PVT Data - Correlation of Bottom Hole Sample Data

Laboratory data on bubble point pressures and reservoir volume factors have been correlated as functions of solution gas-oil ratio, calculated gas gravity of the pentanes-and-lighter fraction of the entire fluid, differential residual oil gravity, and reservoir temperatures. INTRODUCTION Several correlations of crude oil properties have appeared in the literature. D. L. Katz4 in 1942 presented five methods of predicting oil shrinkage. these being of decreasing accuracy for decreasing amounts of information available. M. B. Standing- in 1947 published three correlations of laboratory flash vaporization data of California crudes. From values of GOR (gas-oil ratio), gas gravity, liquid gravity, and temperature, his correlations will predict bubble point pressure, formation volumes of bubble point liquids, and two-phase formation volumes. Curtis and Brinkley2 in 1949 presented several correlations. From the gas-oil ratio, an approximation of reservoir volume factor and barrels of condensate recoverable per barrel of reservoir space may be obtained; along with liquid gravity and reservoir temperature, the GOR will allow prediction of bubble point pressure. These last cor- relations seem to be more qualitative than quantitative. Generally, laboratory bottom hole sample tests furnish information on solution gas-oil ratios, residual oil gravities. bubble point pressures, viscosities of oils, liquid shrinkages, and occasionally gas gravities. Each of these data has its own applications and use in reservoir engineering calculations. The particular uses of correlated bottom hole sample data are found in (1 Providing a basis for obtaining estimates of formation crude properties in fields where bottom hole sampling is impractical or impossible. (2) Greatly reducing the time in obtaining the desired information. (3) Determining the applicability of the results from various bottom hole samples to particular field problems. (4) Avoiding, in many cases, the uncertainties of sampling by replacing it with an element over which greater control can be exercised. (5) Permitting use of preliminary field data in application of production procedures before a bottom hole sample can be obtained and analyzed in the laboratory. (6) Serving as a check on data which may appear out of line. (7) Estimating for a particular type crude the appropriate equilibrium constants by working backward from the bubble point pressure. (8) Estimating original or other past history properties of reservoirs that were not sampled in the past. PROCEDURE Application of the published correlations4,6 to Stanolind laboratory data indicated that the general scheme presented by Standing" could give dedrable results if changes were made in parameter positions and scales. The correlation curves were drawn with all the variables having consistent gradations except the temperature increments which were drawn in to best fit the data. The variables from available Stanolind laboratory data are defined below: (1) Gas-oil Ratio: Gas is liberated at reservoir temperature by differential vaporization (or rather by a series of flashes, approaching differential vaporization) and measured at atmospheric pressure and temperature, at which the compressibility factor is assumed to be unity. The oil is the residual liquid remaining after the pressure has been reduced to atmospheric. For the gas-oil ratio both volumes are corrected to standard conditions of 14.7 psia and 60°F. (2) Gas Gravity: It was decided to arbitrarily divide the hydrocarbons of the entire bottom hole sample into pentanes-and-lighter and hex-anes-and-heavier, and use a calculated gas gravity of the pentanes-and-lighter for a correlating variable. (Sample calculation is shown in Table 111.) (3) Liquid Gravity: This is the API gravity of the residual liquid from the differential vaporization. The gravity is measured at room temperature and corrected to 60°F.