Al Fateh University

Faculty of Engineering
Petroleum Engineering Department

Determinations Oil Properties By

PVT Correlations

A project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in the Faculty

of Engineering for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Petroleum
Engineering

Prepared By
Ahamed Naaes Mohamed Al Truge Mohamed Al Kilani

Supervised by
Dr. Said I. Aldbaib

Spring 2010
 ‫{ َو َعلّ َم َك َما َ لَ ْم ت َ ُكن ت َ ْعلم َو َك َ‬
‫ان فَ ُ‬
‫ض ُل هللاِ‬
‫عظ ِيما }‬ ‫َعلَ َ‬
‫يك َ‬
‫صدق هللا العظيم‬

‫الآية{‪}113‬من ســــورة النساء‪.‬‬

‫‪I‬‬
 DEDICATION
To our parents for their encouragement, and support... to
our friends for their encouragement

II
 ABSTRACT

Petroleum is a complex mixture consisting predominantly of hydrocarbons and

containing sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, and helium as minor constituents. The
physical and chemical properties of crude oils vary considerably and depend on the
concentration of the various types of hydrocarbons and minor constituents present.
An accurate description of physical properties of crude oils is of a considerable
importance in the fields of both applied and theoretical science and especially in
the solution of petroleum reservoir engineering problems.

The data of most of the fluid properties is usually determined by laboratory

experiments performed on samples of actual reservoir fluids. In the absence of
experimentally measured properties of crude oils, it is necessary for the petroleum
engineer to determine the properties from empirically derived correlations.

Reservoir management requires Engineer who is well acquainted with reservoir

engineering, One of the main aspects of reservoir engineering is the PVT
properties determination, These properties are used in many petroleum engineering
calculations.

In this work, the formation volume factor, oil compressibility, bubble point
pressure, viscosity, density and solubility are experimentally measured in the
laboratory using 3000 PVT system device, also an applications of a certain
correlations was performed to calculate some of the PVT properties stated above in
an attempt to evaluate the results obtained experimentally.

III
 Acknowledgments
We would like to offer our everlasting gratitude to Allah for his
endless blessings.

We would also like to express our performed gratitude to our families,

who always served as the source of inspiration to finish this project.

We are deeply indebted to our supervisor Dr. Said I. Aldbaib for his
able guidance, motivation and moral support throughout this academic
research.

We are also greatly indebted to all the Petroleum Engineering staff for
their care and assistance throughout our academic years.

The management of the Libyan Petroleum Institute as well as the

Engineers in the PVT laboratory should be thanked for providing time,
valuable data and technical information.

Last but not least, we would like to express our sincere thanks to our
friends and colleagues for their encouragement, support over the past
years.

IV
 Contents
Abstract III
Acknowledgements IV
Table of content V
List of tables VI
List of figures VII

Chapter 1

Fluid Properties

1.1 Properties of crude oil systems 2

1.2 Basic properties of reservoir oil 2

1.2.1 Density of oil

3
1.2.2 Viscosity of oil
4
1.2.3 Shrinkage of oil 6
1.2.4 oil formation volume factor 6
1.2.5 dissolved gas oil ratio 7

1.2.6 compressibility of oil and water 9

1.3 classification of reservoirs and reservoir fluids 10

1.3.1 pressure-temperature diagram 11

oil reservoirs
1.3.2 13
under saturated oil reservoir
1.3.2.1 13
saturated oil reservoir
1.3.2.2 13
gas-cap reservoir
1.3.2.3 13

1.3.3 oil crudes 14

1.3.3.1 ordinary black oil 14

V
 1.3.3.2 low-shrinkage oil 15

1.3.3.3 volatile crude oil 17

1.3.3.4 near-critical crude oil 18

1.3.4 gas reservoirs 20

1.3.4.1 retrograde gas-condensate reservoir 21

1.3.4.2 near-critical gas-condensate reservoir

23
1.3.4.3 wet-gas reservoir 24

1.3.4.4 dry-gas reservoir 25

1.4 physical characteristics of reservoir fluids 28

Chapter 2
PVT Test

2.1 introduction 30
2.2 conventional pvt tests 31

2.2.1 constant composition expansion 31

2.2.2 differential liberation expansion 33

2.2.3 flash separation tests 34

chapter 3
PVT oil properties correlations

3.1 introduction 40

3.2 oil correlations 40

3.2.1 oil density correlations 40

3.2.1.1 mccain & hill (1995) 40

standing (1951)
3.2.1.2 41

VI
3.2.1.3 mccain density mass balance 42

3.2.1.4 oil density at pressures above pb 43

3.2.2 oil formation volume factor (bo) 43

3.2.2.1 glaso (1980) 43

standing (1947)
3.2.2.2 43

3.2.2.3 vasquez and beggs (1980) 45

3.2.24 gas corrected gravity eqn- vasquez beggs 45

3.2.2.5 petrosky & farshad (1993) 45

3.2.2.6 farshad & leblanc (1992) 45

3.2.2.7 al-marhoun (2) (1992) 46

3.2.2.8 kartoatmodjo and schmidt (1994) 46

3.2.2.9 separator gas gravity, kartoatmodjo 47

3.2.2.10 casey and cronquist (1992) 47

3.2.2.11 almedhaideb (1997) 48

3.2.2.12 al-shammasi (1999) 49

3.2.2.13 elksharkawy & alikhan (1997) 49

3.2.2.14 mccain mass balance formation volume factor 49

3.2.2.15 oil formation volume factor at pressures above pb 49

3.2.3 bubble point pressure 50

3.2.3.1 glaso (1980) 50

3.2.3.2 standing (1947) 50

3.2.3.3 laseter (1958) 51

VII
3.2.3.4 vazquez and beggs (1980) 52

3.2.3.5 al-marhoun (1988) 54

3.2.3.6 petrosky and farshad (1993) 54

3.2.3.7 farshad & leblanc (1992) 54

3.2.3.8 kartoatmodjo and schmidt (1994) 55

valkó & mccain (2003)
3.2.3.9 56

3.2.3.10 velarde, blasingame, mccain (1997) 57

3.2.3.11 labedi (1990) 58

3.2.3.12 al-shammasi (1999) 58

3.3 solution gas oil ratio 58

3.3.1 glaso (1980) 58

3.3.2 standing (1947) 60

3.3.3 vazquez-beggs (1980) 60

3.3.4 3.3.4 lasater (1958) 61

3.3.5 3.3.5petrosky and farshad (1993) 62

Chapter 4
Discussion Of Results

4.1 introduction 64

4.2 oil solubility 64

4.3 oil formation volume factor 65

4.4 bubble point pressure 65

4.5 oil compressibility factor 66

VIII
 4.6 oil density 67

4.7 PVT empirical correlations 68

4.7.1 formation volume factor correlations 69

4.7.2 oil compressibility factor correlations 69

Chapter 5
Conclusion & Recommendation
5.1 Conclusion 71
71
5.2 Recommendation

References 72
A Appendix A 74
B Appendix B 85
C Appendix C 89

IX
 List of figures

Figure Page
2.1 Schematic illustration of the constant composition expansion test. 32
2.2 Pressure volume relation for constant composition expansion test. 33
2.3 Schematic diagram of differential vaporization (liberation) test. 34
2.4 Schematic illustration of three-stage flash separation process. 35
Determination of the optimum separator pressure from flash
2.5 36
separation test.
2.6 Schematic diagram of constant volume depletion. 38
4.1 The Oil Solubility Vs, Pressure 64
4.2 The Oil Formation Volume Factor Vs, Pressure 65
4.3 Relative Volume Vs, Pressure 66
4.4 Oil Compressibility Vs, Pressure 67
4.5 Oil Density Vs, Pressure 68
A Appendix A (3000 PVT Test) 73

VII
 List of Tables

Table Page

1-1 Hydrocarbon liquids and ranges of oil gravity ……………….…………. 4

1-2 Types of reservoir hydrocarbons and ranges of R si, Boi, and API gravity.. 8
3-1 linear interpolation for Mo …………………………………………….… 51
3-2 linear interpolation for Pf………………………………………………… 52
B Appendix B (Calculations of Correlations)……………..……………….. 85
C Appendix C (Results of Laboratory)………………………………………89

VI
Chapter (1)
Introduction
Chapter (1) Introduction

1.1 PROPERTIES OF CRUDE OIL SYSTEMS (1)

Petroleum (an equivalent term is crude oil); is a complex mixture consisting
predominantly of hydrocarbons and containing sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, and
helium as minor constituents. The physical and chemical properties of crude oils
vary considerably and depend on the concentration of the various types of
hydrocarbons and minor constituents present. An accurate description of physical
properties of crude oils is of a considerable importance in the fields of both applied
and theoretical science and especially in the solution of petroleum reservoir
engineering problems. Physical properties of primary interest in petroleum
engineering studies include:

1) Fluid gravity.
2) Specific gravity of the solution gas.
3) Oil density.
4) Gas solubility.
5) Bubble-point pressure.
6) Oil formation volume factor.
7) Isothermal compressibility coefficient of under saturated crude oils.
8) Under saturated oil properties.
9) Crude oil viscosity
10) Total formation volume factor.
11) Crude oil viscosity.
12) Surface tension.
Data on most of these fluid properties is usually determined by laboratory
experiments performed on samples of actual reservoir fluids. In the absence of
experimentally measured properties of crude oils, it is necessary for the petroleum
engineer to determine the properties from empirically derived correlations.

1.2 BASIC PROPERTIES OF RESERVOIR OIL

Oil is the term used to denote any black or volatile liquids in the reservoir, the
most important and commonly used intensive physical properties of an oil are
density, viscosity, shrinkage, and gas in solution.

2
Chapter (1) Introduction

Before discussing the physical or PVT properties, One's must define the
bubble point or saturation pressure, (Pb). This is the pressure at reservoir
temperature at which gas first bubble evolves from solution of a liquid
hydrocarbon system.

1.2.1 Density of Oil

Density is defined, in general, as the weight of oil unit volume and is usually
expressed at a particular temperature and pressure. Since various sets of unites can
be used for density, it has become traditional in the petroleum industry to utilize a
dimensionless specific gravity or a so-called API gravity to define this property.

The specific gravity (S.G) is defined as the density of the oil divided by the
density of water , and expressed mathematically as:

𝝆𝒐
Specific Gravity (S.G) = Equation (1-1)
𝝆𝒘

Where:

ρo =density of oil, (Ib/𝑓𝑡 3 )

ρw =density of water, (Ib/𝑓𝑡 3 )

When both densities are expressed at a reference temperature of 60°F, this is

called the S.G. (60°/60°), or at reference temperature of 20°C, S.G (20°/20°).

The API gravity: is defined as:

𝟏𝟒𝟏.𝟓
API = − 𝟏𝟑𝟏. 𝟓 Equation (1-2)
𝑺.𝑮

The unit is degree API ( American Petroleum Institute). Or, more clearly
𝟏𝟒𝟏.𝟓
S.G = Equation (1-3)
𝟏𝟑𝟏.𝟓+𝑨𝑷𝑰°

3
Chapter (1) Introduction

It can be seen from equation (1-2) that, pure water (specific gravity = 1.0) would
have an API gravity of 10°. Oil with a gravity of less than 10° API would be
heavier than water and oil having a gravity of more than 10° API would be lighter
than water.

The crude oil and condensate liquids previously would have ranges of gravity
shown in table (1-2), and water was included for comparisons. It can also be seen
from table (1-2) that, the lighter mixtures would have the lower densities and
higher API gravity.

Table(1-1) Hydrocarbon liquids and ranges of oil gravity

Type of Density(Ib/ Specific

API Gravity(API°)
liquid 𝒇𝒕𝟑 ) Gravity
Black oil >50 >0.802 < 45
Volatile oil 46.1-50 0.739-0.802 45-60
Gas
46.1-48.7 0.739-0.780 50
condensate
Pure water 62.4 1.0 10

API gravity is an important property, economically, since many sales price

schedules are based on stated prices for particular API gravity ranges. API gravity
is determined in the laboratory by floating a calibrated weight( hydrometer) in the
oil and reading density gravity, or API gravity directly.
Density is function of composition, pressure, and temperature. Generally the
density of particular oil, assuming no compositional changes, will increase with
increase in pressure and decrease with increase in temperature. Density is an
important physical variable for fluid flow behavior. Density is measured in the
laboratory by weighing a know volume of oil for certain temperature and pressure.

1.2.2 Viscosity of oil

Viscosity is one of the most important properties affecting flow rates in both pipes
and porous media. The viscosity (µ) is defined as the internal friction or the
resistance offered by the fluid to relative motion of its parts.

4
Chapter (1) Introduction

The standard unites for viscosity in petroleum engineering is centipoises,

abbreviated as cp, and there are 100 centipoises in 1 poise. A poise is the force in
dynes required to move a weightless plate with an area of 1 cm2 through a fluid at a
velocity of 1cm/sec. Pure water at 60°F has a viscosity of approximately 1.0 cp.

Kinematics Viscosity (ν), is not normally used in petroleum unites, is defined

as dynamic viscosity (µ) divided by density (ρ).
µ
V= Equation (1-4)
𝝆

Kinematic viscosity is usually given centistokes equivalent to (cm2/100 sec). In

porous media the viscosity is a physical property, which influences the ability of a
fluid to flow through porous media. The Darcy's law describing the fluid flow in
porous media in it’s simplest from linear floe is written as:

𝑲∗𝑨∗(𝑷𝟏 −𝑷𝟐 )
Q = 1.127* Equation (1-5)
µ∗𝒍

Where :

K = permeability,( Darcy).

µ = viscosity, (cp).

Q = Volumetric flow rate, (BBL/Day).

L = length of flow, (ft).

A= cross-section area of flow,( 𝑓𝑡 2 ).

P1=upstream pressure, (psia).

P2=downstream pressure,( psia).

5
Chapter (1) Introduction

Equation (1-5) demonstrates the effect of viscosity on fluid flow in porous

media and the importance of this physical property in reservoir engineering
calculations.

It can be seen from equation (1-5) with a given pressure gradient in a porous
medium, the flow rate is inversely proportional to the fluid viscosity. The more
viscous the oil, the higher pressure gradient necessary to establish a desired flow
rate. Oil viscosity is usually denoted as (µ𝑜 ).

The oil viscosity, like density, is function of composition, pressure, and

temperature, normally decreasing with high temperatures.

The viscosity of oil (µo), gas (µg), and water (µw) are needed to describe
fluid movement in the reservoirs (especially in multi phase flow). Oil viscosity is
measured as a function of pressure in the laboratory as a part of subsurface
hydrocarbon sample analysis. Gas and water viscosities are generally estimated for
reservoir conditions from published correlations.

1.2.3 Shrinkage of oil

It is obviously related to the changes in oil density with change in composition,
pressure, and temperature and it is used as a measure of the change in liquid
volume in the reservoir from one pressure to another or the change in liquid
volume as the oil moves from the reservoir to the surface stock tank. For purposes
of convenience and calculations, this shrinkage is usually expressed as oil
formation volume factor (OFVF).

1.2.4 Oil Formation Volume Factor

It is defined as the reservoir volume in barrels (measured at reservoir
conditions). occupied by one stock tank barrel of oil and its dissolved gas. It is
usually denoted by (Bo)

In summary:

a) The oil formation volume factor (Bo): is expressed mathematically as:

6
Chapter (1) Introduction

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐕𝐑
Bo = = Equation (1-6)
𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤−𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐕𝐬𝐭

(Bo) usually has the units of reservoir bbl per stock-tank bbl. These unites is
simply expressed as (bbl/STB).

Two specific values of the formation volume factor are commonly used (Boi)
the value of (Bo) at the initial reservoir pressure, and (Bob) the value of Bo at the
bubble point or saturation pressure.

b) The oil shrinkage factor (1/Bo): is the reciprocal of the oil formation volume
factor. This factor represents the fraction of a barrel of stock tank oil that is
contained in one reservoir barrel of oil. It has the units of (STB/Bbl)
c) The total formation volume factor (Bt): is the reservoir volume in barrels
(measured at reservoir conditions) occupied by one STB of oil and the gas that
was initially in solution. Some of this gas may still be in solution while some
has been librated. For pressures at or above the bubble point, (Bt) and (Bo) are
identical since no gas has released from solution.
d) The gas formation volume factor (Bg): is the reservoir volume in barrels
(measured at reservoir conditions) occupied by one standard cubic foot (SCF)
of gas.

1.2.5 Dissolved Gas oil Ratio

It is a convenient means to describe the evolution of vapor (gas) phase with
reduction in pressure. If oil in the reservoir (existing as a single phase liquid or
with free gas in a two-phase system) is produced to the stock tank, gas will evolve
from the oil as the pressure and temperature decrease.

The gas in solution or solution gas-oil ratio is measured in the laboratory by

removing a known quantity of oil from a PVT cell and placing it under stock-tank
conditions of pressure and temperature. Metering of the evolved gas and
measurement of the residual oil will enable the direct calculation of the gas in
solution at the cell (reservoir) pressure and temperature.

a. The solution gas-oil ratio (Rs): is simply the volume of gas in SCF
dissolved in one STB of oil at a given reservoir pressure and temperature.

7
Chapter (1) Introduction

The solution gas-oil that exists at the initial reservoir pressure is

designated, (Rsi). Table (1-3) illustrates the types of hydrocarbon fluids
base on (Rsi), (Boi), and API gravity.

Table (1-2) Types of reservoir hydrocarbons and ranges of Rsi, Boi, and API gravity.

Type of Oil
Rsi Boi
reservoir Gravity
(SCF/STB) (BBl/STB)
hydrocarbon API°
Black oil <1000 > 2.0 < 45.0

Volatile oil 1000-8000 >2.0 45-60

Gas
8,000-60,000 >> 2.0 50-60
condensate

Black oils usually yields gas oil ratios of 1000 SCF per STB or less with API
gravities of the produced oil 45 ° or less. While volatile oils yield gas –oil ratio
from 1000 to 8000 SCF per STB with oil gravity of 45° to 60°. The type of oil can
be classified after a detailed study of reservoir fluid sample. However the behavior
of black and volatile oils are similar in all respects, the singular difference being
that volatile oils evolve larger amounts of dissolved gas and undergo much more
shrinkage as pressure declines below the bubble point.

b. The Total Produced gas-oil Ratio (Rt): if free gas in the reservoir is
being produced with the reservoir oil, as in case of gas cap reservoirs. This
gas will constitute a portion of the total gas production. The remainder of
the produced gas which evolved from the reservoir oil after it entered the
bottom of the well bore, “gas in solution". The ratio of the volume of this
free gas to the volume of stock-tank oil is termed the “free gas-oil ratio".
The total produced gas-oil ratio (R) is sum of the solution gas-oil ratio
(𝑹𝒔 ) and the free gas –oil ratio (𝑹𝒇 ).

R= 𝑹𝒔 + 𝑹𝒇 Equation(1-7)

8
Chapter (1) Introduction

When the reservoir pressure (P) is above the saturation pressure (Pb).

then , 𝑹𝒇 = 0 and R = 𝑅𝑠𝑖

c. The total formation volume factor (Bt): It is calculated in terms of the

oil formation volume factor and the reservoir volume of released gas.
Based on the definitions presented for the oil formation volume factor, the
gas formation volume factor, and the solution gas-oil. The equation for
calculating (𝐵𝑡 ) is expressed as:

𝐵𝑡 = 𝑩 𝒐 + (𝑅𝑠𝑖 -𝑅𝑠 )*𝑩𝒈 Equation(1-8)

Bt is an important factor in the calculations of material balance equation When

the reservoir pressure, P, is above the saturation pressure, Pb. Then, 𝑅𝑠 = 𝑅𝑠𝑖 and
𝐵𝑡 = 𝑩 𝒐

1.2.6 Compressibility of oil and water

If we assume the temperature is constant, then compressibility is called an
isothermal compressibility and expressed mathematically as:

−𝟏 𝝏𝑽
C= ∗ ( ) Equation (1-9)
𝑽 𝝏𝑷

Where:

C = compressibility,(1/psi).

V = Volume,( 𝑓𝑡 3 ).

P = pressure, (psi).

As the liquid compressibility is less than that for gases, equation (1-9) can be
approximated to:

−𝟏 𝚫𝑽
C= ∗ ( ) Equation (1-10)
𝑽𝒊 𝚫𝑷

9
Chapter (1) Introduction

Where:

Vi = initial volume, (𝑓𝑡 3 ).

ΔV =change in volume, (𝑓𝑡 3 ).

ΔP = change in pressure,( psi).

Oil and water compressibility is calculated based on equation (1-10) and are
defined as:

oil compressibility (Co): is the fractional reduction in oil volume that results
from a pressure increase of one psi. Unites of compressibility are (1/Psi). Oil
compressibility is generally measured on a reservoir fluid sample.
Water compressibility (Cw): is the fractional reduction in water volume that
results from a one Psi pressure increase. Unites are (1/Psi). Water
compressibility is generally estimated from correlations.

Since reservoir pressures normally decline from initial value during the
producing life, these compressibility factors are always used to calculate oil
expansion at pressures above the bubble point.

1.3 CLASSIFICATION OF RESERVOIRS AND RESERVOIR

FLUIDS
Petroleum reservoirs are broadly classified as oil or gas reservoirs. These
broad classifications are further subdivided depending on:

 The composition of the reservoir hydrocarbon mixture.

 Initial reservoir pressure and temperature.
 Pressure and temperature of the surface production.

The conditions under which these phases exist are a matter of considerable
practical importance. The experimental or the mathematical determinations of
these conditions are conveniently expressed in different types of diagrams
commonly called phase diagrams. One such diagram is called the pressure-
temperature diagram.

10
Chapter (1) Introduction

1.3.1 Pressure-Temperature Diagram

Figure (1-1) shows a typical pressure-temperature diagram of a multi

component system with a specific overall composition. Although different
hydrocarbon system would have different phase diagrams, the general
configuration is similar.

These multi component pressure-temperature diagrams are essentially used to:

 Classify reservoirs.
 Classify the naturally occurring hydrocarbon systems.
 Describe the phase behavior of the reservoir fluid.

To fully understand the significance of the pressure-temperature diagrams, it

is necessary to identify and define the following key points on these diagrams:

 Cricondentherm (Tct): The Cricondentherm, is defined as the

maximum temperature above which liquid cannot be formed regardless

11
Chapter (1) Introduction

of pressure (point E). The corresponding pressure is termed the

Cricondentherm Pressure (pct).

 Cricondenbar (pcb): The Cricondenbar is the maximum pressure above

which no gas can be formed regardless of temperature (point D). The
corresponding temperature is called the Cricondenbar Temperature
(Tcb).

 Critical point: The critical point for a multi component mixture is

referred to as the state of pressure and temperature at which all
intensive properties of the gas and liquid phases are equal (point C). At
the critical point, the corresponding pressure and temperature are called
the Critical Pressure (Pc) and Critical Temperature (Tc) of the mixture.

 Phase envelope (two-phase region): The region enclosed by the Bubble

Point Curve and the Dew-Point Curve (line BCA), wherein gas and
liquid coexist in equilibrium, is identified as the phase envelope of the
hydrocarbon system.

 Quality lines: The dashed lines within the phase diagram are called
quality lines. They describe the pressure and temperature conditions for
equal volumes of liquids. Note that the quality lines converge at the
critical point (point C).
 Bubble-point curve: The bubble-point curve (line AC) is defined as
the line separating the liquid-phase region from the two-phase region.

 Dew-point curve: The dew-point curve (line BC) is defined as the line
separating the vapor-phase region from the two-phase region.

In general, reservoirs are conveniently classified on the basis of the location

of the point representing the initial reservoir pressure (Pi) and temperature (T) with
respect to the pressure-temperature diagram of the reservoir fluid. Accordingly,
reservoirs can be classified into basically two types. These are:

12
Chapter (1) Introduction

Oil reservoirs: If the reservoir temperature (T) is less than the critical
temperature (Tc) of the reservoir fluid, the reservoir is classified as an oil
reservoir.
Gas reservoirs: If the reservoir temperature (T) is greater than the critical
temperature (Tc) of the hydrocarbon fluid, the reservoir is considered a gas
reservoir.

1.3.2 Oil Reservoirs

Depending upon initial reservoir pressure Pi, oil reservoirs can be sub classified
into the following categories:

1.3.2.1 Under saturated oil reservoir

If the initial reservoir pressure (Pi) (as represented by point 1 on figure (1-1),
is greater than the bubble-point pressure (Pb) of the reservoir fluid, the reservoir is
labeled an under saturated oil reservoir.

1.3.2.2 Saturated oil reservoir

When the initial reservoir pressure (Pi) is equal to the bubble-point pressure
(Pb) of the reservoir fluid, as shown on figure (1-1) by point 2, the reservoir is
called a saturated oil reservoir.

1.3.2.3 Gas-cap reservoir

If the initial reservoir pressure (Pi) is below the bubble point pressure (Pb) of
the reservoir fluid, as indicated by point 3 on figure 1-1, the reservoir is termed a
gas-cap or two-phase reservoir, in which the gas or vapor phase is underlain by an
oil phase. The appropriate quality line gives the ratio of the gas-cap volume to
reservoir oil volume.

13
Chapter (1) Introduction

1.3.3 Oil Crudes

Crude oils cover a wide range in physical properties and chemical
compositions, and it is often important to be able to group them into broad
categories of related oils. In general, crude oils are commonly classified into the
following types:

 Ordinary black oil.

 Low-shrinkage crude oil.
 High-shrinkage (volatile) crude oil.
 Near-critical crude oil.

The above classifications are essentially based upon the properties exhibited
by the crude oil, including physical properties, composition, gas-oil ratio,
appearance, and pressure-temperature phase diagrams.

1.3.3.1 Ordinary black oil

A typical pressure-temperature phase diagram for ordinary black oil is shown
in figure (1-2). It should be noted that quality lines which are approximately
equally spaced characterize this black oil phase diagram.

14
Chapter (1) Introduction

Following the pressure reduction path as indicated by the vertical line EF on

figure 1-2, the liquid shrinkage curve, as shown in figure 1-3, is prepared by
plotting the liquid volume percent as a function of pressure. The liquid shrinkage
curve approximates a straight line except at very low pressures. When produced,
ordinary black oils usually yield gas-oil ratios between 200–700 SCF/STB and oil
gravities of 15 to 40° API. The stock tank oil is usually brown to dark green in
color.

1.3.3.2 Low-shrinkage oil

A typical pressure-temperature phase diagram for low shrinkage oil is shown
in figure 1-4. The diagram is characterized by quality lines that are closely spaced
near the dew-point curve.

15
Chapter (1) Introduction

The liquid-shrinkage curve, as given in figure (1-5), shows the shrinkage

characteristics of this category of crude oils. The other associated properties of this
type of crude oil are:

 Oil formation volume factor less than 1.2 BBL/STB.

 Gas-oil ratio less than 200 SCf/STB.

 Oil gravity less than 35° API.

 Black or deeply colored.

 Substantial liquid recovery at separator conditions as indicated by point G

on the 85% quality line of Figure (1-4).

16
Chapter (1) Introduction

1.3.3.3 Volatile crude oil

The phase diagram for a volatile (high-shrinkage) crude oil is given in figure
(1-6). Note that the quality lines are close together near the bubble-point and are
more widely spaced at lower pressures.

17
Chapter (1) Introduction

This type of crude oil is commonly characterized by a high liquid shrinkage

immediately below the bubble-point as shown in figure (1-7). The other
characteristic properties of this oil include:

 Oil formation volume factor less than 2 BBL/STB.

 Gas-oil ratios between 2,000–3,200 SCF/STB.
 Oil gravities between 45–55° API.
 Lower liquid recovery of separator conditions as indicated by point G on
figure 1-6.
 Greenish to orange in color.

Another characteristic of volatile oil reservoirs is that the API gravity of the
stock-tank liquid will increase in the later life of the reservoirs.

1.3.3.4 Near-critical crude oil

If the reservoir temperature T is near the critical temperature Tc of the
hydrocarbon system, as shown in Figure 1-8, the hydrocarbon mixture is identified
as a near-critical crude oil. Because all the quality lines converge at the critical
point, an isothermal pressure drop (as shown by the vertical line EF in figure (1-8)
may shrink the crude oil from 100% of the hydrocarbon pore volume at the bubble-
point to 55% or less at a pressure 10 to 50 psi below the bubble point.

18
Chapter (1) Introduction

The shrinkage characteristic behavior of the near-critical crude oil is shown in

figure 1-9. The near-critical crude oil is characterized by a high GOR in excess of
3,000 SCF/STB with an oil formation volume factor of 2.0 BBL/STB or higher.
The compositions of near- critical oils are usually characterized by 12.5 to 20
mol% heptanes-plus, 35% or more of ethane through hexanes, and the remainder
methane.

19
Chapter (1) Introduction

Figure 1-10 compares the characteristic shape of the liquid-shrinkage curve for
each crude oil type

1.3.4 Gas Reservoirs

In general, if the reservoir temperature is above the critical temperature of the
hydrocarbon system, the reservoir is classified as a natural gas reservoir. On the
basis of their phase diagrams and the prevailing reservoir conditions, natural gases
can be classified into four categories:

 Retrograde gas-condensate.

 Near-critical gas-condensate.

 Wet gas.

 Dry gas.

20
Chapter (1) Introduction

1.3.4.1 Retrograde gas-condensate reservoir

If the reservoir temperature (T) lies between the critical temperature (Tc) and
cricondentherm (Tct) of the reservoir fluid, the reservoir is classified as a
retrograde gas-condensate reservoir. This category of gas reservoir is a unique type
of hydrocarbon accumulation in that the special thermodynamic behavior of the
reservoir fluid is the controlling factor in the development and the depletion
process of the reservoir. When the pressure is decreased on these mixtures, instead
of expanding (if a gas) or vaporizing (if a liquid) as might be expected, they
vaporize instead of condensing.

Consider that the initial condition of a retrograde gas reservoir is represented

by point 1 on the pressure-temperature phase diagram of figure 1-11. Because the
reservoir pressure is above the upper dew-point pressure, the hydrocarbon system
exists as a single phase (i.e., vapor phase) in the reservoir. As the reservoir
pressure declines isothermally during production from the initial pressure (point 1)
to the upper dew point pressure (point 2), the attraction between the molecules of
the light and heavy components causes them to move further apart . As this occurs,
attraction between the heavy component molecules becomes more effective; thus,
liquid begins to condense.

21
Chapter (1) Introduction

This retrograde condensation process continues with decreasing pressure until

the liquid dropout reaches its maximum at point 3. Further reduction in pressure
permits the heavy molecules to commence the normal vaporization process. This is
the process whereby fewer gas molecules strike the liquid surface and causes more
molecules to leave than enter the liquid phase. The vaporization process continues
until the reservoir pressure reaches the lower dew-point pressure. This means that
all the liquid that formed must vaporize because the system is essentially all vapors
at the lower dew point.

figure 1-12 shows a typical liquid shrinkage volume curve for a condensate
system. The curve is commonly called the liquid dropout curve. In most gas-
condensate reservoirs, the condensed liquid volume seldom exceeds more than
15%–19% of the pore volume. This liquid saturation is not large enough to allow
any liquid flow. It should be recognized, however, that around the wellbore where
the pressure drop is high; enough liquid dropout might accumulate to give two-
phase flow of gas and retrograde liquid.

The associated physical characteristics of this category are:

 Gas-oil ratios between 8,000 to 70,000 SCF/STB. Generally, the gas-oil

ratio for a condensate system increases with time due to the liquid dropout
and the loss of heavy components in the liquid.
 Condensate gravity above 50° API.

22
Chapter (1) Introduction

 Stock-tank liquid is usually water-white or slightly colored.

There is a fairly sharp dividing line between oils and condensates from a
compositional standpoint. Reservoir fluids that contain heptanes and are heavier in
concentrations of more than 12.5 mol% are almost always in the liquid phase in the
reservoir. Oils have been observed with heptanes and heavier concentrations as
low as 10% and condensates as high as 15.5%. These cases are rare, however, and
usually have very high tank liquid gravities.

1.3.4.2 Near-critical gas-condensate reservoir

If the reservoir temperature is near the critical temperature, as shown in figure
1-13, the hydrocarbon mixture is classified as a near-critical gas-condensate.

The volumetric behavior of this category of natural gas is described through

the isothermal pressure declines as shown by the vertical line 1-3 in figure 1-13
and also by the corresponding liquid dropout curve of figure 1-14. Because all the
quality lines converge at the critical point, a rapid liquid buildup will immediately
occur below the dew point (figure 1-14) as the pressure is reduced to point 2.

23
Chapter (1) Introduction

This behavior can be justified by the fact that several quality lines are crossed
very rapidly by the isothermal reduction in pressure. At the point where the liquid
ceases to build up and begins to shrink again, the reservoir goes from the
retrograde region to a normal vaporization region.

1.3.4.3 Wet-gas reservoir

A typical phase diagram of a wet gas is shown in figure 1-15, where reservoir
temperature is above the cricondentherm of the hydrocarbon mixture. Because the
reservoir temperature exceeds the cricondentherm of the hydrocarbon system, the
reservoir fluid will always remain in the vapor phase region as the reservoir is
depleted isothermally, along the vertical line A-B.

24
Chapter (1) Introduction

As the produced gas flows to the surface, however, the pressure and
temperature of the gas will decline. If the gas enters the two-phase region, a liquid
phase will condense out of the gas and be produced from the surface separators.
This is caused by a sufficient decrease in the kinetic energy of heavy molecules
with temperature drop and their subsequent change to liquid through the attractive
forces between molecules.

Wet-gas reservoirs are characterized by the following properties:

 Gas oil ratios between 60,000 and 100,000 SCF/STB.

 Stock-tank oil gravity above 60° API.
 Liquid is water-white in color.
 Separator conditions, i.e., separator pressure and temperature, lie within
the two-phase region.

1.3.4.4 Dry-gas reservoir

The hydrocarbon mixture exists as a gas both in the reservoir and in the
surface facilities. The only liquid associated with the gas from a dry-gas reservoir
is water. A phase diagram of a dry-gas reservoir is given in figure 1-16. Usually a
system having a gas-oil ratio greater than 100,000 SCF/STB is considered to be a
dry gas. Kinetic energy of the mixture is so high and attraction between molecules
so small that none of them coalesce to a liquid at stock-tank conditions of
temperature and pressure.

25
Chapter (1) Introduction

It should be pointed out that the classification of hydrocarbon fluids might be

also characterized by the initial composition of the system.

MCCAIN (1994) suggested that the heavy components in the hydrocarbon

mixtures have the strongest effect on fluid characteristics. The ternary diagram, as
shown in figure 1-17, with equilateral triangles can be conveniently used to
roughly define the compositional boundaries that separate different types of
hydrocarbon systems.

26
Chapter (1) Introduction

From the foregoing discussion, it can be observed that hydrocarbon mixtures

may exist in either the gaseous or liquid state, depending on the reservoir and
operating conditions to which they are subjected. The qualitative concepts
presented may be of aid in developing quantitative analyses. Empirical equations
of state are commonly used as a quantitative tool in describing and classifying the
hydrocarbon system. These equations of state require:

 Detailed compositional analyses of the hydrocarbon system.

 Complete descriptions of the physical and critical properties of the mixture
individual components.

Many characteristic properties of these individual components (in other

words, pure substances) have been measured and compiled over the years. These
properties provide vital information for calculating the thermodynamic properties
of pure components, as well as their mixtures. The most important of these
properties are: Critical pressure, (Pc), Critical temperature, (Tc), Critical volume,
(Vc), Critical compressibility factor, (Zc), A centric factor, (T).

27
Chapter (1) Introduction

1.4 PHYSICAL CHARACTERSTICS OF RESERVOIR

FLUIDS
The production performance of an oil reservoir is dependent upon the
physical characteristics of the fluid being produced. Of primary importance are the
viscosity and density characteristics of the fluids and the relative viscosity and
densities when both vapor and liquid phases are present. Of equal importance are
volumetric variations of the fluids are functions of pressure and temperature
(PVT). Each of these properties can vary significantly during the productive life of
a reservoir.

Fluid volumes and liquid viscosity change as pressure changes in the

reservoir. Volume changes for a homogenous fluid can be accounted for by fluid
compressibility. Volume changes for a fluid whose composition changes with
pressure must be determined from laboratory measurements run at reservoir
temperature on a sample of reservoir fluid.

Produced fluid volumes are measured at the surface and are referred to
standard conditions of temperatures and pressures. These standard conditions are
usually defined as 60°F and 14.7 psia, but slightly different bases are sometimes
used. Produced oil volumes are reported in stock tank barrels (STB), gas volumes
in standard cubic feet (SCF), and water volumes in surface barrels.

Of the main tools of evaluating the oil reservoirs are the volumetric and
material balance equations. The volumetric equation gives the reservoir 's
hydrocarbon volumes, in reservoir barrels, or cubic feet and this volume needs to
be converted to stock tank barrels (STB) for oil and SCF for gas. While the
material balance equation analyzes the reservoir's performance and requires the
reservoir's oil, water and gas volumes to be expressed in STB for oil and water, and
SCF for free and dissolved gases .

PVT properties are the conversion factors to relate reservoir hydrocarbon

volumes to surface volumes. They are generally obtained by analyzing reservoir
fluid samples.

28
Chapter (2)
PVT TEST
Chapter (2) PVT Test

2.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter concentrates on defining proceeds to describe how these parameters

can be determined in the laboratory by controlled experiments performed on
samples of the crude oil.

The subject is approached from a mechanistic point of view in merely

recognising that PVT parameters can be determined as functions of pressure by
routine laboratory analysis. No attempt is made to describe the complex
thermodynamic processes implicit in the determination of these parameters.

Finally, a great deal of attention is paid to the conversion of PVT data, as

presented by the laboratory, to the form required in the field. The former being an
absolute set of measurements while the latter depend upon the manner of surface
separation of the gas and oil.

Accurate laboratory studies of PVT and phase behavior of reservoir fluids are
necessary for characterizing these fluids and evaluating their volumetric
performance at various pressure levels. There are many laboratory analyses that
can be made on a reservoir fluid sample. The amount of data desire determines the
number of tests performed in the laboratory. In general, there are three types of
laboratory tests used to measure hydrocarbon reservoir samples:

1) Conventional PVT Tests

a. Constant Composition Expansion (CCE)
b. Differential Liberation Expansion
c. Flash Separation Tests
d. Constant Volume Depletion Test (for gas condensate)
2) Advanced PVT Tests (Contact Tests)

a. Swelling Tests (Single Contact Gas Injection)

b. Forward Multiple Contact Tests
c. Backward Multiple Contact Tests
d. Slim Tube Displacement Tests

30
Chapter (2) PVT Test

2.2 Conventional PVT Tests

Typical tests are performed on bottom hole or surface samples to characterize the
hydrocarbon fluids. They involve constant composition expansion, constant
volume deletion, differential liberation, and flash separation tests and the
measurement of the fluid composition, molecular weight, specific gravity,
viscosity, compressibility, saturation pressure, formation volume factor, solubility.
These tests are designed to simulate to the thermodynamic reservoir processes.
Although some assumptions where applied, and some other real factors were not
considered (such as the presence of porous media and water phase) testing results
are considered to be an important source of data in reservoir engineering
calculations.

2.2.1 Constant Composition Expansion (CCE)

The (CCE) experiment is performed to determine the type and the volumetric
characteristic of any given composition fluid, primarily under initial reservoir
condition. The test is conducted for the purposes of determining:
a) Saturation pressure.
b) Isothermal compressibility coefficients of the single-phase fluid at pressures in
excess of saturation pressure.
c) Compressibility factors of the gas phase.
d) Total hydrocarbon volumes as a function of pressure at a constant temperature
e) The saturated fluid density.

The CCE starts with injection of a certain volume of reservoir fluid into PVT
cell. A schematic diagram of PVT cell is illustrated in (Figure 2.1). The PVT cell is
heated to the specified reservoir temperature and the pressure is brought to a
pressure above the reservoir pressure to insure that the fluid remains in a single
phase conditions. The pressure is then decreased, the cell is agitated to assume
equilibrium between the existed phases, and pressure and volume are recorded.
This pressure reduction is done until it reaches Bubble point pressure where the
two phase region exist.

31
Chapter (2) PVT Test

The fluid agitation at each pressure to avoids the phenomenon of supersaturation,

or metastable equilibrium, where a mixture remains as a single phase even though
it should exist as two phases.

1 2 3 4 5

GAS
Vt1 OIL OIL
Vt2 OIL GAS
Vt3
Vt4 Vt5
OIL

Hg OIL
Hg Hg
Hg
Hg

P1>>Psat P2>Psat P3=Psat P4=Psat P5<P4<Psat

Vt3=Vsat

Figure 2.1 Schematic illustration of the constant composition expansion test.

The pressure reduction is continued further below the B.P.P. The recorded
pressure volume data is plotted in order to determine the B.P.P. (Figure 2.2)
illustrates the resulting plot.

32
Chapter (2) PVT Test

Relative volume, V/Vsat

1.0

Pb
Pressure

Figure 2.2 Pressure volume relation for constant composition expansion test.

2.2.2 Differential Liberation Expansion

The DLE experiment is designed to approximate the depletion process of an oil
reservoir and thereby provide suitable PVT data to calculate reservoir performance.

In the differential vaporisation or liberation test, the oil pressure is reduced below
its bubble point at the reservoir temperature by expanding the system volume. All
the evolved gas is then expelled at constant pressure by reducing the equilibrium
cell volume, (Figure 2.3). Normally this procedure is repeated in 10-15 pressure
stages down to the atmospheric pressure B.P.P of the tested oil (whether it's high or
low) is the main factor that specify the number of stages in DLE. At each stage the
remaining oil volume, the expelled gas volume at the cell and standard conditions,
and the gas specific gravity are measured.

33
Chapter (2) PVT Test

Expelled
Gas
Expelled
Gas

Gas Gas

OIL OIL OIL OIL OIL OIL

P >Pb P =Pb P < Pb P << Pb

Figure 2.3 Schematic diagram of differential vaporisation (liberation) test.

2.2.3 Flash Separation Tests

Flash separation tests, commonly called separator tests, are conducted to
determine the changes in the volumetric behaviour of the reservoir fluid as the
fluid passes through separator (or separators) and then into the stock-tank. The
resulting volume the behaviour is influenced to a large extent by the operating
conditions, i.e., pressures and temperatures of the surface separation facilities. The
primary contribution of separator tests is to provide the essential laboratory
information necessary for defining the set of surface separation conditions that will
maximise stock-tank oil production. The experimental procedure is illustrated
schematically in (Figure 2.4). Separator tests are basically performed to determine:

a) Optimum separation conditions: separator pressure and temperature.

b) Compositions of the separated gas and oil phases.
c) Oil formation volume factor.

34
Chapter (2) PVT Test

d) Producing gas-oil ratio.

e) API gravity of the stock-tank oil.
Typical laboratory results of this test are shown in (Figure 2.5). The optimum
separator pressure is an intermediate pressure which yields a maximum value of
stock-tank API gravity and minimum values of oil formation volume factor and
gas-oil ratio. At high separator pressure, large amounts of light components will
remain in the liquid phase and be lost along with other valuable components to gas
phase at the stock- tank. On the other hand, at low separator pressure, large
amounts of light components will be separated from the liquid and they will attract
substantial quantities of intermediate and heavier components.

GAS (1) GAS (2) GAS (3)

1st Stage 2nd Stage 3rd Stage

P1,T1 P2,T2 P3,T3

OIL to stock tank

Figure 2.4 Schematic illustration of three-stage flash separation process.

35
Chapter (2) PVT Test

Figure 2.5 Determination of the optimum separator pressure from flash separation
test.

2.2.4 Constant Volume Depletion Test (for gas condensate)

A reliable prediction of the pressure depletion performance of a gas-condensate

reservoir is necessary in determining reserves and evaluating field separation
methods. The constant volume depletion (CVD) tests are performed on a reservoir
fluid sample to simulate pressure depletion of the actual reservoir, assuming that
retrograde liquid appearing during production would remain immobile in the
reservoir.

The CVD study is normally used on a light or condensate type of reservoir fluids
to simulate the continuous production of gas from a reservoir. A known volume of
reservoir fluid is transferred into windowed PVT cell at reservoir temperature and
pressure. The pressure is then lowered to a specified condition in which the two
phase region is existed as shown in (Figure 2.6). After equilibration and vapor-
liquid volume measurements, a portion of the gas sample is transferred into the

36
Chapter (2) PVT Test

gasometer and then into an evacuated gas sampler for density and compositional
analysis. The remaining gas is then displaced isobarically until the total volume of
the fluid matches the initial single phase fluid volume. The system pressure is then
reduced to the next specified pressure step and the procedure is repeated for a
specified (usually five) number of pressure reductions.

The CVD test provides five important laboratory measurements which can be
used in a reservoir engineering predictions. These measurements are:

a) Dew-point pressure.
b) Composition changes of the gas phase with pressure depletion.
c) Compressibility factor at reservoir pressure and temperature.
d) Recovery of original in-place hydrocarbons at any pressure.
e) Retrograde condensate accumulation (retrograde liquid saturation).

37
Chapter (2) PVT Test

Gas

Gas Gas

Gas Gas Gas Gas Gas Gas Gas

Condensate Condensate
Condensate Condensate

P > Pdew Pdew P < Pdew P << Pdew

Figure 2.6 Schematic diagram of constant volume depletion.

38
Chapter (3)
PVT Oil Properties Correlations
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

3.1 Introduction
Over 75 Black Oil, Gas and Water correlations have been incorporated into
the PVT Toolbox. Equation of State (EOS) Flash and Psat calculations based on
PVT routines has also been incorporated.

Oil and Gas correlations were studied using a collective database from two
main sources,Dr. McCain and SRPC’ s PVT database.

3.2. Oil Correlations

3.2.1. Oil Density Correlations

Four eqns were tested and added to the PVT Toolbox. These are:
1. McCain & Hill
2. Standing
3. Density above Psat
4. McCain mass balance (FVF/ Density relationship)

3.2.1.1. McCain & Hill (1995)

The McCain-Hill correlation for density requires an iterative procedure on the
pseudoliquid density, The initial trial value is obtained from

...………………………...……….equation(3.1)

Successive substitution is used in Eqs. below until successive trial values

agree within 0.001:

...……….Equation(3.2)

40
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

...……………………….Equation(3.3)

The pseudoliquid density is then used to calculate the reservoir liquid density
from Eqs. listed below:

...…….Equation(3.4)

...………………………………….Equation(3.5)

...……….Equation(3.6)

...…………………………………….Equation(3.7)

3.2.1.2. Standing (1951)

Standing’s density correlation is evaluated using Eqs. Below:

41
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

...……….Equation(3.8)

...………………………….Equation(3.9)

.....……….Equation(3.10)

...……………………………...….Equation(3.11)

...…...…….Equation(3.12)

...…………………..…………….….Equation(3.13)

42
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

3.2.1.3. McCain density mass balance

The McCain mass balance density equation is used when the user chooses a
formation volume factor correlation, this equation is:

...………………….Equation(3.14)

3.2.1.4 Oil Density at Pressures Above Pb

For unsaturated oils (P>Pb), the oil density is calculated from the density at the
bubblepoint using the average oil compressibility between the bubble point
pressure and the pressure of interest:

...………………………….Equation(3.15)

3.2.2Oil Formation Volume Factor (Bo)

3.2.2.1 Glaso (1980)

...…….……….Equation(3.16)

……………….…….…….Equation(3.17)

where:
Rs=the solution GOR, scf/STB
g= the gas gravity (air=1.0)
o=the oil specific gravity
T= temperature, F

3.2.2.2 Standing (1947)

43
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

...……………..……….Equation(3.18)

...…………………..…….Equation(3.19)

Where:
Bo=oil FVF, bbl/stb
Rs= solution GOR, scf/STB
T= temperature of the fluid, F

3.2.2.3 Vasquez and Beggs (1980)

….Equation(3.20)

Where:
Bo= oil FVF, bbl/STB
Rs= soln GOR, scf/STB
T= temperature of the fluid, F
100= corrected gas gravity, note: if sep.cond. aren’t known,
then use the uncorrected gas gravity ( g)
3.2.2.4 Gas Corrected Gravity Eqn- Vasquez Beggs

44
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

…….Equation(3.21)

Where:
100= gas gravity that would result from separator at 100
psig
Psep=actual separator pressure, psia
Tsep=actual separator temperature, F
API= oil API gravity, API

3.2.2.5 Petrosky & Farshad (1993)

…..Equation(3.22)

where:
Rs=the solution GOR, scf/STB
g= the gas gravity (air=1.0)
o=the oil specific gravity
T= temperature, F

3.2.2.6 Farshad & Leblanc (1992)

…….Equation(3.23)

45
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

...…………….…….Equation(3.24)

3.2.2.7 Al-Marhoun (2) (1992)

…….Equation(3.25)

where:
Rs=the solution GOR, scf/STB
g= the gas gravity (air=1.0)
o=the oil specific gravity
T= temperature, F

3.2.2.8 Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt (1994)

……….Equation(3.26)

46
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

3.2.2.9 Separator Gas Gravity, Kartoatmodjo

The Bo correlation is based on the separator gas specific gravity for separator
pressure of 100 psig. If the separator conditions are known, the separator gas
specific gravity is corrected to a separator pressure of 100 psig, using Eq.:

...………….equation(4.27)

3.2.2.10 Casey and Cronquist (1992)

The Casey-Cronquist formation volume factor correlation is evaluated with Eqs.
Below:

...………………………….…….Equation(3.28)

...……….Equation(3.29)

...……….Equation(3.30)

47
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

.……….Equation(3.31)

...…………….….Equation(3.32)

….Equation(3.33)

……….Equation(3.34)

...…………….…….Equation(3.35)

The coefficients for Eqs:.

C0 = 1.006933 D0 = 0.98949
C1 = 4.34092310-4 D1 = -1.8061
C2 = 6.96017810-8 D2 = 4.4637
C3 = -1.08836110-11 D3 = -9.6368
D4 = 9.3994 D5 = -3.4122

3.2.2.11 Almedhaideb (1997)

...……………………….Equation(3.36)

48
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

3.2.2.12 Al-Shammasi (1999)

.......Equation(3.37)

3.2.2.13 Elksharkawy & Alikhan (1997)

...……….Equation(3.38)

3.2.2.14 McCain mass balance formation volume

factor
The McCain mass balance formation volume factor equation is used when the
user chooses a density correlation. This equation is:

...………...….Equation(3.39)

3.2.215 Oil Formation Volume Factor at Pressures

Above Pb
For unsaturated oils, Bo is calculated from the bubble-point formation volume
factor using the average oil compressibility between the bubble point
pressure and the pressure of interest:

49
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

...………….…….Equation(3.40)

The accuracy of Bo obtained depends on the accuracy of the correlation used to

estimate the average oil compressibility.

3.2.3 Bubble Point Pressure

Note: For all Pb correlations, Rs is the total initial producing oil gas ratio, Rsb.
3.2.3.1 Glaso (1980)
Glaso correlated bubble point pressure as a function of weighted average
surface gas gravity rather than separator gas gravity. Glasø’s correlation is
evaluated by:

...………………...Equation(3.41)

...…………………….Equation(3.42)

3.2.3.2 Standing (1947)

...……………....Equation(3.43)

..…………………….Equation(3.44)

where:
Rsb=solution GOR at PPb, scf/STB

50
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

g=gas gravity (air=1.0)

T=reservoir temperature, F
API=stock tank oil gravity, API

3.2.3.3 Laseter (1958)

...…………………….….Equation(3.45)

where:
yg is the gas mole fraction
Mo is the effective molecular weight of the stock-tank oil. Lasater presented a
graphical correlation to estimate Mo from API.
Mo is calculated by linear interpolation from the table below:

Stock tank gravity(API°) Effective molecular weight M o

15 486
20 440
25 384
30 331
35 281
40 234
45 184
50 161
55 142
Table(3.1)linear interpolation for Mo

51
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

The bubble point pressure is then calculated:

…………………………….Equation(3.46)

where:
pf is a correlating factor, and is calculated by linear interpolation from the table
below:

Gas mole fraction Bubble point pressure factor P f

0.05 0.17
0.1 0.3
0.15 0.43
0.2 0.58
0.25 0.75
0.3 0.94
0.35 1.19
0.4 1.47
0.45 1.74
0.5 2.1
0.55 2.7
0.6 3.29
0.65 3.8
0.7 4.3
0.75 4.9
0.8 5.7
0.85 6.7
Table(3.2)linear interpolation for Pf

3.2.3.4 Vazquez and Beggs (1980)

The Vazquez-Beggs bubble point pressure correlation is a rearrangement of
the Vazquez- Beggs solution gas-oil ratio correlation. If the Vazquez-Beggs

52
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

solution gas-oil ratio correlation is used, the Vazquez-Beggs bubble point

pressure correlation must also be used for consistency.

The Vazquez-Beggs bubble point pressure correlation is based on the

separator gas specific gravity for separator pressure of 100 psig. If the separator
conditions are known, the separator gas specific gravity is corrected to a
separator pressure of 100 psig, using:

..………….Equation(3.47)

For oils having API gravity less than or equal to 30 API use:

..……………………………….Equation(3.48)

where:

…..….Equation(3.49)

For oils with API gravity greater than 30 API use:

..………….Equation(3.50)

where:

53
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

…….Equation(3.51)

3.2.3.5 Al-Marhoun (1988)

..……………..Equation(3.52)

where:
Pb = bubble point pressure, psia
T = temperature,F
Rs=solution GOR, scf/STB

3.2.3.6 Petrosky and Farshad (1993)

..…………….Equation(3.53)

…………………………...….Equation(3.54)

3.2.3.7 Farshad & Leblanc (1992)

54
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

..…..………..….Equation(3.55)

3.2.3.8 Kartoatmodjo and Schmidt (1994)

The Kartoatmodjo-Schmidt bubble point pressure correlation is a
rearrangement of the Kartoatmodjo-Schmidt solution gas-oil ratio correlation.
If the Kartoatmodjo-Schmidt solution gas-oil ratio correlation is used, the
Kartoatmodjo-Schmidt bubble point pressure correlation must also be used for
consistency.

The Kartoatmodjo-Schmidt bubble point pressure correlation is based on the

separator gas specific gravity for separator pressure of 100 psig. If the
separator conditions are known, the separator gas specific gravity is corrected
to a separator pressure of 100 psig, using:

..……….Equation(3.56)

If the separator conditions are not known, the separator gas specific gravity is
used with no correction.

For oils with API gravity less than or equal to 30 °API use:

..………….Equation(3.57)

55
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

where:

…………………………………...…….Equation(3.58)

..……………………………….Equation(3.59)

For oils with API gravity greater than 30 API use:

…………....Equation(3.60)

Where:

…………………………………………....Equation(3.61)

……………………….………....Equation(3.62)

3.2.3.9 Valkó & McCain (2003)

The Valkó-McCain bubble point correlation is given by:

……..Equation(3.63)

…….Equation(3.64)

..………….….Equation(3.65)

56
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

……..Equation(3.66)

..……………………..……….Equation(3.67)

..………….…….Equation(3.68)

where:
Coefficients for Valkó, McCain Bubble Point Pressure Correlation
A0 =1.27 A1 =-0.0449 A2 =4.3610-4 A3 =-4.7610-6
B0 =4.51 B1 =-10.84 B2 =8.39 B3 =-2.34
C0 =-0.7835 C1 =6.2310-3 C2 =-1.2210-5 C3 =1.0310-8
D0 =-5.48 D1 =-0.0378 D2 =0.281 D3 =-0.0206
E0 =7.475 E1 =0.713 E2 = 0.0075

3.2.3.10 Velarde, Blasingame, McCain (1997)

The Velarde, Blasingame, McCain correlation for bubble point pressure is:

..………….Equation(3.69)

..…………Equation(3.70)
57
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

3.2.3.11 Labedi (1990)

Labedi’s correlation is a modified version of the Standing bubble point pressure
correlation. Labedi’s correlation is evaluated:

…..……….Equation(3.71)

..……………………….…….Equation(3.72)

3.2.3.12Al-Shammasi (1999)

.Equation(3.73)

3.3 Solution Gas Oil Ratio

3.3.1 Glaso (1980)

..………….Equation(3.74)

Where:

……….Equation(3.75)

58
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

…….Equation(3.76)

where:

..………….Equation(3.77)

..…………..Equation(3.78)

..……….Equation(3.79)

where:
g= the specific gravity of the soln gas
TF= the reservoir temperature, F
API=the stock tank oil gravity=API
YN2= mole fraction of N2
YCO2= mole fraction of CO2
YH2S=mole fraction of H2S

59
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

3.3.2 Standing (1947)

..………………….Equation(3.80)

Where:
Rs= Solution GOR (scf/stb)
g=gas specific gravity
yg =0.00091T-.0125where is API gravity and yg= the mole fraction of gas.
T= Reservior Temperature (F)

3.3.3Vazquez-Beggs (1980)
The Vazquez-Beggs bubble point pressure correlation is a rearrangement of
the Vazquez- Beggs solution gas-oil ratio correlation. If the Vazquez-Beggs
solution gas-oil ratio correlation is used, the Vazquez-Beggs bubble point
pressure correlation must also be used for consistency.

The Vazquez-Beggs bubble point pressure correlation is based on the

separator gas specific gravity for separator pressure of 100 psig. If the separator
conditions are known, the separator gas specific gravity is corrected to a
separator pressure of 100 psig.

..………….Equation(3.81)

60
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

If the separator conditions are not known, the separator gas specific gravity is
used with no correction.

For oils having API gravity less than or equal to 30 API use:

..………………………….…..…….Equation(3.82)

where:

…..….Equation(3.83)

For oils with API gravity greater than 30 API use:

..………………………………..….Equation(3.84)

where:

…..….Equation(3.85)

3.3.4 Lasater (1958)

..……………………….…….Equation(3.86)

Where:
o = specific gravity of oil.
g = Specific gravity of gas.
Moe = effective molecular weight of stocktank oil.
yg= mole fraction of gas in the system.

61
Chapter3 PVT Oil Properties Correlations

T=Temperature, R.

Where:
API 40, Moe =630-10API
API 40, Moe =73110(API)-1.562
(Pg)/T 3.29, yg= 0.359ln[(1.473 Pg)/T +0.476]
(Pg)/T 3.29, yg= [(0.121 Pg)/T –0.236)]0.281

Where:
P= pressure, psia
T= Temperature, R
yg= mole fraction of the gas

3.3.5Petrosky and Farshad (1993)

…equation(4.87)

where:
X=(7.916x10-4 API 1.5410)-(4.561x10-5 T 1.3911)
Pb=bubble point pressure, psia
T=temperature, F

62
Chapter (4)
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Chapter4 Discussion of Results

4,1 Introduction
During this study at the PVT laboratory we calculated experimentally the
formation volume factor, bubble point pressure, compressibility, viscosity and
density as well the oil solubility. Bellow is the oil properties calculated in this
study and are summarized as follows:-

4.2 Oil Solubility

We tried to compute the oil solubility experimentally, and a different pressure
values were applied on the sample taken and the maximum pressure applied on the
sample was equal to 3000 psi, the temperature was made to be stabilized at 162 F.

The founded oil solubility product was equal to 29 STB/SCF and a bubble point
pressure of 219 psi as shown on Fig (4.1), which shows the relationship between
the solubility product of the oil and the pressure. The founded results are attached
on appendix (C).

35

30
Oil Solubility (STB/SCF)

25

20

15

10

0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Pressure (Psi)

Figure (4.1) The Oil Solubility Vs, Pressure.

64
Chapter4 Discussion of Results

4.3 Oil Formation Volume Factor

We here tried to compute the oil formation volume factor experimentally, and a
different pressure values were applied on the sample taken and the maximum
pressure applied was equal to 3000 psi, the temperature was to be stabilized at
162F, the founded oil formation volume factor was equal to 1.059 BBL/STB at a
bubble point pressure of 219 psi and the Fig (4.2 ) shows the relationship between
the oil formation volume factor and the pressure, the founded results are attached
on appendix (C).

1.06
Formation Volume Factor (BBL/STB)

1.055

1.05

1.045

1.04
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Pressure (psi)

65
Chapter4 Discussion of Results

1.06
Formation Volume Factor (BBL/STB)

1.055

1.05

1.045

1.04
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Pressure (Psi)

Figure (4.2) The Oil Formation Volume Factor Vs, Pressure

4.4 Bubble Point Pressure

The relative volume was plotted against the pressure as that is clearly noticed on
fig (4.3 ), the bubble point pressure was equal to 219 psi, as shown in Fig(4.3) The
founded results are attached on appendix (C).

66
Chapter4 Discussion of Results

3500

3000

2500
Presure (Psi)

2000

1500

1000

500

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Relative Volume

Figure (4.3) Relative Volume Vs, Pressure

4.5 Oil Compressibility Factor

We tried to compute the oil compressibility experimentally, and a different
pressure values were applied on the sample taken and the maximum pressure
applied was 3000 psi, the temperature was to be stabilized at 162 F. The founded
compressibility factor at the bubble point pressure was equal to 6.37*10 -6 psi-1 as
shown in Fig(4.4) and the obtained results are attached on appendix (C).

67
Chapter4 Discussion of Results

0.00012

0.0001
Oil Compressibilty (Psi-1)

0.00008

0.00006

0.00004

0.00002

0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Pressure (Psi)

Figure (4.4) Oil Compressibility Vs, Pressure

4.6 Oil Density

We tried to compute the oil compressibility experimentally, and a different
pressure values were applied on the sample taken and the maximum pressure
applied was 3000 psi, the temperature was to be stabilized at 162 F. The founded
compressibility factor at the bubble point pressure was equal to 0.834 g/cm3. As
shown in Fig(4.5), the obtained results are attached on appendix (C).

68
Chapter4 Discussion of Results

0.85

0.848

0.846
Oil Density (gm/cu cm)

0.844

0.842

0.84

0.838

0.836

0.834

0.832
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Pressure (Psi)

Figure (4.5) Oil Density Vs, Pressure

4.7 PVT empirical correlations

Many correlations for estimating crude oil PVT properties have been published
in the past 50 years. Most of these correlations yield reasonably accurate results
when applied at the bubble point pressure. However, for pressures below the
bubble point, the computed PVT properties may have considerable errors.

The oil properties were calculated both experimentally and empirically by

applying certain empirical PVT correlations as shown on chapter 3. The oil
formation volume factor and the oil compressibility factor was computed by the
empirical correlations.

69
Chapter4 Discussion of Results

4.7.1 Formation volume factor correlations

In this research we applied about 12 correlations to compute the formation
volume factor and that was evaluated by the results obtained experimentally.

The formation volume factor obtained by both Petrosky and Farshed correlations
was equal to 1.053 BBL/STB, and the one computed experimentally was about
1.059 BBL/STB and by that these two correlations are considered as the most
accurate correlations compared with the rest of the correlations. Whereas, the
Obomanu correlation has given a value of 0.763 BBL/STB which is a way ahead
from the value computed experimentally. The results obtained empirically are
attached on appendix (B).

4.7.2 Oil compressibility factor correlations

In this research we applied about 8 correlations to compute the oil
compressibility factor and the results obtained empirically were evaluated by the
results measured experimentally.

The oil compressibility factor obtained by both Vazquez and Beggs correlations
was equal to 6.34*10-6 psi-1, and the one computed experimentally was equal
6.37*10-6 psi-1 . And by that it is considered as the most accurate compared with
the rest of the correlations used for calculating the oil compressibility factor..
Whereas, the Mccain (2) correlation has given a value of 1.36*10 -5 psi-1, which is
a way ahead from the value computed experimentally. The results obtained
empirically are attached on appendix (B).

70
Chapter (5)
Conclusions & Recommendations
 Chapter (5) Conclusions & Recommendations

5.1 Conclusions

The main conclusions drawn from this project can be summarized as follows:

1. In this research we calculated the fluid properties in the laboratory using the
device of 3000 PVT system and the advantage of this device is it is
simplicity in doing both the flash and differential tests. Therefore, we can
compute the formation volume factor and the compressibility as well as the
bubble point pressure.

2. We also tried to evaluate the results obtained in the laboratory by the

applications of the empirical formation volume factor to calculate the oil
properties and the results were quiet similar as shown on appendix (B).

5.2 Recommendations

1. We recommend doing calibration for the mentioned pressure device before

running any experiment, the reason behind why doing this step in advance is
that the device is linked to a computer. Therefore, a step as such is needed
to avoid the unexpected errors in the results.

2. We recommend to be aware of the safety issues when using this high

pressure device, good knowledge in the areas of health and safety is highly
important to avoid losses in both equipments and materials.

71
 References
1) Tarek Ahmed and Paul D. McKinney.: "Advanced Reservoir Engineering",
Gulf professional Publishing Company ,Houston, Texas, 2005.
2) Ahmed, T . “Reservoir Engineering Hand Book”, Gulf professional
Publishing Company ,Houston, Texas, (2007).

3) McCain, W. D., Jr.: "The Properties of Petroleum Fluids" 2nd edition, Penn
Well Books, Tulsa, (1990).

4) Firoozabadi, A.: "Reservoir Fluid Phase Behaviour and Volumetric

Prediction with Equations of State" JPT, April 1988

5) Danesh, A.: "PVT and Phase Behaviour of Petroleum Reservoir Fluids"

Elsevier Science B.V (1998).

6) Danesh, A . “PVT and Phase Behavior of Petroleum Reservoir Fluids”

Elsevier Science (1998).

7) Heinemann, Z.E ."Reservoir Fluids", Leoben , (2004).

8) William D. Mccain,”the properties of Petroleum Fluids”,Pennwell (1990).

9) Whitson, C and Brule, M.: "Phase Behaviour" SPE Monograph Committee

(2000).

72
Appendix (A)
3000 PVT System
Appendix (A) 3000 PVT System

General Information
Introduction
This instruction manual provides operation and maintenance instructions for a
model 3000 PVT System.

Purpose and Use

The model 3000 PVT System is a precision instrument used to perform volumetric
and phase behavior studies on a variety of fluids with a special emphasis on those
fluids typically encountered in petroleum reservoirs.

Description
The system is based on a unique multiple cell arrangement where the windowed
Pump Cell volume is varied by the vertical movement of a dynamically sealed
piston, driven by a computer-controlled servo motor. The second cell (“Auxiliary
Cell”) is a blind floating-piston cell whose volume is varied hydraulically by an
external pump. The cells are connected by small-bore tubing. This configuration
allows phase volume measurements to be made by positioning the phase boundary
at a reference point in the sight glass window at the top of the Pump Cell. An
optional third cell (“Mini Cell”) is also available to assist in various studies. In the
model 3000-GL system, the Auxiliary Cell is a windowed Gas Condensate Cell.

Features and Benefits

• Mercury-free Testing

• Visual phase boundary detection in both oil and gas condensate studies

• Large cell volumes

• Flexible configuration for various studies

• Optional modules for measuring density, viscosity , and solid precipitation

• Designed for operator safety

74
Appendix (A) 3000 PVT System

75
Appendix (A) 3000 PVT System

Description of Valves
Drawing 3000-1021-XX (found in the DRAWINGS AND SCHEMATICS section
of this manual) provides an illustration of the valves and flow paths for the model
3000 PVT System.

The function of each valve is detailed below:

Pump Cell Isolation Valve

This valve is used to isolate the pump cell from the rest of the system. This valve
must be closed when running tests in the pump cell. It must be opened to allow
fluid to flow to or through any other valve plumbed to the Pump Cell (except for
the Pump Cell Bypass Valve).

Pump Cell Charge Valve

This valve is used to introduce the test fluids into the Pump Cell.

Mini Cell Charge Valve (Optional)

This valve is used to introduce fluids into the optional #3000-601-SPR-138 Mini
Cell (100cc).

Mini Cell Hydraulic Oil Valve (Optional)

This valve is used to introduce the hydraulic oil into the Mini Cell.

Cell-To-Cell Isolation Valve

This valve is used to isolate the Pump Cell and the Auxiliary Cell from each other.

Auxiliary Cell Charge Valve

This valve is used to introduce test fluids into the Auxiliary Cell: either the
Floating-Piston Cell (“FPC”) or the Gas Condensate Cell (“GC Cell”).

Pump Cell Bypass Valve

The Pump Cell Bypass Valve is used to bleed fluid from the Pump Cell. It is
especially useful for venting gas from the two-phase oil-gas sample during a
Differential Liberation experiment.

76
Appendix (A) 3000 PVT System

Gas In/Out Valve (model 3000-GL)

The Gas In/Out Valve is used to vent gas from (or introduce gas into) the Gas
Condensate Cell. This valve is only present in model 3000–GL PVT systems
equipped with the Gas Condensate Cell.

Liquid Condensate In/Out Valve (model 3000-GL)

This valve is used to isolate the Gas Condensate Cell from the rest of the system
for testing. Either this valve must be closed whenever the pressure of the gas
condensate cell is above 15,000 psia (137.9 MPa, 1379 bar) or the Cell-to-Cell
Isolation Valve must be closed. This 2-2 SECTION 2 – OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS valve is only present in Model 3000-G and 3000-GL PVT
systems equipped with the Gas Condensate Cell. The valve is seated in the cell
itself, with an extension through the oven wall to the handle outside the oven.

Hydraulic Oil In/Out Valve

The external pump is attached to this valve. It is used to charge (fill) the Auxiliary
Cell (Gas Condensate Cell or Floating-Piston Cell) with hydraulic fluid, and to
then allow hydraulic oil to move in and out of the Auxiliary Cell to allow the
floating piston to move (which changes the volume of the Auxiliary Cell).

Hydraulic Oil Drain Valve

This valve is teed into the tubing between the Hydraulic Oil In/Out Valve and the
external pump. It is used to drain hydraulic fluid from the Auxiliary Cell, (either
the Gas Condensate Cell or Floating-Piston Cell) to allow the floating piston to
move upward (which increases the test fluid sample volume of the Auxiliary Cell)
and decreases the pressure.

77
Appendix (A) 3000 PVT System

Software Operation
Main Display

Theory of Operation
Pressure Measurement
Pressure is measured automatically by a temperature-compensated strain-gauge
transducer that is rated for use in H2S environments. The pressure value is
displayed in the software and is continuously updated.

The Pump Cell Pressure transducer is located in the Pump Cell Top assembly,
below the valve seat, so measurements are valid whether the valve is open or
closed. Its electrical cable can be easily disconnected for removal of the Pump Cell
Top assembly.

An additional (Auxiliary Cell Pressure) transducer is present on the bottom of the

Auxiliary Cell for measurement of the pressure of the test fluid in the Auxiliary
Cell. This pressure value is also displayed in the software.

78
Appendix (A) 3000 PVT System

Although it is already temperature compensated, improved accuracy is obtained by

accounting for the temperature dependence of each individual transducer. Refer to
the Calibration Section (Sec. 4) of this manual for details.

To insure operator safety, the model 3000 PVT system is configured with a
network of safety interlocks that includes the pressure measurement circuit. The
operator is warned when anmover-pressure condition exists and the heaters and
Pump Cell are shut down until the pressure decreases below the software pressure
limit.

Volume Measurement
One of the significant advantages of the model 3000 PVT system is the automated
measurement and display of the temperature- and pressure-corrected volumes for
both the Pump Cell and the Auxiliary Cell.

The system’s method of measuring the Pump Cell Volume is to have a reference
position where the volume is calibrated accurately (the Home or Pump Cell
Maximum Volume position), and then track the piston movement via the
incremental rotary encoder mounted on the servo motor. Corrections are also made
for temperature and pressure based on values for the thermal expansion and
modulus of elasticity of the cell material and its seals. Once the system has been
properly calibrated, the user must Home the Pump Cell to position the piston at the
known reference point (Pump Cell Maximum Volume). From here, the computer
will automatically adjust for any changes due to pump movement, temperature, and
pressure.

All position and calibration data are stored in system files so the displayed volume
reading is valid even after turning off the equipment. If these data become
corrupted for any reason, or if the Pump Cell piston moves with power or the
software off (or if you suspect it may have), simply Home the pump to re-establish
an accurate volume reading. Similarly, the Auxiliary Cell Volume is set to a
calibrated, known minimum or maximum volume, and then its change in volume is
measured via a linear incremental encoder attached to an extension of its piston
rod.

79
Appendix (A) 3000 PVT System

Temperature Measurement
The model 3000 PVT system measures temperatures using calibrated RTDs
(Resistive Temperature Devices), which provide a known, repeatable linear
relationship of resistance vs.
temperature. Oven Temperature is measured by an RTD in the oven, connected to
the system temperature controller, and the PVT3000 software reads this
temperature via RS-232 serial communications with the controller. Pump Cell
Temperature is measured by an RTD built into the Pump Cell Pressure transducer,
which is also connected to the temperature controller, and the PVT3000 software
reads this temperature via RS-232 serial communications with the controller.

Auxiliary Cell Temperature is measured by an RTD built into the Auxiliary Cell
Pressure transducer, which is connected to the FieldPoint RTD-input data
acquisition module, and the PVT3000 software reads this temperature via Ethernet
communications with the FieldPoint controller/communications module. Similarly,
Line Temperature is measured by an RTD built into the optional Line Pressure
transducer, which is connected to the FieldPoint RTD-input data-acquisition
module, and the PVT3000 software reads this temperature via Ethernet
communications with the FieldPoint controller/communications module. Ambient
Temperature is measured by an RTD mounted on the base of the PVT system,
outside the oven, which is connected to the FieldPoint RTD-input data-acquisition
module, and the PVT3000 software reads this temperature via Ethernet
communications with the FieldPoint controller/communications module.

Pre-startup Checks
Prior to start-up the following checks should be made
1. Tubing, plumbing, and cables are in place and secure.
2. Limit switches are in order (Adjust only with unit unplugged.).
3. Pump Cell window-viewing mirror is adjusted properly.
4. Back door is not blocked.
5. Vent lines are connected.
6. Cables are connected between the computer and the model 3000 PVT system.

80
Appendix (A) 3000 PVT System

Procedures

This academic research was performed mainly to compute the oil properties at
the PVT laboratory and compare the obtained results with the values calculated
empirically by the applications of the PVT empirical correlations.

At the very beginning of the present study a selection of a proper oil sample
was fairly essential to reach the desired target behind this study. The oil sample
selected was taken from the bottom hole of an unknown X-well and the routine
experimental steps were performed on the selected sample by us the authors on the
PVT 3000 psi pressure device owned by the Libyan Petroleum Institute (LPI) and
with the supervision of the PVT Engineers at the Institute.

From day one, the listed experimental steps shown bellow were applied on the
selected sample and the results are attached on Appendix ( ):

1. Bring the pump cell (PC) to minimum volume position

2. Evacuate the PVT system including the PC and mini cell (FPC), the manifold
lines, and the console lines then close all the console valves ; the pump cell
charge valve, mini cell FPC charge valve, and PC isolate valve.
3. Open the hydraulic side of the console sample bottle to the Quizix digital pump
4. Set the pump at Constant Pressure Mode equal to the charge pressure of say
3000 psia, by which we tried to match it with the reservoir conditions of the
unknown X-well.
5. Slowly open the sample bottle valve to fill the console lines with the oil, and
then allow the pressure to stabilize.
6. Bring the fluid to the top of the pump cell by opening the pump cell isolate
valve followed by the Pump cell charge valve; make sure the mini cell charge
valve, cell to cell isolate valve, auxiliary cell charge valve and the PC bypass
valve are close prior to opening pump cell isolate valve.
7. Slowly purge the lines through the PC bypass In/out with approximately 20 cc
of fluid; this will flush out any non-homogeneous mixture in the charge lines
8. Slowly open the PC isolate valve and allow the pressure to stabilize.

81
Appendix (A) 3000 PVT System

9. Using Preset Mode, move the pump cell to the desired volume of sample (e.g.,
100 cc).
10. Pressurize the mixture to a reference or working pressure (e.g., 3500 psia);
record the mixture volume at the reference pressure and ambient temperature.
11. Set the temperature set point to the reservoir temperature.
12. Turn the stirrer on and leave overnight to equilibrate.
13. After thermal equilibrium has been attained, record the mixture volume at
the reference pressure and reservoir temperature; use this volume together with
the volume recorded in step #10 to calculate the thermal expansion of the fluid.

Constant Composition Expansion Test

The sample in the PC is now ready for the bubble-point determination and PV
relationship measurement.

The PV run is normally started at a pressure well above the anticipated bubble
point.

The correlations in chapter 3 should provide an estimate of the bubble-point

pressure of the oil, BPP*. As a matter of procedure the reference pressure can be a
starting value for the PVT test:
1. Start at a pressure well above the anticipated bubble point, say 3500 psia
2. Using the Constant Pressure Mode, take pressure decrements of 250 psia
until the pressure of (BPP*+ 500) psia is attained.
3. Use smaller pressure decrements (e.g., 25 or 50 psi) to isolate the visual
bubble point pressure.
4. Once the mixture is in the two-phase region, use the Preset Mode to take
volume increments so that 8-10 points are obtained until the mixture has been
expanded to roughly 4 times its bubble point volume.
5. Plot data and confirm visual and graphical bubble point.

82
Appendix (A) 3000 PVT System

Preparation for the differential liberation test

1. Pressurize the two-phase mixture back to the reference pressure

2. With FPC valve close, open the PC valve; adjust the pressure back to the
reference pressure if necessary
3. Set the main pump at Constant Pressure equal to the reference pressure
4. Slowly open the PC valve to introduce fluid into the FPC
5. After the pressure has stabilized, move 20-30 cc of the recombined fluid into
FPC then back to the PC; this will ensure that the residual fluid in the lines left
behind during the sample transfer to the PC is homogenized
6. Transfer as much of the sample back to the PC by bringing the FPC to minimum
volume; make sure that the mixture stays in single phase during the transfer, this
can be achieved by moving the sample at constant pressure equal to the
reference pressure
7. Isolate the sample in the PC by closing the PC isolate valve.
8. Bleed the residual fluid from the lines through the by pass.

Differential Liberation Test

The differential liberation (DV) test is routinely performed on the oil reservoir
sample after the constant composition expansion or PV test. In this example, the
gas will be removed through the bypass valve. The gasometer is connected to the
bulkhead fitting downstream of the bypass valve. A gas balloon is connected in
line to the gasometer for gas density measurements. isolated from the console by
closing the pump cell bypass valve. Prior to performing the DV test, the line to the
gasometer should be cleaned and flushed with helium. This will insure there is no
contamination for the gas chromatograph measurement of composition. It is
usually not sufficient to just evacuate the line. The gasometer is not designed to
hold a vacuum.

The following procedure is recommended for a DV test where the liberated gas
at each stage is sampled and analyzed for composition:
1. Starting with a single-phase fluid at the reference pressure, expand the mixture
in the two-phase region at a pressure P1 below the bubble point pressure, Pb,
such that the difference, (ΔP = Pb-P1), is approximately equal to

83
Appendix (A) 3000 PVT System

Pb  14.7
P 
10 ……………….equation(5.1)
2. Insure the charge valve and FPC shutoff valve are closed.
3. Record the pressure and total mixture volume.
4. set the pump in Constant Pressure Mode at the current pressure value plus 10
psia.
5. Slowly open the PC bypass valve and position the valve so the pressure
stabilizes near the original pressure set point (i.e. 10 psia lower than the current
set point).
6. Before the gas completely fills the line , slowly open the bypass valve watching
to make sure the pressure does not drop abruptly. The gas will now start filling
the gas balloon and gasometer.
Not: 3000-GL is supplying by video camera to watch the fluid level, so is
easy to control the pressure while watching the screen.
7. Continue displacing the gas until the fluid level can be seen in the window.
When the interface passes through the sapphire window, close the Pump Cell
bypass valve. Reset the pressure setpoint to the original value (i.e. current
setpoint minus 10 psia).
8. Record the liquid volume (Current Pump Cell volume) and gasometer volume.
Isolate the gas balloon and measure the total weight. Analyze sample in gas
balloon for composition.
9. Change the Pump Cell pressure setpoint to the new value. P2 = Pb - 2* ΔP.
10. Repeat steps 3-9 above.
11. Measure the density of the stock tank oil at room temperature

84
Appendix (B)
Calculations of Correlations
Appendix (B) Calculations of Correlations

Formation Volume Factor

STANDING AL MARHOUN DOKLA & OSMAN M.KHAZME
Bo Bo Bo Bo
0.983562294 1.067266636 1.038500584 1.075104494
0.983562294 1.067266636 1.038500584 1.075104494

0.983562294 1.067266636 1.038500584 1.075104494

0.983562294 1.067266636 1.038500584 1.075104494

0.983562294 1.067266636 1.038500584 1.075104494

0.983562294 1.067266636 1.038500584 1.075104494

0.983562294 1.067266636 1.038500584 1.075104494
0.983562294 1.067266636 1.038500584 1.075104494
0.983562294 1.067266636 1.038500584 1.075104494
0.983518326 1.066346738 1.037315863 1.074212092
0.983452454 1.064966891 1.035509707 1.072875323
0.983342879 1.062667146 1.032405615 1.070652335
0.983211743 1.059907452 1.028467682 1.067993107
0.982928963 1.053928114 1.017242 1.062263892

PETROSKY &
MACARY & BATANONEY AL SHAMMASI RAFA LABEDI
FARSHAD
Bo Bo Bo Bo
1.053224348 1.146576483 1.014596382 1.021569071
1.053224348 1.146576483 1.014596382 1.020614905
1.053224348 1.146576483 1.014596382 1.019756156
1.053224348 1.146576483 1.014596382 1.019073928
1.053224348 1.146576483 1.014596382 1.018134075
1.053224348 1.146576483 1.014596382 1.016941368
1.053224348 1.146576483 1.014596382 1.016058765
1.053224348 1.146576483 1.014596382 1.015223871
1.053224348 1.146576483 1.014596382 1.014935236
1.051591094 1.145659588 1.013642376 1.014866059
1.049086665 1.144285621 1.012211367 1.014794496
1.044732548 1.141999337 1.009826353 1.014675225
1.039080218 1.139261825 1.006964337 1.014603663
1.017726857 1.13335304 1.0007633 1.014448611

86
Appendix (B) Calculations of Correlations

ABDUL MAJEED & SALMAN ARP OBOMANU ELKSHARKAWY

Bo Bo Bo Bo
1.041982594 1.0645 0.763305315 1.079204002
1.041982594 1.0645 0.763305315 1.079204002
1.041982594 1.0645 0.763305315 1.079204002
1.041982594 1.0645 0.763305315 1.079204002
1.041982594 1.0645 0.763305315 1.079204002
1.041982594 1.0645 0.763305315 1.079204002
1.041982594 1.0645 0.763305315 1.079204002
1.041982594 1.0645 0.763305315 1.079204002
1.041982594 1.0645 0.763305315 1.079204002
1.041696064 1.0635 0.756867087 1.078229798
1.041245752 1.062 0.747209744 1.076768491
1.040427903 1.0595 0.731114172 1.074332981
1.039288168 1.0565 0.711799486 1.071410368
1.033831986 1.05 0.669951 1.06507804

Oil Compressibility
CALHOUN VAZQUEZ &BEGGS LABEDI (1990) AHMED
Co Co Co Co
2.86952E-06 1.43651E-06 1.81074E-07 3.95978E-05
2.86952E-06 1.65751E-06 1.81074E-07 3.95978E-05
2.86952E-06 1.92389E-06 1.81074E-07 3.95978E-05
2.86952E-06 2.20548E-06 1.81074E-07 3.95978E-05
2.86952E-06 2.76251E-06 1.81074E-07 3.95978E-05
2.86952E-06 4.06558E-06 1.81074E-07 3.95978E-05
2.86952E-06 6.34568E-06 1.81074E-07 3.95978E-05
2.86952E-06 1.2675E-05 1.81074E-07 3.95978E-05
2.86952E-06 1.96782E-05 1.81074E-07 3.95978E-05
2.86952E-06 2.21553E-05 1.81074E-07 3.9642E-05
2.86952E-06 2.5372E-05 1.81074E-07 3.97085E-05
2.86952E-06 3.4632E-05 1.81074E-07 3.98198E-05
2.86952E-06 4.38689E-05 1.81074E-07 3.99542E-05
2.86952E-06 0.000190634 1.81074E-07 4.02485E-05

87
Appendix (B) Calculations of Correlations

MCCAIN (1) MCCAIN (2) MCCAIN (3) AL MARHOUN (2003)

Co Co Co Co
3.25659E-06 1.51783E-06 9.4E-07 5.25E-06
4.00754E-06 1.88043E-06 1.16E-06 5.43E-06
4.97427E-06 2.35045E-06 1.44E-06 5.59E-06
6.06385E-06 2.88376E-06 1.75E-06 5.72E-06
8.4054E-06 4.03985E-06 2.43E-06 5.91E-06
1.47196E-05 7.20427E-06 4.25E-06 6.16E-06
2.7432E-05 1.36999E-05 7.92E-06 6.22E-06
7.65499E-05 3.95229E-05 2.21E-05 6.54E-06
0.000144859 7.63534E-05 4.18E-05 6.61E-06
0.00017237 9.32113E-05 5.14E-05 6.62E-06
0.000209755 0.000117973 6.59E-05 6.64E-06
0.000325172 0.000198024 0.000113 6.67E-06
0.000435164 0.000297462 0.00018 6.69E-06
/ / 0.002039 6.72E-06

88
Appendix (C)
Results of Laboratory
Appendix (C) Results of Laboratory

Results From the Laboratory PVT test

Formation
Oil Oil Oil
Pressure Relative Volume
Compressibility Density Solubility
Psi Volume Factor
Psi-1 gm/cc Scf/stb
Bbl/stb

3000 0.9826 0.00000425 0.848 29 1.041

2600 0.9842 0.00000642 0.847 29 1.043

2240 0.9865 0.00000665 0.845 29 1.045

1954 0.9884 0.00000727 0.843 29 1.047

1560 0.9912 0.00000603 0.841 29 1.05

1060 0.9942 0.00000686 0.838 29 1.0503

690 0.9968 0.00000706 0.836 29 1.056

340 0.9992 0.00000655 0.835 29 1.057

219 1 0.00000637 0.834 29 1.059

216 1.004 0.00001255 0.834 27 1.058

208 1.0137 1.4538E-05 0.835 24 1.057

196 1.0317 1.8115E-05 0.836 22 1.054

179 1 2.3935E-05 0.836 21 1.053

161 1.1124 3.0199E-05 0.84 19 1.045

80 1.6771 0.00010154 0.835 13 1.0444

15 2.1595 0 0.833 0 1.0414

90
Appendix (C) Results of Laboratory

Results at Bubble Point Pressure

Bubble Point Pressure 219 Psi

Oil Density 0.834 gm/cc
Oil Solubility 29 Scf/Stb
Formation Volume Factor 1.059 Bbl/Stb
Oil Comprisiblty 0.00000637 Psi-1

91