In the February 2007 tip of the month (TOTM), Joe Honeywell presented a procedure for calculating fluid pressure drop for liquid in a piping system due to friction. Continuing Honeywell’s TOTM, we will outline procedures for calculation of friction losses in oil and gas pipelines. From an engineer’s point of view the question may arise “how sensitive is friction pressure drop with the wall roughness factor?” Of course the answer is “it depends”. To explain this answer quantitatively and qualitatively, we will study the effect of wall roughness factor for two case studies in this month’s TOTM. In the first case study, an oil pipeline with a flow rate of 0.313 m³/s (170,000 bbl/day) and in the second case, a natural gas pipeline with a flow rate of 22.913 Sm³/s (70 MMSCFD) will be studied and calculation results will be presented in tabular and graphical format.

To learn more about this Tip and past Tips of the Month, visit the Campbell Tip of the Month.