Estimation of Solution
GOR of Black Oils
Summary. An empirical equation
was developed to estimate stock-
tank GOR from field data for black
oils. Solution GOR at or above bub-
blepoint pressure can be obtained as
the sum of the estimated stock-tank
GOR and the measured separator
GOR. The equation was derived with
data from two-stage separations of
301 black-oil samples.
92
John B. Rollins, SPE, Texas A&M U.; William D. McCain Jr.,
SPE, Cawley, Gillespie & Assocs.; and J. Todd Creeger,
SPE, Conoco Inc.
Introduction
Volumetric and material-balance calcula-
tions of oil in place require estimates of oil
FVF and bubblepoint pressure. Several
correlations, the most applicable of which
was proposed by Standing,l are available
for detennining bubblepoint pressure and oil
FVF when an estimate of solution GOR is
available. Frequently solution GOR, Rsb' is
estimated for pressures at or above the bub-
blepoint by setting its value equal to the in-
itial producing GOR.
However, the initial producing GOR often
does not include gas vented from the stock
tank. This omission can cause the estimate
of Rsb to be low by 20% or more. 2 The in-
accurate estimate of Rsb then introduces
error into estimates of bubblepoint pressure
and FVF, and hence into oil-in-place cal-
culations. This paper presents a method of
using readily available field data to obtain
an accurate estimate of Rsb' Total produc-
ing GOR, R, is equal to the sum of stock-
tank GOR, R st ' and separator GOR, Rsp.
Because R is equal to Rsb when reservoir
pressure is at or above the bubblepoint, Rsb
can be written as 2
Rsb=Rst+Rsp ................. (I)
for pressures at or above the bubblepoint
pressure. Rsp is measured at the separator,
and R st is estimated with the empirical
equation presented in this paper.
The equation also can be used to adjust
field-derived producing GOR's before his-
tory matching with a black-oil reservoir
simulator. When gas production data come
from sales records and stock-tank gas is
vented, RSI should be added to the sales
GOR. The value of R st will not change ap-
preciably because the sales GOR increases
when reservoir pressure falls below bubble-
point pressure.
Equation Development
The equation for estimating stock-tank GOR
was developed with data from two-stage
separations of 301 samples of black oils at
separator pressures near optimum (about
100 psig [689 kPaD. Although the geograph-
ic and geologic origins of individual samples
Copyright 1990 Society of Petroleum Engineers
were removed from the data base, the data
represent all areas of the free world in which
petroleum exploration and production were
active during 1980-86. Table 1 summarizes
the data.
Stock-tank GOR was estimated as a func-
tion of stock-tank oil specific gravity, sep-
arator-gas specific gravity, separator
pressure, and separator temperature. A log-
arithmic (base-lO) model fit the data best.
The equation was estimated as follows:
log R st =0.4896-4.91610g 'Yost
+3.469 log 'Ysp+1.50110gpsp
-0.9213 log Tsp. . ........ (2)
The coefficient of determination, R2, for
the equation was 0.83, indicating that the
equation explains 83 % of the behavior of
R sl ' The coefficients of the field variables
were significant at the 99% confidence
level-Le., there was 99% certainty that the
field variables were meaningful predictors
of stock-tank GOR.
Fig. 1 is a nomogram of Eq. 2. An esti-
mate of R st can be read directly from Fig.
I for given values of the field variables.
Correlation Accuracy
Eq. 2 was developed with data from 301
laboratory-measured two-stage separations
at near-optimum separator pressures. Opti-
mum separator pressure yields minimum oil
FVF, minimum total producing GOR, and
maximum stock-tank oil gravity. Additional
data were available for 240 two-stage sepa-
rations at nonoptimum separator pressures,
for a total of 541 samples. The additional
240 samples were used to assess the accura-
cy of Eq. 2 for estimating Rsb as in Eq. 1.
The data for these 240 samples were ob-
tained at separator conditions within the
ranges indicated in Table 2.
Fig. 2 shows measured and estimated
values of R st ' The eata cluster about a 45°
line, and 95 % confidence limits are shown.
The accuracy of Eq. 2 for any R st is de-
fined as the absolute percent difference be-
tween an estimated value of log R st and the
value of the 95 % confidence limit about that
estimate. In the midrange of estimated R st
(about 74 scf/STB [13.2 std m 3 /stock-tank
m 3 ]) and with 95% confidence limits, Eq.
January 1990 • JPT
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~ r.:'\..~'\ I

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..., - - Z V ~.;;;,'
·,,1 -
~"\" -
- - - /. :..r::; '~I "Solution GOR at or
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t--
-..,.j...<q~/"4--l,."e:.=i--4:.,L:j-b""f-
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r Z Z
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above bubblepoint
7'
f1I..o<q-7"'-F---l?4---:1>-""T--+,......~ - ~<:, <:, . - - - - 'l: /. ~~ , I I I 1
·h,.4.----<~+---t.""""-I-+,......
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~.17 ./ ~- ~\<:) ------140 ~,IIII 1 I
O. ./
c.'?,~~\ -- - - - - - -
_.-;} ________ 100~11
~t:Z S~~ I 1 I I I I
'I1I'1,
I
I
obtained as the sum of
0.7
...... - - - - - - - - - - - -70 I I : I I I I I I I the estimated
0.6
I : I I I I I I I I
stock·tank GOR and
10 15 20 30 40 5060 80100 150 00
Stock-tank gas/oil ratio (scf/STB)
the measured
separator GOR."
Fig. i-Nomogram for stock·tank GOR (Eq. 2).

2 is accurate to within ± 12 %. In other even when field data from the separator are 3. Accurate estimates of Rsb can be ob-
words, 95 of 100 estimates in the midrange not obtained at optimum separator pressures. tained with Eq. 2 even when field data from
of R st will deviate from measured R st by no the separator are not obtained at optimum
more than 12 %. Recommended Application separator pressures.
Fig, 3 shows the variation in accuracy of Equation 4. Eq. 2 also can be used to adjust field-
over the range of stock-tank oil gravity. The derived producing GOR's before history
Estimates of R st will be most accurate when
plot indicates that Eq. 2 is slightly more ac- matching with a black-oil reservoir simu-
separator GOR, separator conditions, and
curate at higher stock-tank oil gravities. lator.
stock-tank oil gravity are within the ranges
Although the accuracy ofEq. 2 was no bet-
listed in Table 2. Estimates of Rsb were less
ter than 20% for a few outlying values, the Nomenclature
accurate for separator GOR's < 100 scfl
accuracy was 16 % or better for 95 % of the
STB [17.8 std m 3 /stock-tank m 3 ], so Eq. 2 Psp = separator pressure, psia [kPa]
Rst values and 14 % or better for 90 % of the should be used only when separator GOR
values. At higher stock-tank oil gravities, R = total producing GOR, scf/STB
is ~ 100 scf/STB [17.8 std m 3 /stock-tank [std m 3 /stock-tank m 3 ]
Eq. 2 gave estimates of R st that were fre-
m 3]. Recommended ranges for separator
quently within 10% of the measured R st Rsb = solution GOR, scf/STB [std
conditions and stock-tank oil gravity reflect
values. The median accuracy was 12 %. m 3 /stock-tank m 3 ]
both the ranges of the data used to develop
For pressures at or above the bubblepoint, Rsp = separator GOR, scf/STB [std
Eq. 2 and typical field conditions.
for which Eq. 1 applies, the error in Rsb m 3 /stock-tank m 3 ]
caused by the estimation error in R st will be Rst = stock-tank GOR, scf/STB [std
substantially less than the error in R st ' The Con~luslons
m 3 /stock-tank m3 ]
mean absolute error in estimated Rsb (Le., 1. Accurate estimates of solution GOR,
R2 = coefficient of determination
measured Rsp +R st from Eq. 2) compared R sb , for pressures at or above the bubble-
Tsp = separator temperature, OF [0C]
with measured R sb (i.e., measured R Sl! + point can be obtained with field data. R sb
measured R st ) was less than 3% for the j41 is found by adding the stock-tank GOR, 'Yost = stock-tank oil specific gravity
samples. The mean absolute error in Rsb R st ' estimated by Eq. 2, to the field- 'Y sp = separator-gas specific gravity
was approximately the same for the 301 determined separator GOR, Rsp.
samples at near-optimum separator pres- 2. Estimated and measured Rsb values Acknowledgments
sures and for the 240 samples at nonopti- from 541 two-stage separations were com- We thank Core Laboratories Inc. and espe-
mum separator pressures, indicating that Eq. pared. The mean absolute error in estimated cially Phillip L. Moses for providing the
2 can lead to an accurate estimate of Rsb Rsb was <3%. data. Funding for this study was provided

TABLE 1-RANGES OF DATA TABLE 2-RECOMMENDED APPLICATION OF EQ. 2

Variable Range Variable' Range

Number of samples 301 Separator GOR, scf/STB 100 minimum
Separator pressure, psia 29.7 to 314.7 Separator pressure, psia 30 to 300
Separator GOR, scf/STB 12 to 1,742 Separator temperature, OF 65 to 140
Stock·tank GOR, scf/STB 4 to 220 Stock-tank oil specific gravity 0.934 to 0.780
Separator temperature, OF 60 to 150
Separator-gas specific gravity 0.579 to 1.124 'Indicated units must be used in Eq. 2 unless coefficients are modified.
Stock-tank oil specific gravity 0.946 to 0.765

JPT • January 1990 93

by the Crisman Inst. for Petroleum Reser-
voir Management, Dept. of Petroleum En-
gineering, Texas A&M U.
Reference. In the midrange of
I. Standing, M.B.: "A Pressure-Volume-Tem- estimated R.t • •• and
pernture Correlation for Mixtures of California
Oils and Gases," Drill. & Prod. Prac. , API,
with 950/0 confidence
New York City (1947) 275-87. limits, Eq. 2 Is accurate
2. McCain, W.D. Jf.: The Properties of Petro-
leum Fluids, second edition, PennWell Books, to ± 12% ."
Tulsa (1989) 251.
SI Metric Conversion Factors
°API 141.5/(131.5+ °API) = g/cm 3
bbJ x 1.589 873 E-01 = m 3
ft3 X 2.831 685 E-02 = m 3
OF (OF - 32)/1.8 = °C
psi x 6.894757 E+OO = kPa 1000~--------------------------------------~

• Conversion factor is exact.

Provenance
Original SPE manuscript (SPE 18602), Es- [])
timation of Solution Gas/Oil Ratio of .....
CI)
Black Oils, received for review July 21,
1988. Paper accepted for publication Oct. ~ 100
Ul
25, 1989. Revised manuscript received Sept.
1ii
18, 1989. a:
JPT o
w
a:
Authors ~ 10
«w
~

10 100 1000
ESTIMATED Rst (scf/STB)

Rollins McCain
Fig. 2-Measured and estimated stock-tank GOR's.
As assistant direc-
tor of the Crisman
Inst. for Petroleum
Reservoir Manage-
ment at Texas A&M 40
U., John B. Rollins i='
works with statisti- z
w
cal analysis of () +
reservoir proper- a:
ties and formation w
L -_ _--'-''''--_ - ' evaluation. He a.. 30 -
Creeger holds BA, MS, and Z
PhD degrees from +
0
Texas A&M U. William D. McCain Jr. .....
works at Cawley, Gillespie & Assocs. In « +
Fort Worth. Before this, he was a mem-
ber of the petroleum engineering facul-
:::>
a 20 - ++
+
+
+
+
ties at Texas A&M U. and Mississippi
w ..,.+ ++ ++++ ++ +
U. ++ ++ + + + +++:#: + + + t+
State U., and worked at Esso Research 0
+
Laboratories. McCain teaches the SPE
>- + ~J-t-+~+~
++ + +.... *- . >!I; +
Short Course "The Properties of Petro- () ~ * +i . .,p- ++
leum Fluids," and was a member of the « 10 :- + +
Textbook Committee during the a:
mid-1970's and faculty sponsor for the :::>
()
Texas A&M U. SPE Student Chapter dur- ()
ing 1985-86. McCain holds a BS degree « I I I I
from Mississippi State U. and MS and 0
PhD degrees from Georgia Inst. of Tech- 10 20 30 40 50 60
nOlogy, all In chemical engineering. J.
Todd Creeger Is a production engineer STOCK-TANK OIL GRAVITY (OAPI)
for Conoco Inc. in Corpus Christi. He
holds a BS degree In petroleum engi-
neering from Texas A&M U.
Fig. 3-Accuracy of Eq. 2 as a function of stock-tank 011 gravity.

94 January 1990 • JPT