PgDip/MSc Energy Programme Reservoir Fluid Properties PVT

Reservoir Fluid Properties PVT

Review

This topic introduces the reservoir fluid properties used in well performance
modelling.

Content
The Pressure, Volume, Temperature (PVT) relationship describes how a fluid behaves
under changes in these conditions. With an accurate PVT relationship, the density,
viscosity and gas-oil ratio for the fluid under expected pressures and temperatures can
be reliably determined. This is then used to determine both the inflow performance (IPR)
and the vertical lift performance (VLP).
As a hydrocarbon fluid is produced, the temperature and pressure changes. These
changes will initially only cause the oil or gas to change viscosity and density. At a
certain point however the fluid will change from a single phase to two phase. For a
black-oil fluid, the gas will start to come out of solution at the bubble point. For a
condensate, condensate will start to come out of solution. For a given fluid composition,
these points (the saturation points) define the phase envelope. Outside the phase
envelope, the fluid is single phase, inside the fluid is two phase.
The critical point is the point on the phase diagram where to the left of which gas
comes out of solution. To the right, the fluid that first comes out of solution is a liquid.
The following figure shows an example of a phase envelope.
Figure 1. PVT Diagram Sample.

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PgDip/MSc Energy Programme Reservoir Fluid Properties PVT

The definitions of the different type of fluids are:

• a black-oil or volatile oil is one where with a drop in pressure, gas will come out of
solution. The difference between a black oil and a volatile oil is purely arbitrary
and relates to the higher GOR and formation volume factor of a volatile oil
compared to a black oil. The formation volume factor (FVF) for a volatile oil will
be above approximately 1.5, below this it will be a black-oil;
• a retrograde condensate is one where with a drop in pressure, liquid will first
come out of solution. Note that most retrograde condensates will exhibit this
behaviour where as if the pressure is reduced further, the liquid may vapourise
again;
• a gas is where a drop in pressure will not result in the phase envelope being
crossed.

These definitions apply to the conditions in the reservoir (isothermal). In the tubing,
cooling will occur and therefore the fluid will almost certainly cross the phase envelope
at some point. Therefore a gas will produce some liquid (condensate) before it reaches
the surface.
It is possible to have all of these fluids with the same composition, it is just the initial
pressure and temperature that may change. For example in the phase envelope
presented in the previous page, a reservoir temperature of 650 °F or below would result
in a black or volatile oil. A reservoir temperature of between 650 °F and 858 °F would be
a retrograde condensate, and a reservoir temperature of above 858 °F would be a dry
gas. Note in this example a black-oil fluid is likely as most reservoir temperatures are
below 650 °F. Below the saturation pressure, the proportions of the phases will change.
This can be examined on the phase envelope plot presented below.
Figure 2. Gas/ Fluid Phases.

As the fluid proportions and properties change, this will clearly affect the well
performance. The reservoir or near wellbore performance will be affected by:
• the viscosity;
• the expansion or contraction of the fluid (included in the formation volume factor);
• any relative permeability effects due to liquid or gas break-out.

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PgDip/MSc Energy Programme Reservoir Fluid Properties PVT

The tubing performance on the other hand will be affected by:

• the density of the fluid(s) - accounted for by the FVF and oil / gas gravity;
• the proportion of gas to liquid (the GOR or CGR);
• the viscosity (to a lesser extent).

The PVT data is therefore critical to the well performance predictions. Historically most
errors in well performance prediction have been attributed to poor or inaccurate PVT
data.

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