Experiment No.

: 01
Name of Experiment: Constant Composition Expansion Test of Hydrocarbon Oil
1. Objectives:
The purposes of this experiments are to
 determine the bubble point pressure
 simulate the pressure/volume relations of hydrocarbon systems
 determine the relative volume
2. Introduction
It is desirable to obtain a fluid sample as early in the life of a field as possible so that the sample
closely approximates the original reservoir fluid. Collection of a fluid sample early in the life
of a field reduces the chances of free gas in the oil zone of the reservoir. Most of the parameters
measured in a reservoir fluid study can be calculated with some degree of accuracy from the
composition. It is the most complete description of reservoir fluid that can be made.

A constant composition expansion (CCE) is an isothermal test that establishes the

pressure/volume relationship for a fluid system as it may be depleted in a reservoir.
Measurements of this test include saturation pressure, relative volume, single-phase densities,
and other details depending on fluid type, for example, compressibility (oil), deviation factors
(gas), and liquid dropout (condensates) as a fluid sample is progressively allowed to expand
with decreasing pressure without removing any of the sample. This test is common with gas
condensate and volatile oil. CCE best describes the reservoir depletion process where both
condensate and gas are mobile and the mixture composition can be assumed to be constant.
The term flash liberation, flash vaporization or flash expansion is used when the fluid sample
is crude oil instead of gas. However, the procedures are the same for both oil and gas.

3. Theory

Bubble-point pressure is defined as the pressure at which the first bubble of gas
appears at a specific temperature. The phase diagram of typical black oils shows that
the bubble-point pressure could be different at different temperatures. In the petroleum
industry, if bubble-point pressure value mentioned without reference to a particular
temperature, the temperature is implicitly assumed to be the reservoir temperature.
When the reservoir is depleted and its pressure falls below the bubble-point pressure,
free gas starts to form in the reservoir. Since gas has higher mobility than oil, the
producing GOR is expected to increase when the reservoir pressure decreases below
the bubble-point pressure. Other PVT properties also undergo significant changes
when the reservoir pressure passes through the bubble-point pressure. Therefore,
determining bubble point pressure accurately has a significant role in simulating
reservoir pressure decline and its performance.

4. Instruments
 PV cell.
 Mercury Pump.
 Thermostat.
 Pressure Gauge.

Figure 1: Constant Composition Expansion Equipment

5. Procedure
The experimental procedure, shown schematically in Figure 2 which involves placing a
hydrocarbon fluid sample (volatile oil or gas) in a visual PVT cell at reservoir temperature and
at a pressure in excess of the initial reservoir pressure (Figure 2-A). The pressure is reduced in
steps at constant temperature by removing mercury from the cell, and the change in the total
hydrocarbon volume, Vt, is measured for each pressure increment. The saturation pressure
(bubble-point) and the corresponding volume are observed and recorded and used as a
reference volume, Vsat (Figure 2-C).
 Figure 2: Constant-composition expansion test procedure

6. Experimental Data
Pressure, psig Total volume, cc

7. Results and Discussion

8. Conclusion
References