PVT Express

Accurate, mobile
fluid analysis service

Applications

The mobility and flexibility of the PVT Express service allows rapid delivery of accurate results.

 Exploration

projects where
early PVT data are critical

 Sample

validation during
wireline formation testing,
drillstem testing, or production
testing

 Compositional

monitoring
of separator gas or reservoir
fluid samples

 Calibration

of PhaseWatcher*
fixed multiphase flowmeter
and PhaseTester* portable
multiphase flowmeter with
real-time data

 Validating

measurements
obtained with the MDT*
Modular Formation Dynamic
Tester

Benefits
 Saves

time and money by

delivering PVT results in
hours, whether for heavy oils
or lean gases

 Improves

efficiency by
enabling informed decisions
during logging and well testing operations

 Reduces

field development
and rig-time costs

 Eliminates

hydrogen and
mercury risks associated with
conventional PVT equipment

 Reduces

sample shipping and

storage costs with rapid
mobilization to any location

 Creates

confidence in data
with data quality management (DQM) process

Features
 Artificial neural network (ANN)

technology for accurate

predicted PVT data
 Full

PVT study requirement

for less than 50 cm3 of fluid

 Saturation

pressure measurement of gas condensates,

volatile oils, reservoir fluid
density, constant composition
expansion (CCE), compressibility, and GOR

 Helium

ionization detector
used in dual-gas chromatograph (gas C12+, liquid C36+)

 Accurate

testing for oil-base

mud (OBM) contamination

The PVT Express* onsite well fluid analysis

service is based on a revolutionary hardware
and software platform that can deliver comprehensive fluid analysis data in a matter
of hours. With applications in exploration,
development, and production environments,
this system has many advantages over PVT
analysis equipment and services. By using
mercury-free and hydrogen-free technologies, the inherent HSE risks associated with
the use and transportation of these materials are eliminated.
The mobility and flexibility of the well
fluid analysis system eliminates long sample
wait times, allowing accurate results to be
delivered rapidly. The systems capacity to
acquire data, confirm sample quality, and
measure reservoir fluid properties eliminates
waiting to determine if the sampling objectives were achieved. This is valuable during
wireline formation testing or drillstem testing
(DST) operations.
The PVT Express service works with
the MDT tester and downhole fluid
analysis (DFA) to validate measurements.
Similarly, during DST operations, the
service confirms that representative
samples are collected.
Time

Fluid properties identified by the service

are critical to well production and optimization. In many cases, analysis at the wellsite
enables decisions about additional wireline
formation testing or DST operations before
the services leave the well.
In addition, directly transferring the
samples to the PVT Express cell saves time.
With the current emphasis on fast-track field
development, swift results are critical.

Enables rapid mobilization to any location

Using a single-phase or conventional sample, the PVT Express system uses advanced
technology to measure some properties
and predict others. Some examples of
single-phase samplers used include the
following:

MDT tester with single-phase multisample chamber or multisample

production sample receptacle

Single-phase reservoir sampler

or slimline single-phase sampler
within the sample carrier

CHDT* Cased Hole Dynamics Tester.

taken for the analysis depends on the type of fluid and scope of work.
The following list refers to typical times for full studies:
Wet gas
1624 hours
Retrograde gas (gas condensate) 1218 hours
Volatile oil
816 hours
Black oil
816 hours
Heavy oil
2448 hours

Compact, modular, rugged construction enables

transportation by road, sea, or air.

The PVT Express system can analyze

samples by recombining the samples and
bringing them to single-phase conditions.
These samples can be collected from the
PhaseWatcher flowmeter, PhaseTester
flowmeter, or test separator. The system
features a high-pressure cell that measures
the saturation pressure of the reservoir
fluid at reservoir temperature.
Additionally, accurate measurements of
bubblepoint and dewpoint pressures are
made possible by optical signal technology.
This technology enables measurement of the
first bubble of gas liberated from oil and the
first trace of condensable liquid in a gas
during constant composition expansion
from reservoir pressure.
The cell can produce a comprehensive
fluid analysis report with less than 50 cm3
of single-phase reservoir fluid. This ability
allows multiple tests to be performed from
the same sample bottle. Traditional PVT
services require larger sample volume;
therefore, running multiple tests may not be
possible. All data measured by the cell are
displayed and stored in real time by a digital
interface module. In addition to interpreting and reporting the measured data, the
digital interface module also links to the
prediction model in the PVT Expert* well
fluid analysis software application.
Flashing the single-phase sample to
atmospheric conditions separates the
liquid and gases for GOR measurement.
A dual chromatograph for oil and gas,
featuring helium ionization detectors, is
used to deliver compositional data. While
flame ionization detectors typically use
hydrogen gas, helium ionization technology
does not use hydrogen and enhances the
safety and mobility of the service.

Provides accurate, predictive PVT data rapidly

Creates confidence in data

The PVT Expert software application is an

operator-independent, multidimensional
prediction model that delivers instant and
reliable volumetric, phase-behavior fluid
properties from a specific set of measured
data. In contrast to equation-of-state
prediction models, the system is ideally
suited to wellsite operations because it
does not require time-consuming tuning
operations. Additionally, this prediction
model includes a quality assurance tool
that provides instant evaluation of the
fluid property predictions.

Schlumberger fluid analysis technical

experts, located throughout a global
network of fluid analysis centers and
laboratories, use the DQM process to
validate the data and ensure quality
results. The data quality-control service
provided by our analysis experts is
an integral and key feature of the
PVT Express service. Customized to
suit the specific needs of the project,
the quality control service ranges from
real-time support of wellsite operations
to report reviews before delivery.

PVT Express service analysis workflow.

Downhole sampling tool

Single-phase
reservoir sample

Reservoir
conditions

Line
conditions

Sampling bottle

Sample transfer

Recombined
separator sample

Separator
Vx* meter

PVT Express service:

PVT-XPM

PVT Express service:

PVT-XPLT
PVT Express service:
PVT-XGOR

Psat

CCE

Compressibility

Density at Psat

Atmospheric
conditions

Flash
Gas

Liquid
GOR
Densitometer

PVT Express service:

PVT-XPC

C12+

Density

C36+

Viscometer
Viscosity

Reservoir fluid composition

ANN

PVT Expert
software
PVT report

Equation-of-state
(EOS) software
APE
OBM contamination
calculation

DQM (validation)

P
sat

PVT Express validator

is the saturation pressure. The saturation pressure is the

bubblepoint pressure for liquid hydrocarbon samples and the
dewpoint pressure for gaseous hydrocarbon samples.
Flashhydrocarbon separates into gas and liquid at standard
atmospheric conditions
Separation of hydrocarbon gas into its fractions
up to C12+

Separation

of hydrocarbon liquid into its fractions up to C36+

predictor evaluator (APE) checks the accuracy of the ANN
predictions

ANN

PVT Express service decision tree.

Reservoir engineer

Drilling engineer
Sample validation
(especially MDT tester)
Psat, GOR, , , C12+, C36+

OBM
contamination
Stock-tank oil C36+

Steady separator
H2S, CO2, H2O

C12+, GOR

Do you need high quality measurements fast?

Multiflowmeter
rates
o, w, g, wi, li, yi

No

Yes

PVT Express service

Case studies
Sample validation in Newfoundland
Hydrocarbon samples were vital to characterizing the reservoir fluid and providing
input for the formulation of field development plans in a well offshore Newfoundland.
Recovering uncontaminated samples without phase changes was critical. In addition,
the measured fluid properties of the recovered MDT samples were to be compared
with known properties of samples collected from the exploratory well. If the fluid
properties were similar, a costly well-testing
program could be avoided.
The PVT Express system delivered two
complete analyses within hours of recovering the MDT samples at the surface. These
results matched the known properties

Material
balance
GOR, Bo, Bg, Z-factor

Reservoir simulation
and reserve estimates
Full PVT

No
Is it difficult to ship
samples out of the country?

Yes

No

Conventional laboratory

Natural drive
mechanism
Psat, , P grad

Do you need high quality measurements fast?

Is it difficult to ship
samples out of the country?

Yes

Well test
interpretation
, , k

Yes

PVT Express service

No

Conventional laboratory

from the exploratory well samples. This

enabled the client to avoid a full well test
and to save a significant amount of money.
Well testing in Oman
There were two objectives at a well in Oman:
(1) to ensure representative gas condensate
bottomhole samples were collected during
a well test and (2) to monitor surface gas
and liquid composition to achieve
stabilized flow.
The first set of bottomhole gas condensate
samples analyzed by the PVT Express
onsite laboratory exhibited a measured
dewpoint close to the flowing bottomhole
pressure, indicating the samples were
non-representative. As a result, the well
was produced on a lower choke. A second
set of bottomhole samples was collected.

PVT Express service provides a real-time record of pressure, temperature, and optical data.

1: Pressure test: Max. test pressure > max. working pressure

2: Transfer pressure > Psat
3, 4, 5: Three saturation pressures
6: Temperature remaining constant
7, 8: Flash: Stable pressure attained at Psat and Pres before and after transfer
9: Flash: Fluid displaced isobarically at P > Pres or P = Pres

The dewpoint measured on the second set

of samples was substantially lower than the
flowing bottomhole pressure. This indicated
the well was producing monophasically into
the wellbore and representative bottomhole
samples were being recovered. In addition
to 15 surface sample compositional studies,
2 gas condensate constant-compositionexpansion PVT studies were completed at
the wellsite using the PVT Express system
to determine the dewpoint pressure. Both
objectives were achieved, saving the
client time and money. If the samples had
been taken to another laboratory, the results
showing a nonrepresentative first set of
samples would have been too late, resulting
in costly resampling operations.
Compartmentalization identification
in Nigeria
Determining the presence and extent of
reservoir compartmentalization is becoming
increasingly important to operators. The
PVT Express service, along with DFA, is
currently being used to assist customers
in identifying reservoir compartmentalization. In a well in Nigeria, measurements
were made downhole with the MDT tester
to determine GOR, composition, and OBM
contamination. Because of the qualitative
nature of these measurements, the PVT
Express service was used to validate
those measurements based on the samples
collected. The trends observed with the
DFA matched those from the PVT Express
system. This clarified the complexity in
the vertical compartment and resulted in
taking fewer samples than planneda
huge savings. The client was able to make
rapid decisions on whether to sidetrack.
The PVT Express system helped reduce
the uncertainty in the readings from the
DFA and provided more accurate data for
a better determination of the fluid type.

Measured Fluid Properties

Black Oil

Gas Condensate

Saturation pressure (bubblepoint)

Oil compressibility
Fluid density at bubblepoint pressure
Constant composition expansion
(single-phase properties)
Flash GOR
Stock tank oil density (API gravity)
Flash gas composition (C12+)

Saturation pressure (dewpoint)

Gas compressibility
Fluid density at dewpoint pressure
Constant composition expansion
(single-phase properties)
Flash GOR
Stock tank condensate density (API gravity)
Flash gas composition (C12+)

Stock tank oil composition (C36+)

Reservoir fluid composition (C36+)
Flash gas molecular mass (specific gravity)
Stock tank oil molecular mass
Reservoir oil molecular mass
Stock tank oil viscosity
Reservoir oil viscosity (optional)

Stock tank condensate composition (C36+)

Reservoir fluid composition (C36+)
Flash gas molecular mass (specific gravity)
Stock tank condensate molecular mass
Reservoir fluid molecular mass
Stock tank condensate viscosity
Reservoir condensate viscosity (optional)

Predicted PVT Properties

Constant Composition Expansion
(Two Phase) at Reservoir Temperature

Constant Composition Expansion

(Two Phase) at Reservoir Temperature

Oil compressibility
Oil relative volume

Condensate fluid compressibility

Condensate relative volume
Retrograde liquid deposit
Constant Volume Depletion
at Reservoir Temperature

Differential Liberation
at Reservoir Temperature

Oil formation volume factor

Cumulative produced fluid
Solution GOR
Fluid Z-factor
Oil density
Retrograde liquid deposit
Oil viscosity
Produced gas gravity (molar mass)
Produced gas gravity (molar mass)
Produced gas Z-factor
Separator Test at Specified Separator Pressure and Temperature
Oil formation volume factor
Separator shrinkage factor
Tank, separator, and total GOR
Separator oil density

www.slb.com/welltesting
06-WT-017

2006 Schlumberger

July 2006

*Mark of Schlumberger

Produced by Schlumberger Marketing Communications