26. For compositional models the heat capacity ratio is calculated
using the relationship: Cp = Cv - R. The heat capacity is obtained at
the average of the compressor suction and discharge conditions.

POLYTROPIC Polytropic compression is performed. The heat capacity ratio (C p/C v)

is calculated as outlined above for ADIABATIC compression.

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MOLLIER

Compression is based upon the Mollier method, that is isoentropic

compression from suction to discharge pressures. This option is valid
for compositional models only

POUT=

Discharge pressure from the multiphase pump (bara or psia) (default

20,000 psia)

DP=

Pressure differential across the pump (bar or psi) (default 10,000 psi)

PRATIO=

Multiphase pump pressure ratio (default 1000)

POWER=

Power available (KW or hp) (default unlimited)

COMPEFF=

Efficiency of pumping the liquid phase (default 100%)

PUMPEFF=

Efficiency of compression of the gas phase (default 100%)

SPEED=

Pump speed

STAGES=
STONEWALL=
ON
OFF
VERBOSE=
ON
OFF
TARGETGAS=
TARGETLIQUID=
TARGETMASS=
Note: At least one of the subcodes POUT, DP, PRATIO, and POWER should be supplied. If 2 or more are
present, PIPESIM will treat them as upper limits, and will use whichever gives the smallest DeltaP. The
others will be recalculated and displayed as answers on the output file.

NODE System Profile Data (Required)

Main-code: NODE
The physical geometry of the pipeline system is defined by entering the distance and elevation coordinates
of each system node. A minimum of two nodes are required to define a system and there is a maximum
limit of 1,000 nodes.

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PIPESIM User Guide

Note: For the calculation of temperature and pressure profiles, PIPESIM internally subdivides the section
of pipe between each node into a number of segments. Normally 4 segments are created, but this can be
controlled from 1 to 50 if desired (see Options (p.462) ).
DISTANCE=

Horizontal distance coordinate of the node (km or feet).

ELEVATION= Vertical elevation coordinate of the node (m or feet).

MD=

Measured Depth (m or feet)

TVD=

True Vertical Depth (m or feet)

TEMP=

Ambient temperature at the node ( oC or oF). If no value is entered, the value will be
calculate: see below.

U=

Overall heat transfer coefficient relative to the pipe outside diameter (W/m2/K or Btu/hr/ft2/
oF). If no value is entered the value from the previous node is assumed. The U sub-code
is not required if the heat transfer coefficients are to be calculated by the program (if
specified they will be ignored)

LABEL=

Node labels are for information only and can appear on any node card. There is a maximum
length limitation of 12 characters. The label should be included in quotes if it contains
delimiter characters (for example blanks). If a node is labelled, it will appear on the
Summary Output at the end of the job.

MP=
MT=
Notes:
1. Each node may have either specification of DISTANCE= and ELEVATION= , or TVD= and MD=, but
not both. It is also possible to join together pipe sections with either specification, in which case the
nodes where the sections join are assumed to occupy the same position.
2. The ambient temperature is optional.
3. If it is omitted on MD/TVD nodes, it is assumed to be a point on a geothermal temperature gradient, and
its value is calculated by linear interpolation against TVD between known values on either side. On the
DIST/ELEV nodes however, the value from the previous node will be used.
4. It is possible to place separate sections of pipe within the PIPESIM input file exactly as they were
measured, i.e. with their own particular X/Y datums, effectively a datum reset feature. Datums are reset
whenever a change of NODE card specification occurs (change from using DISTANCE= and
ELEVATION= to MD= and TVD=), and when a supercode is used (COMPLETION, TUBING,
FLOWLINE, RISER NAPOINT, see Completion (p.502) and NAPOINT (p.587) ) .
5. As with all other maincodes and subcodes, the node data keywords can be abbreviated down to the
minimum number of letters required to make them unique.

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PIPESIM User Guide

6. In addition, if distance and elevation is used, the subcodes can be omitted, as long as the data is supplied
in the correct order, viz distance, elevation, temperature, U, label. Blank fields should be delimited by
commas.
7. Zero length pipe sections can be defined, that is NODE cards with DISTANCE= and ELEVATION= subcodes the same as the previous one can be defined.

PIPE: Pipe or Tubing cross-section dimensions (Required)

Main-code: PIPE
ID=

Pipe Internal diameter (mm or inches).

WT=

Pipe wall thickness (Default = 12.7 mm or

0.5 inches)

ROUGHNESS=

Pipe roughness (Default = 0.025 mm or .

001 inches).

AID=

Annulus inside Diameter (mm or inches).

(Default = 0). See notes below.

AOD=

Annulus Outside Diameter (mm or inches).

See notes below.

FLOWTYPE=

Specifies the flowpath for a tubing/annulus

system. May be:
TUBING

Flow is in the normal tubing or pipe, whose

internal diameter is specified with ID=. This
is the default.

ANNULUS

Flow is in the annular space between tubing

and casing, dimensions set with AID= and
AOD=

BOTH or TUBANN Flow is in both tubing and annulus: tubing

internal diameter is set with ID=, casing
dimensions set with AOD=, ID= and WT=;
the AID= subcode will be ignored.
CONDUCTIVITY= or KPIPE=

Pipe thermal conductivity (W/m/K or Btu/hr/

ft/ oF)

WAXTHIKNESS=

The thickness of a coating of wax that exists

on the inside of the pipe (in or mm) (default
zero).

WAXK=

The thermal Conductivity of the wax (W/m/

K or Btu/hr/ft/ oF)

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PIPESIM User Guide

RODDIAM=

Specifies that a pump drive rod exists in the

centre of the pipe or tubing, and supplies its
diameter (in or mm). If flowtype is set to
TUBING, Fluid will flow in the annular space
between the rod and the pipe internal
diameter specified with the ID= subcode.

AXID= or AAREA= or ANNULUSAREA=

Optional. The cross-section area of the

flowpath (ft 2or m 2). If specified, this value
is used preference to the area that would
otherwise be calculated from ID=, AID=,
flowpath and so on to compute the fluid
velocity. This is useful for modelling flow in
ducts that do not have a circular or annular
shape.

AWP=

Optional. The total Wetted Perimeter WP (in

or mm). If specified, this value is used in
preference to the sum of the relevant
diameters specified with ID=, AID- and
AOD=, depending on the flowpath. This is
useful for modelling flow in ducts that do not
have a circular or annular shape.

AEHD=

Optional. The Equivalent Hydraulic

Diameter (in or mm). This is normally
calculated from the relation EHD = 4 AXID /
WP . It is used to obtain the friction factor.
This is useful for modelling flow in ducts that
do not have a circular or annular shape.

ILH=

In-Line Heater. This subcode allows a fixed

power or duty to be specified, that is used
to transfer heat to the fluid flowing in the
pipe. The value is interpreted as power per
unit length (BTU/hr/ft or Kw/m).

RODDIAM=

Drive rod diameter. This subcode allows the

pipe cross-section area to be reduced, to
simulate the presence of a drive rod for a
pump. The diameter of the rod must be
provided (inches or mm). Note, if the
RODPUMP or CVFMD statement is used to
place a pump in the system, the drive rod
diameter can also be set there, in which
case it is not necessary to supply it here as
well.

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Notes:
1. The AID= and AOD= subcodes should only be used if annular flow is desired. For normal pipe or tubing
flow, ID=should be used. The FLOWTYPE subcode should always be used to confirm the desired type
of flow.
2. Both AID= and AOD= refer to the dimensions of the annulus, that is the space between tubing and
casing, or between successive casings. For example, if annular flow between tubing and casing is to be
modeled, the AOD= is the casing inner diameter, and the AID= is the tubing outer diameter.
3. Most of the published multiphase flow correlations have been developed assuming normal pipe flow,
not annular flow. Whilst Schlumberger have taken every care in the coding and validation of these
correlations, you should carefully examine the results of annular flow simulation to ensure the selected
correlation behaves as expected. We recommend that the results from a number of correlations be
compared when annular flow is modeled.

PUMP Pump (Optional)

Main-code: PUMP
POUT=

Discharge pressure from the pump (bara or psia) (default 20,000 psia)

DP=

Pressure differential across the pump (bar or psi) (default 10,000 psia)

PRATIO=

Pump pressure ratio (default 1000)

POWER=

Power available for pump (KW or hp) (default unlimited)

EFF=

Overall efficiency of the pump (%) (Default = 100%)

NAME=

The name of the pump. Used to specify which pump curve defined
before the profile under the PUMPCRV main-code is to be used.

SPEED=

The pump impeller speed (rpm) (default unlimited)

STAGES=

The number of stages for this particular pump. (default: number of

stages as specified on the PUMPCRV maincode.)

ROUTE=

The thermodynamic route of operation of the pump

ADIABATIC

No heat transfer

ISENTHALPIC Constant enthalpy

MOLLIER

Mollier

ISENTROPIC Constant entropy

ISOTHERMAL Constant temperature
ACF

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UNDEFINED
VISCCORR=

Undefined
Viscosity correction

NONE
CENTRILIFT
REDA
TURZO
USER
VERBOSE=
ON
OFF
STAGECALCS=

Perform the calculations through the pump on a stage-by-stage basis.

The details are then reported in the output file.
ON
OFF

SEPEFF=
EQUILIBRIUM=
ON
OFF
CALCNSTAGES=
MAXWCUT=
MINSSU=
VISCFLUID=
OIL
WATER
LIQUID
MIXTURE
VISCFACTOR=
STATUS=

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PIPESIM User Guide

Notes:
1. At least one of the subcodes POUT, DP, PRATIO, POWER and SPEED should be supplied. If 2 or more
are present, PIPESIM will treat them as upper limits, and will use whichever gives the smallest DeltaP.
The others will be recalculated and displayed as answers on the output file.
2. If a pump curve name is supplied, the speed and/or number of stages may also be supplied. These are
used to adjust the supplied curve against its specified speed and number of stages (as set with SPEED=
and STAGES= on the PUMPCRV maincode). The adjustment for speed is done using the so called
affinity or fan laws, which state that "capacity is directly proportional to speed, head is proportional to
square of speed, and power is proportional to cube of speed".

COMPCRV and PUMPCRV: Compressor and Pump performance curves

Main-code: PUMPCRV or COMPCRV
Centrifugal pump and compressor performance curves are specified as a range of head and efficiency or
power values versus volumetric flow rates. These values should be specified before the profile, and each
curve is given a name so it can be referenced on a subsequent PUMP or COMPRESSOR statement.
NAME=

Required: The name of the curve, for referencing on a subsequent PUMP or

COMPRESSOR statement.

SPEED=

The speed for which this curve was generated. (rpm)

Q=

Values of flow rate, supplied as a multiple value set (p.454) . Flowrates are measured in
volumetric terms at the flowing pressure and temperature at the inlet to the device. For a
pump curve, units are bbl/day or m3/day; for a compressor curve, they are ft 3/min or m3/
sec. (See note below).

FLOWRATE= Synonym for Q =.

HEAD=

Values of head, supplied as a multiple value set (p.454). For a pump curve, units are feet
or metres. For a compressor curve they are ft-lbf/lbm (foot-pounds force per pound mass)
or Kj/kg. Note that the conversion factor between ft-lbf/lbm and feet is 1.

EFFICIENCY= Values of efficiency (%), supplied as a multiple value set (p.454). (Default is 100%).
Exclusive with POWER=.
POWER=

Values of power (hp or kw), supplied as a multiple value set (p.454). Exclusive with
EFFICIENCY=.

STAGES=

For a Pump curve only, the number of stages for which this curve is defined (normally 1).

WHEELS=

For a compressor curve only, the number of compressor wheels for which this curve is
defined.

The multiple value sets (p.454) supplied for Q=, HEAD=, and EFF= or POWER= sub-codes must contain
at least 3, and no more than 30 values, separated by commas, and enclosed in parentheses. The values

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PIPESIM User Guide

need not be entered in ascending or descending order, however there is a strict one-for-one correspondence
between the values in each list, based on their position. Each list must contain the same number of values.
Since the multiple value lists can be quite lengthy, they may be supplied across more than one line in the
input file. This can be achieved either by use of the continuation character &, or by repeating the maincode
and curve name on each line. The examples below illustrate this, they both have the same effect:
Examples
Example 1
PumpCrv
name
PumpCrv
name
10666.7)
PumpCrv
name
2338.76,971.734)
PumpCrv
name
31.7383)

= GN7000
= GN7000

stages = 100
Q
= (1250

= GN7000

head = (4827.88

,4176.29,3624.68,3160.3 ,

= GN7000

eff

,55.0738,67.3463,71.3873,63.476 ,

= (23.6865

speed = 3600
,3750
,5800

,7400

,9000

Example 2
PumpCrv
name = GN7000
stages = 100
speed = 3600
Q
= (1250
,3750
,5800
,7400
,9000
,10666.7)
head = (4827.88 ,4176.29,3624.68,3160.3 ,2338.76,971.734)
eff = (23.6865 ,55.0738,67.3463,71.3873,63.476 ,31.7383)

&
&
&

REINJECTOR (Optional)
Main-code: REINJECTOR

RODPUMP: Rod- or Beam-pump

Main-code: RODPUMP or CVFMD
The RODPUMP statement allows the outline specification for a Rod- or Beam-pump to be supplied.
A rod-pump is an example of a Constant Volume Fluid Motive Device (CVFMD). CVFMDs are fixed-volume,
positive-displacement pumps or compressors designed to move liquids, gases or 2-phase mixtures. Other
notable CVFMD examples are: Progressive cavity pumps, Twin screw multiphase boosters, and
reciprocating compressors. The statement allows a simplistic simulation of such a device to be performed.
NOMLIQRATE=

The flowing volume flowrate that the pump would produce, if it were pumping with no
back-pressure at its discharge (m3/day or bbl/day).

SLIPCOEF=

A coefficient to specify the change in flowrate with respect to Delta pressure (m3/day/
bar or bbl/day/psi). This is used to compute the pressure rise across the device when
the actual flowrate is less than the specified nominal rate.

MAXDP=

Maximum pressure rise the device is allowed to exhibit (psi or bar). This is used to
prevent excess rod loading.

MAXPOWER=

Maximum power the device is allowed to draw (hp or kw). This is used to prevent excess
rod loading.

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RODDIAMETER= The Diameter of the drive rod (in or mm). The drive rod will be assumed to exist in the
downstream pipe or tubing, and will stretch up to the wellhead or the end of the tubing.
The fluid will flow in the annular space between the tubing ID and the rod OD. The rod
diameter can be adjusted in downstream pipe sections by use of the RODDIAM=
subcode on the PIPE (p.525) statement, this is useful to simulate taper rods.
VOLUME=

The swept volume of the pump cylinder, i.e. its cross-section area multiplied by the
stroke length (bbl or m3). In conjunction with SPEED=, this is an alternative to the
nominal rate.

SPEED=

The pump speed, in strokes per minute. In conjunction with VOLUME=, this is an
alternative to the nominal rate.

NOMINALRATE= The flowing volume flowrate that the pump would produce, if it were pumping with no
back-pressure at its discharge (m3/sec or ft3/min). this is the same information as
NOMLIQRATE= but in different units, more suited to other types of CVFMD.

SEPARATOR Separator (Optional)

Main-code: SEPARATOR
TYPE=

Type of separator: required, and may be set to one of:

GAS

Defines a gas separator: the Gas phase will be wholly or partly discarded.

LIQUID Defines a liquid separator: the liquid phase(s) will be wholly or partly
discarded.
WATER Defines a water separator: the Aqueous Liquid phase will wholly or partly
discarded.
EFFICIENCY=

The volumetric efficiency of separation expressed as a percentage, 0 to 100.

At 100% efficiency, all of the discarded phase will be removed; at lower
values, some of the discard phase will remain in the kept stream. Note that
the efficiency applies only to the discarded phase; no portion of the kept phase
(s) will be discarded at any efficiency.

DISCARDNAME=

Optional: the name of the discarded fluid stream. The discarded stream can
be re-injected in the branch, in a downstream fluid injector, if it is given a name.
This is an alternative to *SEP_DISCARD, as described in note 3 below.

VERBOSE=

Optional: allows control over the detailed output for the separator, written to
the report file (.out).
ON

Separator output is written to report file.

OFF

Separator output is not written to report file.

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PIPESIM User Guide

Notes:
1. In a Black Oil case, the separator will result in a redefinition of the fluid's stock-tank Gas to Liquid Ratio
(originally supplied on the RATE maincode as GLR, GOR, OGR or LGR) to a GLR or LGR. In a
compositional case, a rigorous flash is performed at the separator pressure and temperature, and the
molar composition re-defined in terms of the flowrates of the components in the kept phase(s).
2. If the efficiency is 100% and the flowrate is defined in terms of the discarded phase, the flowrate basis
will be changed to that of the kept phase.
3. Use of the SEPARATOR statement normally results in the separated phase being discarded from the
system. In a single branch model, or within a given branch of a network model, the discarded phase can
be recovered and re-injected into the branch further downstream, by use of the special fluid name
*SEP_DISCARD (p.519) on the INJFLUID (p.519) statement. In a network model, a Network Separator
(p.613) can be used (at the network level) to ensure both separator outlet streams are kept.

SLUG Slug Calculation Options (Optional)

Main-code: SLUG
The SLUG main-code allows the selection of slug behavior correlations. At present three slug correlations
are available: the severe-slugging group PI-SS proposed by Pots (p.446) , and the slug sizing correlations
of Norris (p.445) and of Scott, Shoham and Brill (p.447) .
PISS= ON
OFF
SIZE= SSB

Start calculation of PI-SS

End calculation of PI-SS
Switch on Scott, Shohan and Brill slug size correlation.

NORRIS Switch on Norris slug size correlation.

BP=

OFF

Switch off slug size correlation.

ON

Use BP Slug method. To see the results of this the following should also be used: print
custom = (b,o,a24, b24, c24, d24, e24,f24,g24,h24,i24)

Note: The SIZE and PISS sub-codes are not related, and can be set independently of one another.
The PI-SS routine is based upon a correlation developed at Koninklijke Shell Laboratory. PI-SS is a
dimensionless number that is a means of quantifying the likelihood of severe riser-slugging. Normally one
would turn the PI-SS calculation on after the first node of the flowline and switch it off at the downstream
riser base. If the value of PI-SS is less than one at the riser base and the flow regime (as predicted by the
Taitel-Dukler correlation) is stratified, then severe riser slugging is possible. Conversely, PI-SS values
significantly greater than one indicate that severe riser slugging is not likely. The PI-SS number can also
be used to estimate slug size. As a rule of thumb the slug length will be approximately equal to the riser
height divided by PI-SS, that is PI-SS values less than unity imply slug lengths greater than the riser height.
PI-SS is calculated at each node in the flowline (while PISS=ON) using averaged holdup data, etc., but it

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is only the value recorded at the downstream riser base which is of any real significance. PI-SS is printed
as part of the PRIMARY output (see the PRINT (p.474) main code).
The SIZE sub-code enables the user to specify a slug sizing correlation. At present two correlations are
available, NORRIS and SSB. The NORRIS correlation was developed from Prudhoe Bay operational data
and gives slug size as a function of pipe diameter. The SSB correlation was developed by Scott, Shohan
and Brill and published in SPE paper 15103 in April 1986. The correlation takes account of slug growth.
Normally one would switch the SIZE option on at the start of the profile and slug sizes will be automatically
estimated whenever the flow regime (as predicted by the chosen correlation) is one that will support slugs.
It should be noted that the slug size data output is only printed if SLUG is specified on the PRINT main
code.
Slug catcher size
The following comments may help to determine the size of a slug catcher.
The slug output pages should be switched on from the Define Output dialog.
The size of a slug catcher is determined by one of the following parameters.
1. The amount of liquid generated by pigging the lines.
2. The amount of liquid generated by changing the flowrate in the flowline. At low flowrates there will be a
large holdup of liquid in the pipeline and at high flowrates there will be a small holdup of liquid in the line.
As the flowrate is increased you get a surge of liquid from the pipeline. The flowrate increase can be
calculated using Cunliffe's method (p.270).
3. Dealing with slugs created by severe riser slugging. The likelihood of severe riser slugging is determined
by the PI-SS correlation. Slugging will occur if there is a segregated flow regime and a PI-SS number
less than one. The size of the slug is determined by using the following formula. Slug Size = Riser
Volume/PI-SS number.
4. Dealing with hydrodynamic Slugging. This is determined by use of the SSB or Norris Correlations. You
need a slugging flow regime for this to occur such as intermittent. The slug size and frequency is taken
from the slug length and frequency table in the output. It is normal that the slug catcher is sized for the
1 in 1000 slug. These two correlations can predict huge slug sizes with volumes greater than the holdup
in the pipeline. Therefore one must be careful to check the holdup as the slug cannot be bigger than the
total amount of liquid in the pipeline.
5. Dealing with terrain slugging. PIPESIM cannot accurately predict slugging. If the holdup increases as
the pipeline goes over successive humps - this may indicate a propensity for terrain slugging.

WELLHEAD Wellhead Profile Delimiter

Main-code: WELLHEAD
This maincode marks the position of the wellhead in the system profile. It is required when modeling multiple
injection ports in gas lifted wells.

WELL PERFORMANCE MODELING

INTRODUCTION (p.534)
WELLPI (p.535) Well Productivity Index
VOGEL (p.536) Data for the Vogel Equation

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FETKOVICH (p.536) Data for the Fetkovich Equation

JONES (p.536) Data for the Jones Equation
IFPPSSE (p.537) Data for the Pseudo-steady state inflow equation
WCOPTION (p.538) Well Completion Data
IPRCRV or IFPCRV (p.541) Well performance and/or coning relationship tabulation
IFPTAB (p.543) Inflow Performance Tabulation (obsolete)
CONETAB (p.544) Coning relationship Tabulation (obsolete)
BACKPRES (p.545) Backpressure Equation (BPE)
NAPOINT (p.587) System Analysis Point
NAPLOT (p.583) System Analysis
HORWELL (p.545) Horizontal Well Inflow Performance
LAYER (p.547) Reservoir Layer properties
PERMTAB (p.550) Permeability Saturation Relationship Tabulation
HVOGEL (p.551)
FORCHHEIMER (p.551) Data for the Forchheimer Equation
FRACTURE (p.36) Data for the Hydraulic Fracture IPR
TRANSIENT (p.551) Data for the Transient inflow equation.

INTRODUCTION
Several options for well performance modeling have been introduced. A number of basic options are
presently available and are summarized below with application limits:
1. Well Productivity Index (p.535). Oil and gas reservoirs. Black oil and compositional.
2. Vogel's Equation (p.536). Oil reservoirs. Black oil only.
3. Fetkovich's Equation (p.536). Oil reservoirs. Black oil only.
4. Jones' Equation (p.536) . Oil and gas reservoirs. Black oil and compositional.
5. Pseudo Steady State Equation (p.537) . Oil and gas reservoirs. Black oil and single phase
compositional.
6. Well Completion Options (p.538) (such as perforation and gravel steady state pack models) are
available in association with the pseudo equation..
7. Inflow Performance Tabulation (p.543). Oil and gas reservoirs. Black oil and compositional.
Options 1 to 7 are mutually exclusive (except the Well Completion options, which must be used in
combination with the Pseudo-Steady-State Equation). If more than one option is entered, the last one
entered will be invoked. Normally inflow performance data would be entered after the INLET statement,
and must appear before the first NODE card in a case. However, if injection wells are modeled, the system
profile should describe the well geometry in the direction of flow, that is ending at the bottom hole. The
appropriate inflow performance data should appear after the bottom hole and before the ENDCASE.

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Printing Inflow Performance Data

A comprehensive printout of the well inflow performance data can be obtained by invoking the
PRINT INFLOW option (Ref. Section 1.6).
Definition of Reservoir Type
For black oil cases, PIPESIM will interpret the reservoir type (oil or gas) from the way in which the
flow rate is defined under the RATE or ITERN statement as follows:

If the rate is defined on the basis of liquid flow plus a gas/liquid ratio (that is LIQ plus GLR subcodes) then an "oil" reservoir is assumed.

If the rate is defined on the basis of gas flow plus a liquid/gas ratio (that is . GAS plus LGR subcodes) then a "gas" reservoir is assumed.

WELLPI Well Productivity Index (Optional)

Main-code: WELLPI
The WELLPI statement allows the Productivity Index (p.275) to be specified for a point-type completion or
a distributed completion. Exactly one of the subcodes LPI=, GPI=, MIPI=, MCPI=, LDPI=, GDPI=, MIDPI=,
or MCDPI= should be provided.
Subcodes
PWSTATIC= Static bottom hole pressure (bara or psia). This is the bottom hole pressure at zero flow rate.
LPI=

Liquid Productivity Index (bbl/day/psi or sm 3/day/bar)

GPI=

Gas Productivity Index (MMscf/day/psi/psi or MMsm 3/day/bar/bar) Note: Under normal

circumstances, a gas well PI is much smaller than the typical liquid well PI. Typical gas well
PIs are between 1E-3 and 1E-6 mmscf/day/psi 2. Oil well PIs usually vary between 1 and
40 STB/D/psi.

MIPI=

Mass Incompressible Productivity Index (lb/sec/psi or kg/s/bar)

MCPI=

Mass Compressible Productivity Index, (lb/sec/psi/psi or kg/s/bar/bar)

LDPI=

Liquid Distributed Productivity Index (bbl/day/psi/ft or sm 3/day/bar/m)

GDPI=

Gas Distributed Productivity Index (MMscf/day/psi/psi/ft or MMsm 3/day/bar/bar/m)

MIDPI=

Mass Incompressible Distributed Productivity Index (lb/sec/psi/ft or kg/s/bar/m)

MCDPI=

Mass Compressible Distributed Productivity Index, (lb/sec/psi/psi/ft or kg/s/bar/bar/m)

BPCORR=

Allows a correction to the straight-line PI to allow for gas breakout when the fluid goes below
its bubble point pressure: can be set to ON or OFF (default OFF). If enabled, the portion of
the IPR below the bubble point is modelled with a Vogel relationship.

PICOEF=

Specifies the PI coefficient for the Vogel equation used if BPCORR= is enabled. (default 0.8)

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WPCURVE (Optional)
Main-code: WPCURVE
This statement is obsolete, please do not use it.

VOGEL Vogel Equation (Optional)

Main-code: VOGEL
This keyword is used to specify data for Vogel's Equation (p.276).
Subcodes
PWSTATIC= Static bottom hole pressure (bara or psia). This is the bottom hole pressure at zero flow rate.
AOFP=

Absolute Open Flow Potential of the well (sm 3/d or STB/D). This is a hypothetical liquid flow
rate when bottom hole pressure is set to 0.0 psia

PICOEF=

The PI-coefficient used in Vogel's equation to adjust the degree of curvature of the inflow
performance curve. Curvature increases with increasing PICOEF. A straight line is produced
when PICOEF=0. (Default = 0.8).

FETKOVICH Fetkovich Equation (Optional)

Main-code: FETKOVICH
This keyword is used to specify data for Fetkovitch's Equation (p.277).
Subcodes
PWSTATIC= Static bottom hole pressure (bara or psia). This is the bottom hole pressure at zero flow rate.
AOFP=

Absolute Open Flow Potential of the well (sm 3/d or STB/D). This is a hypothetical liquid flow
rate when bottom hole pressure is set at 0.0 psia.

EXP=

Exponent used in the Fetkovich equation to adjust the degree of curvature of the inflow
performance curve. Unlike the Vogel equation it is not possible to produce a linear well inflow
characteristic as a special case of the Fetkovich equation. The default is 1.0.

JONES Jones Equation (Optional)

Main-code: JONES or FORCHHEIMER
This keyword is used to specify data for the Jones Equation (p.277).
Subcodes
PWSTATIC=

Static bottom hole pressure (bara or psia). This is the bottom hole pressure at a flow
rate of zero.

A=

Turbulent flow coefficient. (Use TYPE= to define fluid type.)

B=

Laminar flow coefficient. (Use TYPE= to define fluid type.)

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TYPE=

Used to define the type of fluid.

LIQ Liquid
GAS Gas

LA=

Liquid turbulent flow coefficient. (psi /MMscf 2/d 2 or bar/m 6/d 2)

LB=

Liquid laminar flow coefficient. (psi/MMscf/d or bar/m 3/d)

GA=

Gas turbulent flow coefficient. (psi 2/MMscf 2/d 2 or bar 2/m 6/d 2)

GB=

Gas laminar flow coefficient. (psi 2/MMscf/d or bar 2/m 3/d)

IFPPSSE : Data for the Pseudo Steady State Equation (Optional)

Main-code: IFPPSSE
The Pseudo Steady-state equation employs a radial reservoir model. The equation takes into account both
the effects of laminar and turbulent flows on pressure drawdown.
PWSTATIC=

Static bottom hole pressure (bara or psia). This is the bottom hole
pressure at zero flow rate.

PERM=

Average formation permeability (md).

THICKNESS=

Average formation thickness (metres or feet).

RADE=

Radius of external boundary of drainage area (metres or feet).

Default = 609.6 m or 2000 ft.

SKIN=

Dimensionless skin factor (mechanical). Default = 0.

DIAMWELL=

Wellbore diameter.

IPRTYPE=

Inflow performance relationship model

PSS

Pseudo steady-state model

JONES

Jones mode;

BASIS= or FLOWTYPE=
LIQUID
GAS
2PHASE
GASMETHOD=
PSEUDO

Use pseudo pressure

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SQUARED Use pressure squared

GA=
GB=
SOURCE=
ST

Use the stock tank flow formulation of the pseudo steady equation
(default)

RES

Use the reservoir flow formulation of the pseudo steady equation

BPCORRECTION=

Controls whether to apply the Vogel correction below the bubble

point
YES
NO

PICOEFF=

Vogel coefficient for Vogel correction. Default = 0.8

DSKINLIQUID=

Dynamic skin for liquid phase. Default = 0.

DSKINGAS=

Dynamic skin for gas phase. Default = 0.

RESAREA=

Reservoir area. (If entered, reservoir radius is calculated)

SHAPEFACTOR=

Reservoir shape factor. (If entered, reservoir radius is calculated)

Default = 31.62

DRAINAGESKIN=

Reservoir drainage skin.

RESMOBILITY=

Reservoir mobility. Should only be used for injection systems (1/

cp).

Note: If the skin is entered with the IFPPSSE main-code, any skin associated with the Well Completion
options (see Section 7.6) will be overwritten by this value.

WCOPTION Well Completion Data (Optional)

Main-code: WCOPTION
Well Completion Options (WCOPTION) allow the mechanical and dynamic skin factors to be calculated
from the details of the well completion configuration. Note: The well completion options are only valid when
used in conjunction with the Pseudo-Steady-State or Transient equations (as defined under the IFPPSSE
and TRANSIENT main-codes).
The WCOPTION maincode is an alternative to the FRACTURE maincode, and is exclusive with it.
TYPE=

Specifies the type of well completion

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OPENHOLE

Openhole completion option. The program calculates the skin

factors assuming the well is not cemented. The required data
are DDAMAGE, PDAMAGE, INTERVAL, PVERT and
DEVIATION. All other sub-codes will be ignored.

OPENGRAVEL

Openhole gravel pack completion option. The required data are

DDAMAGE, PDAMAGE, INTERVAL, PVERT, DEVIATION,
PGRAV and DSCREEN. All other sub-codes will be ignored.

PERFORATED

Perforated completion option. The program calculates the skin

factors using the McLeod (p.295) or Karakas/Tariq model. The
required sub-codes are; DDAMAGE, PDAMAGE, INTERVAL,
PVERT, DEVIATION, PERFSNMTHD, SHOTS, LPERF,
DPERF, PHASEANGLE, DCOMP, PCOMP. All other subcodes will be ignored.

GRAVELPACKED Gravel-packed and perforated completion Option. The required

sub-codes are; DDAMAGE, PDAMAGE, INTERVAL, PVERT,
DEVIATION, PERFSNMTHD, SHOTS, LPERF, DPERF,
PHASEANGLE, DCOMP, PCOMP, PGRAV, DSCREEN,
CASINGID and LTUNNEL. All other sub-codes will be ignored.
FRACPACK

Fracpack completion option. (i.e. a gravel packed hydraulic

fracture model). The required sub-codes are; INTERVAL,
PVERT, DEVIATION, SHOTS, DPERF, PGRAV, DSCREEN,
CASINGID, LTUNNEL, FPHLFRAC, FPWFRAC, FPPPERM,
FPDDEPTH, FPDPERM, FPCLEN, FPCPERM. All other subcodes will be ignored

INTERVAL=

Completion interval length (metres or feet). Default = formation

thickness, as defined previously under the IFPPSSE (p.537)
main-code.

PDAMAGEDZONE=

Permeability of the damaged zone around well bore (md). The

formation data should be given under the IFPPSSE (p.537)
main-code. Default = formation permeability.

DDAMAGEDZONE=

Diameter of the damaged zone around well bore (mm or

inches). Default = well bore radius (i.e., damaged zone does
not exist).

LPERFORATION=

Length of perforation into the formation (mm or inches). Default

= infinity (which will result in a zero skin due to perforation).

SHOTS=

Shot density (shots/m or shots/ft). Default = 13.12 shots/m or 4

shots/ft.

PCOMPACTEDZO=

Permeability of the compacted zone (or crushed zone) around

the perforation. Default = permeability of the damaged If neither
the damaged zone nor compacted zone permeability is defined,

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the default value for compacted zone permeability will be the

formation permeability specified under IFPPSSE. zone.
PVERTICAL=

Permeability in the vertical direction (md). Default = formation

permeability, as defined previously under the IFPPSSE
(p.537) main-code.

DPERFORATION=

Diameter of perforation (mm or inches). Default = 12.7 mm or

0.5 inches.

DCOMPACTEDZO=

Diameter of the compacted zone (or crushed zone) around the

perforation. Default = diameter of the perforation (i.e.,
compacted zone does not exist).

PGRAVEL=

Permeability of gravel pack (md). Default = estimated according

to sieve size input.

SIEVESIZE=
LTUNNEL=

Length of tunnel; which is usually the sum of the thicknesses of

cement, casing and annulus (mm or inches). Default = 0.0.

DSCREEN=

Gravel pack screen ID (mm or inches).

PHASEANGLE=

Perforation phase angle (degrees).

DEVIATION=

Well deviation (degrees).

CASINGID=

Casing ID (mm or inches).

FPDDEPTH=

Fracture damage depth (mm or inches). For fracture face skin

term.

FPDPERM=

Fracture face damage permeability (md). For fracture face skin

term.

FPPPERM =

Fracture proppant permeability (md). Frac pack proppant

permeability.

FPCLEN =

Frac pack choke length (mm or inches). Choke length for choke
fracture skin term.

FPCPERM=

Frac pack choke permeability (md). Choke permeability for

choke fracture skin term.

FPWFRAC=

Fracture width (mm or inches). Frac pack fracture width.

FPHLFRAC=

Fracture half length (ft or m). Frac pack fracture half length.

PERFSKNMETHOD=

Method for calculation of perforation skin.

0

McLeod (p.295) model

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Karakas / Tariq model

DZSKINCALC=
GPSKINCALC=
PFSKINCALC=
PPDSKINCALC=
FPSKINCALC=
FACESKINCALC=
CHOKESKINCALC=
Note: The well completion options are only valid when used in conjunction with either the Pseudo-SteadyState equation or the Transient equation (as defined under the IFPPSSE (p.537) and TRANSIENT
(p.551) maincodes). All data entered under the WCOPTION main-code will be ignored if the IFPPSSE or
TRANSIENT main-codes are not also specified.

IPRCRV or IFPCRV: Inflow Performance Curve

The IPRCRV statement is a generalized replacement for IFPTAB, GIFPTAB, and CONETAB. It allows a
tabular Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) to be specified using PIPESIM's multiple value syntax
(p.458). A Coning relationship can also be supplied, either stand-alone, or in addition to a tabular IPR. The
available range of formats in which the data can be supplied is a superset of those available with IFPTAB,
GIFPTAB and CONETAB.
Maincode: IPRCRV or IFPCRV
NAME=

Required. Defines the name of the curve. This name is then used on (a) subsequent
LAYER statement(s).

GAS=(...)

Specifies values of Gas flowrate (mmscfd or mmsm3d). Exclusive with LIQ= and
MASS=.

LIQ=(...)

Specifies values of liquid flowrate (sbbl/d or sm3/d). Exclusive with GAS= and MASS=.

MASS=(...)

Specifies values of mass flowrate (lb/sec or kg/sec). Exclusive with GAS= and LIQ=.

GLR=(...)

Specifies values of Gas Liquid Ratio (scf/sbbl or sm3/sm3). Exclusive with GOR=,
OGR=, LGR=.

GOR=(...)

Specifies values of Gas Oil Ratio (scf/sbbl or sm3/sm3). Exclusive with GLR=, OGR=,
LGR=.

OGR=(...)

Specifies values of Oil Gas Ratio (sbbl/mmscf or sm3/mmsm3). Exclusive with GOR=,
GLR=, LGR=.

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LGR=(...)

Specifies values of Liquid Gas Ratio (sbbl/mmscf or sm3/mmsm3). Exclusive with

GOR=, OGR=, OGR=.

GWR=(...)

Specifies values of Gas Water Ratio (scf/sbbl or sm3/sm3). Exclusive with WGR= ,
WCUT=.

WGR=(...)

Specifies values of Water Gas Ratio (sbbl/mmscf or sm3/mmsm3). Exclusive with

GWR= , WCUT=.

WCUT=(...)

Specifies values of Watercut (% vol/vol). Exclusive with WGR= , GWR=.

PWSTATIC=

Specifies the reservoir static (zero flowrate) pressure (psia or Bara).

PWF=(...)

Specifies values of Flowing Bottom Hole Pressure (psia or bara). Exclusive with DP=.
Must be accompanied by PWSTATIC= unless the first flowrate value point is zero.

DP=(...)

Specifies values of drawdown (Delta pressure, the difference between PWS and PWF).
(psi or bar). Exclusive with PWF=, and must be accompanied by PWSTATIC=.

GASSG=(...)

Specifies values of Gas Specific Gravity in a coning table. Exclusive with

CONEDGASSG=.

DEGREE=

The degree of polynomial to fit to the data, default 1.

CONEDGASSG= Specifies the Specific gravity of the gas in the gas cap. Used to calculate the produced
gas SG. Exclusive with GASSG=.
Exactly one of the flowrate subcodes GAS=, LIQ= or MASS= must be specified. Then:

To specify an IPR table, supply also one of PWF= or DP=.

To specify a gas or liquid coning table, supply also one of GLR=, GOR=, LGR=, or OGR=. The gas
specific gravity may be provided with GASSG= values, or a single value of CONEDGASSG=.

To specify a water coning table, supply one of WGR=, GWR=, or WCUT=.

Gas and Water coning can be supplied with IPR data in the same table.
Care must be taken when combining the coning subcodes, since some combinations can cause unphysical
situations, and others can leave the system undefined. For example, if OGR= and WCUT= are provided,
the water flowrate is undefined when OGR is zero, so WGR= should be used instead of WCUT= or LGR=
instead of OGR=. If GLR= and GWR= are provided, the GWRs must always be less than the GLRs, so
WCUT= should be used instead of GWR=, or OGR= onstead of LGR=
Examples
1. This defines a coning table for a liquid production well. The statement has been provided on 2 lines using
the '&' character as the continuation marker at the end of the first line. The entire statement (i.e. the total
characters in all the continued lines) may be no more than 255 characters in length.
IFPCRV name=cc1 LIQ=(0,1000,2000,3000,4000) GLR=(300,300,550,600,620) &
WCUT=(10,10,18,22,30) GASSG=(.71 ,.71 ,.68 ,.67 ,.669)

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2. This defines the same coning table as above, but shows how multiple statements can be used. Each
statement may be no more than 255 characters in length, but the use of multiple statements allows more
data points to be entered if necessary. Note that the curve name must appear on every statement.
IFPCRV
IFPCRV
IFPCRV
IFPCRV

name=cc1
name=cc1
name=cc1
name=cc1

LIQ= (0
GLR= (300
WCUT= (10
GASSG=(.71

,1000,2000,3000,4000)
,300 ,550 ,600 ,620 )
,10 ,18 ,22 ,30 )
,.71 ,.68 ,.67 ,.669)

IFPTAB Inflow Performance Tabulation (Optional)

Main-code: IFPTAB
Note: The IFPTAB statement is obsolete, its functionality has been replaced by IPRCRV (p.541).
Specifies a liquid inflow performance relationship in the form of a table of bottom hole pressure versus flow
rate. Each IFPTAB statement holds a single data point. To complete the tabulation, at least four statements
are required.
Values
should be provided without keywords in a strict positional order, as follows:
value 1

Data point ordinal. If the IFPTAB statements are provided in order of increasing flowrate this
can be set to 0 for all statements (recommended) ; otherwise, it must be a value between 1
and 30 to specify the ordinal.

value 2

Liquid flow rate value at stock tank conditions. (sbbl/day or sm3/day)

value 3

Bottom hole pressure (bara or psia).

value 4

Gas Oil Ratio (optional, scf/sbbl or sm3/sm3)

value 5

Watercut (optional, %)

EXECUTE see note 4.

Notes:
1. The first 3 values are mandatory. If values 4 and 5 are present they define a table of coning performance
for the well or completion
2. One of the data points must be at zero flow rate such that the corresponding pressure is the static bottom
hole (and reservoir) pressure.
3. The ordinal (value 1) is present for historical reasons to ensure backwards compatibility with earlier
versions of the PIPESIM engine. As long as the statements are provided in order of increasing flowrate,
and no other statements apart from IFPTAB appear in the middle of the table, the value can be left at
zero.

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4. If the IFPTAB table is provided inside the system profile, the last statement must contain no values, but
instead must contain the EXECUTE sub-code. This syntax ensures that only one completion is actually
executed regardless of the number of IFPTAB statements actually present. If IFPTAB is provided outside
the system profile the EXECUTE subcode is unnecessary.
5. If your model contains multiple completions, 2 or more IFPTAB tables can be used to enter data relevant
to each completion.
Example
!
ifptab
ifptab
ifptab
ifptab
ifptab
ifptab
ifptab
ifptab

n liq
pwf
0 0
3000
0 1000 2990
0 2699 2920
0 6329 2800
0 7288 2600
0 8082 2400
0 8805 2003
execute

gor wcut
986 0
986 2.0
1096 2.2
2540 2.8
2980 3.9
3370 5.6
3770 8.0

The ! line is a comment line.

CONETAB Coning Relationship Tabulation (Optional)

Main-code: CONETAB
The CONETAB statement is obsolete, its functionality has been replaced by IPRCRV (p.541).
Specifies a coning relationship for a well or completion, in the form of a table of stock-tank liquid flowrate
versus produced GOR and watercut. Each CONETAB statement holds a single data point. To complete the
tabulation, at least four statements are required. CONETAB does not define an inflow performance
relationship, it is intended to be used in addition to an existing maincode that specifies the desired IPR.
Values should be provided without keywords in a strict positional order, as follows:
LIQUID= Liquid flow rate value at stock tank conditions. (sbbl/day or sm 3/day)
GOR=

Gas Oil Ratio (scf/sbbl or sm 3/sm 3)

WCUT= Watercut (%)

Notes:
1. The CONETAB table should be provided in the system profile immediately before the maincode
specifying the required IPR.
2. No other maincode should appear in the body of the table.
3. Values should be provided in increasing order of liquid flow rate.
4. If your model contains multiple completions, 2 or more CONETAB tables can be used to enter data for
each completion.

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5. For BLACKOIL (p.562) fluids, the Specific Gravity of the coned and associated gas should be provided
with the PROP (p.565) statement. See example below.
Example
For example:
! liq gor wcut conetab 0 986 0 conetab 1000 986 2.0 conetab 2699 1096 2.2 conetab
6329 2540 2.8 conetab 7288 2980 3.9 conetab 8082 3370 5.6 conetab 8805 3770 8.0

BACKPRES Back Pressure Equation (BPE) (Optional)

Main-code: BACKPRES
This keyword is used to specify data for the Back Pressure Equation (p.278).
Subcodes
PWSTATIC The static reservoir pressure (psia or bar)
N

The back pressure exponent (dimensionless).

The back pressure constant (dimensions of (mmscf/d)/ (psi 2) n or equivalent SI).

HORWELL Horizontal Well Inflow Performance

The following Inflow Performance options are available in addition to the Distributed Productivity Index
Inflow option (see WELLPI (p.535))

Pseudo-steady state equation of Babu and Odeh for oil wells

Joshi's steady-state equation

Backpressure equation

The backpressure equation is accessed via the BACKPRES maincode BACKPRES (p.545), which applies
to horizontal completions as well as vertical. As with the WELLPI maincode, WELLPI (p.535), the
backpressure C and N parameters are assumed to apply per unit length of wellbore. The steady-state and
pseudo steady-state options are both accessed via the TYPE= subcode of the HORWELL maincode. The
well completion option, WCOPTION (p.538) , can be used in conjunction with the HORWELL maincode.
Main-code: HORWELL
TYPE= PSSOIL

The PSSOIL subcode calculates the horizontal well distributive productivity

index based on Babu and Odeh's (p.438) SPE paper 18298. It is
recommended the user read this reference before applying the equation. The
equation is based upon the pseudo-steady state IPR well model applied to a
rectangular drainage area.
ADIM

Drainage width perpendicular to the well (ft or m).

BDIM

Drainage width parallel to the well (ft or m).

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THICK

Reservoir thickness (ft or m).

KX

Permeability in the x-direction (that is Kh) (mD)

KY

Permeability in the y-direction (parallel to well) (mD).

KZ

Permeability in the z-direction (that is Kv) (mD).

XZERO

X-ordinate of horizontal well trajectory (ft or m).

YONE

Starting y-ordinate of horizontal well trajectory (ft or m).

YTWO

Ending y-ordinate of horizontal well trajectory (ft or m).

ZZERO

Z-ordinate of horizontal well trajectory (ft or m).

RWELL

Sandface radius (such as pipe + annulus + cement) (in or mm).

SKIN

Mechanical skin factor (dimensionless).

PSSGAS

SSOIL

The pseudo-steady state gas flow equation is based upon a circular drainage
area and is described in Joshi's (p.443) "Horizontal Well Technology". It is
recommended that the user read this reference and Inflow Performance
Relationships for Horizontal Completions (p.301) . This equation contains two
skin terms; the skin due to drilling/perforations and the rate-dependent skin
due to turbulent gas flow around the wellbore.
THICK

Reservoir thickness (ft or m).

KX

Permeability in the x-direction (that is Kh) (mD).

KY

Permeability in the y-direction (parallel to well) (mD).

KZ

Permeability in the z-direction (that is Kv) (mD).

RWELL

Sandface radius (i.e. pipe+annulus+cement) (in or mm).

REXT

External boundary radius of drainage area (ft. or m). Default = infinity

SKIN

Mechanical skin factor (dimensionless).

The simplest form of horizontal well productivity calculations are the steadystate analytical solutions which assumes that the pressure at any point in the
reservoir does not change with time. The steady-state distributive productivity
index is based upon Joshi's (p.443) SPE 16868 "Review of Horizontal and
Drainhole Technology". The equation is based on the assumption that the
horizontal well drains an ellipsoidal volume around the wellbore of length L.
See Inflow Performance Relationships for Horizontal Completions (p.301) ,
for more details.

ECCENT Wellbore eccentricity (i.e. offset of the well from the centre of the pay zone)
(in or mm).

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THICK

Reservoir thickness (ft or m).

KX

Permeability in the x-direction (that is Kh) (mD).

KY

Permeability in the y-direction (parallel to well) (mD).

KZ

Permeability in the z-direction (i.e. Kv) (mD).

RWELL

Sandface radius (that is pipe+annulus+cement) (in or mm).

REXT

External boundary radius of drainage area (ft or m).

SKIN

Mechanical skin factor (dimensionless).

SSGAS

The steady-state gas distributive productivity equation is described in Joshi's

(p.443) "Horizontal Well Technology", Chapter 9, and Inflow Performance
Relationships for Horizontal Completions (p.301)
THICK

Reservoir thickness (ft or m).

KX

Permeability in the x-direction (that is Kh) (mD).

KY

Permeability in the y-direction (parallel to well) (mD).

KZ

Permeability in the z-direction (that is Kv) (mD).

RWELL

Sandface radius (that is pipe+annulus+cement) (in or mm).

REXT

External boundary radius of drainage area (ft or m).

SKIN

Mechanical skin factor (dimensionless).

LAYER Reservoir Layer Properties

Main-code: LAYER
LAYER specifies the presence of a distinct reservoir Layer or Zone. It allows the properties of a fluid to be
defined, along with its pressure and temperature. Some additional layer-specific properties can also be set.
LAYER is intended to be used in a model that contains multiple completions, which may be point-type, or
distributed/horizontal. It should only appear within the system profile, and be followed by a statement that
selects a choice of IPR relationship, for example, WELLPI, FETKOVICH, IFPPSSE, and so on.
All subcodes are optional.
PWSTATIC= or PRESSURE=

Reservoir layer (Static bottom hole) pressure (bara or psia).

This can also be defined on the selected IPR maincode, in
which case it may be omitted from LAYER. If supplied on
both, the one on the IPR will be used.

TEMPERATURE=

Reservoir layer temperature (F or C). This should be the

same as the ambient temperature on the node, and is
therefore unnecessary.

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USE= or FLUIDNAME=

Name of a Black Oil or Compositional fluid, as previously

defined with BEGIN FLUID (p.484) . Exclusive with
PVTFILE=.

PVTFILE=

Name of an existing .PVT file defining a compositional fluid.

Exclusive with USE=.

INJECT=

Controls if the a layer will accept fluid injection: can be set to

YES or NO, default YES.

IPRCURVENAME=

Specifies the name of an Inflow Performance and/or Coning

curve for the Completion, as defined in (a) previous IPRCRV
(p.541) statement(s).

LDORATE= or MDORATE= or GDORATE= Specifies a fixed, overriding value for the Specific Inflow Rate
in a horizontal completion. Normally the inflow rate of a
horwell is calculated from the supplied Inflow Performance
data, and reservoir and wellbore pressure difference. If one
of these subcodes is supplied however, all other data is
ignored, and the reservoir inflow rate is unconditionally set to
this value. LDORATE= supplies a Liquid rate (bbl/day/ft or
m3/day/m); GDORATE= supplies a gas rate (mmscf/day/ft
or mmsm3/day/m), MDORATE= supplies a mass rate (lb/
sec/ft or Kg/sec/m).
EXECUTE=

For use with IPRCURVENAME=. If the supplied curve

specifies a complete Inflow Performance relationship, this
subcode can be used to render it executable.

PERMCURVENAM= or PERMCRVNAME= Specifies the name of an Oil/Water Relative Permeability

table or curve for the completion, as defined in (a) previous
PERMCRV (p.549) statement(s).
SATURATION=

For use with PERMCURVENAME=. Allows the reservoir

saturation value to be specified. This results in the calculation
of the watercut of the produced fluid. If absent, the specified
fluid watercut is used, and reservoir saturation calculated
from it.

HBALANCE= or ROUTE=

Specifies the thermodynamic route for calculation of

temperature/enthalpy change consequent upon the DP
across the completion. May be set to ISENTHALPIC, for
constant enthalpy (the default), or ISOTHERMAL, for
constant temperature.

Examples
Example 1
This is a simple layer and point completion such as might appear as part of a larger multi-completion model:

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LAYER temp = 220 use = 'fluid A' label = 'Layer one'

WELLPI
pwstatic = 3650 LPI=9.5

Example 2
This completion includes a coning relationship defined with . IPRCRV (p.541) , which must appear first.
LAYER follows because it references the curve name defined in the IPRCRV. Finally the selected IPR,
JONES, comes last:
IFPCRV name=cc1 LIQ= (0
IFPCRV name=cc1 GLR= (300
IFPCRV name=cc1 WCUT= (10
IFPCRV name=cc1 GASSG=(.71
LAYER temp=240 F pres=4503
two'
JONES LA=1e-4 LB=3e-2

,1000,2000,3000,4000)
,300 ,550 ,600 ,620 )
,10 ,18 ,22 ,30 )
,.71 ,.68 ,.67 ,.669)
psia use='fluid B' inject=NO IPRCURV=cc1 label='Layer

RESERVOIR
Main-code: RESERVOIR
This maincode is obsolete, please do not use it.

PERMCRV: Curves of Relative Permeability versus Saturation (Optional)

Main-code: PERMCRV
The PERMCRV statement is an alternative to PERMTAB (p.550) . Both these statements allow a table/
curve of oil/water relative permiability to be entered as a function of water saturation. They differ in the
format of the statements: PERMTAB allows a tabular data entry format using multiple statements, whereas
PERMCRV offers subcodes that accept PIPESIM's multiple value syntax (p.458). PERMCRV requires the
curve to be given a name that can be referenced in one or more subsequent completions.
NAME= Required. Defines the name of the curve. This name is then used on (a) subsequent LAYER
statement(s).
SAT=

Water Saturation in the reservoir, as a ratio 0 to 1.

OIL=

Oil relative permeability, as a ratio 0 to 1.

WAT=

Water relative permeability, as a ratio 0 to 1.

The complete definition of a curve requires all subcodes to be specified, but they may be spread over 2 or
3 statements that reference the same curve name. NAME= must appear on all statements.
Example
This example shows a table containing the same data as the example given for PERMTAB (p.550) :
PERMCRV name=pc1 SAT = (0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 , 0.4 , 0.5 , 0.6, 0.7 , 0.8 , 0.9 ,
1
)
PERMCRV name=pc1 OIL = (0.9, 0.9, 0.9, 0.6 , 0.43, 0.35 , 0.2, 0.13, 0.07, 0
,
0
)

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PERMCRV name=pc1 WAT = (0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.05, 0.1 , 0.125, 0.2, 0.33, 0.44, 0.44,
0.44)
layer
PERMCURV=pc1
temp = 185 F use = oil44 inject=no label = 'strat bk'
ifppsse pwstatic = 4269 psia perm = 200 md thickness = 50 ft &
rade = 2000 ft skin = 2 diamwell = 5 in

PERMTAB: Tabulation of Relative Permeability versus Saturation (Optional)

Main-code: PERMTAB
The PERMTAB statement is an alternative to PERMCRV. (p.549) Both statements allow entry of a table of
oil and water relative permeability against water saturation, in a different format.
Each PERMTAB statement holds a single data point. To complete the tabulation, at least four statements
are required. PERMTAB does not define an IPR relationship, it should only be used in addition to the
IFPPSSE maincode. If provided with any other IFP maincode it will be ignored.
Values should be provided without keywords in a strict positional order, as follows:
value 1 Water Saturation in the reservoir, as a ratio 0 to 1.
value 2 Oil relative permeability, as a ratio 0 to 1.
value 3 Water relative permeability, as a ratio 0 to 1.
Notes:
1. The PERMTAB table should be provided in the system profile immediately before the IFPPSSE
maincode.
2. No other maincode should appear in the body of the table
3. Values should be provided in increasing order of Water Saturation
4. If your model contains multiple completions, 2 or more PERMTAB tables can be used to enter data for
each completion.
Example
This example shows a table containing the same data as the example given for PERMCRV (p.549) :
!
wsat
oil rp
water rp
permtab
0.0
0.9
0.0
permtab
0.1
0.9
0.0
permtab
0.2
0.9
0.0
permtab
0.3
0.6
0.05
permtab
0.4
0.43
0.1
permtab
0.5
0.35
0.125
permtab
0.6
0.2
0.2
permtab
0.7
0.13
0.33
permtab
0.8
0.07
0.44
permtab
0.9
0.0
0.44
permtab
1.0
0.0
0.44
layer
temp = 185 F use = oil44 inject=no label = 'strat bk'
ifppsse
pwstatic = 4269 psia perm = 200 md thickness = 50 ft &
rade = 2000 ft skin = 2 diamwell = 5 in

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HVOGEL (Optional)
Main-code: HVOGEL
PWSTATIC=
AOFP=

Absolute open flow potential

RF=

Recovery factor

FORCHHEIMER (Optional)
Main-code: FORCHHEIMER
see the JONES (p.536) maincode.

FRACTURE: Data for Hydraulic Fracture

Main-code: FRACTURE
This maincode specifies that the mechanical and dynamic skin factors are to be calculated from the details
of the well fracture configuration provided. Note: The fracture options are only valid when used in conjunction
with the Pseudo-Steady-State or Transient equations (as defined under the IFPPSSE and TRANSIENT
main-codes).
The FRACTURE maincode is an alternative to the WCOPTION maincode, WCOPTION (p.538), and is
exclusive with it.
PERMEABILITY= Average fracture permeability (md).
WIDTH=

Average fracture width (feet or metres).

LENGTH=

Fracture half-length (feet or metres).

RESAREA=

Reservoir area (square feet or square metres).

TRANSIENT=

Controls the Transient option. May be set to ON or OFF. Default OFF.

POROSITY=

Reservoir porosity (dimensionless, a value between 0 and 1.) Ignored unless

TRANSIENT=ON.

COMPRESS=

Reservoir compressibility (1/psi or 1/Bar). Ignored unless TRANSIENT=ON.

TIME=

Elapsed time since start of production (hours). Ignored unless TRANSIENT=ON.

CONDUCTIVITY=
See also Hydraulic Fracturing (p.36).

TRANSIENT: Data for the Transient Inflow equation (Optional)

Main-code: TRANSIENT

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PWSTATIC=

Static bottom hole pressure (bara or psia). This is the bottom hole
pressure at zero flow rate.

PERMEABILITY=

Average formation permeability (md).

THICKNESS=

Average formation thickness (metres or feet) .

RADEXTERNAL=

Radius of external boundary of drainage area (metres or feet). Default =

609.6 m or 2000 ft.

SKIN=

Dimensionless skin factor. Default = 0.

DIAMWELLBORE=

Wellbore diameter (inches or mm).

FLOWTYPE=

Type of flow in well.

LIQ

Liquid flow

GAS

Gas flow

PSEUDO

Use pseudo pressure

GASMETHOD=

SQUARED Use pressure squared

SOURCE=
ST

Use the stock tank flow formulation of the transient IPR equation (default)

RES

Use the reservoir flow formulation of the transient IPR equation

BPCORRECTION=

Allows user to choose whether to apply the Vogel correction below the
bubble point.
ON

Applies Vogel correction.

OFF

Does not apply Vogel correction.

PICOEFFICIEN=

Vogel coefficient for Vogel correction. Default = 0.8.

DSKINLIQUID=

Dynamic skin for liquid phase. Default = 0.

DSKINGAS=

Dynamic skin for gas phase. Default = 0.

DRAINAGESKIN=
POROSITY=

Porosity of the reservoir, fraction (0 - 1)

COMPRESSIBIL=

Total system compressibility (1/psi or 1/bar).

TIME=

Time since the well started to flow, hours.

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SWAPTOPSS=
ON
OFF

HEAT TRANSFER DATA

HEAT (p.553) Heat Balance Options
COAT (p.556) COAT Pipe Coat and Annular Space Medium Data
TCOAT (p.557) Pipe Coat Thickness Data
KCOAT (p.558) Pipe Coat Thermal Conductivity Data
KFLUID (p.560) Fluid Thermal Conductivity Data
CONFIG (p.561) Configuration Data
Pipeline burial depth examples (p.562)

Notes on Heat Transfer Output Printing

1. Normally heat transfer input and output data is invoked by using: PRINT (p.474) HINPUT HOUTPUT
(See Section 1)
2. The radial temperature profile of coatings surrounding the pipe can be printed by invoking: PRINT
(p.474) EXTRA=TGRAD
3. Details of convective heat transfer calculations can be printed by invoking: PRINT (p.474)
EXTRA=CONVx where 'x' can be either 1, 2, 3, or 4 representing coats 1 to 4 respectively. Note that
details can only be obtained for 1 coat in each PIPESIM case performed.

HEAT Heat Balance Options (Optional)

Main-code: HEAT
BALANCE=

U=

HTCRD=

OFF

No heat balance is performed and the fluid temperature is set equal

to the ambient (or local ground) temperature as specified in the
system profile under the NODE main-code.

ON

A heat balance is performed (default).

CALC

Calculate heat transfer coefficients from data supplied in this

section.

INPUT

Heat transfer coefficients are to be read from the NODE cards

(default).
Heat Transfer Coefficient Reference Diameter (in or mm). This
value will be used as the reference diameter (instead of the current

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Pipe Outside Diameter) for all Heat Transfer Coefficients printed

in the Heat Transfer Output Data (p.474) page.
IFCMODE=

INPUT

Controls whether a separate Inside Film Coefficient (IFC) is

calculated when U values are supplied on NODE statements
(U=INPUT, see above). May be set to INPUT or CALC. INPUT
means the U supplied on the Nodes is assumed to include the IFC;
CALC means it does not, so IFC will be calculated separately and
added (using the correct reciprocal formula) to the supplied U.(If
INPUT is used, the IFC is calculated, but not added; the calculated
value is compared to the supplied U, and if grossly smaller, will
trigger the production of a warning message.) Applies only if
U=INPUT. Default=INPUT.

CALC

IFC is calculated and added to the supplied U value.

SPIFCMETHOD=

Single phase fluid Inside Film Coefficient (HFI) correlation. To be

used in conjunction with MPIFCMETHOD= .If the flow conditions
are single phase then the PIPESIM engine uses this correlation.
The default method is BJA.
SEIDERTATE

Seider and Tate

ORIGINAL

Original

VOLAVERAGE

Kreith eqn 8-20 (Vol Ave.)

KREITH10

Kreith eqn 10-6

GH9

Groothuis & Hendal eqn 9

GH10

Groothuis & Hendal eqn 10

BJA

BJA (Kreith eqn 8-20)

SHELL

Shell

BP

Bp

MPIFCMETHOD=

Multiphase phase fluid Inside Film Coefficient (HFI) correlation. To

be used in conjunction with SPIFCMETHOD=.If the flow conditions
are multiphase then the PIPESIM engine uses this correlation. The
default method is BJA.
KAMINSKY

Kaminsky

ORIGINAL

Original

VOLAVERAGE

Kreith eqn 8-20 (Vol Ave.)

KREITH10

Kreith eqn 10-6

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GH9

Groothuis & Hendal eqn 9

GH10

Groothuis & Hendal eqn 10

BJA

BJA (Kreith eqn 8-20)

SHELL

Shell

BP

Bp

HOLDUP=

IFC depends on holdup

ON
OFF

Default

TRMIN=
TRMAX
WAX=

Wax calculation mode.

PARTBURYMETH=

Partial burial calculation method

2009

2009 Method

2000

2000 Method

1983

1983 Method

MASTER=

Enthalpy is master.
TEMPERATURE
ENTHALPY

UVALUE=
RAMEYMETHOD=

The Ramey heat transfer calculation method for tubings.

OFF

Heat transfer coefficients for tubing are to be read from the NODE
cards (default).

LARGETIME

Heat transfer coefficients are to be calculated for tubing using the

Ramey model (p.51) (for times greater than 168 hr). Note that the
time is specified via OPTIONS subcode RAMEYTIME.

GRNDCP=

Ground specific heat capacity (default = 837.4 J/kg/K or 0.2 Btu/

lb/oF) used in the Ramey model.

GRNDDEN=

Ground density (default = 2242.6 kg/m3) or 140lb/ft3) used in the

Ramey model.

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DHEQUATION=

Energy equation to calculate temperature changes in pipe flow.

2009

Rigorous energy equation taking into account elevation, friction

and heat loss.

1983

Simplified energy equation.

Heat transfer mode

There are three heat transfer modes to select from:
1. No heat balance is performed and the fluid temperature is set equal to the ambient (or local ground)
temperature as specified in the system profile under the NODE main-code.
2. A heat balance is performed using overall heat transfer coefficients input under the NODE main-code.
Note: This is the default option. So, if the HEAT main-code is omitted, the program will perform a heat
balance and expect heat transfer coefficients to be entered under the NODE maincode. If the program
fails to find a 'U' value on the first node card an input data error will be generated.
3. A heat balance is performed using heat transfer coefficients calculated by the program from the data
specified in this section.

COAT Pipe Coat and Annular Space Medium Data (Optional)

Main-code: COAT
The COAT statement allows the data for pipe coating or annular space thickness, conductivity and medium
to be specified for a single coat or annular space. For multiple coats, additional COAT statements may be
provided, up to a maximum of 26. COAT is an alternative to the TCOAT and KCOAT statements, they both
allow the same information to be entered.
NUMBER=

The coat or annular space number to be specified. Coat 1 is the innermost coat.
Must be an integer between 1 and 26

THICKNESS=

Coating or annular space thickness (ins or mm, default zero). All coats are
assumed to be of zero thickness until specified with a positive thickness

CONDUCTIVITY= , K= Coat thermal conductivity (W/m/K or Btu/hr/ft/ oF, default infinite). Exclusive with
MEDIUM=.
MEDIUM=

The name of the fluid medium contained in the annular space. This must match
the core portion of a filename with the extension .APF in the PIPESIM installation's
data directory. Default available filenames to specify typical annular fluids are
provided, these are as documented for the KCOAT statement. Exclusive with
CONDUCTIVITY=.

PRESSURE=

The average pressure in the annular space (psia or Bar, default 1000 psia).

LABEL=, NAME=

The name of the coat or space.

U=

The overall heat transfer coefficient for this coat (W/m2/K or Btu/hr/ft2/ oF). This
value will be used instead of any calculated value. The reference diameter for this

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will be the pipe outside diameter, that is the junction between the pipe and the first
coat, this can be changed using the RD= subcode below.
RD=

The Reference Diameter to be used for the U= subcode provided above (in or
mm).

RESETALL

Specifies that all previous coatings information be reset to zero. This allows new
coatings information to be supplied with subsequent COAT (or TCOAT and
KCOAT) statements without risk that earlier higher-numbered coats will be
remembered.

Note: As with other data, any coat thickness data specified at a particular node will automatically be carried
forward to subsequent nodes unless altered or reset to zero thickness. A coat can be removed (effectively)
by specifying its thickness as zero. This will not affect the properties of higher-numbered coats. All coats
can be removed by use of the RESETALL subcode.

Example
PIPE
COAT
COAT
COAT
COAT
COAT
COAT

ID=5.25 thickness
resetall
num = 1 thickness
num = 2 thickness
num = 3 thickness
num = 4 thickness
num = 5 thickness

=.375 K = 56.4
=
=
=
=
=

3 medium=brine name='brine-filled annulus'

0.5 K = 50 name='casing 1'
2 medium=gas65 name='gas filled annulus'
0.5 K = 50 name='casing 2'
3 K = 3.5 name='cement'

Note: All keywords can be entered using the EKT (p.64).

TCOAT Pipe Coat Thickness Data (Optional)

Main-code: TCOAT
The TCOAT and KCOAT main-codes are used to specify up to ten concentric pipe coatings for use in the
heat transfer calculations. This data is only required if U=CALCULATE is specified with the HEAT (p.553)
main-code. Note that the pipe thickness is specified under the PIPE (p.525) main-code.
TPIPE= Thickness of pipe (default = 0.0 mm or in).
TWAX= Thickness of wax (default = 0.0 mm or in).
T1=

Thickness of coat 1 (default = 0.0 mm or in).

T2=

Thickness of coat 2 (default = 0.0 mm or in).

T3=

Thickness of coat 3 (default = 0.0 mm or in).

T4=

Thickness of coat 4 (default = 0.0 mm or in).

T5=

Thickness of coat 5 (default = 0.0 mm or in).

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T6=

Thickness of coat 6 (default = 0.0 mm or in).

T7=

Thickness of coat 7 (default = 0.0 mm or in).

T8=

Thickness of coat 8 (default = 0.0 mm or in).

T9=

Thickness of coat 9 (default = 0.0 mm or in).

T10=

Thickness of coat 10 (default = 0.0 mm or in).

Note: As with other data, any coat thickness data specified at a particular node will automatically be carried
forward to subsequent nodes unless altered or reset to zero.

KCOAT Pipe Coat Thermal Conductivity Data (Optional)

Main-code: KCOAT
KPIPE= Pipe thermal conductivity (default = 60.6 W/m/ oK or 35 Btu/hr/ft/ oF).
K1=

Coat 1 thermal conductivity (W/m/K or Btu/hr/ft/ oF).

K2=

Coat 2 thermal conductivity (W/m/K or Btu/hr/ft/ oF).

K3=

Coat 3 thermal conductivity (W/m/K or Btu/hr/ft/ oF).

K4=

Coat 4 thermal conductivity (W/m/K or Btu/hr/ft/ oF).

KWAX=
Note: The default value for coat thermal conductivities is infinity (effectively), which means that the default
thermal resistance is effectively zero.
The sub-codes described here are utilized in the modeling of convective heat transfer within fluid filled
annuli.
F1= The name of the data file in which annular fluid properties for Coat No. 1 are stored.
F2= The name of the data file in which annular fluid properties for Coat No. 2 are stored.
F3= The name of the data file in which annular fluid properties for Coat No. 3 are stored.
F4= The name of the data file in which annular fluid properties for Coat No. 4 are stored.
P1= Average pressure in Coat No. 1 (default = 1,000 psia / 70 bara)
P2= Average pressure in Coat No. 2 (default = 1,000 psia / 70 bara)
P3= Average pressure in Coat No. 3 (default = 1,000 psia / 70 bara)

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P4= Average pressure in Coat No. 4 (default = 1,000 psia / 70 bara)

Convective (Fx) and conductive (Kx) coatings can be specified in any sequence desired. The example below
illustrates the modeling of a riser within a gas filled caisson which is insulated on the outside with 0.5"
neoprene. Physical properties for the gas contained within the caisson will be read from the file
'GAS65.APF'.
Note: The Fx and Kx subcodes for any coating are mutually exclusive. Calculated convective heat transfer
coefficients are printed to the HOUTPUT page as normal. In addition an equivalent thermal conductivity is
calculated from the convective heat transfer coefficient and printed to the relevant position in the
HINPUTpage.

Files
BJA have prepared data files for the most common annular fluids such as natural gas, brine, mud and so
on. These files are located in the PIPESIM data directory. The files currently available are listed below
together with a brief description of the file contents.
File Name Contents
wbm.apf

Properties of a typical water based mud

obm.apf

Properties of a typical oil based mud

gas65.apf Properties of a 0.65 S.G. gas

brine.apf

Properties of a typical brine

Annular property data files are written in a simple to understand text file format to enable users to edit files
or create their own if required.

Example
The example below illustrates the table format.
Note: A column containing line numbers is not part of the file.
Line 1

Specification of file format. Should not be modified

Line 2

Title line. May be modified as necessary

Line 3

Specifies the number of properties to be read

Line 4

Format in which lines are to be read. Should not be modified

Lines 5 - 10 Identifies the properties contained in the file and the order in which they are arranged. Note
that this order is fixed and cannot be changed by the user. The two columns of numbers
contain the conversion factors necessary to convert the property from the units specified in
the file to standard PIPESIM SI units. Column 1 contains the additive conversion factor whilst
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column 2 contains the multiplying factor. This specification allows users to specify data in
different units as required.
Line 11

Should not be modified.

Line 12 - 29 Contains the necessary physical property data in the sequence specified in Lines 5 - 10.
Columns 1 & 2 contain the pressure and temperature to which the physical property data
relates. Note that the maximum number of pressure and temperature points permitted within
a file is 20.
Line 30

Identifies the end of file.

Example File: BRINE.APF

ANPROP-1.0 LINEAR TABLE-1 ,A, 0, 0, NOGO
JOB : WATER TEST-1
6
(7f11.0)
Pressure PSIA 0. 6.894730
Temperature F 255.3722 .5555555
Liquid Density LB/FT3 0. 16.01800
Liquid Viscosity cP 0. 1.000000
Liquid conductivity BTU/hrftF 0. 1.730104
Liquid Heat Capacity BTU/LBF 0. 4.186800
NEWLINE, SCALE, CONT
14.7 50 62.4 0.880 .332 1.000
14.7 60 62.3 0.760 .340 0.999
14.7 70 62.3 0.658 .347 0.998
14.7 80 62.2 0.578 .353 0.998
14.7 90 62.1 0.514 .359 0.997
14.7 100 62.0 0.458 .364 0.998
14.7 150 61.2 0.292 .384 1.000
14.7 200 60.1 0.205 .394 1.000
14.7 400 53.8 0.001 .394 1.000
1000 50 62.4 0.880 .332 1.000
1000 60 62.3 0.760 .340 0.999
1000 70 62.3 0.658 .347 0.998
1000 80 62.2 0.578 .353 0.998
1000 90 62.1 0.514 .359 0.997
1000 100 62.0 0.458 .364 0.998
1000 150 61.2 0.292 .384 1.000
1000 200 60.1 0.205 .394 1.000
1000 400 53.8 0.001 .394 1.000
composition

Typical Thermal Conductivities (p.428) in W/m/K (Solids) Thermal Conductivities (p.428) in W/m/K (Liquids
and Gases)
Note: All keywords can be entered using the EKT (p.64).

FLUID Fluid Thermal Conductivity Data (Optional)

Main-code: KFLUID

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The fluid thermal conductivities are used in the calculation of the pipe internal film heat transfer coefficients.
Default values are supplied and should be adequate for most cases.
OIL=

Oil thermal conductivity (default = 0.138 W/m/K or 0.08 Btu/hr/ft/ oF).

GAS=

Gas thermal conductivity (default = 0.035 W/m/K or 0.02 Btu/hr/ft/ oF).

WATER= Water thermal conductivity (default = 0.605 W/m/K or 0.35 Btu/hr/ft/ oF).
Note: All keywords can be entered using the EKT (p.64).

CONFIG: Pipe Heat Transfer Configuration Data (Optional)

Main-code: CONFIG
This data is only required if U=CALCULATE is specified under the HEAT main-code and if near-surface
horizontal or near-horizontal pipe is being considered. For pipe or tubing situated away from the influences
of air and seawater the CONFIG card is not required.
DEPTH=

The burial depth (in mm or inches) as measured from the ground surface or mudline to the
center-line of the pipe. A negative burial depth implies that the pipe center-line is above the
surface and the pipe is therefore partially buried or fully exposed. Default is Fully Buried at
depth of 800 feet.

KGROUND= Ground thermal conductivity (W/m/K or Btu/hr/ft/F).

VAIR=

Ambient air velocity. Used to calculate the outside film heat transfer coefficient (Default =
0.033 m/s or 0.1 ft/s). Exclusive with VWATER=.

VWATER=

Ambient water velocity. Used to calculate the outside film heat transfer coefficient. (Default
= 0.033 m/s or 0.1 ft/s). Exclusive with VAIR=.

WDENS=

Ambient water density. (lb/ft3 or kg/m3).

WVISC=

Ambient water viscosity. (cP)

WCP=

Ambient water specific heat capacity. (btu/lb/F or KJ/Kg/C)

WK=

Ambient water thermal conductivity. (btu/ft2/ft/F or KJ/m2/m/C)

WBETA=

Ambient water coefficient of thermal expansion.

ADENS=

Ambient air density. (lb/ft3 or kg/m3)

AVISC=

Ambient air viscosity.(cP)

ACP=

Ambient air specific heat capacity. (btu/lb/F or KJ/Kg/C)

AK=

Ambient air thermal conductivity. (btu/ft2/ft/F or KJ/m2/m/C)

ABETA=

Ambient air coefficient of thermal expansion.

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TOPDEPTH= The burial depth (in mm or inches) as measured from the surface to the top of the pipe.

Pipeline burial depth examples

For a horizontal pipeline

Z: burial depth.
D: outside diameter of pipe and coatings
Burial depth

Pipe and coatings

Exposed to air or
water

above ground /
seabed

yes

resting on ground/
seabed

yes

0 > Z > D / 2 partially (less than

yes

D/2 > Z > 0

partially (more than

half) buried

yes

Z > D/2

completely buried

no

D/2 > Z

Z = D/2

half) buried

Fluid Modeling
BLACK OIL DATA
BLACKOIL (p.563) Black Oil Correlation Options

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PROP (p.565) Fluid Property Data

LVIS (p.566) Liquid Viscosity Data
CPFLUID (p.571) Fluid Heat Capacity Data
JTFLUID (p.571) Joule Thomson Heat Coefficients Data
RATE (p.470) Flow Rate Data
ITERN Iteration Data (Optional) (p.471)
TPRINT (p.572) Black Oil Table Printing
CALIBRATE (p.572) Black Oil Property Calibration
INJGAS and INJFLUID (p.519) Injection Gas and side stream fluid injection
WELLHEAD (p.533) Wellhead Profile Delimiter
GASLIFT (p.513) Multiple Injection Ports in Gaslifted Wells
INJPORT (p.517) Gas Lift Injection Port
CONTAMINANTS (p.574) Gas contaminants data

BLACKOIL: Black Oil Fluid definitions

Main-code: BLACKOIL
Fluid properties can be generated internally by so called "black oil" correlations which have been developed
by correlating gas/oil ratios for live crudes with various properties, such as oil and gas gravities. The selected
correlation is used to predict the quantity of gas dissolved in the oil at a particular pressure and temperature.
The black oil correlations have been developed specifically for crude oil/gas/water systems and are
therefore most useful in predicting the phase behavior of crude oil well streams. When used in conjunction
with the calibration options, the black oil correlations can produce accurate phase behavior data from a
minimum of input data. They are particularly convenient in gas lift studies where the effects of varying GLR
and water cut are under investigation.
A Blackoil fluid must define its stock-tank volume phase split using one of: GLR=, GOR=, OGR=, or LGR=,
and one of WCUT=, WGR= and GWR=.
Gas saturation (RS) correlations
RSCORR= ELSHARK Elsharkawy
GHETTO

de Ghetto

GLASO

Glas (p.364) correlation.

KART

Kartoatmodjo

LASATER

Lasater (p.365) correlation (default for bubble point pressure and solution gas).

PETROSK Petrosky-Farshad
STANDING Standing (p.366) correlation (default for oil formation volume factor at the bubble
point)

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VAZBEG

Vazquezand Beggs (p.366) correlation (default for oil formation volume factor
above the bubble point).

Gas densities are calculated using a Z-factor correlation developed by Katz (p.443) and Standing and so
the black oil correlations can also be used for single phase gas systems and gas/condensate systems with
more or less constant gas/liquid ratios. However, if the accurate phase behavior prediction of light
hydrocarbon systems is important, it is recommended that the more rigorous compositional models is
employed.
Gas Compressibility correlation choices
GASZCORR= DPR

The Dranchuk, Purvis and Robinson correlation for curve fitting the StandingKatz (p.443) reduced pressure-reduced temperature Z-Factor chart.

GOPAL

The Gopal correlation for curve fitting the Standing- Katz (p.443) reduced
pressure-reduced temperature Z-Factor chart.

HALLYAR

Hall & Yarborough correlation for curve fitting the Standing- Katz (p.443)
reduced pressure-reduced temperature Z-Factor chart.

STANDING

The Standing modification to the Brill and Beggs correlation for curve-fitting
the Standing- Katz (p.443) reduced pressure-reduced temperature Z-Factor
chart.

TSTANDING
Oil Formation Volume Factor correlation choices
OFVFCORR= ELSHARKAWY Elsharkawy
KART

Kartoatmodjo

PETROSKY

Petrosky

STANDING

Standing

VAZBEG

Kartoatmodjo

Gas dissolution and saturation in water

WRSCORR= HPPAC
KATZ
NONE
Gas viscosities are calculated using the Lee et al. (p.444) correlation.
Blackoil fluids that have been previously defined with BEGIN FLUID (p.484) can be selected with the
FLUIDNAME= or USE= subcode.

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Stock-tank Phase Ratios

A Blackoil fluid must define its stock-tank volume phase split using one of: GLR=, GOR=, OGR=, or LGR=,
and one of WCUT=, WGR= and GWR=. (For historical reasons, these subcodes are also available on the
RATE statement, but you are strongly encouraged to use them here instead. A compositional fluid can also
define them but they must be supplied on the COMPOSITION statement. ).
GWR=

Gas Water ratio at stock-tank conditions. (sm 3/sm 3 or scf/STB)

WGR=

Water/gas ratio at stock-tank conditions. (sm 3/mmsm 3 or STB/mmscf).

WCUT= Watercut, i.e. the volume % aqueous phase in the total liquid phase at stock tank conditions.
GLR=

Gas/liquid ratio at stock tank conditions. (sm 3/sm 3 or scf/STB).

GOR=

Gas/oil Ratio at stock tank conditions. (sm 3/sm 3 or scf/STB).

LGR=

Liquid/gas ratio at stock-tank conditions. (sm 3/mmsm 3 or STB/mmscf).

OGR=

Oil/gas ratio at stock-tank conditions. (sm 3/mmsm 3 or STB/mmscf).

Care must be exercised in combining these subcodes, as it is possible to specify a value for one of them
that renders the use of the other one meaningless or illegal: such as with WCUT=100, any value for GOR=
is meaningless; for example, GLR=0 conflicts with any non-zero value for GWR=. It is however always
possible to re-state the desired definition correctly by well-chosen alternative subcodes.

PROP Fluid Property Data (Optional)

Main-code: PROP
API=

Dead oil API gravity at stock tank conditions (see note 1). Default = 30 API. The API
gravity is defined as follows: - API = (141.5/sg) - 131.5 where sg is the oil specific gravity
relative to water. Exclusive with DOD=.

DOD=

Dead oil density (kg/sm 3 or lb/ft 3) at stock tank conditions (see note 1). Default = 876
kg/sm 3. Exclusive with API=.

GASSG=

Associated gas specific gravity relative to air (MW/28.964) at stock tank conditions (see
note 1). Range 0.55 < GASSG 1.2. Default = 0.64.

CONEDGASSG= Coned gas specific gravity (default: same as associated gas SG as defined with
GASSG=). The coned gas SG will only be used if a coning relationship has been defined
for the completion with CONETAB (p.544) or IPRCRV (p.541). Coning will result in a
mix of associated and coned gas, resulting in a produced gas SG somewhere between
these 2 values.
WATERSG=

Water specific gravity at stock tank conditions (see note 1). Default = 1.02.

STENSION=

Specifies the method for calculating Liquid/gas interfacial tension. This allows for the
possibility of three phase (gas/oil/water) flow where the liquid hydrocarbon (oil or
condensate) flows as a segregated layer on top of the aqueous phase. Some 2-phase

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flow correlations (such as BJA and Duns and Ros) take account of the interfacial surface
tension when calculating such parameters as the liquid wave height. Can be set to
MIXED or SEGREGATED, meaning:
MIXED: Surface tension is calculated based on the average properties of the water and
hydrocarbon liquid mixture. This is the default value.
SEGREGATED: Surface tension is calculated based on properties of the hydrocarbon
liquid only. This option should only be used when it is expected that the liquid
hydrocarbon and aqueous phases will be segregated, for example, long pipelines
operating in the stratified flow regime.
GSAT=

The quantity of gas which would dissolve in the oil, and saturate it, at a given pressure
and temperature (sm3/sm3 or scf/bbl) (see note 2).

PSAT=

The saturation pressure for GSAT= (bara or psia) (see note 2).

TSAT=

The saturation temperature for GSAT= ( oC or oF) (see note 2).

PSEP=

The separator pressure used by Kartoatmodjo (etc) correlations

TSEP=

The separator temperature used by Kartoatmodjo (etc) correlations

Notes:
1. The oil, water and gas properties should be entered at stock tank conditions, that is 14.7 psia and 60
oF .
2. The oil saturated gas content at a known temperature and pressure (for example at reservoir conditions)
should be entered to allow calibration of the black oil model. Such calibration will significantly improve
the accuracy of the predicted gas/liquid ratios. If the calibration data is omitted the program will calibrate
the correlation on the basis of oil and gas gravity alone and there will be a consequent loss in accuracy.
Note, the value of GSAT= is independent of any GLR= or GOR= supplied on the BLACKOIL statement

LVIS: Liquid Viscosity Data (Optional)

Main-code: LVIS
DOVCORR=

Specifies the choice of Dead Oil Viscosity correlation.

USER or BEAL

Dead oil viscosity will be calculated by fitting two

measured values of viscosity versus temperature to
Beal's chart. Use with TEMP1=, TEMP2=, VIS1= and
VIS2=. PIPESIM will fit a curve of the form

log ()

through the two given data points and then interpolate

(or extrapolate) to find dead oil viscosities at given
temperatures. Normally you would enter viscosity data

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at temperatures close to the expected maximum and

minimum operating temperatures. Entering two identical
temperatures or viscosities will cause an error.
TABLE

Dead oil viscosity will be calculated by fitting a table of

viscosity vs. temperature to Beal's chart. Use with
TEMPS= and VISCS=. See note 1 below

BEGROB

Beggs and Robinson (1975). This correlation is

constrained to work within limits as published by the API
(Petroleum Engineering handbook, Page 22-16), that is
Temperature between 70 and 295 oF, and oil API gravity
between 16 and 58.

GLASO

Dead oil Viscosity will be calculated using the correlation

of Glas (1980)

KARTOATMODJO Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt correlation

GHETTO

De Ghetto correlation

HOSSAIN

Hossain correlation

ELSHARKAWY

Elsharkawy correlation

PETROVSKY

Petrovsky correlation

LOVCORR=

Specifies the choice of Live (gas-saturated) Oil Viscosity

correlation. May be set to one of:
CHEWCON

Chew and Connally correlation

BEGROB

Beggs and Robinson correlation

KARTOATMODJO Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt correlation

KHAN

Khan correlation

GHETTO

De Ghetto correlation

HOSSAIN

Hossain correlation

ELSHARKAWY

Elsharkawy correlation

PETROVSKY

Petrovsky correlation

UOVCORR=

Specifies the choice of Undersaturated Oil Viscosity

correlation. May be set to one of:
VAZBEG

Vasquez and Beggs correlation (default)

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KOUZEL

Kouzel correlation. Coefficients are supplied with the

KA= and KB= subcodes.

KARTOATMODJO Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt correlation

KHAN

Khan correlation

GHETTO

De Ghetto correlation

HOSSAIN

Hossain correlation

ELSHARKAWY

Elsharkawy correlation

BERGMAN

Bergman and Sutton correlation

PETROVSKY

Petrovsky correlation

NONE

Undersaturated oil viscosity calculation will be omitted,

oil viscosity will be set to the result of the Live Oil viscosity
correlation at the minimum of (actual and bubble point)
pressure.

EMULSION=

Used to select one of various options for the calculation

of oil-water mixture viscosities. The water viscosity data
is generated internally by PIPESIM, using the van Wingel
correlation. Generally speaking, at water cuts less than
approximately 60% water (by volume), the oil phase is
continuous with the water phase distributed. Under these
conditions some oil-water mixtures can form highly
viscous water-in-oil emulsions, particularly at water cuts
in the range of 30-50%. Emulsion viscosities many times
higher than that of either the oil or water are not
uncommon. At water cuts above 60%, water is usually
the continuous phase and the resulting oil-in-water
emulsion has a viscosity similar to that of water. Used in
conjunction with the CUTOFF= subcode.
SWAP

The mixture viscosity equals the oil viscosity at water

cuts less than or equal to cutoff % and equals the water
viscosity at water cuts greater than cutoff % (default).

VOLRATIO

The mixture viscosity equals the volume ratio of the oil

and water viscosities.

WLOOSE

Use Woleflin "Loose Emulsion" correlation at watercuts

below the cutoff, set to water viscosity above.

WMEDIUM

Use Woleflin "Medium Emulsion" correlation at

watercuts below the cutoff, set to water viscosity above.

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WTIGHT

Use Woleflin "Tight Emulsion" correlation at watercuts

below the cutoff, set to water viscosity above.

WORIG

Use PIPESIM original woleflin loose emulsion

correlation at watercuts below the cutoff, set to water
viscosity above.

TABLE

Emulsion viscosities are interpolated from the table

supplied with the EWCUTS= and EVISCS= subcodes.
See note 1 below.

BRINKMAN

Use the Brinkman correlation. This generally predicts

elevated liquid viscosities on either side of the cutoff.

VAND

Use the Vand correlation, using Vand's coefficients. This

generally predicts elevated liquid viscosities on either
side of the cutoff.

VANDBARNEA

Use the Vand correlation, using Barnea and Mizrahi

coefficients. This generally predicts elevated liquid
viscosities on either side of the cutoff.

VANDUSER

Use the Vand correlation, using coefficients supplied

with the K1= and K2= subcodes. This predicts liquid
viscosities on either side of the cutoff. Suitable choice of
coefficients can yield elevated or depressed viscosities.

RICHARDSON

Use the Richardson correlation, using coefficients

supplied with the RKOIW= and RKWIO= subcodes. This
predicts liquid viscosities on either side of the cutoff.
Suitable choice of coefficients can yield elevated or
depressed viscosities.

LEVITON

Use the Leviton and Leighton correlation. This generally

predicts elevated liquid viscosities on either side of the
cutoff.

REDAOIW
REDAWIO
REDASWAP
ABPCORR=
ON
OFF
ORDER=

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UCORR=
TEMP1=

Temperature 1 for DOVCORR=USER. (Default = 93.3

oC/200 oF)

VIS1=

Oil viscosity at temperature 1 for DOVCORR=USER.

(Default = 0.5 centipoise)

TEMP2=

Temperature 2 for DOVCORR=USER. (Default = 15.6

oC / 60 oF).

VIS2=

Oil viscosity at temperature 2 for DOVCORR=USER.

(Default = 10 centipoise).

VISCS=

List of oil viscosities for DOVCORR=TABLE, in Multiple

Value format. See note 1.

TEMPS=

List of temperatures for DOVCORR=TABLE, in Multiple

Value format. See note 1.

CUTOFF= or BOUNDARY=

The value of watercut where Phase Inversion occurs.

In an oil-water mixture at low watercuts, water droplets
are carried dispersed in a continuous oil phase. At much
higher watercuts, water is the continuous phase and oil
droplets are dispersed in it. The CUTOFF is the watercut
where the continuous phase changes. It is used by the
Emulsion subcode, see above. (%, default 60)

PRESSURES=
FLTYPES=
LIVEOIL
DEADOIL
EWCUTS=

List of Watercuts for EMULSION=TABLE, in Multiple

Value format. The first watercut value in the table must
be zero. See note 1.

EVISCS=

List of oil viscosities for EMULSION=TABLE, in Multiple

Value format. The first viscosity value in the table is used
to divide into all the others to yield multipliers. See note
1.

K1= or VANDK1=

Coefficient k1 for use in the VANDUSER correlation,

default 2.5

K2= or VANDK2=

Coefficient k2 for use in the VANDUSER correlation,

default 0.609

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RK= or KRICHARDSON=
RKOIW= or KROIW=

Coefficient k for the RICHARDSON correlation, used

when oil-in-water conditions expected (watercut >
cutoff).

RKWIO= or KRWIO=

Coefficient k for the RICHARDSON correlation, used

when water-in-oil conditions expected (watercut <
cutoff).

KA=

Value of the A parameter for the Kouzel UOV correlation,

default 0.0239

KB=

Value of the B parameter for the Kouzel UOV correlation,

default 0.01638

TPVT=

Controls three-point viscosity tuning.

ON
OFF

Note: When using the user-supplied table options (DOVCORR=TABLE and EMULSION=TABLE), at least
3 and no more than 30 viscosity and (temperature or watercut) values must be supplied. The values need
not be entered in any particular order, but there is a strict one-to-one correspondence between the values
in the subcode pairs. Once read, he values will be sorted in order of increasing temperature/watercut for
use by the engine. Viscosity must never increase with temperature, but may vary with watercut as desired.

CPFLUID: Fluid Heat Capacity Data (Optional)

Main-code: CPFLUID
Fluid specific heat capacity data is required for the calculation of fluid enthalpies.
OIL=

Oil heat capacity. Default = 1.89 kJ/kg/K or 0.45 Btu/lb/ oF.

GAS=

Gas heat capacity. Default = 2.31 kJ/kg/K or 0.55 Btu/lb/ oF.

WATER= Water heat capacity. Default = 4.3 kJ/kg/K or 1.0 Btu/lb/ oF.
HVAP=

Latent heat of vaporization. Default = 0.0 kJ/kg or 0.0 BTU/lb

CPFLUID: Fluid Heat Capacity Data (Optional)

Main-code: CPFLUID
Fluid specific heat capacity data is required for the calculation of fluid enthalpies.
OIL=

Oil heat capacity. Default = 1.89 kJ/kg/K or 0.45 Btu/lb/ oF.

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GAS=

Gas heat capacity. Default = 2.31 kJ/kg/K or 0.55 Btu/lb/ oF.

WATER= Water heat capacity. Default = 4.3 kJ/kg/K or 1.0 Btu/lb/ oF.
HVAP=

Latent heat of vaporization. Default = 0.0 kJ/kg or 0.0 BTU/lb

TPRINT Black Oil Table Printing (Optional)

Main-code: TPRINT
The TEMPERATURE and PRESSURE sub-codes have been added to the TPRINT main-code to permit
the generation of tables of black oil properties.
Note that the property table is printed for information only and cannot be used as input for subsequent
PIPESIM jobs.
TEMPERATURE= Temperature points at which properties should be tabulated ( oC oroF). A maximum of
20 points may be specified
PRESSURE=

Pressure points at which properties should be tabulated (bara or psia). A maximum of

20 points may be specified.

The format of the table is similar to that generated for a compositional table, however the properties
tabulated in the table do differ from the compositional case.
Example
In the following example, a table of black oil properties at 5 temperatures and pressures is specified:
TPRINT temp = (400,300, 250, 200, 150)
TPRINT pressure =(3000,2500,2000,1500,1000)

Note: All keywords can be entered using the EKT (p.64).

CALIBRATE: Black Oil Property Calibration (Optional)

In many cases, actual measured values for some properties show a slight variance when compared with
the value calculated by the black oil model. In this situation it is useful to calibrate (or match, or tune) the
property using the measured point. PIPESIM uses the known data for the property to calculate a calibration
constant K c as noted below:

Kc =

Measuredproperty(T ,

p)

Calculatedproperty(T ,

p)

Eq. 5.1

This calibration constant is then used to modify all subsequent calculations of the property in question, that
is:

CalibratedValue = Kc PIPESIMCalculatedValue

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Eq. 5.2

PIPESIM User Guide

Properties which may be calibrated in this manner are

Saturated Oil formation volume factor

Saturated oil viscosity

Undersaturated oil formation volume factor

Undersaturated oil viscosity

Gas viscosity

Gas compressibility factor

Main-code: CALIBRATE
FVFRN=

Measured value for Saturated oil formation volume factor.

TFVFRN=

Temperature to which the figure given for FVFRN= refers (oC oroF).

PFVFRN=

Pressure to which the figure given for FVFRN= refers (bara or psia).

LOVIS=

Measured value for saturated oil viscosity (cP).

TLOVIS=

Temperature to which the figure given for LOVIS= refers (oC oroF).

PLOVIS=

Pressure to which the figure given for LOVIS= refers (bara or psia).

UFVFRN=

Measured value for undersaturated oil formation volume factor.

TUFVFRN= Temperature to which the figure given for UFVFRN= refers (oC oroF).
PUFVFRN= Pressure to which the figure given for UFVFRN= refers (bara or psia).
UOVIS=

Measured value for undersaturated oil viscosity (cP).

TUOVIS=

Temperature to which the figure given for UOVIS= refers (oC oroF).

PUOVIS=

Pressure to which the figure given for UOVIS= refers (bara or psia).

GASZ=

Measured gas compressibility factor.

TGASZ=

Temperature to which the figure given for GASZ= refers (oC oroF).

PGASZ=

Pressure to which the figure given for GASZ= refers (bara or psia).

GVIS=

Measured gas viscosity (cP).

TGVIS=

Temperature to which the figure given for GVIS= refers (oC oroF).

PGVIS=

Pressure to which the figure given for GVIS= refers (bara or psia).

For each property being calibrated all three subcodes that is property, temperature and pressure must be
specified.

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Example
The example below supplies calibration values for the saturated oil formation volume factor and viscosity:
CALIBRATE FVFRN = 1.4 TFVFRN = 250 PFVFRN = 4000
CALIBRATE LOVIS = 0.85 TLOVIS = 275 PLOVIS = 2200

CONTAMINANTS Gas phase contaminants data (optional)

Main-code: CONTAMINANTS
Gas Compressibility Factor may be corrected for the presence of non hydrocarbon impurities. These must
be measured as mole fractions (i.e. a value between 0 and 1) of the gas phase at stock-tank conditions.
CO2= Mole fraction of CO2 (default zero)
H2S= Mole fraction of H2S (default zero)
N2=

Mole fraction of N2 (default zero)

H2=

Mole fraction of H2 (default zero)

CO=

Mole fraction of CO (default zero)

The CO2 and H2S values are used to modify the pseudo-critical pressure and temperature (used to
calculate gas compressibility factor) as described in Beggs pages 30-31. The N2 value is used to adjust
the gas compressibility factor as described in McCain page 120.
The Black Oil model treats contaminants as part of the gas phase, and assumes they dissolve in the oil as
pressure increases in the same manner as the hydrocarbon gas components. Thus for any given fluid, the
mole fractions will not vary with pressure, temperature or RS.

COMPOSITIONAL DATA
COMP (p.575) Fluid Data File Specification
TPRINT (p.579) Tabular Data Print Options
RATE (p.470) Flow Rate Data

AQUEOUS: Aqueous Component Specification

Also refer to Compositional Modeling (p.101) , COMPOSITION (p.575), LIBRARY (p.578),
PETROFRAC (p.579) and MODEL. (p.578)
A compositional fluid is usually defined with the PIPESIM GUI, and is written to a PVT file. The name of this
file can be referenced with the COMPOSITION (p.575) keyword. Another way to define a composition is
with the LIBRARY, PETROFRAC, AQUEOUS and MODEL statements.
The composition consists of a set of component names, their respective mole fractions, and a collection of
modeling parameters for the phase behavior package. As such it specifies the composition of the total
stream, regardless of any phase split the composition may exhibit at any pressure and temperature. The
AQUEOUS keyword specifies the unit system in which the aqueous components will be specified.
Main-code: AQUEOUS

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BASIS= Selects the desired units. Can be one of:

MOLAR: Aqueous components are specified in moles
GAS: Aqueous components are specified as WGR in m3/mmsm3
LIQUID: Aqueous components are specified as watercut percent in vol/vol

COMPOSITION: Compositional Fluid Specification

Also refer to Compositional Modeling (p.101), LIBRARY (p.578), PETROFRAC (p.579), AQUEOUS
(p.574) and MODEL. (p.578)
A compositional fluid is usually defined with the PIPESIM GUI, and is written to a PVT file. The name of this
file can be referenced with COMPOSITION as documented here. (Another way to define a composition is
with the LIBRARY (p.578), PETROFRAC (p.579), AQUEOUS (p.574) and MODEL (p.578)
statements.)
PVT files can also be written by other programs, and can conform to a number of different formats. PVT
files may contain a table of fluid physical properties and phase split at various pressures and temperatures;
this table may be in addition to, or instead of, a fluid composition. (In the absence of a composition certain
PIPESIM features will not be available; these include fluid mixing ( INJGAS, INJFLUID (p.519)), separation
( SEPARATOR (p.531)) and the transformation subcodes described below.)
The composition will consist of a set of component names, their respective mole fractions, and a collection
of modeling parameters for the phase behavior package. As such it specifies the composition of the total
stream, regardless of any phase split the composition may exhibit at any pressure and temperature.
The supplied composition may be transformed to match a given stock tank phase split. The subcodes GLR=,
WCUT= and so on allow this predefined composition to be transformed so as to match a specified phase
ratios; this of necessity will change the components' mole fractions. The original composition must exhibit
a phase split at stock-tank conditions that includes some of the phase(s) to be adjusted.
Main-code: COMPOSITION
FILENAME= or PVTFILENAME= or FILE= The name of the data file in which the fluid definition and/or
property data tables are stored. The name should be enclosed
in quotes if it contains delimiter characters or spaces.
USE=

Optional. The name of the fluid as specified with a BEGIN

FLUID (p.484) block.

LVISFACTOR=

A multiplier for adjusting the tabular liquid viscosity data.

(Default = 1.0).

CRICONDENBAR=

Upper pressure limit (bara or psia) or the two-phase region

which is used to decide the method of interpolation between
100% liquid and 100% vapor data points. Above this value
PIPESIM will assume dense phase and interpolate the tabular
data appropriately. (Default = 0.0)

WCUT=

Watercut, that is the volume % aqueous phase in the total

liquid phase at stock tank conditions. See note 1.

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GLR=

Gas/liquid ratio at stock tank conditions (sm 3/sm 3or scf/stb).

See note 1.

GOR=

Gas/oil Ratio at stock tank conditions (sm 3/sm 3or scf/stb).

See note 1.

LGR=

Liquid/gas ratio (sm 3/mmsm 3or stb/mmscf) .See note 1.

GLR=

Gas/liquid ratio at stock tank conditions (sm 3/sm 3or scf/stb).

See note 1.

GWR=

Gas/water ratio at stock tank conditions (sm 3/sm 3or scf/stb).

See note 1.

WGR=

Water/gas ratio (sm 3/mmsm 3or stb/mmscf) .See note 1.

PPMETHOD=

Flashing method for Physical Properties prediction: may be 1,

2, or 3. See note 5 below.

THMETHOD=

Flashing method for Temperature-Enthalpy-Entropy balance:

may be 1, 2, or 3. See note 5 below.

PRINT

Prints a verbose printout of the fluid composition and stocktank phase split.

ONECOMPONENT=

Controls "one component" behavior. Can be set to ON or OFF

(default is OFF). If enabled, the fluid is assumed to consist
entirely of one component molecule, and hence does not
exhibit a classical phase envelope when graphed on axes of
pressure versus temperature. Salient Examples of such
systems are pure water or steam, pure Carbon Dioxide, pure
methane, and so on. Special algorithms must be employed to
ensure accurate results in such systems.

PACKAGE=

Selects the desired PVT code package name. can be one of:
MULTIFLASH: The third party company Infochem supplies the
Multiflash package
SHELL: Shell oil company's proprietary package

SFLASH_TYPE=

Selects the desired flash option when using the SIS-FLASH

package. Can be either: "TWO-PHASE" or "THREE-PHASE".
When selecting the SIS-Flash PVT package, the "TWOPHASE" option which can also be set as "TWOPHASE" or
"2PHASE" is the PIPESIM default option from Release
2009.1.

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Notes:
1. The presence of any of the subcodes GLR=, GOR=, LGR=, OGR=, WCUT=, WGR= or GWR= causes
the supplied composition to be transformed match the specified phase ratios. The fluid is flashed at
stock-tank pressure and temperature, and the resulting phases are re-combined to yield a new
composition.
2. The subcodes GLR=, GOR=, OGR= and LGR= are optional, and mutually exclusive..
3. The subcodes WCUT=, WGR= and GWR= are optional and mutually exclusive
4. Care must be exercised in combining these subcodes, as it is possible to specify a value for one of them
that renders the use of the other one meaningless or illegal: for example with WCUT=100, any value for
GOR= is meaningless; for example GLR=0 conflicts with any non-zero value for GWR=. It is however
always possible to re-state the desired definition correctly by well-chosen alternative subcodes.
5. The PPMETHOD= and THMETHOD subcodes control the manner in which Physical properties are
computed. The balance is between speed and accuracy. Each of these subcodes can be set to the value
1, 2 or 3, which have the following meanings:

1: Always Interpolate (fastest). This option uses linear interpolation between physical properties
stored on a predefined grid of temperature and pressure points (default).

3: Always Rigorous Flash (slowest). Interpolation never occurs: properties are obtained by flashing
at the required pressure and temperature. This is the slowest, but most accurate, method.

2: Rigorous Flash when close to the Phase Envelope, interpolation elsewhere. This is a compromise
between speed and accuracy, which assumes that properties will change more rapidly when close
to a phase boundary. Interpolation is performed whenever the grid points comprising a rectangle all
show the presence of the same phases. For example if all 4 points in the rectangle have some oil,
some gas, and no water, then we assume the rectangle lies entirely within the 2-phase region of the
hydrocarbon phase envelope, so interpolation is appropriate. If however one, two or three of the
points have no oil, then clearly the hydrocarbon dew point line crosses the rectangle, so a rigorous
flash is required.

PPMETHOD= controls determination of transport Physical properties (PP) These are the values required
to perform the multiphase fluid flow and heat transfer calculations, and include phase volume fractions,
densities, viscosities, heat capacities and surface tensions.
THMETHOD= controls the Temperature-Energy Balance These values are used to maintain the
temperature/enthalpy/entropy balance of the fluid.
In most simulations, for every PP flash that is performed, there are about 5 to 10 TH flashes, thus the
TH flashes will have the greatest effect on speed and run time. The inaccuracies of TH interpolated
flashes are usually minimal.
The speed impact of each choice will obviously depend on the composition, and the phase behavior in
the PT region of interest. As a rough guide, taking the base case as interpolation, swapping just the PP
flashes to "rigorous" will multiply your run time by about 4. With TH flashes also "rigorous", run time will
probably increase at least 20 fold. Use of the 'compromise' choices will be faster.
For those requiring more accuracy, we have found the "most useful" setting (that is the greatest increase
in accuracy for the smallest effect on performance) to be PPMETHOD=2, THMETHOD=1..

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LIBRARY: Library Component Specification

Also refer to Compositional Modeling (p.101) , COMPOSITION (p.575), PETROFRAC (p.579),
AQUEOUS (p.574) and MODEL. (p.578)
A compositional fluid is usually defined with the PIPESIM GUI, and is written to a PVT file. The name of this
file can be referenced with the COMPOSITION (p.575) keyword. Another way to define a composition is
with the LIBRARY, PETROFRAC, AQUEOUS and MODEL statements.
The composition consists of a set of component names, their respective mole fractions, and a collection of
modeling parameters for the phase behavior package. As such it specifies the composition of the total
stream, regardless of any phase split the composition may exhibit at any pressure and temperature. The
AQUEOUS keyword specifies the unit system in which the aqueous components will be specified.
Main-code: LIBRARY
NAME=

The name of the component in the library

COMPOSITION= The composition (in moles for non aqueous elements and in the unit specified by the
AQUEOUS (p.574) keyword for aqueous elements)

MODEL: Model Properties Specification

Also refer to Compositional Modeling (p.101) , COMPOSITION (p.575), LIBRARY (p.578), PETROFRAC
(p.579), AQUEOUS (p.574) and MODEL. (p.578)
A compositional fluid is usually defined with the PIPESIM GUI, and is written to a PVT file. The name of this
file can be referenced with the COMPOSITION (p.575) keyword. Another way to define a composition is
with the LIBRARY, PETROFRAC, AQUEOUS and MODEL statements.
The composition consists of a set of component names, their respective mole fractions, and a collection of
modeling parameters for the phase behavior package. As such it specifies the composition of the total
stream, regardless of any phase split the composition may exhibit at any pressure and temperature. The
AQUEOUS keyword specifies the unit system in which the aqueous components will be specified.
Main-code: MODEL
RKS=

optional Always 0

PR=

optional Always 0

EOS=

optional RKS or PR.

VISCOSITY=

optional PEDERSEN, PEDERSEN-E, PED-E, LBC, LBC-E, LBC-D, LBCSE, LBCVR,

LBCWOEL. PEDSE, PEDVR, PEDWOEL, SHELL_MODEL

BIP=

optional PVTIDEFAULT, FILE (BIP File), OIL1, OIL2, OIL3, OIL4. See BIP (p.106).

PACKAGE=

optional MFLASH or SPPTS

PPPACKAGE= optional MFLASH or SPPTS

PPMETHOD= optional 1, 2 or 3
THMETHOD= optional 1, 2 or 3

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PETROFRAC: Petroleum Fraction Specification

Also refer to Compositional Modeling (p.101) , COMPOSITION (p.575), LIBRARY (p.578), AQUEOUS
(p.574) and MODEL. (p.578)
A compositional fluid is usually defined with the PIPESIM GUI, and is written to a PVT file. The name of this
file can be referenced with the COMPOSITION (p.575) keyword. Another way to define a composition is
with the LIBRARY, PETROFRAC, AQUEOUS and MODEL statements.
The composition consists of a set of component names, their respective mole fractions, and a collection of
modeling parameters for the phase behavior package. As such it specifies the composition of the total
stream, regardless of any phase split the composition may exhibit at any pressure and temperature. The
AQUEOUS keyword specifies the unit system in which the aqueous components will be specified.
Main-code: PETROFRAC
NAME=

The name of the petroleum fraction

COMPOSITION= The composition (in moles) default 0

BPOINT=

optional Boiling Point

MW=

optional The molecular weight

SG=

optional The specific gravity

TCRIT=

optional The critical temperature

PCRIT=

optional The critical pressure

ACENTRIC=

optional The acentric factor

VISCOSITY=

optional The reference viscosity

Note: Minimum data requirements for a petrofraction component are for the Multiflash and SPPTS flash
packages:
1. Either MW and SG
2. BPOINT and SG
3. PCRIT, TCRIT and ACENTRIC

TPRINT Tabular Data Print Options (Optional)

Main-code: TPRINT
FILE=

The name of the fluid data file to be printed (12 characters maximum) which should be entered
in quotes if the string contains delimiter characters. Up to five different files can be specified. Once
a file has been specified it will be printed at the beginning of each case in the job until table printing
is switched off using the NONE sub-code.

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NONE= Turns the table printing option off. Table printing can produce large amounts of output, so it is
common practice to print the data files in the first case of a job and then insert a TPRINT, NONE
command in the second case to suppress table printing in the subsequent cases.

File Formats
File formats for PIPESIM files are described so that they can be created by external applications and utilized
in PIPESIM.
PVT file Format (p.580)
PVT File Format
Below is a description of the format of a Multiflash pvt file. Packages other than Multiflash are able to
generate pvt files, however, they must implement a few modifications, which have been detailed below;
A normal pvt file would be of the following format. (At this point it might be a good idea to open up a pvt file)
At the top of a pvt file you typically have the following line;
MF2.9.18 LINEAR TABLE-1 ,A, 0, 0, NOGO, 16, X

The above line is a identification line for the pvt file reader. A pvt file reader is a piece of software which has
code to read and interpret a pvt file. This line informs the pvt file reader what software and what version of
the software wrote the file and various other identification tags. (MACK PLEASE NOTE THAT MF2.9.18 IS
A MULTIFLASH VERSION NUMBER DO NOT USE MF AS THE ID NUMBER IF MULTIFLASH IS NOT
USED TO GENERATE THE FILE).
The next line contains the following text;
JOB

This tells the reader that everything below this mark is the tables portion of the pvt file. A pvt file is actually
two files in one. A tables file which contains flash data (that is viscosity, density and so on) at various
pressures and temperatures, and a composition record which contains details of the make up of the
composition (that is the component names, mole fractions, model settings and so on). Everything below
the word JOB tells the reader it is reading the flash data.
The next line typically contains;
16, 29.39881

The reader reads these numbers which are the number of flash properties, in this case there are 16
parameters (viscosity, density and so on) calculated and evaluated by the flash package and the average
molecular weight of the fluid, in this case the average MW is 29.39881.
The next few lines are as follows;
(7f11.0)
Pressure psia 0. 6.894757
Temperature F 255.3722 .5555556
Liquid Volume Fraction % 0. 1.000000
Watercut Volume Fraction % 0. 1.000000
Liquid Density lb/ft3 0. 16.01846

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Gas Density lb/ft3 0. 16.01846

Gas Compressibility NO_UNIT 0. 1.000000
Gas Molecular Weight lb/lbmol 0. 1.000000
Liquid Viscosity cP 0. 1.000000
Gas Viscosity cP 0. 1.000000
Total Enthalpy BTU/lbmol 0. 2.326000
Total Entropy BTU/lbmolF 0. 4.186800
Liquid Heat Capacity BTU/lbmolF 0. 4.186800
Gas Heat Capacity BTU/lbmolF 0. 4.186800
Liquid Surface Tension dyne/cm 0. 1.000000

Data Point Status

These lines inform the reader exactly what the 16 parameters are, their units and also their associated unit
conversion factors.
The next four lines are as follows;
NEWLINE, SCALE, CONT, Pressure = 14.6959 psia
14.6959488 60.0000000 .036144646 .000000000 42.4007863 .066585461 .995013028
25.1419523 .506308608 .010702954 -987.73638 .370803807 54.1044967 11.0522429
7.46367846 3

The NEWLINE tag is read in by the reader and is a marker to inform the reader that a new set of flash data
is following. All the subsequent data after the NEWLINE tag is at flashes at the specified pressure, in this
case 14.6959 psia (i.e stock tank pressure). The three lines after this NEWLINE statement contain the flash
results of the flash at 14.6969 psia and at the temperature of 60 F. All the rest of the numbers are the various
calculated flash parameters displayed in the specific order detailed above. In all pvt files the first NEWLINE
statement is associated with a flash at stock tank conditions.
The bulk of the pvt file then looks like this;
NEWLINE, SCALE, CONT,
14.5000028 -59.999800
20.5764453 1.09167559
10.5157619 3
14.5000028 -29.999200
21.0896582 .874357694
9.64633964 3
14.5000028 -.00040000
21.7404551 .709405990
8.85980576 3
14.5000028 32.0000000
22.9969813 .582710693
8.08755846 3
14.5000028 60.0008000
25.1904959 .506529341
7.46292981 3
14.5000028 89.9996000
29.3988065 .011004739
.000000000 8
14.5000028 120.000200
29.3988065 .011556306
.000000000 8
14.5000028 150.000800
29.3988065 .012099784
.000000000 8
14.5000028 179.999600

Pressure = 14.5000 psia

.096666537 .000000000 44.0806358 .070079955 .992617785
.008644517 -3348.5299 -4.6992394 41.4549526 8.70423351
.083633847 .000000000 43.8036231 .066739517 .993706024
.009204095 -2859.7716 -3.5199985 44.6553049 8.98718751
.071792403 .000000000 43.4204998 .064255743 .994530679
.009749199 -2352.5053 -2.3793515 47.8513741 9.36362093
.056275856 .000000000 42.9148700 .063512773 .995046391
.010292417 -1718.3796 -1.0474739 51.2206753 10.0191113
.035248306 .000000000 42.4030813 .065821142 .995062310
.010699754 -979.24790 .412364812 54.1200321 11.0696681
.000000000 .000000000 .072668185 .072668185 .994468318
.011004739 149.473817 2.52193988 13.0563659 13.0563659
.000000000 .000000000 .068849264 .068849264 .995306193
.011556306 547.616611 3.22709416 13.4846312 13.4846312
.000000000 .000000000 .065415655 .065415655 .996001272
.012099784 958.626487 3.91830459 13.9180025 13.9180025
.000000000 .000000000 .062311394 .062311394 .996583762

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29.3988065
.000000000
14.5000028
29.3988065
.000000000

.012635049 .012635049 1382.71109 4.59724453 14.3559046 14.3559046

8
212.000000 .000000000 .000000000 .059311655 .059311655 .997105230
.013197000 .013197000 1849.61994 5.30940228 14.8263563 14.8263563
8

All this data is the result of flashing at the pressures and temperatures specified in the pvt file tab. The
reader reads all the data for each flash at the specified pressures and temperatures and stores all the
calculated values in internal arrays for later use. The reader continues reading all the data until it reaches
the following line;
COMPOSITION

This tag indicates to the pvt file reader the end of the tables section of the file and the beginning of the
composition record section of the file. All the data below this mark pertains to the make up of the fluid (that
is, the component names, mole fractions and so on). The next line is as follows; (MACK NON MULTIFLASH
PVT FILE NAMES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE COMPOSITION RECORDS I.E. NON MULTIFLASH
PVT FILES END WITH THE LINE COMPOSITION. ANY TEXT AFTER COMPOSITION WILL BE INVALID
AND THE PVT FILE IGNORED.)
29.39881 11 0 1 16 1 1

This line informs the reader of the model settings of the composition. The model settings are the average
molecular weight, the number of components, the units of the aqueous components (that is moles or non
moles), the output units of the composition (that is SI or engineering), the EOS, the viscosity model and the
bip set. The next few lines are as follows;
Component Mole percent Number of moles
--------------------- ------------- --------------g "Nitrogen" 0.552994 0.553000 mole
g "Methane" 71.711283 71.712000 mole
g "Ethane" 7.012930 7.013000 mole
g "Propane" 3.652963 3.653000 mole
g "Isobutane" 1.206988 1.207000 mole
g "Butane" 1.051989 1.052000 mole
g "Isopentane" 0.612994 0.613000 mole
g "Pentane" 0.504995 0.505000 mole
g "Hexane" 0.930991 0.931000 mole
p "c7+" 7.751922 7.752000 mole
0.374050E+03 0.114720E+03 0.683200E+00 -0.100000E+36 -0.100000E+36 -0.100000E+36
g "Carbon Dioxide" 5.009950 5.010000 mole

This section details the component type that is gas component, petroleum fraction or aqueous component,
component names, the mole fraction of each component and all the parameters associated with the
petroleum fractions in the composition. Please note that all units in the composition record section of the
pvt file are in strict SI units. The next few lines are as follows;
20
0.222039E+03
0.322039E+03
0.422039E+03
0.522039E+03
20
0.999740E+05

0.238706E+03 0.255372E+03 0.273150E+03 0.288706E+03 0.305372E+03

0.338706E+03 0.355372E+03 0.373150E+03 0.388706E+03 0.405372E+03
0.438706E+03 0.455372E+03 0.472039E+03 0.488706E+03 0.505372E+03
0.538706E+03
0.172369E+06 0.299991E+06 0.448159E+06 0.689476E+06 0.100002E+07

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0.137895E+07 0.200003E+07 0.310264E+07 0.450000E+07 0.689476E+07 0.100000E+08

0.137895E+08 0.200000E+08 0.310264E+08 0.450000E+08 0.689476E+08 0.100000E+09
0.137895E+09 0.200000E+09

This section details the number of pressure and temperature points from the pvt file tab dialog box and the
actual values of pressure and temperature in strict SI units. The last bit of the pvt file is as follows;
*EXTRA
-0.100000E+36

This section details the extra information describing the fluid, in this case the matched liquid viscosity value.

PIPESIM OPERATIONS OPTIONS

MULTICASE Introduction and Summary (p.587)
Explicit Subcodes (p.588)
General PurposeSubcodes (p.591)
Combining MULTICASE and CASE/ENDCASE (p.592)
Multiple Case and PS PLOT (p.593)
Reservoir Simulator Tabular Data Interface (p.594)
Changing Profile Data by Assignment (p.595)
ITERN Iteration Data (Optional) (p.471)
Wax Deposition (p.146)

NAPLOT: Nodal Analysis

Main-code: NAPLOT
This maincode, in conjunction with PIPESIM graphics processor PS-PLOT, allows the generation of a graph
of inflow/outflow curves about the Nodal Analysis point specified with the NAPOINT maincode.
The '?' - delimiter symbols are like the general purpose ("greek") sub-codes on the MULTICASE statement.
They can be used anywhere in the subsequent profile, and be equated to multiple values in the same way
as the sub-codes on MULTICASE. For more information see MULTICASE (p.587).
All subcodes are optional.
?INFLOW=

The inflow sensitivity values. Each value will produce one inflow curve. If omitted, a single
inflow curve will be generated. See note 6.

?INFLOW2=

These sub codes may be equated to a range of values, the number of values provided
must equal the number provided in the ?INFLOW subcode. The values provided are
selected in step with those on ?INFLOW. See note 6.

?INFLOW3=
?INFLOW4=
?INFLOW5=
?OUTFLOW=

The outflow sensitivity values. Each value will produce one outflow curve. If omitted, a
single inflow curve will be generated. See note 6.

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?OUTFLOW2= These sub codes may be equated to a range of values, the number of values provided
?OUTFLOW3= must equal the number provided in the ?OUTFLOW subcode. The values provided are
selected in step with those on ?OUTFLOW. See note 6.
?OUTFLOW4=
?OUTFLOW5=
NINPTS=

The number of points to be used to generate each inflow curve (default 20, maximum
200).

NOUTPTS=

The number of points to be used to generate each outflow curve (default 20, maximum
200).

POUT=

The system outlet pressure. This is used to generate the outflow curves. If this subcode
is omitted the system outlet pressure will be obtained from the POUT= subcode of the
ITERN statement. See note 3. (Psia or Bara.)

LIMITIN=

This subcode controls the application of any flowrate limit to the inflow curves. (Flowrate
limits are supplied on the MAXLIQ=, MAXGAS= or MAXMASS= subcodes, or are
assumed implicitly from the maximum value on GAS=, LIQ= or MASS= subcodes.) Can
be set to YES or NO, the default being NO. If YES, the limit is applied, so the inflow curves
will extend to that flowrate limit or to each curve's natural AOFP (Absolute Open Flow
Potential, i.e. the rate at which the operating point pressure falls to zero), whichever is
smaller. If NO, the limit is not applied so all inflow curves will extend to their natural AOFP..

LIMITOUT=

This subcode controls the application of a calculated pressure limit to the outflow curves.
(The pressure limit will be calculated from the maximum pressure occurring on any of the
inflow curves. Note: an explicit pressure limit can also be provided with the MAXP=
subcode, which will take priority.) Can be set to YES or NO, the default being NO. If the
limit is applied, then the outflow curves will extend to the maximum rate limit supplied or
calculated, or to 20% above the maximum pressure calculated for any of the inflow curves.

MAXP=

The maximum pressure to be used when generating the outflow curves. (Psia or Bara.)
Default is double the maximum pressure in any of the inflow curves.

MINP=

The minimum pressure to be used when generating the inflow curves. (Psia or bara).
Default is none, so the inflow curves will extend to their AOFP or the specified flowrate
limit.

MAXLIQ=

The maximum liquid flow rate to be used when generating the outflow curves. See notes
2 and 4. (m 3/d or STB/D).

MAXGAS=

The maximum gas flow rate to be used when generating the outflow curves. See notes 2
and 4. (MMm 3/d or MMscf/d).

MAXMASS=

The maximum mass flow rate to be used when generating the outflow curves. See notes
2 and 4. (kg/s or lbs/s).

PRINT=

Sets the number of cases for which detailed output will be generated in the output file:
default is 1. This number is applied separately to the inflow, outflow and operating points,
so you actually get 3 times as many cases printed as the value you supply. Eg. at its

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default of 1, you will get detailed output for the first inflow point, the first outflow point, and
the first operating point; set it to 5 and you get the first 5 cases of inflow, the first 5 of
outflow, and the first 5 operating points.
OPPOINTS=

Controls the explicit generation and display of Operating Points. Can be set to YES or
NO, default is YES.
The intersection of one inflow curve and one outflow curve is known as an Operating Point.
Whilst it is possible to infer the system flowrate geometrically from the line intersections
alone, it is more accurate and far safer to calculate the flowrate by simulating the system
end-to-end, which PIPESIM is well designed to do. The resulting pressure and flow rate
is displayed on the Nodal Analysis graph as an Operating Point. This explicit calculation
ensures the inflow and outflow fluid properties and temperature are identical, thus
eliminating the possibility of a mismatch and consequent error in answer interpretation.
Operating points are generated for each permutation from the lists of inflow and outflow
sensitivity variables, as supplied in the ?INFLOW= and ?OUTFLOW= subcodes.
However, it is possible to set up the sensitivities so that some combinations are invalid,
and these do not result in operating points being generated and displayed. For example,
if you set both inflow and outflow sensitivity to the fluid watercut, most of the permutations
will be invalid, because the fluid at the intersection cannot have 2 different values for
watercut. With Operating point generation enabled, the valid intersections are clearly
distinguishable from the invalid ones: operating points will only be generated for "valid"
combinations.
Sometimes it will happen that the displayed operating point does not coincide with the
geometric intersection. The cause of this will always be that the outflow fluid properties
or temperature do not match that of the operating point. The fact that the mismatch is
evident should be regarded as a feature, not a bug, and should alert the user to a problem
or condition that requires particular caution and attention.
With operating point generation enabled, the profile plot file will contain valid profile plots
for each operating point: these can be viewed by selecting Reports > Profile Plot in the
PIPESIM GUI.

MATCH=

This subcode selects the method by which the fluid temperature and composition is
matched between the inflow and outflow curves. Can be set to:
MAXFL: The inflow curve with the maximum AOFP rate is used. All outflow curves will
use the values interpolated from this single inflow curve. (This was the behaviour in
release 2009.1 and earlier, before the operating points were available).
OP: The generated Operating Points are used, along with the appropriate inflow curve on
the low flowrate side. At flowrates higher than the operating points, the temperature and
composition from the highest appropriate operating point is used. This is the default. If
operating point generation is suppressed however (see OPPOINT= below), the MAXFL
method will be used.
OP2: The generated Operating Points are used, along with the appropriate inflow curve
on both sides. This option can cause the outflow curves to exhibit marked changes in
slope at high flowrates, caused by the use of unrealistially low temperatures interpolated
from the high rate inflow curve close to its AOFP.

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OFF: matching is turned off. The outflow curves will use the system-defined fluid
properties and inlet temperature.
Matching is important to ensure the fluid temperature/enthalpy and composition are
consistent across inflow and outflow curves. Without it, the intersections or operating
points between the curves may bear little or no resemblance to physical reality. The
matching is achieved by using the temperatures and composition(s) from the correct
inflow curve or operating point(s) to generate the ones used for the outflow curves. For
example, if the inflow curves are generated from multiple completions, each of which has
a different reservoir fluid, the resulting mixed fluid composition at the NA point will change
at each value of flowrate. The matching algorithm ensures the temperature and
composition are interpolated from the correct inflow curves and operating points, so as to
produce outflow curves that use an appropriate fluid composition and temperature. Thus
each point on the outflow curve will usually have a unique temperature and composition.
Matching is applicable to both black oil and compositional fluids.
MATCHENTH= Allows the use of Enthalpy, instead of temperature, in the matching (see MATCH= above).
Can be set to YES or NO. The default is NO.
LIQ=

A set of stock-tank liquid flow rates to be used when generating the outflow curves. A
maximum of 200 flow rates may be specified. If omitted, the program will generate the set
of flowrates at run-time. See notes 1, 2, 5 and 6. (m 3/d or STB/D).

GAS=

A set of stock-tank gas flow rates to be used when generating the outflow curves. A
maximum of 200 flow rates may be specified. If omitted, the program will generate the set
of flowrates at run-time See notes 1, 2, 5 and 6. (MMm 3/d or MMscf/d).

MASS=

A set of mass flow rates to be used when generating the outflow curves. A maximum of
200 flow rates may be specified. If omitted, the program will generate the set of flowrates
at run-time. See notes 1, 2, 5 and 6. (kg/s or lbs/s).

Notes:
1. If a set of flow rates are supplied with GAS= LIQ= or MASS= subcodes, they will be used to generate
the outflow curves. A maximum of 200 flow rates may be supplied, and the Range Format can be used.
If omitted, then the program will choose the rates for the outflow curves using an algorithm designed to
distribute the points on the curve to best effect. This will result in rates being clustered close together in
areas where the pressure is changing fastest, i.e. in regions of maximum slope. Rates will also be
generated at the operating points, to make the validity (or otherwise) of the curve intersections evident.
(The rates used for the inflow curves are always generated with this algorithm.)
2. The subcodes LIQ=, GAS=, MASS=, MAXLIQ=, MAXGAS=, and MAXMASS= are mutually exclusive.
3. The pressure iteration is the only valid iterative option when doing nodal analysis, and is only applicable
to the outflow curves. The outlet pressure and the flow rate are known which requires the calculation of
an inlet flowing pressure. POUT can be specified either on the NAPLOT statement, or the ITERN
statement.
4. MAXLIQ=, MAXGAS= and MAXMASS= will also apply to the inflow curves if LIMITINFLOW=YES.

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5. The special value "*none" can be used on the LIQ=, GAS= and MASS= subcodes. If used, its effect is
to remove or cancel an existing list of flowrates supplied on a previous statement. An example of why
this might be useful is to override a list of rates supplied by PIPESIM.
6. The multiple values should be supplied enclosed in parenthesis, and separated by commas. A multivalue range can also be specified. For more information, see Multiple value Data Sets. (p.458)

NAPOINT System Analysis Point

Main-code: NAPOINT
Use this main-code to specify the required system (nodal) analysis point. NAPOINT divides the profile into
two halves, and effectively runs separate jobs on each half. NAPOINT can be placed anywhere in the profile.
LABEL=
RESETDATUM=
ON
OFF

MULTICASE Introduction and Summary

The MULTICASE card is available to allow the user to set up many PIPESIM cases without having to enter
many CASE and ENDCASE cards. By use of the MULTICASE card, it is possible to specify multiple values
for various flow parameters on one card, rather than repeating cases.
The central idea behind MULTICASE is that its sub-codes can accept more than one value. So if, for
example, you want to run 8 cases at various different flow rates, then instead of having to append an extra
7 explicit cases to your input file, a single MULTICASE card can be used to specify all 8 flow rates, and
PIPESIM will execute the 8 separate cases automatically.
If a second multiple-valued subcode is provided, PIPESIM will execute as many separate cases as are
required to combine all the values in each multiple subcode. So, for example, if we had:
Example
MULTICASE LIQ=(10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80) WCUT=(30,60,90)

The result would be 24 cases, representing the combination of all specified flow rates with all specified
water cuts.
There are two distinct classes of sub-code available:
1. Explicit sub codes, such as LIQ=, WCUT, and IPRES are simply duplicates (or duplicate the function
of) sub codes that appear on other main codes, such as RATE and INLET. The important difference is
that they only accept multiple values on the MULTICASE card.
2. General purpose sub codes, such as ?ALPHA and ?BETA, which accept multiple values on the
MULTICASE card and are then used in place of a sub code value further down the input data.

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The provision of MULTICASE has allowed other sophisticated PIPESIM features to be built alongside it, for
example the Reservoir Table Interface (p.594) and Well Performance Curve Generation.

General Rules for use with MULTICASE

The following notes apply to all subcodes on MULTICASE. Further restrictions exist for particular sub-codes
and combinations of sub-codes, and these are documented where they arise.
1. The MULTICASE main-code must appear before the first NODE card in the job.
2. Each multiple-valued sub-code can be equated to a maximum of 20 values, separated from one another
by commas, and the whole group enclosed in parentheses.
3. In any job, the maximum number of subcodes containing multiple values is 5.
4. The MULTICASE card cannot be continued: however, 2 or more MULTICASE cards can appear
sequentially in the input file, thus allowing many sub-codes to be specified.
5. Each sub-code containing multiple values must appear on a single MULTICASE card. A maximum of
80 characters is allowed for all values enclosed in parentheses. The maximum input line length is 140
characters.
6. The MULTICASE card(s) should appear immediately before the first NODE card in the job, except when
greek symbols are used, when the card(s) using the greeks should appear between MULTICASE and
NODE.
7. MULTICASE was designed to be used instead of explicit extra cases (the CASE and ENDCASE cards),
however both can be used in combination as long as no MULTICASE cards appear in subsequent explicit
cases.
8. When subsequent explicit cases are used with MULTICASE, each subsequent explicit case will result
in another complete set of multiple cases (see Section 8.4 for an example of this). The LIMIT subcode
applies only to the set of multiple cases defined by the MULTICASE card(s), not to the total number of
cases in the job.
9. MULTICASE jobs contain an implied 'loop' structure in the input data. Every line of input between the
MULTICASE card(s) and the beginning of the system profile is scanned at the start at the beginning of
every case, to ensure that any Greek symbols are assigned the correct values. Only the symbolic
information is processed, and any other input is ignored except on the first case.
Multiple Case Specification Card
Main-code: MULTICASE
The subcodes available on the MULTICASE card can be divided into two distinct categories as outlined in
Explicit subcodes (p.588) and general purpose subcodes (p.591) .

Explicit Subcodes
LIQ= ( , )

Gross liquid flow rate values at stock tank conditions. A maximum of

20 flow rates may be specified (sm3/d or STB/D).

GLR= ( , )

Gas/liquid ratio values at stock tank conditions. A maximum of 20

values may be specified (sm3/sm3 scf/STB/D). Default = 0.

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GAS= ( , )

Gas flow rate values at stock tank conditions. A maximum of 20 flow

rates may be specified. (mmsm3/d or mmscf/d).

LGR= ( , )

Liquid/gas ratio values at stock tank conditions. A maximum of 20

values may be specified. (sm3/d or STB/scf). Default= 0.

GOR= ( , )

Gas/oil ratio values at stock tank conditions. A maximum of 20 values

may be specified. (sm 3/sm 3 or scf/STB). Default = 0.

OGR= ( , )

Oil/gas ratio values at stock tank conditions. A maximum of 20 values

may be specified. (sm 3/d or STB/scf). Default = 0. Note that the flow
rate may be expressed either on the basis of the stock tank liquid or
gas flow rate. The LIQ+GLR and GAS+LGR options are therefore
mutually exclusive. An error will be reported if an invalid combination
is entered and program execution will be terminated.

MASS= ( , )

Mass flow rates for use with compositional cases. A maximum of 20

flow rates may be specified. (Kg/s or lbs/s).

WCUT= ( , )

Water cut values that is the volume % water in the liquid phase at stock
tank conditions. A maximum of 20 values may be specified. Default =
0.

WTYPE= ( , )

Alphanumeric sub-code. This describes the type of well under

consideration that is Injector (INJ) or Producer (PRD). This sub-code
is only required if the WTHP sub-code is used.

WTHP= ( , )

Tubing head pressure values. The definition of tubing head pressure

is dependent on the physical configuration of the well. In the case of a
producer it is the system outlet (last node) pressure, that is tubing head
pressure for a well only, or the separator pressure in the case of a well
and flowline. In the case of an injector it is the system inlet (first node)
pressure, (bara or psia). A maximum of 20 values may be specified.
The WTYPE sub-code must accompany this sub-code.

IPRES= ( , )

Inlet set pressure (bara or psia). This provides a means of specifying

the inlet pressure of a system. The maximum number of values which
may be specified is 20.

OPRES= ( , )

Outlet set pressure (bara or psia). Similar usage to the IPRES subcode above. The maximum number of values which may be specified
is 20.

XEST=

This sub-code does not take multiple values under the MULTICASE
option, but may take a value for iterative cases as defined previously
under the ITERN card (see Section 2.4). For cases where the inlet or
bottom hole pressures are to be calculated an estimate of the
parameter may be made using the following formula.

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Default =

well (pipe) vertical length x pressure gradient + WTHP (OPRES)

Pressure gradient = 0.0679 bar/m or 0.3 psi/ft for liquid) = 0.0113 bar/m or 0.05 psi/ft (for
gas).
ITYPE=

Iteration Type see ITERN card description.

PRINT=

If the MULTICASE option is specified then all output except titles will
be suppressed after the first case. In order to override this 'autonoprint' procedure the sub-code PRINT must be included. Care should
be exercised here if a large number of cases are set up as very large
quantities of output can be generated.

LIMIT=

This sub-code sets a limit on the number of cases which will be run,
and will abort the job at the start of execution if the number of cases
to be run is greater than this. The default value is ONE, and therefore
a limit must be set by you as a guard against an excessive number of
cases being run.

LINE=

When using 3 or more Multicase options, this sub-code allows you to

specify which loop controls the line structure. In the absence of a
LINE= sub-code, the innermost loop controls this. Every time the
innermost loop resets to its first value, a new line is started in the Job
Plot file. You can specify the depth of the required controlling loop with
the LINE= sub-code.

Notes:
1. Some sub-codes on the MULTICASE card are duplicates, or equivalents of sub-codes on the ITERN,
RATE, and INLET cards (for example the IPRES sub-code is equivalent to the PRES sub-code on the
INLET card and the XEST sub-code serves the same purpose as the one appearing on the ITERN card ).
If such duplicate or equivalent sub-codes are used on both the MULTICASE card and elsewhere in the
same case, then the values supplied on the MULTICASE card will override the values supplied
elsewhere. For example, Here the LASTANSWER sub-code (see Section 9.1) has been specified along
with the MULTICASE card. Outlet and Inlet Pressures have been specified under both the ITERN and
INLET cards in addition to being specified under the MULTICASE card. In such an example PIPESIM
will ignore the POUT, TYPE, PRESS and XEST sub-codes specified under the ITERN and INLET subcodes and will use IPRESS, OPRESS and XEST values specified under the MULTICASE card. The
LASTANSWER option will be in operation even though the rest of the sub-codes specified under the
ITERN card will be ignored.
2. The sub-codes can be entered in any order.
3. The use of certain sub-codes excludes the use of other sub-codes
a. Flow rate must be defined (with LIQ, GAS or MASS sub-codes) when the WTHP sub-code is used.
b. The well type must be defined with the WTYPE sub-code when the WTHP sub-code is used.
c. ITYPE, IPRES and OPRES sub-codes exclude the use of the WTHP sub-code .

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d. Iteration type must be defined with the ITYPE sub-code when the OPRES sub-code is used and
outlet pressure must be defined under OPRES when the ITYPE sub-code is used.
e. If LIQ, GAS or MASS sub-codes appear on the MULTICASE card then either IPRES or OPRES may
be used but not both.

General Purpose Subcodes

Sub-codes : ?ALPHA, ?BETA, ?GAMMA, ?DELTA, ?EPSILON
The subcodes described here greatly increase the power and flexibility of MULTICASE.
The purpose of the MULTICASE maincode is to allow the user to execute a PIPESIM case for every
combination of a set of input variables. For example, suppose we specify 3 water cuts, 4 flow rates, 5 GLR's
and 6 outlet pressures: all possible combinations of these values will result in PIPESIM executing 360
individual cases, since 3 X 4 X 5 X 6 = 360. The process of selecting every possible combination of a series
of variables is called permutation, and so we often use the verb permute when describing what the
MULTICASE maincode can do.
Five new general-purpose symbolic subcodes have been added, namely: ?ALPHA, BETA, ?GAMMA, ?
DELTA, and ?EPSILON. They are collectively known as Greeks. They can be equated to multiple values
in the same way as other subcodes on MULTICASE. The symbols can then be used further down the input
data in place of any other value. Thus, the greeks behave similarly to symbols created by the ASSIGN
(p.595) maincode.

Examples
In the following example, 3 values of inlet temperature are permuted with 2 values of Gas-Lift GLR in a well:
Example 1
Example
RATE LIQ=45 GLR=180
MULTICASE ?ALPHA =(210,250,290)
MULTICASE ?BETA=(200, 220)
INLET PRESS=4200 TEMP=?BETA
NODE DIST=0 ELEV=-4000 TEMP=?BETA
NODE DIST=0 ELEV=-3000 LABEL='GAS LIFT'
RATE GLR=?ALPHA
NODE DIST=0 ELEV=-2000

The symbol ?BETA is set to 2 values on the MULTICASE card. ?BETA is then used on the INLET card in
place of the value of Inlet Temperature. Note that, while it is possible to control Inlet Pressure with the
existing IPRES subcode on the MULTICASE card, Inlet Temperature is not available as an explicit subcode
on MULTICASE. However, because of the 'general-purpose' nature of the Greek symbols, it is now possible
to control it (and, in principle, almost anything else) from the MULTICASE card.
The symbol ?ALPHA is set to 3 values on the MULTICASE card. ?ALPHA is then used on the RATE card
in the profile, in place of the value for GLR. Thus, like the ASSIGN card, the greek symbols provide a
convenient way to change values within the system profile. Unlike the ASSIGN card however, the values
equated on the MULTICASE card will be permuted to result in a number of cases being executed.

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Example 2
The values equated to the greeks can be any appropriate numeric value or character string, depending on
the use to which it is put further down the input data. For example, it is possible to permute a range of flow
correlations:
MULTICASE ?DELTA=(BBO,BJA1,BJA2)?GAMMA=(BB,TD)
HCORR PLOSS=BBO HOLDUP=?DELTA MAP=?GAMMA

Notes:
1. The new greek subcodes can be used in conjunction with the existing MULTICASE subcodes, but the
maximum number of multiple value specifications on any MULTICASE card set remains 5. One 'multiple
value specification' consists of a keyword equated to a number of values in parentheses.
2. PIPESIM scans its input data once, starting at the top, so any greek symbols must be equated on the
MULTICASE card before they are used in place of a value elsewhere.

Combining MULTICASE and CASE/ENDCASE

The MULTICASE card is a way of achieving a large number of PIPESIM cases for comparatively little input
data. It can be called a 'shortcut', for the alternative is to provide explicit extra cases in the input data, with
the ENDCASE and CASE cards. In general, it is always possible to 'expand' a job containing MULTICASE
cards into one containing a (large?) number of explicit cases, with CASE and ENDCASE cards (except
where certain maincodes require the presence of MULTICASE, viz. TABLE and WPCURVE). However, it
is not always possible to 'compress' a job consisting of a number of explicit cases into a MULTICASE job.
The choice is therefore open to you, depending on the application, whether to use MULTICASE or explicit
cases. It is also possible (but tricky) to combine the two.
Why would anyone want to use MULTICASE and explicit cases? There are a number of things that are just
not possible with MULTICASE, where explicit extra cases are the only way to achieve the desired result.
For example, suppose you want to see the effect of changing pipe diameter and flow rate on the resulting
outlet pressure from a flowline. You might set up something like this:
Example
MULTICASE LIQ=(200,300,400,500,600,700,800)
MULTICASE ?ALPHA=(4.2,5,5.5,6.2)
PIPE ID=?ALPHA
NODE DIST=0 ELEV=0

This would result in 28 cases, one for each flow rate/diameter combination. However, it is incomplete. The
pipe wall thickness has not been specified on the PIPE card. And it's when we try to add the wall thickness
that the problems arise, because each pipe diameter has its own particular wall thickness. We can't use
another greek on the MULTICASE card to specify the wall thicknesses, because to do so would result in
PIPESIM permuting all combinations of diameter and wall thickness and running 112 cases, which is
definitely not what we want! The only sensible solution to this problem is to remove the pipe diameter from
the MULTICASE, and add 3 more explicit cases to do what we want. However, there is a catch. To see
what the catch is, look at the modified input data:
Example

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PIPE ID=4.2 WT=.6

MULTICASE LIQ=(200,300,400,500,600,700,800)
MULTICASE ?ALPHA=(4.2,5,5.5,6.2)
NODE DIST=0 ELEV=0
...
ENDCASE
CASE Second size
PIPE ?ID=5 WT=0.8
ENDCASE
CASE Third size
PIPE ID=6.2 WT=0.8

Now we have complete control over what is with what. The first explicit case will consist of 7 multicase
cases, one for each of the flow rates on three MULTICASE card, all at the first pipe diameter and wall
thickness. The second explicit case changes the diameter and wall thickness, and because it changes
nothing else, it too will consist of 7 multiple cases for each flow rate. And so for the third and fourth explicit
cases. What, therefore, is the catch?
The catch in the above example concerns the position of the first PIPE card. Notice that, in the first example,
the PIPE card appeared after the MULTICASE cards. It had to appear there because it contained a greek
symbol which was defined on the MULTICASE card. Why, therefore, have we moved it? The reason : All
input data between the MULTICASE cards and the first NODE card is scanned by PIPESIM on each case.
Therefore, values supplied in these cards will override any values supplied in subsequent explicit cases.
This, then is the 'MULTICASE/Explicit Case Combination Catch': it is perfectly possible to mix MULTICASE
and explicit cases in the same job, but take care not to put any cards between the MULTICASE cards and
the first NODE card unless they really need to be there, that is if they use greek symbols defined on the
MULTICASE cards.
There is something else which, although perfectly possible and legal, you are advised not to do: do not put
further MULTICASE cards in subsequent cases. You almost certainly will not get the result you expect if
you do.

Multiple Case and PS-PLOT

The order in which the subcodes appear on the MULTICASE card determines the order in which the cases
will be executed, which in turn determines which points make up a single 'line' on the finished graph.
Therefore, care should be exercised to ensure that the subcodes appear in an appropriate order.
An example will serve to clarify this point:
MULTICASE WCUT=(0,25,50,75,90) LIQ=(20,50,100,150,200,250)

This multicase card will result in 30 cases being executed. Since the LIQ subcode appears last, it forms the
'inner' loop of the execution process: PIPESIM will take the first WCUT value and execute 6 cases, one at
each of the liquid flow rates. Then it will take the second WCUT value, and execute another 6 cases, one
for each of the liquid flow rates. This loop will be repeated until all 5 water cut values have been executed.
Since the plot file is written to at the end of every case, the first 6 points will represent 6 different flow rates
at the first water cut, the next 6 will represent 6 flow rates at the second water cut, and so on. Thus the
graph that PS-PLOT will draw will contain 5 curves, Bone for each water cut. Each curve will consist of 6
points, corresponding to the flow rates. Now consider the following MULTICASE card:

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MULTICASE LIQ=(20,50,100,150,200,250) WCUT=(0,25,50,75,90)

The only difference between this card and the previous card is the order of the subcodes. Now, the WCUT
subcode appears last and so will form the 'inner' loop of execution. Thus the graph that PS-PLOT will draw
will contain 6 curves, Bone for each flow rate; each curve will consist of 5 points, one for each water cut.

Reservoir Simulator Tabular Data Interface

Main-code : TABLE
This main-code is used to write tabular performance data to a file for input into another model (such as a
reservoir simulator). The effects of variations of one or more (up to four) parameters are investigated. A
tabular data file is created in a format as specified under the TYPE sub-code accordingly.
The TABLE main-code should appear before the first NODE (p.523) card in a job and for PIPESIM versions
2.4+ should appear after the MULTICASE (p.587) card.
FLOWTYPE=

Type of flow by definition specified by the Reservoir Simulator. This must be

specified by the user and may be LIQ or GAS for multiphase flow or OIL, WATER,
or GAS for single phase flow
LIQ

Liquid

GAS

Gas

OIL

Oil

WATER

Water

TYPE=

Type (or format) of data file to which the results of the calculations are written.
PORES
ECLIPSE ECLIPSE
VIP
WEPS
MORES
COMP4

NUMBER=

Table number (between 1 and 10000) which forms part of the name of the
interface data file to be created and appears within the file itself (for example,
data file name is fred. if input file is fred.psm and NUMBER=2). Default = 1.

WELLTYPE=
ALQ=

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Notes:
1. Any RATE (p.470) or ITERN (p.471) card in the job input is ignored once the MULTICASE (p.587) and
TABLE option have been selected.
2. The sub-codes can be entered in any order.

ASSIGN Changing Profile Data by Assignment

Main-code: ASSIGN
In PIPESIM Versions 2.70 and higher, ASSIGN can be used to supply "parallel values" in MULTICASE'd
jobs. Any ASSIGN card defining a multiple-valued symbol, which appears after a MULTICASE card defining
a Greek symbol or explicit multi-value subcode, will be treated as parallel to the multicase symbol or subcode immediately preceding it. Please note, a multi-value ASSIGN card must not appear before the first
MULTICASE card.
Suppose you want to set up a MULTICASE job to permute a range of PIPE IDs against something else,
e.g. water cut. To make the analysis more rigorous the correct wall thickness (WT) for each ID should be
used. If a 3rd Greek on the MULTICASE card is included, this will permute all the combinations of ID and
WT, not what is required. However, by using an ASSIGN card, containing the extra data, at the correct
point, will result in the required result.
Notes:
1. In PIPESIM Versions 2.41 and higher it is now possible to change variable values within a system profile
without repeating the whole profile. Previously, if a value within the profile was changed in a second or
subsequent case, then the complete system profile had to be re-entered. It is possible for you to invent
one or more symbols and then assign different values to the symbol in subsequent cases. The symbol
is typically used within the profile in place of a numeric value. The value can then be assigned outside
the profile, thus obviating the need to repeat the entire system profile in subsequent cases.
2. All symbols must begin with a question mark "?" and are limited to 12 characters. The value assigned
can be any appropriate numeric value or alphanumeric string. If delimiters are included, the string must
be enclosed in quotes. Up to 30 symbols can be defined and assigned.
3. ASSIGN may be used to update data within the profile but it can not be used to introduce new maincodes or sub-codes within the profile. If a new main-code or sub-code is introduced within the profile
(that is after the second NODE card) then the whole profile must be repeated.

Example
MULTICASE ?BETA =(0,20,50,80)
MULTICASE ?ALPHA=(3,4,4.5,5,6)
ASSIGN ?THICK=(0.4,0.5,0.5,0.6,0.6)
INLET PRESS=900 TEMP=70
RATE LIQ=3000 WCUT=?BETA
PIPE ID=?ALPHA WT=?THICK

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OPTIMIZE
Allows the PIPESIM single branch engine to calculate optimal values of parameters to match measured
pressure and / or temperature data.
Main-code: OPTIMIZE
?OPT01=

(...,...) Range of values for 1st optimization variable.

?OPT02=

(...,...) Range of values for 2nd optimization variable.

?OPT03=

(...,...) Range of values for 3rd optimization variable.

?OPT04=

(...,...) Range of values for 4th optimization variable.

?OPT05=

(...,...) Range of values for 5th optimization variable.

PMATCH=

Weighting factor for pressure match.

TMATCH=

Weighting factor for temperature match.

TOL=

Accuracy (default 0.01). Optimization converges when the fractional change in the
RMS is less than the specified accuracy.

MAXIT=

Maximum number of iterations (default 200). Optimization finishes without

convergence if the number of PIPESIM iterations needed exceeds this limit. The
actual number of PIPESIM runs may be less than the reported number of iterations.
This is because the optimizer may call PIPESIM with the same inputs as an earlier
iteration. In this case PIPESIM is not re-run the results are read from memory.

VERBOSE= ON

Outputs details of optimizer iteration runs

OFF

Outputs details of the initial and optimized runs. (Default)

Examples
Example 1: optimizing flow correlation parameters to match measured pressure data
In this example the friction factor and hold up factor for the vertical flow correlation are set equal to the first
two optimization variables. The OPTIMIZE keyword is used to set the range for these two variables (0,2 to
5 in both cases) and to select measured pressure data matching. The OPTIMIZE keyword is used to set
the range for these two variables (0,2 to 5 in both cases) and to select measured pressure data matching.
optimize ?opt01(0.2,5) ?opt02=(0.2,5) pmatch=1
vcorr
type=HBR ffactor=?opt01 hfactor=?opt02

Example 2: optimizing heat loss rate to match measured temperature data

In this example the u value multiplier is set equal to the first optimization variable. The OPTIMIZE keyword
is used to set the range (0,01 to 100) and to select measured temperature data matching.
optimize ?opt01(0.01,100) tmatch=1
vcorr
ufactor=?opt01

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Example 3: matching measured pressure and temperature data simultaneously

In this example the two previous examples are combined to match both pressure and temperature data
simultaneously. This can be important in cases when the heat loss affect the pressure calculations. The
relative weightings of the pressure and temperature matches have been set equal in this example. The
MULTICASE keyword is also used to allow multiple flow correlations to be used.
multicase
optimize
vcorr
options

?beta=(ANSARI,DR,HBR)
?opt01(0.2,5) ?opt02=(0.2,5) ?opt03=(0.01,100) pmatch=1 tmatch=1
type=?beta ffactor=?opt01 hfactor=?opt02
ufactor=?opt03

Example 4: controlling the optimization

To control the optimization you can set the accuracy and maximum number of iterations:
optimize

tol=0.001 maxit=500

The keyword can be supplied using Engine Options (p.119) to control the Data Matching (p.139) operation.

Wax deposition and Time Stepping modeling options

Main-code: WAX or TIME
The deposition of wax from a fluid on to the walls of the pipe or tubing can be modeled as a function of time.
Data must be provided to specify the required wax properties, the required time parameters, and timestep
calculation criteria. Since these properties overlap to a considerable degree they can all be provided on
either the WAX or TIME maincode. All times are currently assumed to be in HOURS.
Wax deposition can also be modeled on an instantaneous basis. The rate of wax deposition can be
calculated, and used to produce a graph of (for example) wax deposition rate against distance. Multiple
sensitivity cases can then be used in the usual way to sensitize on variables of interest, so as to observe
their effect on wax deposition rate. To do this, ensure your job omits any of the following time-based
subcodes, and specify the desired sensitivity variable values with MULTICASE.

Time subcodes
Subcodes concerned only with setting time-based data and options:
DURATION=

Duration of the simulation: provides an alternative to ENDTIME=. To simulate the

system over a period of time the duration must be positive: if it is zero, the simulation
will consist of a normal PIPESIM steady-state run, valid for an arbitrary instant in time
(which is useful for investigating the factors that contribute to wax deposition).

STEPSIZE=

The size of each timestep: only used if OPTION is 1. Timestep size can also be
computed automatically during the run by selecting a suitable OPTION.

STARTTIME=

Time at which simulation is to start. (Default zero)

ENDTIME=

Time at which simulation is to finish: see also DURATION= below. (Default zero)

UNITS=

Units of time to be used in simulation. Can be any of YEARS, MONTHS, WEEKS,

DAYS, HOURS, MINUTES, or SECONDS.

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MINSTEPSIZE=

The minimum allowable time step size that can be computed from OPTIONS 2 through
5.

REPINTERVAL=

The interval between reporting steps. This can be set independently of the timestep
size to allow a number of timesteps to occur with no reported output, if desired. The
timestep size will be adjusted to ensure that one ends at each report interval, in order
to allow the report to be written.

PRINT=

Specifies the number of timesteps for which the detailed wax deposition output page
will appear. This value will override the CASES= subcode of PRINT.

RESTART=

Time at which to restart from a previous simulation. If a restart time is specified it

overrides any supplied STARTTIME. The wax profile to restart from is obtained from
the restart file, see READRESTART.

READRESTART= Specifies the name of the restart file to read (default model name.WRS). Has no effect
unless accompanied by RESTART=. The file will be searched for a profile
representing the specified restart time. If necessary, 2 existing profiles will be
interpolated to create a profile representing the required time.
WRITERESTART= Specifies the name of the restart file to write to (default model name.WRS) A restart
file is always written if the run is stepping through time (that is has a positive duration,
see above). If the run is restarting and the read and write restart filenames are
identical, the new profiles will be written at the file position corresponding to the time
of restart, thus any pre-existing profiles for later timesteps will be overwritten and lost.
If this is not the desired behavior, this or the previous subcode can be used to specify
alternate file names, which can be copies or new files as appropriate. In addition the
model name may be changed (with the File/Save As) menu.

Termination subcodes
Subcodes concerned with or terminating the timestepping simulation, as a result of simulation conditions:
MAXPIGDP=

The maximum Delta Pressure available to push

a wax removal scraper pig through the line. The
simulation will terminate early when sufficient
wax has deposited to cause the specified DP to
occur.

MAXSYSDP=

An upper limit on the Delta Pressure between

system inlet and outlet (psi or bar). In order to
take effect, the simulation operation must have
specified that inlet pressure or outlet pressure
be the calculated variable.

MAXWAXTHICK= or MAXTHICKNESS=

An upper limit in the thickness of the wax deposit

anywhere in the system (in or mm).

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MAXVOLUME= or MAXWAXVOLUME= or
MAXPIGVOLUME=

The maximum volume of wax allowed to

accumulate in the system. (ft3 or m3)

MINLIQRATE=

A lower limit for system stock-tank liquid

flowrate. (bbl or m3). In order to take effect, the
simulation operation must have specified that
flowrate be the calculated variable.

MINGASRATE=

A lower limit for system stock-tank gas flowrate.

(mmscf3 or mmm3). In order to take effect, the
simulation operation must have specified that
flowrate be the calculated variable.

MINMASSRATE=

A lower limit for system total mass flowrate. (lb/

sec or kg/sec). In order to take effect, the
simulation operation must have specified that
flowrate be the calculated variable.

MINID= or MINWAXID=

A lower limit on the internal Diameter of the wax

deposit anywhere in the system (in or mm).

Wax subcodes
Subcodes concerned with Setting wax properties, deposition properties, and modelling options:
METHOD= or CLIENTMODEL=

The chosen Wax Deposition method. May be:

DBR or DBRS: D. B. Robinson and Associates,
single-phase
DBRM: D. B. Robinson and Associates, multiphase
SHELL: Shell oil Company proprietary method
BP: British Petroleum Company proprietary
method
Note that all methods require an explicit license.
D .B. Robinson and Associates is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Schlumberger.

DENSITY= or RHOWAX= or WAXRHO=

Wax density (lb/ft3 or kg/m3).

CONDUCTIVITY= or WAXCONDUCTIVITY=

Wax thermal conductivity (BTU/hr/ft/F or W/m/C).

ROUGHMODE =

Specifies whether wax wall roughness is to be

calculated. Set to INPUT to use the roughness
suppied with ROUGH= below (or on the PIPE
statement), or CALC to have it calculated.

ROUGHNESS= or WAXROUGHNESS= or ROUGH= Surface roughness of the wax (in or mm) .

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WAXYIELDSTR = or TAUWAX= or WAXTAU= or

YIELDSTRENGTH=

the Yield strength of the deposited wax (psi or/

bar). Used to calculate DP during pigging.

IFCMETHOD=

Inside Film Coefficient method. This is provided

for backwards compatibility, and accepts the
same values as SPIFCMETHOD= and
MPIFCMETHOD= subcodes on the HEAT
statement.

BP, DBRS or DBRM method subcodes

Subcodes that are specific to the BP, DBRS or DBRM methods:
FILENAME= or FNAME= or INPUTFNAME=

The name of the Wax properties file. the BP and

DBR methods require a separate file to hold wax
thermodynamic and deposition properties, the
format of which is proprietary to each method.

BPFILENAME= or BPFNAME= or BPINPUTFNAME= Same as FILENAME=, and sets METHOD=BP.

DBRFILENAME= or DBRFNAME= or
DBRINPUTFNAME=

Same as FILENAME=, and sets METHOD=DBRS.

OILFRAC=

Oil fraction in the wax (0 to 1).

SHEARCOEF= or SRMULT=

Shear coefficient to simulate wax stripping. Also

known as Shear reduction Multiplier. (0 to 1).

DIFFCO= or MDMULT= DIFCOEFACTOR=

Molecular Diffusion coefficient multiplier (0.1 to 1).

COEFWAXK=

Multiplier for the oil thermal conductivity, to

simulate the thermal conductivity of the wax
deposit. Must be in the range 1 to 2. BP method
only

DCMETHO= or FLAGDIFFCOEF=

Diffusion Coefficient method, may be:

WILKECHANG: Wilke & Chang
HAYDUMINHAS: Hayduk & Minhas
USER: user-supplied with DIFFCO=
BP method only.

ROUGHCOEF=

Roughness multiplier (0 to 1). BP method only.

BPFFMETHOD=

BP Friction factor method. Can be set to ON or

OFF. Controls which Friction factor is used for
calculating the Inside Film Coefficient with BP
method (IFCMETHOD=BP). If set to ON, then the
friction factor is calculated using the BP internal
flow correlation. if set to OFF, the friction factor is

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calculated by the PIPESIM selected flow

correlation. BP method only.
COEFWAXK=

Wax Thermal Conductivity Coefficient (0 to 100).

BP method only.

LHCOEF=

Coefficient on Liquid Holdup for two-phase scaling

(-5 to +5). DBRM method only.

S2YCOEFF=

Coefficient on ratio of shear stress to yield stress

(-5 to +5). DBRM method only.

SFCOEF=

Coefficient on shear factor used in porosity

calculation (-5 to +5). DBRM method only.

SWCOEFF=

Coefficient on Surface Wetting for two-phase

scaling (-5 to +5) DBRM method only.

T2RCOEFF=

Coefficient on ratio of wax thickness to radius (-5

to +5).DBRM method only.

TFCOEF=

Coefficient on temperature factor used in oil

fraction calculation (-5 to +5). DBRM method only.

TRANSTEMPRANGE= or WAXTRANSTEMP=

Wax transition temperature range / region (F or C).

DBRM method only.

Shell subcodes
Subcodes specific to the SHELL method:
OPTION=

Options to control how the timestep size is

computed. An integer in the range 1 through 5,
meaning:
1: Fixed timestep using the user's specified step
size.
2: Auto timestep, all constraints: Wax DX, HTC , DP.
3: Auto timestep, wax DX and DP constraints only.
4: Auto timestep, wax DX and HTC constraints only.
5: Auto timestep, wax DX constraint only.

MINDX=

The minimum allowable increase in wax ID. This

sets a lower limit on the timestep size computed from
OPTIONS 2 through 5.

SETDX=

The maximum increase in wax ID. This is used to

compute the timestep size from OPTIONS 2 through
5.

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HTCLIMIT=

Controls the application of the Heat Transfer

Coefficient limit on the timestep size. Set to ON or
OFF.

RELAX=

The relaxation factor for automated timestep

adjustment computed from OPTIONS 2 through 5.
Must be a real number between 0 and 1; higher
values favour the new value, lower the old.

DFRACTION=

Fraction of the pressure drop change allowed with

the new timestep (0.01 == 1%) computed from
OPTIONS 2 through 5.

CWDPRES=

Critical Wax Deposition Pressures. A vector of

pressures, up to 30 may be provided, which must be
in ascending order (psia or bara). Values are
separated by commas and enclosed in parentheses.

CWDTEMP=

Critical Wax Deposition Temperatures. A vector of

temperatures, up to 30 may be provided, to
correspond with the values for CWDPRES= (F or C).
Values are separated by commas and enclosed in
parentheses.

MPTEMP=

Modeling Parameter temperatures. A vector of

temperatures, up to 30 may be provided, which must
be in ascending order (F or C). Values are separated
by commas and enclosed in parentheses.

MPA=

Modeling Parameter A values. A vector of

coefficients, up to 30 may be provided, to
correspond with the values for MBTEMP=. Values
are separated by commas and enclosed in
parentheses.

MPB=

Modeling Parameter B values. A vector of

coefficients, up to 30 may be provided, to
correspond with the values for MBTEMP=. Values
are separated by commas and enclosed in
parentheses

MPC=, MPD=, MPE=, MPF=, MPG=, MPH=, MPI=, Additional subcodes to specify modelling
MPJ=
parameters C through J. Each requires a vector of
coefficients, up to 30 may be provided, to
correspond with the values for MBTEMP=. Values
are separated by commas and enclosed in
parentheses

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RATEMODEL= or MODEL=

Deposition rate model number. Currently there is

only one rate model, number 1.

CWRPRES=

Critical Wax Removal Pressures. A vector of

pressures, up to 30 may be provided, which must be
in ascending order (psia or bara). Values are
separated by commas and enclosed in parentheses.

CWRTEMP=

Critical Wax Removal Temperatures. A vector of

temperatures, up to 30 may be provided, to
correspond with the values for CWDPRES= (F or C).
Values are separated by commas and enclosed in
parentheses.

MODE=

Controls whether to model wax deposition or

removal: set to DEPOSITION or REMOVAL.

PIPESIM-Net keywords
SETUP (p.603)
BRANCH (p.606)
SOURCE (p.608)
SINK (p.611)
JUNCTION (p.612)
NSEPARATOR (p.613)
Note: The preferred order of statements is: SETUP (p.603) , SOURCE (p.608) , JUNCTION
(p.612) , SINK (p.611) , BRANCH (p.606) , NSEPARATOR (p.613).
See Input Files and Data Conventions (p.454) for more detailed information on formatting.

SETUP
SETUP is a network keyword (p.603), used to define various network options.

Subcodes
TITLE=

The model title. Can include spaces if enclosed in quotes.

TOLERANCE=

The overall tolerance of the converged network solution. Must be

between 0.5 and 1e-6, default 0.01.

MAXITER=

The maximum allowable number of overall network iterations. Must

be between 3 and 1000, default 100.

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FLUIDMODEL= or COMPOSITION= An override on the type of fluid model to use. This is not normally
required, as it is obtained from the fluid definitions supplied in the
branch files, but can be supplied here if desired. Can be set to:
BLACKOIL: Fluid type is set to black oil
COMPOSITION: Fluid type is set to compositional
STEAM: fluid type is set to steam
UNSTABLEWELL=

How to treat unstable wells. If the converged network solution results

in a well operating in its unstable, or liquid-loaded region, you may
wish it be automatically shut in. Can be set to SHUT or FLOW,
meaning:
SHUT: Shut in any well that is operating in its unstable region. This
is the default.
FLOW: allow unstable wells to remain in operation.

RECIPBYPASS=

How to treat redundant Reciprocating Compressor (recips). The

network solution can converge with a recip in a so-called redundant
state, where pressure actually reduces across it instead of
increasing. Clearly, a recip in this state is not doing the job it was
intended to do, and the network would be better off without it. If this
subcode is set to ON, then any redindant recip will be bypassed, i.e.
effectively removed from the model solution. Can be set to ON or
OFF, default ON.

ALGORITHM=

The choice of network solution algorithm. Can be set to WEGSTEIN

or JACOBEAN, default WEGSTEIN.

WOFLMODE=

Global settings for Wells Off Line Mode. May be set to:
OFF: Disable WOFL mode. All pressure-specified production wells
and source branches are modelled ON-line.
CREATE: Enable WOFL mode, and unconditionally create WOFL
files for all pressure-specified sources and production wells at the
start of the simulation.
CREATE?: Enable WOFL mode. Read and validate any existing
WOFL files, comparing the fluid definition, pressure boundary
condition, and branch geometry in them to the corresponding values
in the current model for the branch. If they match, use the file,
otherwise re-create it.
USE: Enable WOFL mode. Unconditionally read any existing WOFL
files and use them, despite possible mismatch between them and
the current model settings. No new files will be created.

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ECHOBRANCH=

Allows the contents of all well and branch geometry files to be

echoed to the network output file. Can be set to YES or NO, default
NO.

SKIPINACTIVE=

Controls the skipping (i.e., omission of processing) of geometry

files for inactive branches: can be set to YES or NO.
In a coupled PIPESIM/Eclipse/IAM simulation, it is common practice
to start the simulation with a number of branches turned OFF. The
timestepping simulation then turns them ON at a later timestep,
maybe after many hours of simulation CPU time. If at this time it is
found that the branch geometry files concerned contain syntax or
logic errors, the simulation has to be aborted, resulting in much time
and work lost. Clearly, for this type of simulation, it is preferable to
check and validate all branch geometry files at the start of the run,
so as to diagnose such errors as early as possible. Thus the default
state for a coupled simulation is NO.
By contrast, in a normal uncoupled PIPESIM run, a branch's ON or
OFF state will not change during the run, so any syntax or logic
errors caused by the contents of inactive geometry files can be
ignored. Thus the default state for an uncoupled simulation is YES.
This flag can also be set with the -E command line switch, which has
the same effect as setting it to YES.

RESTARTINTERVAL=

Specifies the time interval between writing restart files: a value in

seconds, default 1800. The interval is measured in real (i.e.
wallclock, not CPU) seconds.
Restart files are written at the end of every simulation, and at the
end of any as-yet-unconverged network iteration after the specified
interval. The purpose of the restart file is to allow the simulation to
be restarted, which is useful to allow a new simulation to re-use the
converged results of a previous one, and/or to recover from a
simulation that terminated abnormally. However, the file writing can
take considerable time, and so impose a speed penalty on the
overall simulation. So there is strong incentive to minimise the
frequency of writing them.
By default the files are written every half-hour, the idea being that if
the program is interrupted or fails abnormally, you can restart it,
having lost at most half an hour's work. If you would prefer to loose
less work in this event, set the interval to a value smaller than 1800
seconds, but by doing so you accept the extra overhead of writing
the files more often.
You can also increase the interval to reduce the restart file writing.
Setting it to a very large value (eg 1e10) will result in the files being

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written only when the simulation converges, or when it hits iteration

limit.
ECHONET=

Controls the echo of the network input data to the output file. can be
set to YES or NO, default YES.

BRANCH
BRANCH is a network keyword (p.603), used to define a branch and associated network topology.

Subcodes
NAME=

The name of the branch. Can include spaces if enclosed

in quotes.

FILENAME=

The file name containing the Branch's input data, as

formatted for a Single-branch PIPESIM model. Can
include spaces if enclosed in quotes. See note 1.

START=

The branch start Network Node name. See note 1.

END=

The branch end Network Node name. See note 1.

BLOCK=

Specifies a direction in which flow is blocked, i.e. not

allowed to go. Can be set to:
NONE: No flow block exists, so flow may go in either
direction
FORWARD: Flow is blocked in the forward direction, so
it may only go in reverse.
REVERSE: Flow is blocked in the reverse direction, so
it may only go forward,
BOTH: flow is blocked in both directions, so the branch
is effectively inactive.

ON

Specifies that the branch is active and that no flow

block exists in it, so flow can go in either direction. has
the same effect as BLOCK=NONE.

OFF

Specifies that the branch is inactive and flow is blocked

in both directions. has the same effect as
BLOCK=BOTH.

ESTLIQUID= or EST_LIQUID=

An estimate of the flowrate in the branch, as a stock-tank

liquid rate (sbbl/d or sm3/d). The iterative network
solution algorithm will commence with this as the branch
flowrate.

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ESTGAS= or EST_GAS=

An estimate of the flowrate in the branch, as a stock-tank

gas rate (mmscf/d or mmsm3/d). The iterative network
solution algorithm will commence with this as the branch
flowrate.

ESTMASS= or EST_MASS=

An estimate of the flowrate in the branch, as a mass rate

(lb/sec or Kg/sec). The iterative network solution
algorithm will commence with this as the branch
flowrate.

UPPERMASS= or MAXMASS= or LIMITMASS= Upper limit of mass flowrate for the branch (lb/sec or Kg/
sec).. See note 2.
UPPEROIL= or MAXOIL= or LIMITOIL=

Upper limit of oil flowrate for the branch(sbbl/d or sm3/

d). See note 2.

UPPERLIQ= or MAXLIQ= or LIMITLIQ=

Upper limit of liquid flowrate for the branch (sbbl/d or

sm3/d). See note 2.

UPPERGAS= or MAXGAS= or LIMITGAS=

Upper limit of gas flowrate for the branch (mmscf/d or

mmsm3/d). See note 2.

UPPERWAT= or MAXWAT= or LIMITWAT=

Upper limit of water flowrate for the branch (sbbl/d or

sm3/d). See note 2.

USERESTART=

A per-branch override on the use of solution data from

restart files. When a model run is restarted (p.152), by
default, the solution information for all branches is
extracted from the restart file, and used as the start point
for the run. This subcode allows the restart information
for this branch to be ignored, so the run will use default
information for the branch. Can be set to YES, to use the
restart data, or NO, to ignore it. Default is YES.

Notes:
1. The names of the network nodes which adjoin the branch must be specified with the START= and END=
subcodes. Network nodes are defined with the statements SOURCE, (p.608) SINK (p.611) ,
JUNCTION (p.612) and NSEPARATOR (p.613) statements. The pipeline geometry as detailed in
the file supplied with the FILENAME= subcode, is assumed to start at the network node named with the
START= subcode, and end at the node named with END=. Note, this does not specify the direction of
fluid flow: the network solution will determine if the branch actually flows forward, i.e. with the geometry
direction, or reverse, i.e. against the geometry direction.
2. Any combination of Maximum Flowrate limits may be specified, the simulation will enforce whichever
turns out to be most limiting. The limits are enforced by the addition of a choke at the branch outlet. The
choke bean diameter is calculated so as to enforce the limit, so a pressure drop will occur across the

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choke. Flowrate limits may be applied to all branches, except for (a) any branch connected to the outlet
of a network separator, and (b) any branch draining a source with a fixed flowrate specification.

SOURCE
SOURCE is a network keyword (p.603), used to define conditions at a network inlet.

Subcodes
NAME=

The name of the source. Can include spaces if enclosed

in quotes.

PRESSURE=

Source pressure specification (psia or bara). See note 1.

TEMPERATURE=

Temperature of fluid flowing from the source (F or C). If

absent, this is obtained from the data in the branch
geometry file.

LIQUIDRATE= or LIQ=

Source flowrate specification, as a stock tank liquid rate

(sbbl/d or sm3/d). See note 1.

GASRATE= or GAS=

Source flowrate specification, as a Stock tank gas rate

(mmscf/d or mmscm/d) . See note 1.

MASSRATE= or MASS=

Source flowrate specification, as a Stock tank mass rate

(lb/sec or Kg/sec). See note 1.

REBC=

Remove Existing Boundary Condition for the source.

This is used when multiple SOURCE statements refer to
the same named source, and you want this statement to
remove all boundary conditions for this source specified
with earlier statements.

FCLIQUID=

Source flowrate specification, as a Flowing liquid rate

(bbl/d or m3/d). See notes 1 & 2.

FCGAS=

Source flowrate specification, as a Flowing gas rate

(mmscfd or sm3/d). Note the units of this are at stocktank conditions.

FCPRESSURE=

The pressure for the accompanying flowing rate

specified with FCLIQ= or FCGAS= (psia or Bara)

FCTEMPERATUR=

The temperature for the accompanying flowing rate

specified with FCLIQ= or FCGAS= (F or C)

CURVEP=

For curve specified source, an array of pressures (psia

or bara). See note 3. Example:

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CURVEP=(20,1000,2000) psia
CURVEL=

For curve specified sources, an array of liquid rates (bbl/

d or m3/d). See note 3. Example:
CURVEL=(20,1000,2000) bbld

CURVEG=

For curve specified sources, an array of gas rates

(mmscfd or mmsm3d). See note 3. Example:
CURVEG=(20,1000,2000) mmscfd

CURVEM=

For curve specified sources, an array of mass rates (lb/

s or Kg/s). See note 3. Example:
CURVEM=(20,1000,2000) lb/s

CURVET=

For curve specified sources, an array of temperatures (F

or C). See note 3. Example:
CURVET=(20,40,60) F

ON

Specifies that the source is active, or switched ON.

OFF

Specifies that the source is inactive, or switched OFF.

CURVEFILE=

Specifies that the source and adjoining branch has

already been simulated in Wells Off-Line (WOFL) mode,
and that the results of this are available in the named file.
Example:
CURVEFILE='Curve1.PWH'
A number of additional special values may be supplied
instead of the filenale, these are distinguished by the first
character being an asterisk, '*', namely:
CURVEFLIE=*USE: this has the same effect as above,
but the filename to read from is assumed from the default
source and branch names.
CURVEFLIE=*CREATE : Specifies that a WOFL file for
the source and adjoining branch are to be created at the
start of the network simulation. The network simulation
will then use the results in this file.
CURVEFLIE=*CREATE?: Same as above, except that
any pre-existing file will be used if its specifications match
the current network's.

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QUALITY=

For steam systems, the quality (fraction gas) of the steam

flowing into the source. If absent, this will be obtained
from the branch geometry file.

CURVESENS_P=

For WOFL specified sources, supplies sensitivity

information in units that match the data in the WOFL file.

CURVESENS_T=

For WOFL specified sources, supplies sensitivity

information in units that match the data in the current
(.TNT) file.

CURVESENS_S=

For WOFL specified sources, supplies sensitivity

information in Strict SI units.

UPPERMASS= or MAXMASS= or LIMITMASS= Upper limit of mass flowrate for the source (lb/sec or Kg/
sec).. See note 4.
UPPEROIL= or MAXOIL= or LIMITOIL=

Upper limit of oil flowrate for the source (sbbl/d or sm3/

d). See note 4.

UPPERLIQ= or MAXLIQ= or LIMITLIQ=

Upper limit of liquid flowrate for the source (sbbl/d or sm3/

d). See note 4.

UPPERGAS= or MAXGAS= or LIMITGAS=

Upper limit of gas flowrate for the source (mmscf/d or

mmsm3/d). See note 4.

UPPERWAT= or MAXWAT= or LIMITWAT=

Upper limit of water flowrate for the source (sbbl/d or

sm3/d). See note 4.

ELEVATION=

Absolute elevation of the source (ft or m). If supplied, this

will be used as a datum for plotting branch elevations. If
more than one junction has an elevation, they will be
used to cross-check with other source, sink and junction
elevations, to help identify where loop elevation
mismatch error(s) have occurred.
N.B. It is useful to supply the absolute elevations of any
number of Network nodes (Junctions, Sources, and
Sinks). This allows the elevation data in the connecting
branches to be checked. Note that the same node name
may appear in multiple SOURCE statements: the data
on each statement is additive for the overall node
specification. Thus for example, a series of SOURCE
statements can be supplied under Setup Engine
options to set the node elevations for sources already
specified in the GUI's model. Same goes for JUNCTION
and SINK statements.

ESTPRESSURE=

Estimate of pressure to be used as a starting point for the

network solution (psia or bara).

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Notes:
1. A source may have a pressure specification, or a flowrate specification, or a curve specification. These
are known as Hydraulic Boundary Conditions. (p.20)
2. A flowing flowrate may be specified as an alternative to a stock-tank flowrate. It must be accompanied
by FCPRES= and FCTEMP= .
3. A source may be specified with a curve of flowrate against pressure, as an alternative to a fixed pressure
or flowrate. The subcodes CURVEP=, and one of (CURVEG=, CURVEL=, or CURVEM=) are used for
this, they all accept Multiple Value Data Set (p.458). The curve may be accompanied by a temperature
array with CURVET=. All subcodes so specified must have the same number of values. Between 3 and
30 values may be supplied.
4. Any combination of Maximum Flowrate limits may be specified, the simulation will enforce whichever
turns out to be most limiting. The limits are enforced in the adjoining branch, by the addition of a choke
at the branch outlet. The choke bean diameter is calculated so as to enforce the limit, so a pressure
drop will occur across the choke.

SINK
SINK is a network keyword (p.603), used to define conditions at a network outlet.

Subcodes
NAME=

The name of the sink. Can include spaces if enclosed in quotes.

PRESSURE=

Sink pressure specification (psia or bara). See note 1.

LIQUIDRATE= or LIQ=

Sink flowrate specification, as a stock tank liquid rate (sbbl/d or sm3/d).

See note 1.

GASRATE= or GAS=

Sink flowrate specification, as a Stock tank gas rate (mmscf/d or mmscm/

d) . See note 1.

MASSRATE= or MASS=

Source flowrate specification, as a Stock tank mass rate (lb/sec or Kg/

sec). See note 1.

REBC=

Remove Existing Boundary Condition for the sink. This is used when
multiple SINK statements refer to the same named sink, and you want
this statement to remove all boundary conditions for this sink specified
with earlier statements.

ON

Specifies that the sink is active, or switched ON.

OFF

Specifies that the sink is inactive, or switched OFF.

UPPERMASS= or MAXMASS= Upper limit of mass flowrate for the sink (lb/sec or Kg/sec).. See note 2.
UPPEROIL= or MAXOIL=

Upper limit of oil flowrate for the sink (sbbl/d or sm3/d). See note 2.

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UPPERLIQ= or MAXLIQ=

Upper limit of liquid flowrate for the sink (sbbl/d or sm3/d). See note 2.

UPPERGAS= or MAXGAS=

Upper limit of gas flowrate for the sink (mmscf/d or mmsm3/d). See note
2.

UPPERWAT= or MAXWAT=

Upper limit of water flowrate for the sink (sbbl/d or sm3/d). See note 2.

ELEVATION=

Absolute elevation of the sink (ft or m). If supplied, this will be used as a
datum for plotting branch elevations. If more than one network node has
an elevation, they will be used to cross-check with other source, sink and
junction elevations, to help identify where loop elevation mismatch error
(s) have occurred.
N.B. It is useful to supply the absolute elevations of any number of
Network nodes (Junctions, Sources, and Sinks). This allows the elevation
data in the connecting branches to be checked. Note that the same node
name may appear in multiple SINK statements: the data on each
statement is additive for the overall node specification. Thus for example,
a series of SINK statements can be supplied under Setup Engine
options to set the node elevations for sinks already specified in the GUI's
model. The same goes for JUNCTION and SOURCE statements.

ESTPRESSURE=

Estimate of sink pressure to be used as a starting point for the network

solution (psia or bara).

Notes:
1. A sink may have a pressure specification, or a flowrate specification. These are known as Hydraulic
Boundary Conditions. (p.20)
2. Any combination of Maximum Flowrate limits may be specified, the simulation will enforce whichever
turns out to be most limiting. The limits are enforced in the adjoining branch, by the addition of a choke
at the branch outlet. The choke bean diameter is calculated so as to enforce the limit, so a pressure
drop will occur across the choke.

JUNCTION
JUNCTION is a network keyword (p.603), used to define a junction, or to supply additional or override data
for an existing junction.

Subcodes
NAME=

Name of the junction. Can include spaces if enclosed in quotes.

ESTPRESSURE=

Estimate of pressure to be used as a starting point for the network solution (bara
or psia)

ESTTEMPERATURE= Estimate of fluid temperature to be used as a starting point for the network solution
(F or C)

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ELEVATION=

Absolute elevation of the junction (ft or m). If supplied, this will be used as a datum
for plotting branch elevations. If more than one Network node has an elevation,
they will be used to cross-check with other node elevations, to help identify where
loop elevation mismatch error(s) have occurred.
N.B. It is possible, and useful, to supply the absolute elevations of any number of
Network nodes (Junctions, Sources, and Sinks). This allows the elevation data in
the connecting branches to be checked. Note that the same node name may
appear in multiple JUNCTION statements: the data on each statement is additive
for the overall node specification. Thus for example, a series of JUNCTION
statements can be supplied under Setup Engine options to set the node
elevations for junctions already specified in the GUI's model. Same goes for
SOURCE and SINK statements.

NSEPARATOR
NSEPARATOR is a network keyword (p.603), used to define a network separator.

Subcodes
NAME=

Name of the separator

FEEDBRANCH=

Name of the branch feeding the separator

DISCARDBRANCH= Name of the branch to receive the discarded stream. See note 1.
TYPE=

The phase of the discarded stream: may be GAS, LIQUID, or WATER. See note
1.

PRESSURE=

Separator pressure (psia or bara). This is optional: see note 2.

EFFICIENCY=

Percentage efficiency of the separation process: see note 3. Must be in the range
10 to 100.

Notes:
1. A network separator causes a feed stream to be separated into 2 outlet streams, as specified by the
TYPE= subcode. They are known as the discard stream and the kept stream, for compatability with
the single-branch separator (p.531). In a network model however, the term discard is misleading,
because the discard stream is not discarded, it is separated and made to flow into the branch named
with the DISCARDBRANCH= subcode.
2. The requirements of the network solution dictate that a pressure discontinuity must occur at the outlets
of a network separator. If a pressure has been specified, then both of the outlet branches will exhibit a
pressure discontinuity, calculated to ensure that the separated streams' flowrates are maintained in the
downstream network(s). If a pressure is not specified, then only the discard branch will exhibit a
discontinuity. These discontinuities represent the necessary pressure control valves and/or pumps that
are required to maintain liquid level control in the separator.

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PIPESIM User Guide

3. The efficiency term refers to how much of the discard phase is separated from the feed stream. For
example, an efficiency of 90% in a gas separator will cause 90% of the gas phase to be sent down the
discard branch; the remaining gas, plus ALL of the liquid, will go down the keep branch.
4. Separators work at flowing, or in-situ, pressure and temperature. The flowing phase split as predicted
by the selected fluid PVT model will usually be very different from the stock-tank phase split, please bear
this in mind when you look at the resulting branch flowrates. In particular, PIPESIM allows you to display
branch and node flowrates using the report tool, but alas this shows only stock-tank rates, which are
not useful to understand separator performance.
5. If the phase to be separated does not exist, then clearly the separator cannot function as expected. In
this case all flow will go down the keep branch. Inlet and outlet compositions will be identical.
6. If the phase to be separated is the only phase present, then clearly the separator cannot function as
expected. In this case the efficient fraction of the flow will go down the discard branch, with the
remainder going down the keep branch. Inlet and outlet compositions will be identical.

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Open Link
Open Link is a set of API calls that can be made by any application to control PIPESIM or elements of
PIPESIM.
Two sets of controls exist:
1. Controlling the GUI.
2. Controlling the calculation engines directly.
Please refer to the Open Link documentation installed with the software.

Open Link

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Third party applications

PIPESIM has been designed with "Openness" in mind. Therefore key modules can be "driven" from 3rd
party applications, for example, Microsoft Excel, VB, C++, and so on.
Schlumberger have collected these open modules together into a single product, called Open Link. As the
development of Open Link components are an ongoing process the latest documentation is available with
the installed documentation.
Examples of using the Open Link technology, using Microsoft Excel are provided in the Case Studies
\Open Link directory. Documentation is also provided in the form of PDF files (AdobeAcrobat reader is
required for this; a copy of which can be found on the PIPESIM CD) from the start menu Schlumberger
\PIPESIM\Documentation\Open Link or from the directory Program Files\Schlumberger
\pipesim\programs Folder.

Third party applications

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Index
data sets ................................................................. 95
enthalpy ................................................................ 378
fluid modeling .......................................................... 95
fluid modeling theory ............................................. 360
mixing ................................................................... 380
options .................................................................... 96
surface tension ..................................................... 378
thermal data .......................................................... 101
TPRINT Table printing .......................................... 572

A
Abort Run ................................................................. 136
Alhanati .................................................................... 172
Annular Gas Pressure Design Method ..................... 174
Ansari ....................................................................... 261
API14B critical flow correlation ................................. 323
Aqueous Components cubic EoS ........................ 396
AQUEOUS keyword ................................................. 574

BLACK OIL DATA keyword ...................................... 562

Artificial Lift analysis

basic steps ............................................................ 153
creating curves ..................................................... 153
performance curves .............................................. 145

Bracketing ................................................................ 155

Asphaltene ............................................................... 400

Branch ........................................................................ 16

ASSIGN keyword ..................................................... 595

BRANCH keyword .................................................... 606

BLACKOIL keyword ................................................. 563

Boundary conditions ............................................. 20, 87

Brauner and Ullman correlation ................................ 404

B
Babu and Odeh .......................................................... 26
Back Pressure equation
4 point test .............................................................. 32
BACKPRES keyword ............................................ 545
data required ........................................................... 31
details ................................................................... 278
Batch mode .............................................................. 200
Beggs and Brill ......................................................... 261
Beggs and Robinson
Dead oil viscosity .................................................. 369
live oil viscosity ..................................................... 371
BEGIN keyword ........................................................ 484
Benedict-Webb-Rubin-Starling ................................. 390
Bergman and Sutton
undersaturated oil viscosity .................................. 374
Biot number .............................................................. 356
BIP .................................................................... 106, 107
Black oil
CALIBRATE keyword ........................................... 572
calibration ............................................................... 97
correlations ........................................................... 361

Brill and Minami ........................................................ 261

Brinkman correlation ................................................ 404
Bubble point
calibration data ....................................................... 98
correction .............................................................. 289
solution gas-oil ratio .............................................. 363

C
CALIBRATE keyword ............................................... 572
Calibration
bubble point calibration data ................................... 98
solution gas-oil ratio .............................................. 366
CASE/ENDCASE keyword ....................................... 592
CASE keyword ......................................................... 462
Case studies ............................................................. 203
Casing
standard sizes ....................................................... 418
Casing head pressure .............................................. 144
Character Input ......................................................... 457
Check model ............................................................ 136
Chew and Connally
live oil viscosity ..................................................... 371

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Choke
Achong critical flow correlation ............................. 322
API 14B subcritical flow correlation .................... 319
Ashford and Pierce critical flow correlation ........... 322
Ashford and Pierce critical pressure ratio ............. 321
Ashford and Pierce subcritical flow correlation ..... 319
Baxendall critical flow correlation .......................... 322
critical flow correlations ......................................... 322
critical pressure ratio ............................................. 321
Gilbert critical flow correlation ............................... 322
Mechanistic critical flow correlation ...................... 322
Mechanistic subcritical flow correlation ................. 319
Omana critical flow correlation .............................. 322
Pilehvari critical flow correlation ............................ 322
Poetmann-Beck critical flow correlation ................ 322
Ros critical flow correlation ................................... 322
Sachdeva critical flow correlation ......................... 322
subcritical flow correlations ................................... 319
theory .................................................................... 316
user-defined critical flow correlation ..................... 323
CHOKE keyword ...................................................... 497
Clear Dictionary ........................................................ 196
Coating ..................................................................... 556
COAT keyword ......................................................... 556
Coiled tubing .............................................................. 57
Comment Statements ............................................... 457
COMPCRV keyword ......................................... 501, 529
COMPLETION keyword ........................................... 502
Completion options ..................................................... 39
Compositional
flashing ................................................................. 113
fluid: AQUEOUS keyword ..................................... 574
fluid: LIBRARY keyword ....................................... 578
fluid: MODEL keyword .......................................... 578
fluid modeling ........................................................ 101
fluid specification .................................................. 575
importing composition ........................................... 108
petroleum fraction specification ............................ 579
property models .................................................... 105
selecting components ........................................... 103

specifying composition .......................................... 108

template ................................................................ 101
viscosity models for compositional fluids .............. 399
COMPOSITIONAL DATA keyword .................. 574, 579
COMPOSITION keyword ......................................... 575
Compressor
curve ............................................................. 131, 132
data entry .............................................................. 181
entering details ....................................................... 62
reciprocating ......................................................... 132
theory .................................................................... 328
user curves ........................................................... 133
COMPRESSOR keyword ......................................... 504
Conduction shape factor .......................................... 355
CONETAB keyword .................................................. 544
CONFIG keyword ..................................................... 561
Coning ...................................................................... 315
Coning Relationship Tabulation ............................... 544
Contaminants ............................................................. 96
CONTAMINANTS keyword ...................................... 574
Convective heat transfer .......................................... 558
Conversion factors ................................................... 436
Copy ......................................................................... 192
Correlation
black oil ................................................................... 95
comparison ............................................................. 90
matching ....................................................... 138, 139
options .................................................................. 563
selecting a flow correlation ..................................... 89
Corrosion .................................................................. 123
CORROSION keyword ............................................. 505
CPA .................................................................. 387, 390
CPFLUID keyword .................................................... 571
Critical unloading gas rate ........................................ 142
CSMA ....................................................................... 390
Cubic Equations of State .......................................... 392
Cunliffe's Method ...................................................... 270
CVFMD keyword .............................................. 505, 530

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live oil viscosity ..................................................... 371

undersaturated oil viscosity .................................. 374

D
Damaged zone ........................................................... 28
Darcy
data required ........................................................... 32
equation ................................................................ 279
Data files .......................................................... 289, 457
Data matching
case study ............................................................. 245
procedure .............................................................. 139

Emulsion viscosities ................................................. 106

END keyword ........................................................... 484
Energy equation ....................................................... 344
Engine
options .................................................................. 119
preferences ........................................................... 125
Engine Keyword Tool ................................................. 64

Deepest Injection Point ............................................ 154

Equations of State
components of cubic ............................................. 392
components of non-cubic ...................................... 397

Default Fluid data ....................................................... 94

Equations of State Cubic ..................................... 387

De Ghetto
correlations ........................................................... 361
dead oil viscosity ................................................... 369
live oil viscosity ..................................................... 372
solution gas-oil ratio .............................................. 363
undersaturated oil viscosity .................................. 373

Equations of State non-cubic ............................... 390

DBR flash ................................................................. 387

Dead oil viscosity ...................................................... 369

Delimiters ................................................................. 455

Design ...................................................................... 167
Design Control (Gas lift) ........................................... 158
Design method ......................................................... 158
Design Parameters (Gas lift) .................................... 163
Detailed tubing model ................................................. 50
Distributed Productivity Index Method ...................... 314
Drainage radius ........................................................ 430
Dry gas data entry ...................................................... 93

Equipment .................................................................. 69
EQUIPMENT keyword .............................................. 507
Erosion ..................................................................... 123
EROSION keyword .................................................. 506
ESP
curve ..................................................................... 131
data entry .............................................................. 181
design ................................................................... 181
overview ................................................................ 175
selection/design .................................................... 180
system components: pumps ................................. 176
user curves ........................................................... 133
EXCEL ...................................................................... 199
EXECUTE keyword .................................................. 487

Expander
curve ..................................................................... 132
equations .............................................................. 330
EXPANDER keyword ............................................ 509
parameters .............................................................. 64

E300 Flash ............................................................... 387

Expert mode ............................................. 199, 201, 450

Editing ...................................................................... 486

Explicit Subcodes ..................................................... 588

Elbows ...................................................................... 431

External PVT tables .................................................. 115

Duns and Ros ........................................................... 261

Dynamic skin ............................................................ 291

Electrical Submersible Pumps see ESP .............. 175

Elsharkawy and Alikhan
dead oil viscosity ................................................... 370

F
Facilities ............................................................... 61, 62

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Fetkovich ............................................................ 31, 277

fluid models dialog ................................................ 128

modeling ................................................................. 95
properties overview ................................................. 93
property data ......................................................... 565
property table files ................................................ 403
specific heat capacity data .................................... 571
typical values of properties ................................... 427
viscosity models for compositional ....................... 399

FETKOVICH keyword .............................................. 536

File conversion ........................................................... 11
File Formats ............................................................. 580
Find .............................................................................. 9
First law of thermodynamics ..................................... 344
Fittings
equations .............................................................. 325
FITTING keyword ................................................. 510

FLUID keyword ......................................................... 560

Flash
flash/separation .................................................... 111

FMPUMP keyword ................................................... 512

Flashing
compositional ........................................................ 113
in-line .................................................................... 114
Flow .......................................................................... 493
Flow control valves
mechanistic theory ................................................ 324
purpose and how to add ....................................... 135
FLOW CORRELATION DATA keyword ................... 488
Flow correlations
comparison/matching ............................................ 138
defining ................................................................... 90
horizontal multiphase ............................................ 258
matching ............................................................... 139
single phase .......................................................... 265
valid horizontal combinations ................................ 492
valid vertical combinations .................................... 489
vertical multiphase ................................................ 261
vertical options ...................................................... 489

Fluid model calibration ............................................... 98

Forchheimer equation ........................................ 35, 278
FORCHHEIMER keyword ........................................ 551
FRACTURE keyword ............................................... 551
Framo
FRAMO2009 keyword .......................................... 512
multiphase booster 1999 ........................................ 78
multiphase booster 2009 ........................................ 75
Friction ........................................................................ 90
Friction and Holdup factors
Moody and AGA Friction factors ........................... 265
Moody Friction factor ............................................ 266
Friction pressure drop
Cullender and Smith ............................................. 267
Hazen-Williams ..................................................... 269
Panhandle A ......................................................... 268
Panhandle B ......................................................... 268
Weymouth ............................................................. 268

Flowing Conditions ................................................... 116

Flowline ...................................................................... 65

Gas compressibility .................................................. 374

Flowrate ...................................................................... 89

Gas condensate reservoirs ...................................... 274

Flow regimes ............................................................ 257

Gas condensate systems ........................................... 93

Fluid
black oil calibration ................................................. 97
black oil options ...................................................... 96
calibration ............................................................... 95
calibration to match lab data ................................... 97
compositional fluid modeling ................................. 101

Gas lift
Annular Gas Pressure Design method ................. 174
bracketing ............................................................. 155
Deepest Injection Point operation ......................... 154
design ................................................................... 157
design parameters ................................................ 163
design procedure .................................................. 158

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Design Summary screen ...................................... 168

diagnostics ............................................................ 171
Diagnostics operation ........................................... 170
Diagnostics operation data ................................... 171
injection valve ....................................................... 517
instability ............................................................... 172
in the riser ............................................................... 84
Lift Gas Response Curves .................................... 156
minimum data set ................................................. 167
multiple injection ports in wells ............................. 513
optimization ........................................................... 153
overview ................................................................ 154
properties ................................................................ 54
rate vs Casing head pressure ............................... 144
safety factors ........................................................ 164
setting injection points ............................................ 55
theory .................................................................... 171
valve list ................................................................ 134
valves ...................................................................... 55

H
Hagedorn and Brown ............................................... 261
HCORR keyword ...................................................... 491
HEADER keyword .................................................... 461
Heat Balance ............................................................ 553
Heat configuration data ............................................ 561
HEATER keyword .................................................... 513
Heat Exchanger .......................................................... 68
HEAT keyword ......................................................... 553

Gas phase contaminants .................................. 101, 574

Heat transfer
between flowline and ground ................................ 355
between well and rock .......................................... 358
coefficient .............................................................. 345
conductive coefficient calculations ........................ 352
convective coefficient calculations ........................ 353
IFC correlations .................................................... 348
input or calculate U ................................................. 70
options .................................................................. 118
pipe coat thermal conductivity .............................. 558
wellbore .................................................................. 51

Gas reservoirs .......................................................... 274

HEAT TRANSFER DATA keyword .......................... 553

Gas viscosity ............................................................ 377

Holdup factor .............................................................. 90

Gas wells .................................................................. 312

Holdup factors .......................................................... 264

General Data ............................................................ 461

Horizontal completion
data entry ................................................................ 24
determining length .................................................. 24
Inflow Performance options .................................. 545
IPR model ............................................................... 25
IPRs ...................................................................... 301
length optimization ................................................ 143
optimal length ....................................................... 142
overview .................................................................. 23
properties options ................................................... 28

GASLIFT keyword .................................................... 513

General Purpose Subcodes ..................................... 591

Generic Pump .......................................................... 132
Glas
correlations ........................................................... 361
dead oil viscosity ................................................... 369
solution gas-oil ratio .............................................. 364
Glossary of symbols ................................................. 432
GLR Matching .......................................................... 112
Govier and Aziz ........................................................ 261
Graphical reports ...................................................... 191
Gravel pack ................................................................ 28
Gray .......................................................................... 261

Horizontal flow
correlation options ................................................ 491
regimes ................................................................. 258
valid correlations ................................................... 492
Horizontal gas wells ................................................. 312
Horizontal Multiphase Flow Correlations .................. 258

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HORWELL keyword ................................................. 545

Pseudo steady state/Darcy data ............................. 32

solution gas-drive reservoirs ................................. 312
summary for vertical completions ......................... 274
Transient IPR ........................................................ 284
Transient IPR data .................................................. 38
vertical completion .................................................. 29
Vogel's equation ................................................... 276
Vogel's equation data ............................................. 30

Hossain
dead oil viscosity ................................................... 370
live oil viscosity ..................................................... 371
undersaturated oil viscosity .................................. 374
Hot Keys ....................................................................... 3
HVOGEL keyword .................................................... 551
Hydrate
inhibitors ............................................................... 400
model details ......................................................... 402
overview ................................................................ 400
sub-cooling calculation ......................................... 119

Inflow Production Profiles ......................................... 305

Hydraulic fracture ..................................................... 551

Injection well ......................................................... 18, 59

Hydraulic fracturing
overview and data required .................................... 36

INJFLUID keyword ................................................... 519

Inflow Performance Tabulation ................................. 543

Injection performance ................................................. 60
Injection Point ............................................................. 71

INJGAS keyword ...................................................... 519

INJPORT keyword .................................................... 517

INLET keyword ......................................................... 474

Ice prediction ............................................................ 402

Inlet pressure .............................................................. 88

IFPCRV keyword ...................................................... 541

In-line flashing .......................................................... 114

IFPPSSE keyword .................................................... 537

Input data ................................................................. 454

IFPTAB keyword ...................................................... 543

Input files .......................................................... 454, 459

Inflow Performance Curve ........................................ 541

Inside Film Coefficient method ................................. 119

Inflow Performance Relationships (IPRs)

Back Pressure equation ........................................ 278
Back pressure equation data .................................. 31
Bubble point correction ......................................... 289
data file ................................................................. 289
Fetkovich's equation ............................................. 277
Fetkovich's equation data ....................................... 31
Forchheimer equation ........................................... 278
Forchheimer equation data ..................................... 35
horizontal completions .......................................... 301
hydraulic fracturing ................................................. 36
Jones' equation ..................................................... 277
Jones equation data ............................................... 31
multilayer reservoir ................................................. 45
Multi-rate data ......................................................... 35
oil/water relative permeability ............................... 314
Productivity Index (PI) ........................................... 275
Pseudo steady state/Darcy ................................... 279

Internal Fluid Film Heat Transfer Coefficient ............ 348

IPRCRV keyword ..................................................... 541
IPR keyword ............................................................. 536
IPR see Inflow Performance Relationships
(IPRs) ....................................................................... 312
Iteration Data ............................................................ 471

J
JOB keyword ............................................................ 461
Jones data ................................................................ 536
Jones equation ........................................................... 31
Jones Equation ......................................................... 277
JONES keyword ....................................................... 536
Joshi ........................................................................... 25
JTFLUID: Joule Thomson Heat Coefficient Data ............
JUNCTION keyword ................................................. 612

622

PIPESIM User Guide

equations .............................................................. 273

implementation ....................................................... 61
inclination angle ...................................................... 61

K
Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt
correlations ........................................................... 361
dead oil viscosity ................................................... 369
live oil viscosity ..................................................... 371
Oil Formation Volume Factor ................................ 368
solution gas-oil ratio .............................................. 365
undersaturated oil viscosity .................................. 373

Liquid properties ....................................................... 404

Liquid viscosity
and oil/water emulsions ........................................ 404
correlations ........................................................... 404
data ....................................................................... 566

KCOAT keyword ....................................................... 558

Live oil viscosity ........................................................ 371

Keyword abbreviations ............................................. 456

Load Dictionary ........................................................ 196

Keywords .................................................................. 603

Local Fluid Data ......................................................... 94

KFLUID keyword ...................................................... 560

Looped gathering network ........................................ 225

Khan
live oil viscosity ..................................................... 372
undersaturated oil viscosity .................................. 373

LVIS keyword ........................................................... 566

Kouzel
undersaturated oil viscosity .................................. 373

Measured data ................................................. 138, 139

Mechanical skin ........................................................ 291

Kreith ........................................................................ 348

Minimum data set (Gas lift) ...................................... 167

Mixing (Black oil) ...................................................... 380

L
Laplace equation ...................................................... 356
Lasater
correlations ........................................................... 361
solution gas-oil ratio .............................................. 365
LAYER keyword ....................................................... 547
LBC .......................................................................... 399
Lee method .............................................................. 377
Leviton and Leighton correlation .............................. 407
Library components cubic EoS ............................ 392
Library components non-cubic EoS ..................... 397
LIBRARY keyword .................................................... 578
Lift Gas Response Curves ....................................... 156
Limits ........................................................................ 417
Liquid by sphere ....................................................... 270
Liquid-gas surface tension ....................................... 408
Liquid holdup ............................................................ 270
Liquid loading
displaying point ..................................................... 142

Model building ............................................................ 12

Modeling systems ....................................................... 93
Modeling wells ............................................................ 59
MODEL keyword ...................................................... 578
MOODYCALC keyword ............................................ 495
MPBOOSTER keyword ............................................ 521
Mukherjee and Brill ................................................... 261
MULTICASE keyword ...................................... 587, 592
Multiflash .......................................................... 387, 390
Multilayer reservoir ..................................................... 45
Multiphase ................................................................ 261
Multiphase booster
efficiencies tables ................................................. 343
Framo 1999 ............................................................ 78
Framo 2009 ............................................................ 75
generic .................................................................... 72
overview ................................................................ 332
twin screw boosters ................................................ 73
Multiphase pump

623

PIPESIM User Guide

MPUMP keyword .................................................. 522

vendor performance curve format ........................... 80

Oil/water relative permeability .................................. 314

Multiple injection ports .............................................. 513

Oil Formation Volume Factor (OFVF)

defined .................................................................. 367
saturated systems ................................................. 367
undersaturated systems ....................................... 368

Multiple Value Data Sets .......................................... 458

Oil reservoirs ............................................................ 274

Multiplier/Adder details ............................................... 81

Oil viscosity
black oil ................................................................. 368
undersaturated ...................................................... 372

Multiple case ............................................................ 593

Multiple completion well ............................................. 60

Multi-rate .................................................................... 35
Multi-stage separation .............................................. 111

OLGA-S .................................................................... 261

Open Link ................................................................. 615

N
NAPLOT keyword ..................................................... 583
NAPOINT keyword ................................................... 587
Network
constraints .............................................................. 21
estimates ................................................................ 21
iterations ............................................................... 127
separator ................................................................. 16

Operations ................................................................ 583

OPTIMIZE keyword .................................................. 596
Options ..................................................................... 129
OPTIONS keyword ................................................... 462
Orkiszewski .............................................................. 261
Outlet pressure ........................................................... 88
Output options .......................................................... 120

Network models .......................................................... 14

Network Option Control ............................................ 120

Network Report tool .................................................. 198

Parameters ............................................................... 497

Network source .......................................................... 14

Paths used by tools .................................................. 117

NIST recommendation for pure fluid / mixture .......... 390

Pedersen .................................................................. 399

Nodal Analysis
NAPLOT keyword ................................................. 583
NAPOINT keyword ............................................... 587
performing ............................................................. 140
point ........................................................................ 59

Peng-Robinson ......................................................... 387

NODE keyword ......................................................... 523

Non-cubic Equations of State ................................... 397
No operation ............................................................. 137
NOPRINT keyword ................................................... 484
NOSLIP .................................................................... 261
NSEPARATOR keyword .......................................... 613
Numeric data ............................................................ 456

O
Oil/water emulsions .................................................. 404

Perforation .................................................................. 29
PERMCRV keyword ................................................. 549
Permeability .............................................................. 429
PERMTAB keyword .................................................. 550
PETROFRAC keyword ............................................. 579
Petroleum fractions
for Cubic Equations of State ................................. 397
setting up .............................................................. 103
Petrosky and Farshad
correlations ........................................................... 361
dead oil viscosity ................................................... 370
live oil viscosity ..................................................... 371
solution gas-oil ratio .............................................. 365
undersaturated oil viscosity .................................. 374

624

PIPESIM User Guide

Phase Behavior package ......................................... 102

PsPlot utility .............................................................. 191

Phase envelope ........................................................ 109

Pipe coating ...................................................... 556, 557

Pump
curve ..................................................................... 131
data entry .............................................................. 181
entering parameters ................................................ 86
user curves ........................................................... 133

Pipe dimensions ....................................................... 525

PUMPCRV keyword ......................................... 501, 529

PIPE keyword ........................................................... 525

PUMP keyword ......................................................... 527

Pipeline
burial ..................................................................... 562
burial method ........................................................ 119
operations ............................................................... 61
pipeline and facilities model .................................... 62
selecting size .......................................................... 58
standard sizes ....................................................... 423
tools ........................................................................ 61

PUSH keyword ......................................................... 486

PLOTFILEDATA keyword ........................................ 487

RATE keyword ......................................................... 470

PLOT keyword .......................................................... 481

Reciprocating compressor
adding to database or model .................................. 63
entering details ....................................................... 63
overview ................................................................ 330

PI
data required ........................................................... 30
equations .............................................................. 275

Plotting options ......................................................... 481

Pressure ..................................................................... 88
Pressure/Temperature profile ................................... 138
Pressure drop
effect on productivity ............................................. 302
for gas ................................................................... 268
multiphase ............................................................ 305
single phase .......................................................... 304
Principle of conservation of energy .......................... 344
Print .......................................................................... 192
PRINT keyword ........................................................ 474
Production well ........................................................... 17
Project Data .............................................................. 117
Property calibration .................................................. 572
PROP keyword ......................................................... 565
Pseudo steady state
data for equation ................................................... 537
equation and data ................................................... 32
IPR ........................................................................ 279
productivity ............................................................ 309
PS-PLOT keyword .................................................... 593

PVT File .................................................................... 108

Q
Quality lines .............................................................. 110

R
Ramey model ........................................................... 358

Red box (missing data) .............................................. 13

References ............................................................... 437
REFPROP ................................................................ 390
REINJECTOR keyword ............................................ 530
Relative permeability ................................................ 314
Remedial coiled tubing ............................................... 57
Remote action editing ............................................... 486
Report ....................................................................... 198
Reports ..................................................................... 191
Report Tool ......................................................... 84, 197
Reservoir
creating look-up tables .......................................... 143
layer properties ..................................................... 547
simulation data ...................................................... 594
tables .................................................................... 143
RESERVOIR keyword .............................................. 549
Restart Model ........................................................... 152

625

PIPESIM User Guide

Richardson correlation ............................................. 404

Rod pump
module .................................................................. 181

partial penetration ................................................. 293

perforated well ...................................................... 295
Pseudo Steady State equation ............................... 34
Transient IPR data .................................................. 39

RODPUMP keyword ......................................... 505, 530

Slug .......................................................................... 533

Roughness ............................................................... 428

Slug calculation ........................................................ 532

Run Model ................................................................ 136

Slug catcher ............................................................. 533

Running multiple models .......................................... 200

SLUG keyword ......................................................... 532

Riser Details ............................................................... 82

Soave-Redlich-Kwong .............................................. 387

Solution gas-oil ratio ................................................. 363

Safety factors (Gas lift) ............................................. 164

Source ........................................................................ 87

Salinity ...................................................................... 112

SOURCE keyword .................................................... 608

Salt Analysis ............................................................. 112

Speed issues ............................................................ 411

Schlumberger DBR Method ..................................... 150

SPHASE keyword .................................................... 493

Sensitivity variables .................................................. 151

Standing
correlations ........................................................... 361
Oil Formation Volume Factor ................................ 367
solution gas-oil ratio .............................................. 366

Separation (flash) ..................................................... 111

Separator
overview .................................................................. 16
properties ................................................................ 85

Statements ............................................................... 454

SEPARATOR keyword ............................................. 531

Steady State Heat Transfer ...................................... 345

SETUP keyword ....................................................... 603

Steady-State productivity ......................................... 306

Shape factor ............................................................... 32

Steam ....................................................................... 115

Simple profile model ................................................... 48

Stock tank conditions ............................................... 116

Single phase flow ..................................................... 493

Stock tank properties .................................................. 96

Single phase flow correlations .................................. 265

Suggested flow correlations ....................................... 90

Single phase gas critical pressure ratio .................... 321

Summary tubing table ................................................ 53

Sink ............................................................................ 15

Surface tension
black oil ................................................................. 378
liquid gas ............................................................... 408
water-gas .............................................................. 378

SINK keyword ........................................................... 611

SIS flash ................................................................... 387
Sizing tubing and pipelines ......................................... 58
Skin factor
completion options .................................................. 39
damaged zone ...................................................... 294
deviation ............................................................... 293
equations .............................................................. 290
Frac pack .............................................................. 299
gravel pack ........................................................... 294
in horizontal completion .......................................... 29

Swap angle ............................................................... 269

Symbols glossary ..................................................... 432
System analysis ....................................................... 137
SYSTEM DATA keyword .......................................... 496
System Profile .......................................................... 497

T
TABLE keyword ........................................................ 594

626

PIPESIM User Guide

TCOAT keyword ....................................................... 557

User variable ............................................................ 151

Tees ......................................................................... 431

U Value Multiplier ..................................................... 119

Temperature profile .................................................. 138

Terminate Run .......................................................... 136

Thermal conductivities .............................................. 428

Valve
database ............................................................... 134
FITTING keyword ................................................. 510
typical values ........................................................ 430

Thermal conductivity ................................................ 560

Thermal data (black oil) ............................................ 101
Third party applications ............................................ 616
TIME ......................................................................... 597
Tolerance equations ................................................. 411
Toolbox ......................................................................... 5
TPRINT keyword .............................................. 572, 579
Transient IPR
data ......................................................................... 38
equations .............................................................. 284
TRANSIENT keyword ............................................... 551

Vand correlations ..................................................... 404

Vasquez and Beggs
correlations ........................................................... 361
Oil Formation Volume Factor ................................ 367
solution gas-oil ratio .............................................. 366
undersaturated oil viscosity .................................. 372
VCORR keyword ...................................................... 489
Vertical completion
data required ........................................................... 29
IPRs ...................................................................... 274

Tubing
coiled tubing/velocity string ..................................... 57
detailed profile model .............................................. 50
selecting size .......................................................... 58
standard sizes ....................................................... 418
summary table ........................................................ 53
tool .......................................................................... 48

Vertical flow
correlation abbreviations ....................................... 490
multiphase flow correlations ................................. 261
regimes ................................................................. 257
valid correlations ................................................... 489
VCORR keyword .................................................. 489

Turner's equation ...................................................... 273

View options ............................................................. 129

Twin screw boosters ................................................... 73

Viscosity
dead oil ................................................................. 369
emulsion ............................................................... 106
models for compositional fluids ............................. 399

Twin screw pumps ...................................................... 80

Typical values ........................................................... 427

U
Undersaturated oil viscosity ..................................... 372
Units
description string ................................................... 457
selecting a set ....................................................... 117
UNITS keyword ..................................................... 462
User curves .............................................................. 133

Vogel
equation ................................................................ 276
equation data .......................................................... 30
VOGEL keyword ................................................... 536
Vogel IPR ................................................................. 279
Volume ratio ............................................................. 404

userdll.dat ................................................................... 91

User DLL case study ................................................ 238

Water-gas surface tension ....................................... 378

USERDLL keyword .......................................... 488, 495

Water systems ............................................................ 93

627

PIPESIM User Guide

Wax
BP method and deposition limits .......................... 149
deposition ............................................................. 146
deposition models ................................................. 409
overview ................................................................ 402
Shell method and deposition limits ....................... 147
WAX keyword ........................................................... 597
WCOPTION keyword ............................................... 538
Well
completion data .................................................... 538
design case study ................................................. 216
horizontal completion .............................................. 23
performance curves .............................................. 144
Wellbore
heat transfer between well and rock ..................... 358
heat transfer in ........................................................ 51
Well Curves ................................................................ 19
WELLHEAD keyword ............................................... 533
Well Performance analysis ......................................... 22
WELL PERFORMANCE MODELING keyword ........ 533
WELLPI keyword ...................................................... 535
Well Productivity ....................................................... 535
Wizard .......................................................................... 8
Woelflin correlation ................................................... 404
WPCURVE keyword ................................................. 536

628