PETE 310

Lecture # 17
Chapter 10 Properties of Black
Oils - Reservoir Fluid Studies

Fluid Properties for Reservoir

Engineering Processes
The fluid properties of interest to the
Reservoir Engineer are those that affect
the mobility of fluids within the
reservoirs these are used in material
balance calculations
Properties at surface conditions for
transportation and sales (API, viscosity,
oil quality)

Fluid Properties for Reservoir

Engineering Processes
PVT properties are determined from 5
specific lab procedures

Flash liberation tests

Differential Liberation Tests
Viscosity Measurements
Separator Tests
Compositional measurements

Fluid Properties Determined

Oil Properties

Bubble Point Pressure

Bo
Rs
Bt
Co and o

Gas properties
z
Bg and g

Compositions oil & gas

Oil Sampling Procedures

Bottom hole or subsurface samples
Separator Samples
SAMPLE BEFORE RESERVOIR
PRESSURE DROPS BELOW Pb

1.Flash Vaporization Test

V

t1

oil

V t3 = V b

t2

oil

gas
V
oil

gas
V

t4

t5

oil
oil

Hg

Hg

Hg

Hg
Hg

P 1 >> P

P2 > P

P3 = P

P4 < P

P5 <P

Temperature of Test = Reservoir Temperature

1.Flash Vaporization Test

Properties determined
Pb
Co

Determination of Pb

Determination of Co

2.Differential Separation
Test
Gas off
1

2
gas

oil

Hg

oil

oil

gas
oil

Hg

gas
oil

Hg

Hg
P1 = Pb

P2 < Pb

oil
Hg

P2 < Pb

P2 < P b

P3 < P

< Pb

Temperature of Test = Reservoir Temperature

2.Differential Separation
Test
Properties Determined
Oil formation volume factor at the Bubble
Point pressure Bodb and below the bubble point
pressure Bod
Solution gas-oil ratio at the Bubble Point
pressure Rsdb and below the bubble point
pressure Rsd
Isothermal compressibility (derived property)

3. Separator Tests
Tests performed at a combination
of different Temperature and
Pressure pairs

3. Separator Tests
Goals: Maximize API, minimize BoSb
& RsSb

Optimization of Separator 2
Conditions
3300

2.86

Solution Gas Oil Ratio at Pb (Rsb)

3280

2.84

3260
2.82

3240
2.80

3220
3200

2.78

3180
3160
50

o
T
= 75 F 2.76
Sep2

100

150

200

Separator 2 Pressure (psia)

250

300

Formation Volume Factor at Pb (Bob)

High Pressure Separator @ 900 psia and 100 F

Comparison between 1 & 2

Separators Stages (volatile oil)
2.96

3440
One Separator Stage

3420

2.94

3400
2.92

3380
3360

Low Pressure Separator @ 300 psia and 75F

o
TSep1 = 160 F

400

500

600

700

800

Separator 1 Pressure (psia)

2.90
900

1000

Formation Volume Factor at Pb (Bob)

Solution Gas Oil Ratio at Pb (Rsb)

3460

Typical PVT Properties for a

Black Oil and a Volatile Oil
3.2
3.0

Formation Volume Factor (Bo)

o
T =180 F
R

Black Oil
Volatile Oil
Black Oil Correlation

2.8
2.6
2.4
2.2
2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0

P
b

P
b
0

1000

2000

3000

Pressure (psia)

4000

5000

Typical PVT Properties for a

Black Oil and a Volatile Oil
4000

o
T =180 F
R

Solution Gas Oil Ratio (Rs)

Black Oil
Volatile Oil
Black Oil Correlation

3000

2000

1000

P
b

1000

2000
3000
Pressure (psia)

P
b

4000

5000

Nomenclature

4. Compositional Tests
http://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/CHROMO/chromintro.html
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