Chapter 22

Oil System Correlations

H. Dale Beggs.
Petroleum Consukant*

Introduction
Knowledge of petroleum fluids physical properties is required by petroleum engineers for both reservoir and production system calculations. These properties must be evaluated at reservoir temperature and various pressures for reservoir performance studies, and at conditions of both changing pressure and temperature for wellbore hydraulics calculations. If reservoir fluid samples are available, the fluid properties of interest can be measured with a pressure-volumetemperature (PVT) analysis. However, these analyses usually are conducted at reservoir temperature only and the variation of the properties with temperature is not available for production system calculations. Also, in many cases a PVT analysis may not be available early in the life of the reservoir or may never be available because of economic reasons. To overcome these obstacles, empirical correlations have been developed for predicting various fluid physical properties from limited data. The development and application of several of these empirical correlations are presented in this chapter. Methods for estimating physical properties for both saturated and undersaturated oils as functions of pressure, temperature, stock-tank oil gravity, and separator gas gravity are given. Fluid properties are calculated here only for oil systems with and without fluid composition known. Methods for calculating physical properties of gas-condensate systems are presented in Chaps. 2 I, 23, and 30. Therefore, no correlations for dewpoint pressure are presented, as the dewpoint pressure can be calculated with the procedures outlined in Chap. 2 1 if the composition of the fluid is known. Many of the older correlations were presented in graphical form only and are therefore not suitable for use in computers or programmable calculators. These graphs are converted to equation form where possible. The generally accepted definitions of the fluid properties correlated in this chapter are as follows.* Oil density, p,, , is the ratio of the mass of the oil plus its dissolved or solution gas per unit volume, which varies with temperature and pressure. Bubblepointpressure, P/), is the pressure at which the first bubble of gas evolves as the pressure on the oil is decreased. It also is frequently called saturation pressure, as the oil will absorb no more gas below that pressure. The bubblepoint pressure varies with temperature for a particular oil system. Solution gas/oil ratio (GOR), R,, , is the amount of gas that will evolve from the oil as the pressure is reduced to atmospheric from some higher pressure. It is usually expressed in units of scf/STB. The gas is frequently referred to as dissolved gas. Oilformation volume factor (FVF), B,, , is the volume occupied by 1 STB oil plus its solution gas at some elevated pressure and temperature. It is usually expressed as bbl/STB. It is a measure of the shrinkage of the oil as it is brought to stock-tank conditions. Total FW, B,, means the volume occupied at some elevated pressure and temperature by 1 STB oil, its remaining solution gas, and the free gas (R,i -R,) that has evolved from the oil. It is also expressed as bbl/STB. Oil viscosi@, po. measures the oils resistance to flow, defined as the ratio of the shearing stress to the rate of shear induced in the oil by the stress. It is usually measured in centipoise and is required for both reservoir and piping system calculations. Inferfacial tension (IFT), co, is the force per unit length existing at the interface between two immiscible fluids. This property is not required in most reservoir calculations but is a parameter in some correlations for piping system calculations. It is usually expressed in units of dyne/cm.
General terms are deftned I the Glossary at the end of this chapter

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

HANDBOOK

increased pressure will merely compress the liquid and increase its density. For the case of p> p,, . the oil density is calculated from p. =poh exp[c,(p--ph)], where PO poh p pb .. . .(2)

oil density at p, T, oil density at ph, T, pressure, psia, bubblepoint pressure at T, psia, and co = oil isothermal compressibility at T, psi - .

= = = =

Correlations for calculating R,T, B,, c, and ~b at various conditions are presented later. In the petroleum industry, it is common to express gravity in terms of the API gravity of the oil, or: 141.5 Yo = 131,5+YAP,,

..

where y. is oil specific gravity, and YAPI is oil gravity, API. Density From Ideal Solution PrinciplesComposition Known The principle of ideal solutions states that the volume of the total solution is the sum of the individual component volumes. The principle applies at atmospheric pressure for fluids in which the components are closely related chemically, such as petroleum. If the composition of the fluid is known, the density at standard conditions (14.7 psia and 60F) may be calculated from

Fig. 22.1-Pseudoliquid density methane and ethane.

of

systems

containing

Oil Density Determination

Oil density is required at various pressures and at reservoir temperature for reservoir engineering calculations. The variation with temperature must be calculated for production system design calculations. An equation for oil density is

c & Psc = 5 i=l vi mi Cm I Cmilpi ) . . (4)

where
350y,+O.O7647,R, 5.6158, PO = m; , I.. . . . . .

where PO = Yo = YK = R,y = B, = 3.50 =

= mass of the ith component, = volume of the ith component, PI = density of the ith component at standard conditions, and C = number of components.
Vi

oil density, lbmicu ft, oil specific gravity, gas specific gravity, solution or dissolved gas, scf/STB, oil FVF, bbl/STB, density of water at standard conditions, lbm/STB, 0.0764 = density of air at standard conditions, lbmlscf, and 5.615 = conversion factor, cu ft/bbl.

If the pressure and temperature conditions are such that all of the available gas is in solution-i.e., the pressure is above the bubblepoint at the temperature of interest-

Once the density at standard conditions is calculated, it must be corrected for compressibility and thermal expansion if the density at other conditions is required. This can be accomplished by use of charts presented by Standing. When the ideal solution principle is applied to reservoir ,oils that contain large amounts of dissolved gas, it is obvious that the fluid cannot be brought to standard or stock-tank conditions and still remain in the liquid phase. This limitation is overcome by calculating a pseudoliquid density, the value of which depends on the mass or weight fractions of methane and ethane in the fluid. The pseudoliquid density correlation was presented by Standing and is illustrated in Fig. 22. I,

OIL SYSTEM CORRELATIONS

22-3

10 b: G
E5 a F 4I b3 mu =\

9
B 7 6 5

0-J WC0 4 IL $ G z P i? DENSITY AT 6OF, 1 ATM, LBKU FT 3 2 1

25

30

45 50 55 35 40 DENSITY AT 60F

60

65

Fig. 22.2-Density correction for compressibility of hydrocarbon liquids.

Fig. 22.3-Density correction for thermal hydrocarbon liquids.

expansion

of

The procedure for calculating oil density at any pressure and temperature when the composition is known is as follows. 1. Calculate the mass or weight of the ethane and heavier components in the mixture. 2. Calculate the density of the propane and heavier components with Eq. 4. 3. Calculate the weight or mass percent of ethane in the ethane and heavier mixture. 4. Calculate the weight percent methane in the total mixture. 5. Determine the pseudoliquid density from Fig. 22.1. 6. Correct for compressibility with Fig. 22.2 7. Correct for thermal expansion with Fig. 22.3. Example Problem 1. Using the known composition of a reservoir fluid as given in Table 22.1, calculate the den-

sity at the bubblepoint pressure of 3,280 psi and temperature of 218F.

Solution.

1. Weight of ethane plus=130.69-7.046=123.46 lbm. 2. Density of propane plus equals (weight of propane plus) divided by (volume of propane plus): 130.69-7.046-1.296 2.227 3. Weight percent ethane in ethane plus: 1.296(100) 123.46

=54.94 lbm/cu ft.

= 1.05.

TABLE 22.1-

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 1 SOLUTION Liquid Volume of Components, V, =m,lp, fcu ft\

Component Cl C* C3 C4 C5 C6 C T&l

Mole Fraction. Y, 0.4404 0.0432 0.0405 0.0284 0.0174 0.0290 0.4011 1 .oooo

Mole Weight of Components, M, 16.0 30.1 44.1 58.1 72.2 86.2 297

Weight of Components mi =Y,M, (Ibm) 7.046 1.296 1.766 1.650 1.256 2.500 115.1 130.69

Liquid Density of Components, PI

31.66 35.77 39.16* 41.43 56.6

0.0564 0.0461 0.0321 0.0603 2.032 2.227

at 60F and 14.7 ps,a. Arithmetic average of is.0 and normal

values

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PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

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is 27.4API and the quantities and gravities of the produced gas are given in Table 22.2.
Solution.

1. Average gas gravity, yr. =CI?iy,~iICRj, (414)(0.640)+90(0.897)+25(1.540) r, = and 141.5 I= 131.5+27.4 =0.89. 414+90+25 =. 726 . .

GAS GRAVITY, AIR

2. Molecular weight of produced gas, M,, =y,(M,i,); M,Y=0.726(28.97)=21.03 Ibmimol.

Fig. 22.4-Apparent

liquid density of natural gases.

3. Mass of dissolved gas, m,, is given by 529 scf/STB 379,5 scf,mol (21.03 lbm/mol)=29.32 4. Weight percent methane in methane plus: 7.046(100) 130.69 5. From Fig. 22.1, psr=50.8 lbm/cu ft at 60F and 14.7 psia. 6. From Fig. 22.2, the correction for pressure is 0.89 lbmicu ft. Therefore, the density at 3,280 psia and 60F is 50.8+0.89=51.7 lbmicu ft. 7. From Fig. 22.3, the correction for temperature is -3.57 Ibm/cu ft. Therefore, the density at 3,280 psia and 218F is 51.7-3.57=48.1 Ibm/cu ft. 4. Mass of stock-tank oil, m,,, is given by =5.39. 350 lbm/STB(O. 89) = 3 11.50 lbm/STB. Fig. 22.4 shows that the apparent liquid density of the dissolved gas is about 24.9 lbmicu ft at 60F and 14.7 psia. This is used to calculate the volume of the dissolved gas. 5. Volume of dissolved gas, I,, is given by

lbm/STB.

mR -=

29.32 lbm/STB

= 1.178 cu ft/STB.

PK 24.9 lbmicu ft
6. Volume of stock-tank 5.615 cu ft/STB.

04 V,, is given by

Density From Ideal Solution PrinciplesComposition Unknown The procedure for estimating oil density outlined in the preceding section used charts for determing the apparent gas density, which required knowledge of the total fluid composition. Katz* extended the apparent density concept to apply to natural gases in general. This results in a method that can be used when solution GOR stock-tankoil gravity, and gas gravity are known. The fluid composition is not required. The correlation for the apparent density of the dissolved gas as a function of oil and gas gravity is shown in Fig. 22.4. The gravity of the produced gas is calculated as a volume-weighted average of the gas evolved at the separator and the stock tank. Application of Fig. 22.4 in estimating the oil density from limited data is illustrated in Example Problem 2. In this example, the fluid passed through two separators between the wellhead and the stock tank. Example Problem 2. Calculate the density and specific volume of the oil system at the bubblepoint conditions of pb =3,280 psia at T=218F. The stock-tank oil gravity 7. Pseudoliquid density, zz-m, fm,
PAL

0 - ,
- 311.50 lbm/STB+29 32 1bmiSTB - 5.615 cu ft/STB+1.178 cu ft/STB =50.17 Ibm/cu ft.

TABLE 22.2-PRODUCED CHARACTERISTICS

GAS

R (scf/STB) First-stage separator Second-stage separator Stock tank Total 414 90 25 529

y9 0.640 0.897 1.540

OIL SYSTEM CORRELATIONS

22-5

Correction of the density for compression and thermal expansion is accomplished with Figs. 22.2 and 22.3. Fig. 22.2 shows that the pressure correction to 3,280 psia is 0.90 lbmicu ft. Therefore, p3Z80,60=50.17+0.90=51.07 lbmicu ft. correction to

characterize the tank oils other than by the API gravity. The value for gas gravity to be used is apparently the volume-weighted average of the gas from all stages of separation. The correlation should apply to other oil systems as long as the compositional makeup of the gases and crudes is similar to those used in developing the method. The equation for estimating bubblepoint pressure is
0.83 x IO!v ,

Fig, 22.3 shows that the temperature 218F is -3.63 Ibm/cu ft. Therefore, ~32~0,218=51.07-3.63=47.44

(5)

lbmicu ft where Y<?= = PJ, = R ,,b = 7,s = TR = YAPI = mole fraction gas, 0.00091(TR)-0.0125yA~I, bubblepoint pressure, psia, solution GOR at PLP~, scf/STB, gas gravity (air= 1.O), reservoir temperature, F, and stock-tank oil gravity, API.

The specific volume of the oil is defined as the reciprocal of the density. Therefore, v,, = i I = -----0.021 47.44 P 0 cu ft/lbm.

Bubblepoint-Pressure

Correlations

Reservoir performance calculations require that the reservoir bubblepoint pressure be known. This is determined from a PVT analysis of a reservoir fluid sample or calculated by flash calculation procedures if the composition of the reservoir fluid is known. However, since this information is frequently unavailable. empirical correlations for estimating P/, from limited data were developed. These correlations may be used to estimate bubblepoint or saturation pressure as a function of reservoir temperature, stock-tank oil gravity. dissolved-gas gravity, and solution GOR at initial reservoir pressure. That is,

A nomograph developed from Eq. 5 is shown in Fig. 22.5. The example bubblepoint determination shown in the nomograph is calculated with Eq. 5 in the following example.

Example Problem 3. Estimate pl, where R ,,, = 350 scfi STB. TR =200F, -yX=0.75, and ?,+#I =30APl.
Solution.

y!: =0.0009i(200)-0.0125(30)=
0.83

-0.193.

10 -0.1Y3

A value for R.,h = R,,i can be obtained from the initial solution GOR (produced) if the reservoir pressure is above !I/>, where R,,b is the solution GOR at bubblepoint pressure and R,, is the solution GOR at initial reservoir pressure. Three methods for estimating bubblepoint pressure are presented. The correlations were developed by use of experimentally measured bubblepoint pressures obtained from PVT analyses on reservoir fluid samples. Other correlations were developed for application in specific reservoirs, but the methods presented here gave good results over a wide range of oil systems.

,LJ~ 1,895 psia. =

Lasater Correlation A correlation by Lasater4 was developed in 1958 from 158 experimental data points, which included the ranges of variables shown in Table 22.4. The correlation was presented graphically in the form of two charts. Equations were fitted to these graphical correlations to enhance the use of this method with computers or calculators. The graphical correlations are shown in Figs. 22.6 and 22.7. The following procedure is used to estimate ph using Figs. 22.6 and 22.7.

Standing Correlations Standing presented an equation and nomograph to estimate bubblepoint pressures greater than 1,000 psia. The correlation was based on 105 experimentally determined bubblepoint pressures of California oil systems. The average error of the correlation when applied to the data used to develop the method was 4.8% and 106 psi. The ranges of data used to develop the method are given in Table 22.3 The gases evolved from the systems used to develop the correlation contained essentially no nitrogen or hydrogen sulfide. Some of the gases contained CO,. but in quantities less than 1 mol%. No attempt was made to

TABLE 22.3~DATA PARAMETERS AND RANGES

prb. via R, F

R sb, scf/STB

YAPI~ ApI yQ (air = 1.O)

130 to 7,000 100 to 258 20 to 1,425 16 5 to 63.8 0.59 to 0.95

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PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

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BUBBLE-POINT

PRESSURE,

Fig. 22.5-Chart

for calculating

bubblepotnt

pressure

by Standings correlation.

1. Find the effective molecular weight of the stock-tank oil from the API gravity using Fig. 22.6. 2. Calculate the mol fraction of gas in the system from
R,yh1379.3 ?I: = R,h1379.3+350y,,lM, ' '.""""..'

TABLE

22.4-VARIABLE

RANGES

Tb-R, Asia I= YAPI> yg oAPl

4882 to 272 to 5,780

17.9 to 51.1

(6)

R sb, scf/STB

0.574 to 1.223 3 to 2,905

3. Find the bubblepoint pressure factor, phyRITR, Fig. 22.7 4. Calculate the bubblepoint pressure ph = [(ph~~)lT] TR/~,~ where TR is in R. The following equations can be used to replace Figs. 22.6 and 22.7.
from

For Y,~> 0.60:

PhYg
TR

-=8.26y;.56+1.95.

...

.(lO)

Equations for Fig. 22.6 For API I 40:

M,,=630-lOyAp,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...(7)

A nomograph that combines Figs. 22.6 and 22.7 is presented in Fig. 22.8. The example given in Fig. 22.8 is worked with the equations in the following example.

For API > 40: hi,, =73,1 10 (-yAPI) -.56. Equations for Fig. 22.7 For ys 5 0.60: .(8)

Example Problem 4. Given the following data, use the Lasater method to estimate P,,
Rch =500 scf/STB, TR=200F=660R, YAP[=30, and yg =0.876.

yI: =0.80,

Solution.

P bY,q -=0.679
TR

ex~(2.786y,~)-0.323.

.(9)

M,,=630-10(30)=330.

OIL SYSTEM CORRELATIONS

22-7

5.2 4.8

II II

EFFECTIVE

MOLECULAR OF TANK OIL

weight

WEIGHT

3.6 3.2

Fig. 22.6-Effective
gravity.

molecular

related

to tank-oil

2.8

5001379.3 = 500/379.3+350(0.876)1330 PhYg

TR

=0.587

2.0 1.6 1.2

=0.679 exp[2.786(0.587)] -0.323:

Phh -=3.161.
TR

3.161(660)
Ph=

=2,608 psia.

0.80

1~~~~
0 0.2 0.4 GAS MOLE 0.6 0.8 FRACTION 1.0
Fig. 22.7-Lasaters
correlation of bubblepoint-pressure tor with gas-mole fraction. fac-

Vasquez and Beggs Correlation Vasquez and Beggs used results from more than 600 oil systems to develop empirical correlations for several oil properties including bubblepoint pressure. The data encompassed very wide ranges of pressure, temperature, oil gravity, and gas gravity and inciuded approximately 6,000 measured data points for R,, , B, and pLoat various pressures and temperatures. The ranges of the pertinent parameters are given in Table 22.5. It was found that the gas gravity was a strong correlating parameter and, unfortunately, usually is one of the variables of most questionable accuracy. The gravity of the evolved gas depends on the pressure and temperature of the separators, which may not be known in many cases. The gas gravity used to develop all the correlations reported by Vasquez and Beggs was that which would result from a two-stage separation. The first-stage pressure was chosen as 100 psig and the second stage was the stock tank. If the known gas gravity resulted from a first-stage separation at a pressure other than 100 psig, the corrected gas gravity to be used in the correlations can be obtained from Eq. 11. If separator conditions are unknown,

the uncorrected gas gravity may be used in the correlations for ph, R,v, B,, and c,. y,,.=y,[1.0+5.912x 10P5yAP,Ts log(p,Y/l 14.7)]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (11)
where ync = corrected gas gravity, 7,: = gas gravity resulting from a separation at
P .57 Ts

= separator temperature, F, p,, = separator pressure, psia, and -yAPI = oil gravity, API.
T,,

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PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

HANDBOOK

Fig. 22.8-Chart

for calculating

bubblepoint

pressure

by

Lasaters correlation

The correlations are presented in equation form only. The bubblepoint pressure is calculated from

Example Problem 5. Calculate the bubblepoint pressure for the oil system given in Example Problem 4 using the Vasquez and Beggs correlation and the following data. Use the uncorrected gas gravity. R.rb =500 scf/STB, TR = 220F, yfi =0.80, and YAPI=30API. Solution. Eq. 12 and the correct C values from Table 22.1 give:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (12)
500

where pb = R sb = = -,,,: = TR =

Ph=

bubblepoint pressure, psia, solution GOR at pb, scf/STB, gas gravity, oil gravity, API, and temperature, F.

0.0362(0.80)

exp[25.724(30)/680]

l-

I.0937

pb =2,562 psia. This compares well with the value of 2,608 obtained in Example Problem 4 with Lasaters correlation. With Standings Eq. 5, a value of 2,415 psia is obtained. Accuracy of Bubblepoint Correlations Comparison of the accuracy with which the measured bubblepoint pressures used in each correlation agreed with

The accuracy of the correlation was greater if the samples were divided into ranges of oil API gravity. A dividing point of 30API was chosen. The values of the constants in Eq. 12 depend on API gravity of the stocktank oil and are given in Table 22.6.

TABLE 22.5-VARIABLE prb psia I= R, R sb, scflSTB ~npl> ApI

YQ

RANGES 50 to 5,250 70 to 295 20 to 2,070 16 to 58 0.56 to 1.18

TABLE 22.8-CONSTANTS FOR BUBBLEPOINT EQUATION OAPI I 30 C, C2 C3 0.0362 1.0937 25.7240 OAPI > 30 0.0178 1.1870 23.9310

OIL SYSTEM CORRELATIONS

22-9

TABLE

22.7-COMPARISON

OF ACCURACY CORRELATIONS

OF BUBBLEPOINT-PRESSURE

Standing Number of points in correlations Data pointswlthin 10% of correlation, % Data points more than 200 PSI in error, % Mean.error, % 105 87 27 4.0

Lasater 158 87 3.8

Vasquez-Beggs
5.008 85 - 0.7

values determined from the final correlation shows that the Vasquez and Beggs correlation is the most accurate, followed by Lasaters and then by Standings This is shown in Table 22.7.

For 7

< 3.29: 1.473py,

T

ys =0.359 In

+0.476

(15)

Solution GOR for Saturated Oils

Both reservoir engineering and production engineering calculations require estimates of the amount of dissolved gas remaining in solution at oil system pressures below bubblcpoint pressure. The amount of free gas--that is, the gas that has evolved from 1 STB oil as the pressure is reduced below p(,-IS R,,, -R,,, where R,, is the gas remaining in solution at the pressure of interest. In effect. any pressure below the original bubblepoint pressure is also a bubblepoint pressure, since the oil is saturated with gas at this pressure. Therefore, the correlations presented in the previous section can be solved for solution GOR and a value of R, can be obtained at any pressure less than the reservoir ph. That is, R, =f(p,T,
YAP[-Y#).

For &?3
T

29:
O.l21py, 0.!81

ys =

-0.236
>

(16)

where T is in R. Vasquez and Beggs Correlation

R,~=CI~,P~~

exp
T+460

(17)

The nomographs presented in Figs. 22.5 and 22.8 can be used to determine R, by entering the bubblepoint axis at the pressure of interest and proceeding backward through the graph to determine R,. Standing Correlation

where R,, = yh = p = YAP] = T = Cl, Cl. C3 = gas in solution at p and T, scf/STB. gas gravity, pressure of interest, psia, stock-tank oi] gravity, API temperature of interest. F, and are obtained from Table 22.6.

R,=y,( ],x~o~~) .?04 1

where Jr = R; = p = ys = -yAPI = T = 0,00091(T)-0.0125(yAP,), solution GOR. scf/STB, pressure, psia. gas gravity, oil gravity. API. and temperature of interest, F

(13)

Example Problem 6. Estimate the solution GOR of the following oil system using the correlations of Standing, Lasater, and Vasquez and Beges and the data: n=765 psia, T= 137F, +A~1=22AF[ and ys ~0.65. Standing

765
R,, =0.6.5

18x 1o-O,j Lasater Correlation Lasater

R,=

I204 1

= 90 scf/STB.

132755y,,.vy M,,(, -r,s) (

(14) ms
T-

765(0.65) 137+460

=0.833.

where M,, is obtained from Eq. 7 or 8 and ys is calculated by either Eq. 9 or IO, depending on whether the value of the pressure factor is less than or greater than 3.29.

.~=0.359 M,,=630-

ln[1.473(0.833)+0.476]=0.191 10(22)=410 (Eq. 7).

(Eq. IS).

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PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

HANDBOOK

141.5 Y/J= 131.5+22

=0.922

R = 132755(0.922)(0.191) \ 410(1-0.191)

=70 scf/STB (Eq. 14).

Standing Correlation. Standing used the same oil systems described in the bubblepoint correlation section to develop a correlation for B,, at pressures less than ph. The method was presented in both equation and nomograph form. In equation form, B~,=0.972+0.000147F~, . . . (18)

If yh is read from Fig. 22.7 rather than calculated from Eq. IS, a value of approximately 0.25 is obtained. This gives a value of R,, = 100 scf/STB. In this example, the graphical value is closer to those calculated from the other two correlations. The accuracy of the Lasater equation is much better at higher R,, values. Vasquez and Beggs

R, =0.0362(0.65)(765)~

exp[ 2~3~4@~]

where F is a correlating function and is determined from the equation F = R,y(y,ly,j)o.5 + 1.25T, B, = oil FVF, bbl/STB, R,, = solution GOR, scf/STB, Yn = gas gravity, YO = oil specific gravity= 141.5/(131.5 +yAPt), and T = temperature of interest, F. A nomograph that solves Eq. 18 graphically is presented in Fig. 22.9. Example Problem 7. Use both Standings equation and nomograph to estimate the oil FVF for the oil system described by the data T=2009F, R,v =350 scf/STB, Y,~= 0.75, and YAP]=30API.
Solution. Yo = 141.5/(131.5+30)=0.876. F = 350(0.75/0.876).5 + 1.25(200) =574.

R,, = 87 scf/STB.

Oil FVF Correlations

The oil FVF is required for both reservoir and production system calculations. The reservoir engineer must be able to relate stock-tank volumes to reservoir volumes at various pressures and a constant reservoir temperature. Production engineering involves converting surfacemeasured volumetric flow rates to in-situ flow rates at various pressures and changing temperatures as the fluid is produced to the surface. As defined previously, the oil FVF is the volume that would be occupied at some pressure and temperature by 1 STB oil plus any gas dissolved in the oil at these pressure and temperature conditions. It is a function of the composition of the system and the conditions under which the gas and liquid are separated. Values of oil FVF at reservoir temperature and various pressures can be obtained from a standard PVT analysis of a reservoir fluid sample. However, this type of analysis is often unavailable and the engineer must then resort to empirical correlations that require only limited data. Two empirical correlations for saturated oil systems will be presented in this section. Both require values for solution GOR, R,, which can be obtained by the methods presented in the previous section. At pressures above the bubblepoint, the oil is undersaturated and the liquid expands as pressure is reduced. Calculation of oil FVF thus requires a value for oil compressibility. Two correlations for estimating the compressibility of an undersaturated oil system will be prcscnted. Saturated Systems If an oil system is saturated with gas at given conditions of pressure and temperature, a reduction in pressure will allow solution gas to evzolve, thus causing the oil to shrink. The Ilquid volume is also affected by temperature. Solution gas increases as temperature is decreased, but the liquid volume decreases as the oil is cooled. The correlations presented in this section can be expressed as
B,, =f(R,. YAPI. Ys. T).

B,, = 0.972+0.000147(574)~75; B,, = 1.228 bbl/STB. A value of 1.22 bbl/STB is obtained from the nomograph, Fig. 22.9. Vasquez and Beggs Correlation. In conjunction with development of the bubblepoint and solution GOR correlations, Vasquez and Beggs also presented an equation for oil FVF for saturated oils. To improve the accuracy of the correlation. the 600 oil systems were divided into two groups, those having API gravities 5 30 and those having gravities > 30. The gas gravity used in the equation should be the corrected gravity calculated by Eq. 11 if the separator pressure is known. If separator conditions are unknown, the uncorrected gas gravity may be used. The equation is

+CjR,(T-660)(yAP,/y~:c), where B,, = R, = T = p = -),&P[ = = -Yv

. . . . . . . (19)

oil FVF at p and T, bbl/STB solution GOR at p, T, scf/STB temperature of interest, F pressure of interest, psia stock-tank oil gravity, API. and gas gravity, corrected, air= I

The constants are determined from Table 22.8.

OIL SYSTEM CORRELATIONS

Z-11

EXAMPLE

FORMATION

VOLUME

OF

BUBBLE-POINT

LIQUID,

Fig. 22.9-Chart

for calculating oil-formation volume by Standings correlation.

Example Problem 8. Use the Vasquez and Beggs equation to determine the oil FVF at bubblepoint pressure for the oil system described by ph ~2,652 psia, Rsb =500 scf/STB. y,,-=O.SO. YAP]=30API, and 7=220F.
Solution. B ,,h =
c2 c3

TABLE 22.8-CONSTANTS
OIL FVF OAPI 530 Cl 4.677 x 10 -4
1.751x10-5 -1.811x10-8

FOR

API>30 4.670~10-~
1.100x10-~

1.337x1o-g

1+4.677x1O-4(5OO)+1.751x1O-5(16O) ~(3010.80)-1.811x10-s(500)(160) .(30/0.80). Oil Isothermal Compressibility-Trube Method. The Trube method6 makes use of the following relationships.

B,,, = 1.285 bbl/STB. Undersaturated Systems The oil FVF decreases with pressure increase at pressures above the bubblepoint. In this case, B, is calculated from B, =Boh exp[c,,(ph -p)], where
B nh

(20)
and

= ph = p = cc1 =

oil FVF at pb, bubblepoint pressure, psia, pressure of interest, psia, and oil isothermal compressibility, psi - . where cpr- = pseudoreduced compressibility. CO = oil isothermal compressibility. P,x = pseudocritical pressure,
T,,, = pseudocritical temperature,

Values for B,,h can be calculated with the Standing or Vasquez and Beggs correlation. The oil compressibility can be determined from a PVT analysis or estimated from
empirical presented. correlations. Two correlations for c,, will be

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

HANDBOOK

a C-J CL

,.,..

\ .i
2ooo\ I.84

SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF UNDERSATURATED RESERVOIR LIQUID AT 60F

Fig. 22.10-Variation of pseudocritical temperature 01 reservoir oils with 60DF bubblepoint pressure; Trubes correlation.

Fig. 22.11-Pseudocritical

pressure variation with pseudocritical temperature and 60F specific gravity of reservoir oil; Trubes correlation.

PP = pseudoreduced pressure,
T,,,.

= pseudoreduced temperature, p = pressure of interest, and T = temperature of interest.

when used to predict the 2,000 measured values of c, from which the correlation was developed. No comparison of the two methods is available using independent data. The equation for c, is 5R,b+17.2T-1,180y,+12.61yAP,-1,433 co pxlo

The pseudoreduced compressibility is a function ofp,, and T,,,. Once cpr is obtained, c,) is calculated from
c,=cp/pP. . . . I. . . . .. . . (21)

Three graphs are required to obtain the necessary parameters to calculate cO. The pseudocritical temperature Tp,. is obtained from Fig. 22.10 as a function of the spec~fic gravity of the undersaturated liquid at the bubblepoint pressure and 60F. It also depends on the bubblepoint pressure of the oil at 60F. Values for these parameters may be estimated using the correlations for density and bubblepoint pressure presented previously. A value for ppc. is obtained from Fig. 22.11 using the liquid specific gravity at 60F and the value of T,, obtained from Fig. 22.10. Once ppi. and T,,< are known, p,,,. and T,,, at the pressure and temperature of interest can be calculated. A value of c,,,. is obtained from Fig. 22.12 using ppr and T,,,. Then c, is calculated by Eq. 2 1. Application of the Trube method using a computer or calculator would require digitization of Figs. 22.10, 22.11, and 22.12. Because of its complexity, no example will be given illustrating the application of this method. An example problem may be found in Ref. 6. Oil Isothermal Compressibility-Vasquez and Beggs Method. Vasquez and Beggs5 used approximately 2,000 experimentally measured values of c,, from more than 600 oil systems to develop a correlation for c, as a function of R ,h. T, ys, y,4pI, and p. This method is much simpler to use than the Trube method and is more accurate

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (22) where co = Rvb = T = p = TX = TAP[ =

oil isothermal compressibility, solution GOR, scf/STB temperature of interest, F pressure of interest, psia gas gravity, and stock-tank oil gravity, API.

psi -

Example Problem 9. Calculate the oil FVF for the oil system described in Example Problem 8 at a pressure of 3,000 psia. Use Eq. 22 to determine a value for c, where pb =2,652 psia, Rsb =500 scf/STB, y,? =0.80, YApI = 30API, T=220F, and Bob = 1.285 bbl/STB.

Solution.
co =

5(500)+17.2(200)-1,180(0.80)+12.61(30)-1,433
3.000x

105

c,,=1.43X10-5

psi-.

OIL SYSTEM CORRELATIONS

22-13

With Eq. 20, B,=l.285 exp[l.43x10~5(2,652-3,000)]; 1.279 bbl/STB

B, = 1.285(0.995)=

Total FVFs
When material-balance calculations are made for reservoir engineering, it is often convenient to calculate the volume at reservoir conditions that is occupied by all the material associated with a stock-tank barrel of oil-i.e., the volume of the saturated oil and the volume of the evolved or liberated gas. This can be expressed as a total FVF, B,. The total FVF can be calculated if B, and the amount of liberated gas is known. That is, B, equals volume of oil plus dissolved gas/STB plus volume of liberated gas/STB. In equation form,
B, =B, +B,(R,Th -R,y), . . (23)

10

20

50 p,

100

PSEUDOREDUCED

PRESSURE.

where total FVF, bbl/STB, oil FVF, bbl/STB, Rsh = solution GOR at Ph. scf/STB, Rs = solution GOR at pressure of interest, scf/STB, and B, = gas FVF at pressure and temperature of interest, bbl/scf.
B, = = B, Fig. 22.12-Variation of pseudoreduced compressibility pseudoreduced pressure and temperature. with

The gas FVF requires a value for the gas compressibility or zR factor that may be obtained from Chap. 17.
0.005042, T
B,= 0
P

) .,.,,.,.................

where
B,

= gas FVF, bbllscf, ZK = gas compressibility factor at p, T, p = pressure of interest, psia, and T = temperature of interest, R.

Values of oil viscosity are required at various pressures and temperatures for both reservoir and production engineering calculations. If a PVT analysis is available, measured values of oil viscosity will be reported at reservoir temperature and at various pressures. However, as the fluid flows through the production system, the temperature also changes. This necessitates correcting the viscosity for temperature changes, which is usually accomplished by empirical correlations. The absolute viscosity, which is usually referred to merely as the viscosity, can be expressed in various units. The so-called oilfield unit is the centipoise or poise. A relationship among various systems of units is given as 1 cp = 0.01 poise = 0.001 Pa*s = 6.72~ 10m4 lbm/(ft-set). The kinematic viscosity of a fluid is the absolute viscosity divided by the density, or CL Y=-. P The most commonly used unit of kinematic viscosity is the centistoke (cSt), where the conversion to SI units is 1 cSt=10-6 m*/s. In addition to absolute and kinematic viscosity units, the units of Saybolt seconds universal (SSU) and Saybolt

A nomogra h for estimating total FVF was presented by Standing. P The correlation was developed from 387 experimental data points that included the ranges given in Table 22.9. The nomograph, on which an example calculation is worked, is shown in Fig. 22.13.

Oil Viscosity Correlations

The absolute viscosity of a fluid is a measure of the fluids resistance to flow. The resistance to flow is caused by internal friction generated when the fluid molecules are sheared. The viscosity can be quantified as the ratio of the shearing stress required to induce a particular rate of shear in the fluid at specific conditions of pressure and temperature. The absolute viscosity of a Newtonian fluid is independent of the rate of shear. Only Newtonian fluids are considered in this section.

TABLE

22.9-DATA

RANGES

FOR

STANDING CORRELATION Pressure, psia GOR, scf/STB Temperature, OF Gas gravity Oil gravity, OAPl 400 to 5,000 75 to 37,000 100 to 258 0.59 to 0.95 16.5 to 63.6

22-14

PETROLEUM

ENGINEERING

HANDBOOK

Fig. 22.13-Chart for calculating total formation volume by Standings correlation.

seconds furol (SSF) are commonly used. An approximate conversion between centistokes and the time units can be made with the following equations.
v=0.220tsu180/rsU,

and
v=2.12tsF-139/tp, .. . . . (25)

rect this value for dissolved gas. The dead-oil viscosity depends on API gravity of the stock-tank oil and the temperature of interest. The dead-oil viscosity can be obtained from empirical correlations or, if measured values are available at two temperatures, the viscosity at any other temperature can be calculated from the equation
log[log(v+0.8)]=A+B log 7-, . . .(26)

where v = kinematic viscosity in cSt, tsu = Saybolt seconds universal, and tSF = Saybolt seconds furol. Factors Affecting Oil Viscosity The principal factors of interest to the petroleum engineer that affect viscosity are composition, temperature, dissolved gas, and pressure. Oil viscosity increases with a decrease in API gravity and also increases with a decrease in temperature. The effect of dissolved gas is to lighten the oil and thus decrease its viscosity, while an increase in pressure on an undersaturated oil compresses the oil and causes the viscosity to increase. Oil Viscosity Correlations-Saturated Systems

where v = kinematic viscosity at T, T = temperature of interest, and A,B = constants for a particular oil that can be determined if two measured values of u and T are available.

Beals Correlation for Dead Oils. Beal presented a graphical correlation showing the effects of both oil gravity and temperature on dead-oil viscosity. The correlation was developed from measurements made on 6.55 oil samples. The relationship among viscosity, API gravity, and temperature is shown in Fig. 22.14. Effect of Dissolved Gas-Chew and Connally Method. The decrease in the dead-oil viscosity as gas goes into solution can be estimated with Fig. 22.15, which was published by Chew and Connally 8 in 1959. The procedure for using the chart and an example problem are shown

The most common method for obtaining the viscosity of a crude oil that contains dissolved gas is first to estimate the viscosity of the gas-free or dead oil and then to cor-

OIL SYSTEM CORRELATIONS

22-15

0.4 0.3 0.2 I 90 Crude-oil 20 grwity ;0 *API at 60*F / 40

-_ 1.

50 pressure

I 60

Oo304

i II I 06 Ill 08,

456

I 810

20 I 30 40

60 ml00 1

ond atmospheric

Fig. 22.14-Gas-free crude viscosity as a function of reservoir temperature and stock-tank crude gravity.

Fig. 22.15-Viscosity

and gas-saturated crude oils at reservoir temperature and pressure; Chew and Connallys correlation.

in the figure. They also proposed an equation for correcting for the dissolved gas: h /.lr,,,=upo(j ,...............,..........,..
(27)

where pLos = saturated-oil viscosity P,~~, = dead-oil viscosity, A,B = functions of R,,,
A = 10.715(R. ., + 100~~s, (30)

where PO = saturated oil viscosity, p,,d = gas-free or dead-oil viscosity, and a,h = functions of R,, , shown in Fig. 22.16. Beggs and Robinson Correlation. A method for calculating both dead-oil and saturated-oil viscosity was presented by Beggs and Robinson in 1975. The correlation was developed from more than 2,000 measured data points using 600 oil systems. The range of variables of the data is given in Table 22.10. The equation developed reproduced the measured data with an average error of - 1.83% and a standard deviation of 27%. The equation for dead-oil viscosity is j~~>~=lO-~-l.O. where x = pod = T = YAPI = T-.16 exp(6.9824-0.04658TpiI), dead-oil viscosity, cp, temperature of interest, F, and stock-tank oil gravity, API. .. ... .. . . . (28)

B = 5.44(R,+l50)p"8.

. . . . . . . . . . . . ..(31)

where R,v is the solution GOR in scf/STB. No graphs are required to apply this method. Example Problem 10. Calculate the viscosity of the saturated oil system described next using the Beal and Chew and Connally correlations and the Beggs and Robinson correlation where T= 137F, -yApI =22API, and R,, =90 scf/STB. Solution-Beal with Chew and Connally. From Fig. 22.14, p,d=20 cp. From Fig. 22.16, a=0.82 and h=
0.9. po,s=0.82(20)09=12.15 cp.

Interpolation was necessary on both Figs. 22.14 and 22.16 to obtain values for pl,d. a, and b. Use of Fig. 22.15 to correct for R,y gives a value of approximately 12 cp for p,,. Solution-Beggs and Robinson. x = (137) -1.63 exp [6.9824-0.04658(22)]:
x = P Od = A = 1.2658.

To correct for the effect of dissolved gas, an equation similar to Eq. 27 was developed.
CL 0,

=Ap<,f,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..(29)

10.*6* - l.O= 17.44 cp. 10.715(90+ 100) -o.s5 =0.719. B = 5.44(90+ 150) -o.338 =0.853. p,,,? = 0.719(17.44)".8"3 =8.24 cp.

22-16

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

HANDBOOK

Fig. 22.16-a

and b factors for use in Chew and Connallys viscosity correlation.

TABLE 22.10-BEGGS AND ROBINSON CORRELATION DATA R,) SCflSTB YAW3,API 7: rg 20 to 2,070 16 to 58 0 to to 295 70 5,250

>E

VISCOSITY OF GAS-SATURATED CRUDE OIL AT BUBBLE-POINT PRESSURE, CP

Fig. 22.17-Effect of pressure on viscosity of gas-saturated crude oils; Eeals correlation.

Oil Viscosity Correlations-Undersaturated

Systems

Solution.

The effect of increasing the pressure on an oil system above the bubblepoint is to compress the liquid and to increase the viscosity. This effect was measured by Beal and presented graphically in Fig. 22.17. The graph gives the viscosity increase in cpi 1,OOO-psiincrease in pressure above pb as a function of the saturated or bubblepoint viscosity, pLob. Vasquez and Beggs5 extended the Beggs and Robinson correlation for undersaturated oils with the equation p. =/.~,(p/p~)~, where PO = @ob = p = pb = ... . .. ... . . . (32)

From Eq. 12:

Ph=

532 L 0.0178(0.745)
ph

exp 23.931(31)/(240+460)

111.187

=3,093 psia. From Eq. 28: exp[6.9824-0.04658(31)]; x = 0.4336, pod = 104336-1.0=1.71 Cp. From Eqs. 29, 30, and 31: A = 10.715(532+100-~55=0.387, B = 5.44(532+ 150) -.338 =0.599,
n = (240)-I.163

viscosity at viscosity at pressure of bubblepoint

p >ph,

pb, interest, and pressure.

The exponent m is pressure dependent and is calculated from

m=Clpc2

and /lob = 0.387(1.71)0.599=0.53 From Eqs. 32 and 33: cp.

exp(Cj +Cdp),

. .

.(33)

where
p

C, C2 C3 C4

= = = = =

pressure of interest, psia, 2.6, 1.187, -11.513, and -8.98~10-~.

m = 2.6(4,750),87

~exp[-11.513-4,750(8.98x10-5]; m = 0.393, and PO = 0.53(4,750/3,093).393

=0.63 cp.

Example Problem 11. Calculate the viscosity of the oil system described at a pressure of 4,750 psia, with T=240F, YApI =31API, yR =0.745, and Rsb =532 scf/STB.

Gas/Oil IFT
The interfacial or surface tension existing between a liquid and gas is required for estimating capillary-pressure

OIL SYSTEM CORRELATIONS

22-17

forces in reservoir engineering and is a parameter in some correlations used in wellbore hydraulics calculations. The surface tension between natural gas and crude oil ranges from zero to about 35 dyne/cm. It is a function of pressure, temperature, and compositions of the phases. The surface tension of a hydrocarbon mixture can be calculated if the composition of the mixture at the pressure and temperature of interest is known. The parachor of each component must also be known. The parachor is the molecular weight of a liquid times the fourth root of its surface tension, divided by the difference between the density of the liquid and the density of the vapor in equilibrium with it. It is essentially constant over wide ranges of temperature. An equation for estimating surface tension is
oo.25=

9oc

80C

7oc

600

(34)

0 500 Jz u 0 i 400

where

Pchi=

u = surface tension, dyne/cm. parachor of ith component, xi = mole fraction of ith component in the liquid phase, v; = mole fraction of ith component in the vapor phase, pi = density of the liquid phase, g/cm, P,, = density of the vapor phase, g/cm 3, ML = molecular weight of liquid phase, M,. = molecular weight of vapor phase, and C = number of components.

300

200

fO0

i
0 400
200 300 weight
0,

Parachors for some hydrocarbons, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide are given in Table 22.11. A correlation of the parachor with molecular weight was presented by Katz and is shown in Fig. 22.18. Empirical correlations in the form of graphs were presented by Baker and Swerdloff where surface tension is correlated with temperature, API gravity, and pressure. The correlations are shown in Figs. 22.19 and 22.20. Equations that approximate Figs. 22.19 and 22.20 are: aes=39-0.2571yAP1, and u,oo=37.5-0.2571y/,~1, where
068 = IFT at 68F, dyne/cm, alOO = IFT at lOOF, dyne/cm, and yAPI = gravity of stock-tank oil, API.

400

Molecular

Flg. 22.18-Parachors for hydrocarbons. 0, n-paraffins; heptanes plus; A, gasolines; A, crude oil.

TABLE

22.11 -PARACHORS PURE SUBSTANCES

FOR

..

. .

. ..

. (35)

Methane Ethane Propane lsobutane n-Butane

77.0 108.0 150.3 181.5 190.0 225 232 271 311 352 41.0 78.0

. . . . _. .

.(36) lsopentane
n-Pentane n-Hexane n-Heptane n-Octane Nitrogen (in n-heptane) Carbon dioxide

It has been suggested that if the temperature is greater than lOOF, the value at 100F should be used. Also, if T<68F, use the value calculated at T=68F. For intermediate temperatures, use linear interpolation between the values obtained at 68 and 100F. That is:
(T-68"F)(u68-LJloo) , ,..........

The effect of gas going into solution as pressure is increased on the gas/oil mixture is to reduce the IFT. The dead-end oil IFT can be corrected by multiplying it by the following correction factor. F,.= 1.0-0.024p~45, where p is in psia . .. . . . . . . (38)

07=fl68 where or=IFT

32 at 68F< T< 100F.

(37)

22-18

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

HANDBOOK

The IFT at any pressure is then obtained from

u,,=F,.a7.. (39)

P Oil = PLO\ = Y= P= CJ=

dead oil viscosity saturated oil viscosity kinematic viscosity fluid density surface tension, interfacial

The IFT becomes zero at miscibility pressure, and for most systems, this will be at any pressure greater than about 5,000 psia. Most of the correlations presented in this chapter are included in a calculator program for the HP-41C. The program is available from Hewlett-Packard.

Key Equations in SI Metric Units

lOOOy, + 1.224y,R, B,

PO =

(1)

Nomenclature
CI = A = h = B = B,? = B,, = function of R,, in Eq. 27 constant in Eq. 26 function of R,, in Eq. 27 constant in Eq. 26 gas formation volume factor oil formation volume factor oil isothermal compressibility pseudo-reduced compressibility number of components

where Y,~=mole fraction gas, =l.225+0.00164TR-1.769/y<,. O.O148R,/,

O.O148R,,,, +35Oy,/M,,

C(,= I, = c= c, .C?. Cj.Cd = various

F= F, m M,, P= PI, I), I),.
Pch,

)I# =

(6)

= = = = = =
=

tn ; =

RI; R,

= =

R $12= fsu = fSF = T= T / =

T,,r = TR = , = v; =

x = ?,y = 7 G,y = Y= YAPI = Y,w = Y,l = cI= CL,,/, =

constants correlating function in Eq. 18 correcting factor for dead oil interfacial tension. Eq. 38 pressure-dependent exponent in Eq. 32 mass of ith component molecular weight of stock-tank oil pressure of interest bubblepoint pressure pseudo-critical pressure pseudo-reduced pressure parachor of ith component free gas/oil ratio solution gas/oil ratio solution gas/oil ratio at the bubblepoint pressure Saybolt seconds universal Saybolt seconds furol temperature of interest pseudo-critical temperature pseudo-reduced temperature reservoir temperature specific volume volume of ith component symbol for various groups of terms, Eq. 28 symbol for various groups of terms, Eqs. 5, 6, 9. IO, and 13-16 gas compressibility factor fluid specific gravity oil API gravity corrected gas gravity oil specific gravity fluid viscosity oil viscosity at bubblepoint pressure

For y. ~0.825: M,,=l945-1415/y,,. For y. >0.825: .

MO =

0.109 ~-0.101 Y/l

~ I.562 > (8)

For ys 50.60:
PhY,g

=8.427 exp(2.78~,Y)-4.01.

TR

For ,vY> 0.60: I -=bYR

TR

102.51~ .6+24.20. -R

O.O15lT, Y,p Yg YO

3.848 Yn

-0.OlJT,,3.576)

log (G)

where the following constants apply.

OIL SYSTEM CORRELATIONS

22-19

42 40. 38.

1
SURFACE TENSION OF CRUDE OILS AT ATMOSPHERICPRESSURE SURFACETENSIONOF CRUDEOILS
EFFECT OF DISSOLVED GAS IN SOLUTION AT VARIOUS SATURATION PRESSURES ANO ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE

$J36. 5 34. E
u z ; ; 32. 30. x8-

5 26. 24.

Fig. 22.19-Surface tension pressure.

of crude oils at atmospheric

Fig. 22.20-Effect oils.

of solution gas on surface tension of crude

y. <0.876 Cl c2 C3
c4

y. 2 0.876 7.803~10-~ 0.9143 2022.19 1879.28

1.204

B 0 =0.972

-0.000147F~75,

..

. . (18)

3.204 x 10 -4 0.8425 1881.24 1748.29

where

R,, =yg

P 519.7x10?F

+2.25T-5.75.

>

3 .....

(13) B,=1+C,R,+F(C2+CJR,), . . . . . . . . . . . (19)

where yR = 1.225 +O.O0164T23 643y,y,

R,= M,(l -y,) . . .

1.769/r,.

where
254.7T -236.7T-Yo Yo

(14)

FZ-....--

73 580 +68 380

and the following constants apply. For a<40

T

.7.. Cl C2

y0 <0.876 2.622 x 10 -3 1.100x10-5 1.337 x 10 -9

y<, I 0.876 2.626~10-~ 1.751 x 10-5 -1.811~10-~

ys =0.359 In

+0.476
>

..

c3

For 3
T

~40.7: 28.1RS+30.6T-1180r,+co =

1784 - 10 910
Yo

O.O098py,
?',q =

0.281

px105 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (22)

-0.236
T

>

c, exp($-+), R.S=ClYg
where the following constants apply

. .. .. . (17)

,A,,= lOx-3 -0.001,

...

. (28)

where ~=(1.8T-460)-.~~ y. <0.876 Cl C? c3

c4

exp(l3.108-6.591/y.).

y. > 0.876 7.803x10- 1.0937 2022.19 1879.28 A=10.715(5.615R.+100)-0~5. A B=5.44(5.615Rs+150) -.338. . . . . (30) . (31)

3.204x10- 1.1870 1881.24 1748.29

22-20

PETROLEUM

ENGINEERING

HANDBOOK

wjhere B,, is C,, is M,, is p is R, is Tis p,, is pc, is

in in in in in in in in

m3/m3, kPa - , kg/kg-mole, kPa, m/m, K, kg/m 3 , and Pa.s.

Differential process is a term used primarily in PVT work to indicate that, as a system is caused to move through a bubblepoint or dewpoint and as a result forms two phases, the minor phase is removed from further contact with the major phase. Thus, during a differential process, the system is continuously changing in quantity and composition. Dissolved gas (solution gas) identifies tnaterial ordinarily gaseous at atmospheric conditions but which is part of a liquid phase at elevated pressure and temperature. Dissolved-gas drive (solution-gas drive) is a primary recovery process whereby liquid (oil) is displaced from the reservoir rock by energy of expansion of gas components originally dissolved in the liquid. Flash gas liberation means that a gas forms from a liquid (usually on reduction of pressure) under conditions wherein the total composition of the system remains the same in time. An example of flash gas liberation occurs during the steady-state flow of oil and gas through a gas-oil separator. Flash process is one in which the composition of the system remains constant but the proportion of gas and liquid phases that comprise the system changes as pressure or some other independent variable is changed. For example. the determination of the PV relations of a reservoir fluid sample involves a flash process. Formation volume factor (FVF) is a means of expressing a volumetric relation of a system. The volume of fluid, at formation pressure and temperature. that results in 1 bbl stock-tank oil is, by definition, the formation volutne B. If the system is in a single condensed state in the formation, the term oil-FVF B,, is used. If two phases exist, the term used is total-FVF B, or two-phase formation volume. Oil-formation volumes normally are between 1.1 and 2.0. Total formation volumes may be as great as 200. depending on the system composition and the pressure involved. Gas-formation volume B,q refers to the volume in the reservoir (usually expressed as barrels) per 1,000 std surface cu ft of the gas. Water-formation volume B,,. designates the volume in the fortnation occupied by I surface bbl water and its attendant gases. Water-formation volumes are usually in the range of 0.99 to 1.07. In all instances, the reference state is standard surface conditions of 14.7 psia and 60F unless specified otherwise. Gas gravity is a simple means of expressing the molecular weight of a gas. The unit of gas gravity is dry air of molecular weight 28.97. Thus, methane (molecular weight= 16.04) has a gas gravity of 16.04/28.97=0.55. Gas-oil ratio (GOR) is a loose expression of system composition. Normally, the units involved are cubic feet of gas per I bbl liquid. both measured at 14.7 psia and 60F. However. in some instances. local usage calls for tneasuring the gas at some pressure other than 14.7 psia. Further, the barrel of liquid may refer to some pressure other than the usual stock-tank oil. The units of reservoir oil and residual oil are encountered quite often in PVT work. Lastly. several kinds of GOR are used in rescr-

Glossary
These are generally accepted definitions, peculiar to reservoir engineering phase-behavior work. Apparent liquid density is the ratio of mass to volume of a gas when dissolved m a liquid. It normally is calculated for conditions of 14.7 psia and 60F by correcting the observed density of the system to that state and subtracting the mass and volume of the liquid component of the system. Bubblepoint of a system is the state characterized by the coexistence of a substantial amount of liquid phase and an infinitesimal amount of gas phase in equilibrium. Compressibility factor (gas-deviation factor, supercompressibility factor) is a multiplying factor introduced into the ideal-gas law to account for the departure of true gases from ideal behavior (pV=&T: z is the compressibility factor). Condensate (distillate) liquids are liquids formed by condensation of a vapor or gas. The term usually identifies a light-colored liquid, usually ofSOAPI gravity or higher, obtained from systems that exist in the gaseous phase in the reservoir. Critical state is the term used to identify the unique condition of pressure. temperature, and composition wherein all properties of coexisting vapor and liquid become identical. Critical temperature T, and/or pressure pC is the tenperature or pressure at the critical state. Dewpoint of a system is analogous to the bubblepoint in that a large volume of gas and an infinitesimal amount of liquid coexist in equilibrium. Dewpoint pressure p(, is the gas pressure in a system at its dewpoint. Differential-gas liberation indicates removal of a gas phase from the system as the gas forms at bubblepoint conditions. It is generally believed that the differentialgas-liberation process is the one that predominates in solution-gas-drive reservoirs during the greater part of their producing life.

OIL SYSTEM

CORRELATIONS

22-21

R,

voir engineering, such as solution (pas solubility in oil) producing R, and cumulative R,, Pressure and tcmperature of separation and the number of stages used affect the GOR number obtained for a given system.

ttirential gas-removal process as stock-tank oil is to a flashgas process-the end liquid product. Saturated liquid is a liquid in equilibrium with vapor at the saturation pressure. Likewise, saturated vapor dcnotcs equilibrium with liquid. These terms are often used aynonymously with the term bubblepoint liquid (dewpoint vapor) at the bubblepoint (dewpoint) pressure. Note that the terms bubblepoint and dewpoint identify, the spccial case where the minor phase is present only III an infinitcsimal amount. whereas the term saturated liquid dots not involve the relative amounts of phases present. Shrinkage refers to the decrease in volume of a liquid phase caused by release of solution gas and/or by the thermal contraction of the liquid. Shrinkage may be expressed (1) as a percentage of the final resulting stocktank oil or (2) as a percentage of the original volume of the liquid. Shrinkage factor is the reciprocal of FVF expressed as barrels of stock-tank oil per barrel of rcscrvoir oil. A reservoir oil that rcsultcd in 0.75 bbl of stock-tank oil per I bbl of reservoir oil would have a shrinkage of 0.25/0.75=33%~ under Definition I. a shrinkage of 0.25/1.00=25% under Definition 2, a shrinkage factor of0.75. and an FVF of I .00/0.75= 1.33. Solution gas-oil ratio, R,, . expresses the amount of gas in solution. or dissolved, in a liquid. The reference oil may be stock-tank oil or residual oil. On occasion. reservoir saturated oil is used as the rcferencc. Standard conditions (surface) arc 14.7 psia and 60F. Gas volumes may be specified on occasion at prcssurcs slightly removed from 14.7 psia. Stock-tank oil is the liquid that results from production of reservoir material through surface equipment that separates normally gaseous components. Stock-tank oil may be caused to vary in composition and properties by varying the conditions of gas/liquid separation. Stock-tank oil is normally reported at 60F and 14.7 psia but may be measured under other conditions and corrected to the standard condition. System refers to a body or to a composition of matter that represents the material under consideration. The term system may be defined further as a homogeneous system or a heterogeneous system. In a homogeneous systern, the intensive propertles vary only in a continuous manner with respect to the extent of the system. A hctcrogeneous system is made up of a number of homopcneous parts, and abrupt changes in the intensive proportics occur at the interface between the homogeneous parts. Undersaturated fluid (liquid or vapor) is material capablc of holding additional gaseous or liquid components in solution at the specified state.

Mole is one molecular weight unit of any substance. For example. 16.04 Ibm methane is a lbm-mol. Likewise. 16.04 p methane constitute a gmol. The Ibm-mole is used for petroleum engineering work. A Ibm-mol of gas (perfect) occupies 370.4 cu ft at 14.7 psia and 60F. Phase is a portion of a system that differs in its intensive properties from adjacent portions of the system. An interface exists between phases because of this difference in properties. Systems involved in petroleum production normally occur in not more than two phases. gas and liquid. On occasion and for hydrocarbon systems of unusual composition. two liquid phases or a solid phase may occur. Properties, Extensive and Intensive. Properties dircctIy proportional to the amount of material making up the system are termed extensive properties. Examples arc area, mass, inertia. and volume. An intensive property is one that is independent of the amount of material. Density. pressure. temperature, viscosity, and surface tension are intensive properties. Energy is the product of an intensive property and an extensive property: for example. pressure times volume is mechanical energy. Pseudocritical and Pseudoreduced Properties (Temperature, Pressure). Properties of pure hydrocarbons are often the same when expressed in terms of their reduced properties. The same reduced-state relationships often apply to multicomponent systems if pseudo critical tcmperatures and pressures are used rather than the true criticals of the systems. Calculation of the pseudocritical values from the composition of the system varies depending on the correlation being used. The ratio of the properly to the pseudocritical property is called the pseudoreduced property, e.g., pseudoreduced pressure Ppr =Ph,x Reduced properties (temperature, pressure, volume) are the ratio of the property to the critical property: for example, the reduced pressure p I =p/~),. . Relative oil volume is analogous to formation volume except that the reference state is other than at standard surface conditions and the oil is other than stock-tank oil. For example, the term is used often on the basis of I bhl bubblepoint oil, or saturated oil, as the reference volume. Relative oil volumes must specify pressure, tcmpcraturc. and some composition parameter, e.g., relative oil volume =0.7 (2.520 psia, 185F. bubblepoint oil = 1.O). Residual oil is a term common in PVT work to identify the liquid remaining in a PVT cell at the completion of a differential process carried out at or near the reservoir temperature. By analogy. it refers also to the liquid that remains in an oil reservoir at depletion. General usage is that residual oil volumes and gravities are reported in PVT work at 60F and 14.7 psia. Residual OII is to a dif-

u/id Pm/.

Pmr

. API (1942).

22-22

PETROLEUM

ENGINEERING

HANDBOOK

4. Lahater, J.A : Bubble Point Prcwrc Correlation. Twf\.. AIME (1958) 213. 379-81. 5. Vasquer. M. and Beep\, H.D.: Correlat~on$ for Fluid Phy\al Property Prediction, J. PH. Twh. (June 1980) 96X-70. 6. Trube. -A.S.: Compresaihility of Undersaturated Hydrocarbon Reservoir Fluids. Trw~s.. AIME (1957) 210. X-57 7. Beal. C.: The Viscosity of Air. Water. Natural Gas. Crude Oil and Its Associated Gases at 011 Field Temperatures and Pre\wre~. T/-w.\. , AIME (1946) 165. 94- Il5. X. Chew. J. and Connally, C.A : A Viscwity Correlation for (;a\Saturated Crude Oils. Trcmx.. AIME (1959) 216. 23-25 9. Beg, H.D. and Robinson. J.R.: Estimating the Viwwty of Crude Oil Sysrems. J. Pe. Twh. (Sept. 19751 1140-41. IO. Katz. D.L . Monroe, R R.. and Tramer. R.R : Surface Tension (11Crude Oils Contaimng Dioolved Case\, PH. KY/I. (Sept. 19431 I-IO. Surface Tcnswn of. I I. Baher. 0. and Swerdloff. W.. Findmg Hydrocarbon Liquids. Uii oni/ Gay J. (Jan. 2. 1956). IZ. HP-41C Petroleum Fluid!, Pac. Hewlett-Packard. 1000 N.E. Clrcle Blvd.. Corvalhs. OR 97330.

Lacey. W N.. Sage. B.H.. and Kircher. C.E. Jr.: Phnsc Equllihrla in Hydrocarbon System\,. 111~ Solubility of a Dry Natural Ciao 111 Crude Oil. /!I(/. N)/(l Orx. Clwrr. (IY3.l) 26. hS?. Lcwts. W.K. and Squires, L.: Mechanism Cm J. (1934) 33, No. 26. 92. ofOil Viwo~ity. Oi/tr,~t/

Nelson. W.L.: How to Handle Viscous Crude Oil. (1954) 53. No. 28. 269. Norton. A.E.: L~thnccoirv~. McGmwHill Cay (1942). Perry. J .H.: Chrrnic~trl Eqitwers Inc.. New York City (19.50). Schilthuis. R.I.: Active (1936) 118. 33-52.

U/i and Co.\ ./.

Book Co. Inc.. New York

Htrwliwok.

McGraw-Hil

I Bwh Co.

Oil and Reservoir Enerpy.

~rwn.\. . AIME

General References
Borden. G. Jr. and Raw, M.J.: Correlation of Bottom Hole Sample AlME (1950) 189. 345-48. Data. ~wrcr,~.s.. Dodson. C.R., Goodwill. D.. and Mayer. E.H.: Application of Lahoratory PVT Data to Reservoir Engineerins Problems. frrras.. AIME (19.53) 198. 287-98. Gosline. J.E. and Dodson. C.R.: Solubility Relations and Volumetric Behavior of Three Gravitler of Crudes and Associated Gases. Drill. crml Pd. Prtrc. . API (1942) 137.

Standing. M.B. and Katz. D.L.: Densq ofCrude 011s Saturated With Ndtural Gas. Twms., AIME (1941) 136, ISYQS van Wijk. W R., devries. D.A., and Thijscn. H.A.C.: Study nf PVT Relations of Reservoir Flui&. Pro<,. , Fourth World Petroleum Congress. II, 313. Vink. D.J. cf a/.: Multiple-Phase Cm J. (1940) 39. No. 28. 34. Hydrocarbon System\. Ofi cr,rd

W+@ns. W.R.: Viscosity-Temperature Characteri\ticsof Products. Scwr7cv Prrr0/cur,1, 2. 107 I. of

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