Introduction to Petroleum Engineering

PE 210

FLUID PROPERTIES
1

FLUID PROPERTIES

The understanding of fluid properties allows petroleum

engineers to design and predict the behavior of a
hydrocarbon reservoir more accurately.

Natural Gas

Gases often occur in association with crude oil, either as

free gas cap or in solution. This is called "associated gas".
Natural gas that occurs alone is called "non-associated gas".
Methane (C1) is always the major component and occurs
with or without other lightl hydrocarbons, and with or
without inorganic gases.
If natural gas contains less than 0.1 gallons of liquid/1000
ft3 it is called "dry gas" and this is generally corresponds to
>90% methane. The opposite is "wet gas".
2

Natural Gas
Ideal Gas Law:
Relationships that describe the pressure-volume-temperature
(PVT) behavior of gasses are called equation of state.

What is the ideal gas? Is the one in which the volume occupied
by the molecules is small compared to the total volume, i.e.
Vmolecules = 0.0
All molecular collisions are elastic (no lose in energy)
No attractive or repulsive forces among molecules

Why do we study ideal gasses behavior?

To make the understanding of the behavior of real gasses easier.
3

Ideal Gas Law

The simplest gas equation of state is a combination of two fundamental

laws:
Boyles Law: (At constant temperature)
V

1
p

PV = cons tan t

OR

Charles Law: (At constant pressure)

V T

OR

V
= cons tan t
T

Combining the Boyles law and Charles law results:

PV = nRT
Where R is the gas constant equals to 10.73 psia.ft3/(ibm-mole R). Note
that avogadro number = 2.73x1026 molecules/mole.
4

Gas Specific Gravity

Specific Gravity, g
Defined as the ratio of the density of a gas at a given temperature and pressure
to the density of air at the same temperature and pressure.
air =

p 28.97
RT

Then the specific gravity, g, of a gas is

P MW

M
g = g = RT = W
air P 28.97 28.97
RT

Real Gas Law

Since the volume of a gas will be less than what the ideal gas volume would be,
the gas is said to be supercompressible. The number, which is a measure of the
amount of the gas deviates from the perfect or ideal behavior, is sometimes
called supercompressibility factor, usually shortened to the compressibility
factor (z-factor).
z=

Va Actual volume of n moles of gas at T and P

=
Vi
Ideal volume of n moles of gas at T and P

Note that:
The z-factor is obtained from figures
Z-factor at standard condition = 1.0

Z Correlation

Most correlations are based on the law of corresponding state which applies to the
hydrocarbon gases as they are closely related chemically. The law states at the same Tr
and Pr all hydrocarbons have the same values of Z.
The pseudoreduced temperature and pseudoreduced pressure are defined for pure gasses
as:
Z = f (Pr, Tr); therefore, Tr =

T
P
, and Pr =
Tc
Pc

(Pc, Tc): The condition above which liquid and vapor phases of the compound cannot be
distinguished.

Z Correlation
Natural Gases: are mixture of different hydrocarbon gases
They dont have a True Pc, and Tc.
For mixtures, the pseudoreduced temperature and pseudoreduced pressure need a
modification in which the compositions of the gas are taken into the consideration.
Gas analysis is done at atmosphere
mole fraction = vol. Fraction (Yi = vi) at atmosphere.
Note that Vol. of 1 mole = 379 SCF for all gases.
MW, Pc, and Tc are mole fraction weighted; therefore,
n

i =1

i =1

i =1

i =1

Pc = Yi Pci = Vi Pci
Tc = Yi Tci = Vi Tci
n

i =1

i =1

MW g = Yi MWi = Vi MWi

If gas-condensate is produced with the gas its mole fraction must be included in the
composition (since the condensate is a gas in the reservoir).

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11

12

13

14

15

16

Examples

Example (1):

What is the volume of 15 pounds of methane at 100oF and 900 psi?

Solution: Given that: at 100oF, 900 psi, 15 # C, (Mwc = 16.04)

PV=
n =

ZnRT

W
15#
=
= 0.935
M w 16.04#

Gas is C1 Fig. (6):

Z (900 psia, 100oF) = 0.92

PV = ZnRT
R=10.73, T=100 + 460
V=

5.73 ft3

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Examples
Example (2):

If the gas in Example 1 is pure.

Solution: Fig. 9 can be used:

900
900
=
= 1.34
( Pc ) cr 673
100 + 460
Tr =
= 1.63
116 + 460
Pr =

From Fig. 9 Z = 0.92

V = 5.73 ft3

If it is ideal gas (Z=1):

PV = nRT
V = 6.24 ft3
Diff. in value = 9%
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Examples
Example (3): A gas mixture consists of 16 lbs of methane and 7.5 ibs of ethane.
Calculate its volume at 0oF and 1000 psi?
Solution:

PV= ZnRT
nT = nc1 + nc2
mc1
16
=
= 1mole
M wc1 16
m
7.5
= c2 =
= 0.25mole
M wC 2 30.07

nC 1 =
nC 2

nT = 1+ 0.25 = 1.25 mole

Gas Mixture (Fig. 10) Z (Pr, Tr)
Tc = Yc1, Tc1 + Yc2 Tc2
nc1
1
=
= 0.80 = 80%
nT 1.25
n
0.25
Yc2= c 2 =
= 0.20 = 20%
1.25
nT

Yc1 =

Tc = 0.8 (344) + 0.2 (549) = 385oR

Pc = 0.8 (673) + 0.2 (712) = 680.8 psi
Tr =

0 + 460
= 1.2
385

1000
= 1.469
680.8
From (Fig. 10) Z = 0.645

Pr =

19

Examples

Example (4:) Estimate Z for 0.8 SG gas at 1390 psia and 980F?
Solution:

P 1390
=
= 2.1
662
Pc
T 98 + 460
Tr = =
= 1.35
413
Tc

Pr =

Pc, Tc from (Fig. 11, Fig. 12)

And from (Fig. 10) Z = 0.72

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Gas Formation Volume Factor, Bg

Relates the actual volume of gas at P and T of the reservoir to the actual volume of gas
at standard conditions, psc and Tsc on the surface.
Bg =

actual vol. of gas at P, T Va ) P ,T

=
actual vol. of gas at Sc
Va ) sc
p ZT
B g = sc
Tsc p

Where psc is 14.7 psia and Tsc is 60 F,

ZT
B g = 0.02829
p

ft 3
,

SCF

ZT
p

bbl
,
SCF

B g = 0.00504

21

Gas Formation Volume Factor, Bg

22

Isothermal Compressibility
A measure of change in volume with pressure under isothermal conditions.
V =
V nRT Z ZnRT
=

P
P P
P2

ZnRT
P

V ZnRT
=
P P
1 V 1 Z 1

=
V P Z P P

Since,

c=

1 V
V P

1 Z ZnRT 1

P P
Z P

Therefore:

cg =

1 1 Z

p Z P

Note that the above equation can be solved if we know the slope of z-factor plot.

Viscosity:
The viscosity of natural gas depends on the temperature, pressure and composition
of the gas. It has units of (cp).
Carr, Kobayashi, and Burrows have developed correlation charts for estimating the
viscosity of natural gasses.
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Crude Oil
A

very complex mixture with hundreds of

thousands of compounds. Predominantly
hydrocarbons but also compounds of nitrogen,
sulfur and oxygen. The mixture existed in a
liquid phase in an underground reservoir and
remains a liquid at surface after passing
through surface separation equipment.

24

Crude Oil Properties

Appearance: Ranges from black, dark brown,

greenish through pale colors to water white.

Density: Most oil is less dense than water. Although

any appropriate units can be used for density, it is
most commonly given as API gravity (American
Petroleum Institute)
API =

141.5
131.5
S .G(60 / 60 )o F

Light oil are > 40o API (0.83 S.G)

Heavy oil are < 25o API (1.00 S.G)
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Crude Oil Properties

Solution Gas-Oil Ratio, Rso
It is a measure of the solubility of natural gas in crude oil.
Depends on the pressure, the temperature, and the composition of the gas and the
crude oil.
For a particular gas and crude oil at constant temperature, the quantity of solution
gas increases with pressure; and at constant pressure the quantity decreases with
increasing temperature. For any temperature and pressure, the quantity of solution
gas increases as the composition of the gas and crude oil approach each other.
A crude oil is said to be saturated with gas at any pressure and temperature if on a
slight reduction in pressure some gas is released from solution. Conversely, if no gas
is released from solution, the crude oil is said to be undersaturated at that pressure.
Rs: gas solubility: No. of SCF of gas which are in solution in 1 STB at reservoir T, P. Or
it is the volume (in SCF) of gas dissolved in 1 STB of oil , SCF/STB.
Rs =

SCF of gas produced

STB of oil produced

Bubble Point Pressure or Saturation Pressure: It is the pressure of a liquid system at

which gas starts bubbling.

26

Solution Gas-Oil Ratio

Bubble point: is the condition at which the first bubble of gas

appears.
Dew Point: is the condition at which the first drop of liquid
condenses.
It may have a unit of standard cubic feet of solution gas per
stock tank barrel of oil (SCF/STB).
Values of Rs ranges from 50 to 1400 SCF/STb. For most oil
reservoirs, the value of Rs falls between 200 to 1000 SCF/STB.
Rs can be obtained from laboratory measurements or can be
estimated from correlation.
27

Solution Gas-Oil Ratio

28

Oil Formation Volume Factor, Bo

Relates the actual volume of oil at P and T of the reservoir to the actual
volume of oil at standard conditions, psc and Tsc on the surface.
The reservoir volume includes dissolved gas, whereas the surface volume
is essentially dead oil and does not include the released gas.
It has units of reservoir barrels of oil per stock tank barrel of oil.
actual vol. of oil at P, T Vo ) P ,T
=
Bo =
actual vol. of oil at Sc
Vo ) sc

29

Oil Formation Volume Factor, Bo

30

Viscosity

Values vary widely from the very low value typical of gas to very high
values. In general, low API gravity oils tend to have higher viscosities.
A measure of internal resistance of fluid to flow.
It has a unit of cp.
Below bubble point, the viscosity decreases with increasing pressure owing to
the thinning effect of gas entering solution, but above the bubble point, the
viscosity increases with increasing pressure.
Dead oil is defined as oil with no dissolved gas.
Live oil is defined as oil with dissolved gas.

31

Water

Water is the dominant fluid in the subsurface. The

total quantity of dissolved salts varies from low
values in shallow fresh water to more than 400,000
mg/liter (ppm) in some deep waters. Values are
usually reported as "Total Dissolved Solids" (TDS).
Sea water has 35,000 mg/liter.

Chemical Composition of Reservoir Waters: Waters

are usually analyzed for Chloride (CI) Sulfate (SO4),
bicarbonate (HCO3), Carbonate (CO3), Potassium
(K+), Calcium (Ca++), magnesium (Mg++), and
sodium (Na+).
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Water Properties
Solution Gas-Water Ratio, Rsw
It is a measure of the solubility of natural gas in water.
McCain developed a correlation for the solution gas-water ratio, Rsw (SCF/STB).
Water Formation volume factor, Bw
Relates the actual volume of water at P and T of the reservoir to the actual volume of
water at standard conditions, psc and Tsc on the surface. It has units of bbl/STB.
In most cases, the water formation volume factors will be approximately 1.0.

Viscosity
A measure of internal resistance of fluid to flow. It has a unit of cp.
Pure water has a viscosity of 1.0 cp at standard conditions.
33

Two phase Formation volume factor, Bt

Relates the actual volume of Liquid and gas at P and T of the reservoir to the actual
volume of Liquid at standard conditions, psc and Tsc on the surface. It has units of
bbl/STB.
Bt =

(VL + V g ) @ Re sTP
VL @ SC 6014.F7 psi

Note:
The variables Z, Bg, Rs, Bo, and Bt are obtained either by Lab or from correlation
charts. They are all function of Pressure, Temperature, type of oil (S.Go, API) and type of
gas (S.Gg). Lab is more accurate than the correlation charts, but correlation charts are
cheap and take a short time.
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Phase Behavior of Single Component System: Vaporization of a

Pure Substance at constant Temperature

35

Phase Behavior of Single Component System: Vaporization of a

Pure Substance at constant Pressure

36

When hydrocarbons are produced from the reservoir to the

surface, both pressure and temperature are reduced. Phase
changes may therefore occur in the Produced fluids.

37

Example

Given T=200oF, solve for the unknown variables in the following Table:

Bo

Bg

SGg
at
SCF bbl/STB bbl/SCf SC

Rs

Bt

psia

cc

cc

2950

Li

1.434

787.911

1.434

2630

621

1.465

787.911

1.465

2220

570

g2

0.977

1.345

0.0013

0.7 0.868

Rs2

1.821

3 900.144 445
455 0.867
SC,
60oF 14.7 423.8 7248.9 0.256

1.05

0.0033

0.8 0.893

96.6

2.13

0.178

0.85 1.0

BtSC

SCF/STB bbl/STB

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Examples
423.8
3
Li = Boi * Lsc = (1.434 )
= 3.8226 x10 bbl
158987.3
Li = (3.8326 x 10-3) (158987.3) = 607.74 cc

bbl
3

=
=
=
*
0
.
0013
(
0
.
977
)
1
.
27
10
g
B
G
scf
x
bbl
2. 2
g2
2

scf

g2 = (1.27x10-3 bbl) (158987.3 cc/bbl) = 201. 9 cc

3. Rs 2 =
Rs2

G = G
Lsc

+ G sc (0.867 + 0.256) SCF

=
Lsc
(2.666 x10 3 ) STB

421.23 SCF/STB

Lsc + g sc (423.8 + 7.248.9)cc

=
Lsc
(423.8)cc
Btsc = 18.1 bbl/STB

4. Btsc =

39

The Five Reservoir Fluids

The behavior of reservoir fluids during production is

determined by the shape of its phase diagram (phase
behavior).

There are five different reservoir fluids:

black oil, volatile oil, retrograde gas, wet gas, and dry gas.

Each type is defined by reference to the shape of its phase

diagram

Why do we need the fluid type:

- Type & size of surface equipment
- Estimating oil & gas in place
- Plan of depletion & secondary recovery techniques.
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Black Oil

At point 2, the oil is at its bubblepoint and is said to be saturated.

Rules of thumb:
Initial producing gas-oil
ratio of or < 2000 scf/stb.
The gravity of stock tank
liquid < 45 API.
The color of the stocktank liquid: very dark,
often black, sometimes
with greenish cast, or
brown.

41

Volatile Oil

Rules of thumb:
Initial producing gasoil ratio: 2000 3300
scf/stb.
The gravity of stock
tank liquid > 45 API.
The color of the
stock-tank liquid:
usually brown, orange,
sometimes green.

42

Retrograde Gas

Rules of thumb:
Initial producing gas-oil
ratio > 3300 scf/stb.
The gravity of stock
tank liquid: 40 60
API.
The color of the stocktank liquid: brown,
orange, greenish, or
water-white.

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Wet Gas

Rules of thumb:
Initial producing gasoil ratio > 50,000
scf/stb.
The gravity of stock
tank liquid: 40 60
API.
The color of the
stock-tank liquid:
water-white.
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Dry Gas

Rules of thumb:
Initial producing
gas-oil ratio: no
liquid production.
The gravity of
stock tank liquid:
Not applicable.
The color of the
stock-tank liquid:
colorless.
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