Chapter 3

Characteristics Of Reservoir Fluids

Nature of Reservoir Fluids

Phase Behaviour of Reservoir Fluids

 Nature of Reservoir Fluids
Common reservoir fluids comprise of petroleum fluids
and water. Petroleum fluids which are distinguishable
into natural gases and crude oil consist of naturally-
occurring complex hydrocarbon mixtures.

States of Hydrocarbon:
Gas  Natural gas
Liquid  Crude oil
Solid  Asphalt, etc.

State depends on PVT conditions

 The Hydrocarbon Families
Hydrocarbons

Aliphatics Aromatics

Alkanes Alkenes Alkynes Cyclic

aliphatics
 Types of Hydrocarbons
Alkanes (Paraffins) -(Cn H2n + 2)
Alkanes or Paraffin Hydrocarbons
No of Carbons, n Formula Abbreviation Name
1 CH4 C1 Methane
2 C2H6 C2 Ethane
3 C3H8 C3 Propane
4 C4H10 C4 Butane
5 C5H12 C5 Pentane
6 C6H14 C6 Hexane
7 C7H16 C7 Heptane
8 C8H18 C8 Octane
9 C9H20 C9 Nonane

10 C10H22 C10 Decane

20 C20H42 C20 Eicosane
30 C30H62 C30 Tricontane
 Types of Hydrocarbons Cont’d
Alkenes -(Cn H2n)

Alkynes -(Cn H2n-2)

CH  CH
acetylene
(ethyne)
Types of Hydrocarbons Cont’d

Aromatics (Cn H2n-6)

Benzene
Composition Of Petroleum

Petroleum deposits are composed, for the most part, of

a large array of hydrocarbon compounds (or organic
chemicals).

These hydrocarbon compounds contain carbon atoms

ranging from one, in the simplest case of methane gas
to molecular groups having as many as 80 carbon
atoms which may be liquids or solids.
Composition Of Petroleum Cont’d

Also presents in crude petroleum are

compounds containing sulphur, oxygen and
nitrogen, and also inorganic salts and
impurities.

Natural crude petroleum may exist in a gaseous,

liquid or solid state, depending upon the
composition, temperature and pressure.
Components of Typical Natural Gases
Natural Gas
Hydrocarbons Composition
Methane 70-98%
Ethane 1-10%
Propane trace-5%
Butane trace-2%
Pentane trace-1%
Hexane trace-½%
Heptane + trace- (usually none)

Non-hydrocarbons
Nitrogen trace-15%
Carbon dioxide trace-1%
Hydrogen sulphide trace occasionally
Helium up to 5%, usually trace or none
Typical Composition of Petroleum Fluids

Composition Sample 1(%) Sample2 (%)

(Natural Gas) (Crude Oil)
H2S - 0.38 Note:
CO2 0.47 0.03
(1) Depletion
N2 5.01 0.03 involves changes
CH4 78.26 41.27 in pressure,
C2H6 8.96 6.51 temperature &
C3H8 4.87 5.47 volume (PVT).
i-C4H10 0.67 1.57 (2) Phase at surface
n-C4H10 0.76 2.88 or stock tank
i-C5H12 - 1.49 conditions is a
n-C5H12 - 1.59 function of PVT.
C6H14 - 2.54
(3) Therefore,
C7H16+ - 36.33 classification is
100.00 100.00 not definite.
Constituents of Petroleum
Hydrocarbon Classification
Hydrocarbon systems are Composition
classified on the basis of Common Names for Crude Fractions Are:
composition, gravity and gas-oil Methane C-1 Dry Gas
ratio. Ethane
Propane
C-2
C-3 LPG NGL
Butane C-4
– Crudes with H2S content of Pentane C-5
Hexane C-6 Naphtha
less than 70 PPM are Heavy Naphtha C-7

considered sweet. Kerosene

C-11
C-12

– Pour point and Flash point of Jet Fuel C-17

oil are important Diesel C-25

considerations in transport
and storage of oil.
Phase Behaviour Of Reservoir
Fluids
Reservoir Fluids exist in phases - gas, liquid
and solid.

Phase is a distinct portion of matter with

uniform physical and chemical properties
throughout.

Reservoir Fluids change in the physical

properties as they are produced from reservoir
to the surface due to changes in pressure and
temperature.
Phase Behaviour Of Reservoir
Fluids Cont’d
Phase behaviour describe the manner in
which PVT relate to composition of one or
more distinguishable phases.

Fluid Phase depends on prevailing conditions

of pressure and temperature.

Reservoir Fluids are multi-component

system.
“Phase Behaviour” - What is it?
A substance will exist in a solid, liquid or gas
phase depending on the temperature and
pressure conditions acting on it.

Hydrocarbon compounds, either individually or

in mixtures will change their state or phase
when subjected to changes in temperature and
pressure

The resulting change is called “Phase

Behaviour”
 System
System denotes substances within a given boundary,
and under specified conditions being considered.

A system is made up of a number of components.

Ethane in a container is a one-component system; A

mixture of ethane & propane is a two-component
system

A system may be homogeneous or heterogeneous

– In a homogeneous system the physical & chemical
properties are the same throughout; not so in a
heterogeneous system.
– A heterogeneous system consists of phases
 Phase
Phases are separate, homogeneous and
physically distinct parts of a system
separated from one another by definite
bounding surfaces.

A system containing only gases possesses

only one phase since all gases are miscible.

A system containing ice, water and water

vapour, is heterogeneous and possesses
three phases - solid, liquid and gas.
Phase Behaviour of Hydrocarbon
Systems
A component is the smallest number of independently
variable constituents by means of which the
composition of each phase can be expressed for a
system under equilibrium.
– A system containing ice, water and water vapour is a multi-
phase, one component system.
– Natural gas is a single-phase system with many components.

Hydrocarbon systems found in petroleum reservoirs

exhibit multi-phase behaviour over extremely wide
ranges of pressure and temperature.
Factors Influencing Hydrocarbon
Systems
The factors important to the behaviour
of the individual hydrocarbon molecules
are:
Pressure
Temperature
Molecular Attraction, and
Molecular Repulsion
 Pressure
Pressure is a reflection of the number of
times the molecules strike the walls of the
container.

Pressure tends to confine molecules or pull

them together:
-The greater the pressure, the greater the
tendency for the material to become more dense

-e.g. gases tend to become liquids.

 Temperature
Temperature is a physical measure of
the average kinetic energy of the
molecules of the material
Kinetic energy or molecular motion
increases as temperature increases
– The greater the temperature, the greater the
tendency for the material to be thrown apart or
decrease in density
– i.e. change from solid to liquid, or from liquid to
gas, or for gas to expand
 Molecular
Attraction/Repulsion
Molecular attraction between the molecules
increases as the distance between the molecules
decreases until the molecules get so close that
their electronic fields overlap:
– Molecular attraction is regarded as internal pressure since it
acts the same way as external pressure.
– It increases as the mass of the molecules increases, and
decreases with the distance between molecules.
 Molecular
Attraction/Repulsion Cont’d
When molecules get too close that their
electronic fields overlap repulsive forces are
triggered off:
– Repulsive forces tend to increase the resistance of the
material to compression.

When hydrocarbon materials are at rest (not

expanding, contracting or changing state) the
forces tending to confine the molecules
balance the forces tending to throw them
apart and the material is in equilibrium.
 Intensive and Extensive
Properties
Intensive Properties
– Properties independent of the amount of
materials under consideration:
• e.g. density, specific volume, compressibility,
temperature, pressure, specific heat, specific
gravity, surface tension.

Extensive Properties
– Properties directly proportional to the amount
of materials under consideration:
• e.g. mass, volume, area
 Phase Behaviour
Single Component

Critical Point
Pressure

Liquid C
P1

Solid
PB

Gas
T
P2

Temperature
 Phase Behaviour of
Single-Component Systems
The above diagram shows a Phase diagram for a single
or pure hydrocarbon such as ethane or propane.
There is a given pressure for every temperature at which
the hydrocarbon can exist both as a liquid and a gas.
The curve plotted through these pressure-temperature
points is called a vapour-pressure curve.

At points on this curve the forces tending to pull the

molecules closer (pressure and attractive forces)
balance the forces tending to pull them apart
(temperature and repulsive forces). The system is in
equilibrium.
 Phase Behaviour of
Single-Component Systems Cont’d
Vapour Pressure Curve divides the liquid region from
the gas region
The vapour pressure curve indicates the temperature & pressure
conditions under which liquid and gas coexist.
Consider a reduction in pressure at constant temperature, from P1 to
P2. This process passes through the point B.
Point B, is called the Vapour Pressure or Bubble Point of the Liquid
From pressure P1 to pressure PB at the bubble point the system is all
liquid
No vapour forms until the pressure PB is reached
Then vapour begins to form and the pressure PB will not be lowered
until all the liquid has vaporised
Then a continued reduction of pressure simply expands the gas phase
that has formed.
 Phase Behaviour of
Single-Component Systems Cont’d

Point C, the Critical Point, denoted by Pc and Tc:

-The Temperature and Pressure above which the fluid is neither
gas nor liquid.

Point T, the Triple Point is the pressure &

temperature at which solid, liquid and gas coexist
under equilibrium conditions
 Phase Behaviour of
Single-Component Systems Cont’d
Sublimation Pressure Curve: It is the line that divides the
solid phase from the gas phase. It is the extension of the
vapour pressure line at temperatures below the triple
point.
Melting Point Curve: Separates the solid from the liquid
phase. Liquid & solid coexist at temperature & pressure
conditions on the curve
Specifying the pressure and temperature imposed on a
one-component system is sufficient by its volume and
density to determine whether one, two or three phases
exist, and what these phases may be. The entire
behaviour is usually designated as PVT behaviour
 Single Component Compound

Pressure-volume
diagram for a pure
substance showing
isotherms; 1-2
below critical
temperature, 3-4
above critical
temperature
 Single Component Hydrocarbon

Methane Heptane

C
P P
Liquid

C
Liquid

Gas
Gas

T T
 Single Component
Hydrocarbon

Phase behaviour of a single- Three-dimensional diagram of

component hydrocarbon single-component system.
Phase Diagram for a binary
mixture
Phase Diagram for a binary mixture
Cricondentherm:
highest temperature at which liquid may exist.
Cricondenbar:
maximum pressure at which vapor may exist.
Retrograde Phenomenon:
Isothermal expansion (reduction in pressure at constant temperature)
that leads to phase change from gas to liquid.
The vertical line IJKLM represent a system at a constant temperature, and
the following phases exist at these points:
I – All vapour
J – Dew point
K – Within two phase
L – Bubble Point
M – All liquid
 Phase Behaviour of
Two- Component System

Cricondenbar Critical Point

Liquid

Gas

Temperature
 Phase Behaviour of
Two- Component System Cont’d
The Figure above shows the Phase diagram For a Two-Component
(or Binary) System, say a mixture of propane and butane.
The two-component system is no longer as simple in its behaviour
as the one-component system.
Instead of a single line representing the pressure-temperature
relationship, there is a broad region, the two-phase region in
which, at any particular temperature and pressure, two phases
(liquid and gas) coexist.
The shape of the envelope describing the two-phase region is
dependent on the composition of the mixture, being more vertical,
the more predominant the lighter component.
Superimposed on the phase diagram of the mixture on Figure
above, are the vapour pressure curves of the two components in
their pure states.
 Phase Behaviour of
Two- Component System Cont’d
Characteristics of The System
The two phases are bounded on one side by the bubble point line
(or curve) and on the other by a dew point line, with both lines
joining at the critical point.
– A bubble point occurs when gas begins to leave solution at decreasing
pressure
– A dew point occurs when liquid begins to condense from the gas with either
decreasing or increasing pressure

At any given temperature, the bubble point pressure of the

mixture is lower than that of the lighter component assuming this
lighter component existed alone in the system.
Also the dew point pressure of the mixture is higher than that of
the heavier component assuming it existed alone in the system.
 Phase Behaviour of
Two- Component System Cont’d
Characteristics of The System
• The Critical Point is the point at which the phase
compositions & all phase properties of both gas and liquid
mixtures are identical.
• The Critical Point of the mixture is higher than the critical point of
the individual components assuming each existed alone in the
system.
• The maximum pressure at which two phases can coexist is called
the Cricondenbar.
• The maximum temperature at which two phases can coexist is
called the Cricondentherm.
 Two-Component System

Vapour pressure curves for two pure

components and phase diagram for a 50:50 Pressure Volume Isotherm for a Two-
mixture of the same components. Component System.
Composite Phase (P-T) Diagram
Pressure-temperature diagram for
the ethane-n-heptane system.
 Phase Behaviour of
Hydrocarbon Mixtures
Figure above shows an idealised phase diagram for a naturally
occurring hydrocarbon.
If the oil existed at its bubble point or if the original pressure
was the saturation pressure of the mixture, the petroleum would
be existing at B.
If the pressure of this same oil were at A, it is said to be
undersaturated.
Quantities of liquid and gas represented by the location of the
stock tank point on the diagram, do not indicate what would
occur in the stock tank, since the original mixture changes at the
separator in the production process.
The vertical constant temperature line represents the path the
fluid would take in the reservoir as reservoir pressure declines.
 Phase Behaviour of
Natural Reservoir Systems
Natural Reservoir Systems vary in composition. The limits are
practically from methane to tar.
They all exhibit phase behaviours similar to multi-component
mixtures already described
They may be classified into the following categories:
Dark Oil (or Dissolved Gas) Systems
• Low Shrinkage Oil
• High Shrinkage Oil
Gas Systems
Wet Gas
Dry Gas
Gas Condensate Systems
Dead Oil Systems
 Phase Behaviour of
Low Shrinkage Oil
A
Cricondenbar B Critical Point

Liquid
C
Sep

Gas

Temperature
 Phase Behaviour of
Low Shrinkage Oil Cont’d
Low shrinkage oils contain relatively more of the heavier
hydrocarbon molecules than the lighter ones.
Referring to Figure above, The initial reservoir pressure may be at
A or B depending on whether the oil was initially undersaturated
or saturated.
At Point C, the fluid remaining in the reservoir is about 75 mole
per cent liquid and 25 mole per cent gas.
The separator conditions indicate that approximately 85 mole per
cent of produced oil remains as liquid. This is a fairly high
percentage, and accordingly, this oil is called low shrinkage.
The produced liquid is usually black or deeply coloured with oil
gravity.
Black Oil (Low Shrinkage )
Reservoir
Characteristics
Temperature is below critical

No gas liberation during production until

bubble point.

GOR  2000 scf/bbl or 360 m3/m3

API  45 or 0.8 g/cm3

FVF  2 bbl/stb
 Phase Behaviour of
High Shrinkage Oil
A
Cricondenbar
B Critical Point

Liquid Sep C

Gas

Temperature
 Phase Behaviour of
High Shrinkage Oil Cont’d

High Shrinkage Oils contain more of the lighter hydrocarbons

than do the low shrinkage oils.
As pressure is reduced below the bubble point, a large
amount of gas is formed.
By the time the pressure is reduced to Point C, the reservoir
contains about 40 mole per cent liquid and 60 mole per cent
gas.
The produced liquid is usually deeply coloured.
Volatile Oil (High Shrinkage)
Reservoir
Characteristics
Temperature is close to the critical.

2000  GOR  3000 scf/bbl

API  40

FVF  2 bbl/stb
 Phase Behaviour of
Natural Gas Reservoir Systems
The initial reservoir temperature of a natural gas system is
higher than the critical temperature and cricondentherm
Accordingly the phase envelope is located in such a way
that the two phases are never encountered during
pressure decline at reservoir temperature (see Figure in
the next slide).
– The system remains in gas phase in the reservoir throughout
reservoir life

This system will produce fluid of the same composition

regardless of reservoir pressure.
Gas Systems may be divided into
– Wet Gas
– Dry Gas
 Phase Behaviour of
Wet Gas System
Original Reservoir
Conditions A

Critical Point

Liquid Separator

Stock Tank

Gas

Temperature
 Phase Behaviour of
Wet Gas Systems
A reduction in reservoir pressure will not cause condensation.
However, passage of gas from the initial reservoir pressure,
through the separator to stock tank where the temperature is
lower will result in the formation of liquid.
The resulting liquid is called condensate and the gas known as
wet gas, and sometimes condensate-gas.
Wet Gases are characterised by:
Surface GOR of up to 100,000 SCF/STB; Surface Gas Gravity less than 0.7
Methane content greater than 75 mole per cent; Hexane content less than
1 mole percent
The critical temperature ranges from -1000F to -500F
Associated stock tank oils are usually water white with gravity higher than
500 API
 Phase Behaviour of
Dry Gas System
Original Reservoir
Conditions
A

Critical Point

Liquid
Stock Tank

Gas

Temperature
 Phase Behaviour of
Dry Gas Systems
A reduction in reservoir pressure will not cause condensation,
just as in the case of wet gas systems.
Passage of gas from the initial reservoir pressure to surface
conditions will also not result in the formation of liquid (Figure
above).
This is due to insufficient heavy hydrocarbons in the mixture.
The kinetic energy of the mixture is so high, and attraction
between molecules so small that the molecules are unable to
coalesce to form liquid at stock tank conditions of temperature
and pressure.
Usually systems having GOR greater than 100,000 SCF/STB are
considered dry gas systems.
 Phase Behaviour of
Retrograde Condensate Gas
Original
Reservoir
Cricondenbar Critical Point Conditions

Liquid
Retrograde Condensation

Sep Vaporisation

Gas

Temperature
 Phase Behaviour of
Retrograde Condensate Gas Systems
These are those hydrocarbon systems which exist naturally in
the reservoir as gas condensates.
However, when the reservoir pressure declines, instead of
expanding, they coalesce to form liquids.
The initial reservoir temperature of a retrograde condensate
reservoir lies between the critical point and the cricondentherm.
The fluid is in single gas phase as the reservoir pressure declines
from its initial value to its dew point pressure (see Figure in
previous slide)
As the pressure drops below the dew point, the gas begins to
condense into liquid in the two-phase region
This liquid partially re-vaporises at pressures less than about
2500 psia.
 Retrograde Condensate Gas
Systems
Characteristics
Because the saturation of liquid is low, only the vapour phase
flows to the producing well.
Thus the overall composition of the fluid remaining in the
reservoir changes continuously:
– The preferential removal of the light hydrocarbon components in the
vapour phase generates new hydrocarbon mixtures that have greater
fraction of the heavier hydrocarbons

As the reservoir fluid becomes heavier, the boundary of the two-

phase region shifts to the right, to higher temperatures. Thus the
composition change also acts to drive the system toward high
liquid condensation.
Such the reservoirs are candidates for pressure maintenance by
lean gas injection to limit retrograde loss of condensate, or for
gas cycling to vaporise and recover some liquid hydrocarbons.
 Retrograde Condensate Gas
Systems cont’d
Characteristics
• Surface GOR between 5,000 to 50,000 SCF/STB
• Surface Gas Gravity between 0.7 and 1.2
• Methane content 75 - 85 mole per cent; Hexane
plus 3 - 8 mole per cent
• Stock tank oil is usually water white or slightly
coloured with gravity higher than 450 API
 Dead Oil Systems
A Dead Oil System has very little light hydrocarbon
components.
Accordingly a dead oil system exhibits a negligible
bubble point pressure at reservoir temperature.
Boundary between dissolved gas system and dead
oil system is not clearly defined.
Generally speaking, a system with dissolved GOR
less than 20 SCF/STB may be considered dead.
 Phase Behavior Cont’d
Crude Oil
– Mixture of Numerous
Substances Liquid Critical Gas
Point
Cricondenbar
– Changes in pressure (in Volume %

reservoir & wellbore) and

Liquid

temperature (in the wellbore)

Pressure
have a pronounced effect on

Cricondentherm
hydrocarbon behavior.
– P-T phase diagrams are useful
for showing the effects of P&T
on the physical state of a
hydrocarbon system. Temperature

Near-Critical Region

Retrograde Region
 Phase Behavior Cont’d
Fluid Systems
– Fluid systems are 4. A F C
B
classified with BP Curve
Critical

respect to P & T in E
the reservoir and the D

Pressure
production facilities.
KEY
A. Undersaturated Oil Reservoir
B. Gas Reservoir
C. Condensate Gas Reservoir DP Curve
D. Oil Reservoir with Associated Gas Cap
Separator
E. Oil Reservoir with Associated Retrograde
P&T
Gas Cap
F. Volatile Oil Reservoir Temperature
Characterisation of Petroleum
Reservoirs
Reservoir are characterized depending on the position of the phase
envelop at initial discovery.

GRAVITY
141.5
• API Degrees is the most common API   131 .5
indicator of crude quality. SpecificGravity @ 60 F

Five main categories

GAS-OIL Ratio
Bubble Point Systems Dew Point Systems

• If lighter hydrocarbons - methane & Dry Gas

ethane - predominate, the system Near Critical
Wet Gas
will be in a gaseous state. Gas Condensate

• If heavier hydrocarbons
Volatile Oil
Black Oil
predominate, the system will be in a
liquid state 100 1000 10000 100000
Original Gas-Liquid Ratio, SCF/STB
 Exercise No. 13
Using the menu, select MENU

properties that characterize 1. Reservoir Temp. < Critical Temp.

the following reservoir fluid 2. Reservoir Temp. > Critical Temp.

systems: 3. Reservoir Temp. < Cricondentherm

A. Low Shrinkage Crude 4. Reservoir Temp. > Cricondentherm

(Black) Oil 5. Liquid phase never develop in Reservoir

B. High Shrinkage Crude 6. Liquid never develop in Reservoir /

surface.
(Volatile) Oil
7. Liquid vol.. Greatly reduced due to
C. Gas Condensate production to surface.

D. Wet Gas 8. Production GOR usually less than 500

SCF/STB
E. Dry Gas.
9. Produced liquids are 60 API or greater
10. 3300 < GOR < 50,000 and 40 < API < 60
 Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium
Equilibrium ratio relates the mole fractions of a given
component in the vapor and liquid phases of the
equilibrium mixture.
The relationship is given by:

Ki = Yi/Xi
Ki = equilibrium ratio (constant)
Yi = mole fraction of the i-th component in the vapor phase
Xi = mole fraction of the i-th component in the liquid phase

Importance of this Relationship:

-To calculate compositions of liquid and vapour in an equilibrium system.
-Locate bubble point when given temperature or pressure & composition.
-Locate dew point when given temperature or pressure & composition.
Equilibrium Flash Calculation
Zi
X i    1.0
L  K iV
or

Zi
Yi    1.0
V  L / Ki

Zi = mole fraction of component in the feed of equilibrium. mixture.

V or L = mole fraction of vapor & liquid phases in the system (V+L = 1.0).

Note:
only Zi & Ki are known.
V, L, Xi Yi are calculated by trial & error method.
 Bubble & Dew Points
Determination
Needed:
Composition of the mixture
Temperature or pressure of the system

Steps
Guess value for T if P is known or vice versa
Find Ki for each component at T & P
Using equation determine Yi for bubble point and Xi for
dew pt.
If Yi = 1.0 or Yi = 1.0, then the mixture is on the phase
envelope. Else another condition of P or T is assumed.

Equilibrium Ratio Determination

For ideal mixtures: Obtained from vapor pressure data or
generalized equilibrium ratio chart.
Real fluids: Determined empirically or thermodynamically.
Relation Between Surface &
Reservoir Conditions
Solution
Gas
Solution
Water Gas

Oil Solution
Gas

Solution
Gas

Water Oil Free

Free Gas
Shrinkage Shrinkage
Expansion
Gas

Water Oil
Free Gas

Reservoir
Conditions
 Surface-to-Reservoir
Conversions
Oil Formation Volume Factor
The reservoir volume in barrels that is
occupied by one stock tank barrel of oil
and its dissolved gas. Rsi SCF
STB
Symbol: Bo, o
Units: RB/STB
Water Formation Volume Factor
The reservoir volume in barrels that is
occupied by one stock barrel of water
and its dissolved gas.
Symbol: Bw, w
Units: RB/STB 1 STB Oil

Gas Formation Volume Factor

The reservoir volume in cubic feet (or Bo
RB (Oil + Dissolved Gas)
barrel) that is occupied by one SCF of STB
gas at the surface.
Symbol: Bg, g
Units: CF/SCF or RB/SCF
Effect of Reservoir Pressure
Hydrocarbon Fluid Properties

Pi Pb P1 < Pb P2 << Pb P3

Pb Pb
Rsi
Bo, RB/STB

Rs SCF/STB
P1 P1

P2 P2
P3
P Pi P Pi
Effect of Reservoir Pressure
Hydrocarbon Fluid Properties

Pi Pb Pi < Pb P2 << Pb P3

P2
P2

Bg, CF/SCF
o, Cp

P1
P1

Pb Pi Pb Pi

P P
Sources of Fluid Properties Data
Gas, oil, and water properties are needed at initial pressure as
well as at all other pressures and temperatures that could result
during the reservoir productive life (PVT).

Following methods are used:

A. Laboratory measurements
– Representative samples of fluids are collected and laboratory
measurements are made under simulated conditions of P, T, and
the Separation Process.
B. Correlations
– Numerous correlations are available in the SPE, AIME, and
AICHE literature. These are useful for preliminary analysis.
C. “Equation of State” Software
– A large number of EOS-software are available in the market
which, upon validation, can generate properties data under any
desired situation.
 Laboratory Measurement of
PVT Data
A. Differential Liberation

Gas
Oil Gas Oil Gas
Oil
Oil
Oil
Hg Hg Hg
Hg Hg

P1 = Pb P2 < Pb P2 < Pb P2 < Pb P3 < P < Pb

After Vent Gas All Gas After
Equilibration at Constant Removed Equilibration
P2

This procedure involves the isothermal expansion of the reservoir oil

in a series of pressure decrements from Pb to patm. The gas evolved
after each step is completely removed from the PVT Cell.

Data Generated: Bo, Rs, o, o, Cg,  g

 Laboratory Measurement of
PVT Data Cont’d
B. Flash Liberation
AkA: Constant Composition Expansion
Pb

Liquid Liquid Gas

Liquid
Gas
Gas
Liquid
Liquid

Liquid

This procedure involves the isothermal expansion of the reservoir oil

in a series of pressure decrements from Pi to patm. All gas evolved
remains in contact with oil in the PVT Cell.

Data Generated: Bo, Co, Cg,  o,  g

 Laboratory Measurement of PVT Data
Cont’d

C. Separator Test
First Gas
Stage
Second
HPPT Stage Gas Gas

LPPT Third
Stage
Water

Water Tank

Oil

Oil

Water

This procedure involves the separation of wellhead fluids into oil

and gas at known decrement of pressure and temperature.

Data Generated: Bo, Co, Cg,  o,  g

 Viscosity
Viscosity is the internal resistance of a fluid to flow.
– Units: Centipoise
Oil Viscosity
– o = ƒ (P, T, Rs, Composition)
– It is generally measured in the laboratory.
– Correlations are available.
Gas Viscosity
– g = ƒ (P, T, Composition)
– Good correlations are available, hence it is not measured.
Water Viscosity
– w = ƒ (P, T, Salinity)
– It is generally measured in the laboratory.
– Good correlations are available.
 Compressibility
Reservoir fluids are classified as:
• Incompressible
–Volume is not a function of
pressure
• Compressible Liquid
–Volume change with pressure is C
quite small
V
V Vi[1+ C (P i P )] B

• Compressible Gas A

–Volume change with pressure is

very large P

Cg  1  1 dZ
P Z dP
–For light gases: Cg  1/P
Range of compressible values, (PSI)-1 x 10-6
Co = 10 - 80; Cw = 3 - 5; Cg = 100 - 1000; Cf = 3 - 20
 Sampling of Reservoir Fluids
A representative sample of the reservoir fluid is needed, before it’s
composition is altered.
• Sampling should be done as early as possible.
Sufficient number of samples should be taken to determine areal and
vertical variation of fluid properties.
Bottomhole samples are collected for oil reservoirs with bottomhole
pressure in excess of PBP
• Well conditioning is critical to ensure that sample collected is similar to oil
inside the reservoir.

Separator samples are collected for:

– Reservoirs at pressures below PBP
– Gas condensate reservoir
– High water-cut wells
• Well stabilization is critical to ensure that fluids and the producing ratios are similar
to those in the reservoir.

Samples transportation, storage, and handling require good practices so

that they remain unaltered.
 Sampling of Reservoir Fluids
cont’d

SITUATION 1
– Undesirable due to Pe
free gas in the 2
reservoir
PBP
1
SITUATION 2
– Desirable due to single
Draining Area re
phase oil in the
reservoir
 Exercise No. 14

Calculate voidage for a THE CONVERSION FACTORS ARE:

one-well reservoir Oil Formation Volume Factor = 1.20 RB/STB
producing oil at 5,000 Solution GOR = 500 SCF/STB
STB/Day and gas at Gas Formation Volume Factor = 0.001 RB/SCF
5.5 MMSCF/Day.
If reservoir pressure is
maintained at the
current level, how
much water is being
injected daily?
Solution to Exercise No. 14
To be collected tomorrow
END OF CHAPTER THREE