Pump Intake Pressure
Convert an acoustic fluid level shot into pump intake pressure (PIP) from casing pressure, annulus temperature, gas gravity and the liquid column above the pump.
The Pump Intake Pressure calculator turns a fluid level shot into a pump intake pressure (PIP). Casing pressure is carried down the annulus gas column to the fluid level. The liquid above the pump then adds its gradient, scaled by the liquid fraction.
Results update as you type. Any blank input is listed in the results card.
Inputs
Fluid level shot
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Fluid Level from Surface (ft) | Depth to the fluid level in the annulus. Cannot be deeper than the pump |
| Pump Depth (TVD) (ft) | True vertical depth of the pump intake, up to 30,000 ft |
| Casing Pressure (psi) | Surface casing pressure at the time of the shot |
| Liquid fraction in gaseous column (%) | Share of the gas-free liquid gradient in the column above the pump. Defaults to 100. Enter less than 100 when gas bubbles through the column |
Fluids
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Gas Spec. Gravity | Annulus gas specific gravity (air = 1) |
| Avg. Annulus Temperature (°F) | Average gas temperature in the annulus |
| Oil Density (API) | Oil gravity |
| Water Spec. Gravity | Produced water specific gravity |
| Water Cut (%) | Water share of the produced liquid |
Outputs
| Output | Description |
|---|---|
| Pump intake pressure (psi) | Pressure at the pump intake |
| Gas column pressure at the fluid level (psi) | Casing pressure plus the weight of the annulus gas column down to the fluid level |
| Fluid above the pump (ft) | Pump depth minus fluid level |
| Equivalent gas-free liquid above the pump (ft) | Fluid above the pump times the liquid fraction |
| Gas-free liquid gradient (psi/ft) | Gradient of the oil and water mix at the entered water cut |
Each value shows in your selected unit system.
Use it from a well
Open the well, then Calculators > Pump Intake Pressure. These inputs prefill from the well's details:
- Casing Pressure
- Gas Spec. Gravity
- Oil Density
- Water Spec. Gravity
- Water Cut
Enter the fluid level, pump depth and annulus temperature from your shot. Use Saved runs to keep a shot and load it again later.
To set the PIP a RodSim design runs at, see Simulation Preferences.