Erosional Velocity Calculator
API RP 14E maximum velocity and max flow rate by pipe size — the screen facility engineers use to keep gathering lines from eroding through.
The problem
Facility engineers sizing flowlines, gathering systems, and choke trim need a defensible erosional-velocity screen before they commit to pipe schedule or upsize. API RP 14E is one equation, but the wrong C-factor for sand-laden or corrosive service can let velocity exceed the limit by 2× without the spreadsheet ever flagging it. One eroded ell on a high-pressure manifold is a $400K shutdown plus a 2–3 day production deferral. Pipeline integrity teams audit these numbers; "we used a textbook C of 100" is not a defense for sand service.
What you get
- →Maximum erosional velocity in ft/s and m/s per API RP 14E — defensible to a pipeline-integrity reviewer.
- →Max flow rate by pipe size table — pipe schedule selection without re-doing the math for every size.
- →C-factor selection by service type (clean gas, mist, sand, corrosive) so the right limit is used the first time.
- →Retired-vs-current API RP 14E methodology side-by-side — you see both numbers when a reviewer disagrees.
- →Downloadable XLSX you can attach to a flowline sizing memo or pipeline-integrity case file.
Asset Forecasting & Evaluation Suite
Run the live Erosional Velocity Calculator on your data
This calculator is part of Petropt's Asset Forecasting & Evaluation Suite. Request access to run it on your actual fluid density, C-factor, and pipe size inputs and download an engineering-grade workbook.
What the live tool produces
- max erosional velocity in ft/s and m/s per API RP 14E
- max flow rates by pipe size table
- C-factor selection by service (gas, mist, sand)
- retired-vs-current API RP 14E methodology
- downloadable workbook
Who uses this
- →Facility engineers sizing flowlines, gathering systems, and choke trim before AFE submission.
- →Pipeline-integrity teams auditing high-velocity service in sand-laden or sour systems.
- →Operators screening new high-rate wells against existing flowline capacity.
Pair with
Orifice Flow
Custody-transfer math
Close the loop with the metering side.
Beggs & Brill
Multiphase pressure drop
Pair erosional velocity with line sizing pressure-drop.
Gas Viscosity
PVT + Z-factor
Defensible density input for the erosional equation.
NPV & IRR
Facility AFE economics
Roll pipe sizing into a defensible facility NPV.