Wellhead Pressure Drop Calculator

Work out wellhead pressure drop instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Wellhead Pressure Drop Calculator

Flowing wellhead pressure is reservoir pressure less the hydrostatic weight of the producing column and the tubing friction loss. When it falls below the pressure needed to enter the separator, the well needs artificial lift — gas lift, rod pump, or electric submersible pump.

Formula

Wellhead pressure

WHP = reservoir pressure - fluid gradient x depth - friction loss

Worked example

With the default values below, Wellhead Pressure Drop Calculator returns Flowing Wellhead Pressure of 1,120.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Reservoir Pressureminimum 0.01 psi: 4,500 psi
Well Depthminimum 0.01 ft: 10,000 ft
Producing Fluid Gradientminimum 0.001 psi/ft: 0.32 psi/ft
Tubing Friction Lossminimum 0 psi: 180 psi

Results

Flowing Wellhead Pressure: 1,120.0
Hydrostatic Column Loss: 3,200.0
Total Pressure Loss: 3,380.0
Flow Status: Well flows naturally

Step by step

1Values used
2Wellhead pressure
3Flowing Wellhead Pressure= 1,120.0
4Hydrostatic Column Loss= 3,200.0
5Total Pressure Loss= 3,380.0
6Flow Status= Well flows naturally

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 1 decimal place, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What producing gradient should be used?

It depends on the gas-liquid ratio: 0.43-0.45 psi/ft for water, around 0.35 for dead oil, and 0.15-0.30 for gassy oil where gas lightens the column. It falls as GOR rises.

Why does a well stop flowing?

Reservoir pressure declines and water cut rises, making the column heavier. Both push the hydrostatic loss above the available pressure, which is when artificial lift becomes necessary.