Fluid Physical Properties

Reservoir fluid properties used in

Black oil model are discussed.

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 Table 1 – Physical Properties of Hydrocarbons and Selected Compounds3

Normal Boiling Point Gas Density at Critical Critical

Molecular (°F) (°R) Liquid Density 60°F, 1 atm Temperature Pressure
Weight (lbm/cu ft) (lbm/cu ft) (°R) (psia)
Constituent

Methane, CH4 16.04 – 258.7 201.0 19* 0.04228 343.1 668

Ethane,C2H6 30.07 – 127.5 332.2 22.22** 0.07924 549.8 708

Propane, C3H8 44.10 – 43.7 416.0 31.66** 0.1162 665.7 616

Isobutane, C4H10 58.12 10.9 470.6 35.12** 0.1531 734.7 529

n-butane, C4H10 58.12 31.1 490.8 36.44** 0.1531 765.3 551

Isopentane, C5H12 72.15 82.1 541.8 38.96 – 828.8 490

n-pentane, C5H12 72.15 96.9 556.6 39.35 – 845.4 489

n-hexane, C6H14 86.18 155.7 615.4 41.41 – 913.4 437

n-heptane, C7H16 100.20 209.2 668.9 42.92 – 972.5 397

n-octane, C8H18 114.23 258.2 717.9 44.08 – 1,023.9 361

n-nonane, C9H20 128.26 303.5 763.2 45.01 – 1,070.4 332

n-decane, C10H22 142.29 345.5 805.2 45.79 – 1,112 304

Nitrogen, N2 28.01 – 320.4 139.3 – 0.07380 227.3 493

Air (O2 + N2) 28.96 – 317.6 142.1 – 0.07630 238.4 547

Carbon dioxide, CO2 44.01 – 109.3 350.4 51.5** 0.1160 547.6 1,071

Hydrogen sulfide, H2S 34.08 – 76.6 383.1 49.3** 0.08977 672.4 1,306

Water 18.02 212.0 671.7 62.37 – 1,365.3 3.208

Hydrogen, H2 2.02 – 423.0 36.7 – 0.005313 59.9 181

Oxygen, O2 32.00 – 297.4 162.3 – 0.08432 278.6 737

Carbon monoxide, CO 28.01 – 313.6 146.1 – 0.07380 240 507

•Apparent density in liquid © 1972 Gas Processors Suppliers Assn.
phase.
**Density at saturation pressure.
 API Gravity of Oil
Oil without any dissolved gas is called dead oil. The
physical properties of dead oil are functions of
– API Gravity
– Pressure
– Temperature
• API gravity of water is 10

141.5
o
API = o
− 131.5
[Link] @ 60 F
 Gas Solubility(RS)
Standing Correlation:
T
0.0125 ( API ) 1.2048
 scf   p  10 
RS   = γ g  + 1.4  × 0.00091(T )  RS
 stb   18.2  10 

pb
PressureÆ

• Defined as volume of gas dissolved in one stock

tank barrel of oil at a fixed pressure,p (psia) and
a fixed temperature,T( oF).
Production GOR vs Solution GOR

B µo Krg
Rp = Rs + 0.1781 o
Bg µg Kro

Rp ≥ Rs
 Glasφ Correlation

1.2255
 scf   γ 0.989
[2.8869 −{14.1811−3.3093 log ( p )} ] 
0 .5 
RS   = γ g  API
0.172
10  
 stb   T 

• This correlation is based on North Sea data

• Recommended usage:
– Rs < 1400 scf/stbo
– P <19,285 psia
Produced Gas Oil Ratio, Rp

Rp = Rsb

GOR Rp > Rs Rp = Rs
Saturated Oil Undersaturated Oil
Free Gas No Free Gas
Rs Pwf < Pb Pwf > Pb

Pwf Pb Pressure
 Specific Gravity of Gas

γ gf ≤ γ gd ≥ 0.56;− − −and
R pγ gt − Rsγ gd
γ gf =
γ gt ≥ γ gf ≥ 0.56 R p − Rs

In thermodinamically stable mixtures of oil and gas, as the equilibrium is disturbed with
change in pressure under isothermal condition, the composition of each phase
changes. Lighter hydrocarbons vaporize first and then the heavier ones. Such
sequential vaporization constantly changes the specific gravity of both the free and
the dissolved gas. Methane being the lightest component of the natural gas with
specific gravity of 0.56, dissolved gas specific gravity, γgd and total separated gas, γgt
follows the inequalities presented above. Definition of free gas gravity is also
presented in terms of gas solubilities.
 Formation Volume Factor
The volume in barrels at any specified pressure
and temperature, occupied by one stock tank
barrel of oil including the dissolved gas is
defined as the Formation volume factor of oil.
• Converts surface rate to bottom-hole rate

V( p ,T )
Bo = , rb / stb
Vstb
 Formation Volume Factor
Below bubble point pressure, Standing Correlation:

1.2
 rb   γg 
0 .5

Bo   = 0.9759 + 0.00012 RS   + 1.25T 
 stb    γ o  

• The oldest and most commonly used empirical

method of determination of Bo.
 Formation Volume Factor

Bob T=const

Bo, (rb/stb)
 rb 
Bo  [
 = Bob exp − co ( p − pb )
 stb 
]
Pressure, psia pb

This is Standing’s correlation for Bo above the

bubble point pressure pb.
• At Bubble Point Pressure, Formation Volume
Factor of Oil is Bob.
• Co is the isothermal Compressibility of oil
 P-T Envelope: pb
Cricondenbar Liquid
Critical Point

oint Curve
eP
Bubbl

Two Phase Region

Pressure

Single Phase Gas

urve
nt C
oi
ewP Cricondentherm
D

Temperature
 Bubble Point Pressure, pb

1.2
 R  0.83

pb ( psia ) = 18.2   10( 0.00091−0.0125γ API ) − 1.4
p

 γ g  
 

Standing Correlation:
• To calculate the bubble point pressure
• Derives from the Gas Solubility Equation by
replacing Rs by Rp
 Glasφ Correlation
 rb 
 = 1.0 + 10
A
Bo 
 stb 
where, A = −6.58511 + 2.91329 log B* − 0.27683(log Bob
* 2
)
ob
0.526
γg 
and , Bob = Rs 
*
 + 0.968T
 γo 

• This is Glasφ’s modification of Standing’s Correlation for

application to North Sea and other oils.
• Glasφ also presented a bubble-point correlation which
corrects for inorganic gas content (N2,CO2 and H2S).
 Oil Density
• Below pb:
– Oil density is a 62.4γ o + 0.0136 Rsγ gd
function of specific p < pb , ρ o =
Bo
gravity of oil and
dissolved gas in
addition to Bo and Rs
• At or above the 62.4γ o + 0.0136 R pγ gt
p = pb , ρ ob =
bubble point, Bob
– Oil density depends on and
Bob and Rp among p > pb , ρ o = ρ ob e c0 ( p − pb )
other parameters
 Viscosity

v + dv
F
µ≡ A = Stress
dy v dv Strain
dy

• The viscosity of crude oil also depends on the

dissolved gas in it in addition to pressure and
temperature.
• Dead oil is defined as oil at atmospheric
pressure without any dissolved gas.
 Dead Oil Viscosity
• Glasφ presented an empirical correlation based
on North Sea data.
• Sutton and Farshad found this correlation to
most accurate dead oil viscosity correlation
among the three available correlations with the
Beggs and Robinson and Beal correlations.
µ od = (3.141×1010 )T −3.444 (log γ API )(10.313logT −36.447 )

Valid for: 50 ≤ T ≤ 300;20.1 ≤ γ API ≤ 48.1

 Saturated Crude Oil Viscosity
• Beggs and Robinson Correlation corrects dead oil viscosity
• Empirical and based on 2,073 actual field data
• In the range of parameters:
– Pressure = 132 to 5265 psia
– Temperature = 70 to 295 oF
– Oil Gravity = 16 – 58 oAPI
– Gas Solubility = 20 – 2070 scf/stbo

[
µ o = 10.715(Rs + 100) − 0.515
]× (µod )[5.44 ( R +150 )
s
−0.338
]
 Undersaturated Crude Oil Viscosity
• Vasquez and Beggs Correlation corrects saturated crude oil viscosity
at the bubble point pressure for pressures above pb
• Above bubble point pressure viscosity increases with pressure due to
compressibility
• Applicable in the range of parameters:
– Pressure = 141 to 9515 psia
– Viscosity = 0.117 to 148 cp
2.6 p1.187 10 a
– Oil Gravity = 15.3 – 59.5 oAPI  p
– Gas Solubility = 90.3 – 2199 scf/stbo µ o = γ ob  
– Gas specific gravity = 0.511 – 1.351  pb 
and
( )
a = − 3.9 × 10 −5 p −5
 Water Density
• The density of pure water at standard conditions is 62.4
lbm/ft3
• Dissolved gas makes water lighter as also in oil
ρw = Density of water at any pressure and temperature
• Neglecting gas solubility the density of water can be
calculated from:

 ρ wsc  62.4γ sc
ρ w =   =
 Bw  Bw
 Solution Gas-Water Ratio
• This figure can be
used to estimate
methane solubility in
produced water with
correction for total
salinity in ppm.
RswC = Rsw CF

Where, CF=Salinity
corr. factor
 Water FVF (Bw)
• Formation volume
factor is presented as
a function of pressure
temperature.
 Water Viscosity

• Water viscosity is presented as a function temperature

by van Wingen assuming no solids dissolved in water.

µ =exp(1.003-1.479x10-2 T+1.982 x 10-5 T2

 Fluid Compressibility

1 ∂Vo ∂ ln(Vo )
co ≡ − =−
Vo ∂p ∂p
psi-1,
•Oil: 10-5 or -6 psi-1
•Gas: 10-3 or -4 psi-1
•Water: 4x10-6 psi-1
Pore Compressibility

1 ∂φ ∂ ln (φ )
cf ≡ =
φ ∂p ∂p
4x10-6 psi-1, well-consolidated sandstone
3.0x10-5 psi-1, unconsolidated sandstone
4 to 50 x 10-6 psi-1 consolidated limestones
 Total Compressibility

c t = c f + S o c o + S w c w + S gc g

Above Bubble Point = 10-6 psi-1

Below Bubble Point = 10-4 to -5 psi-1
Gas = 10-4 to -5 psi-1
 Gas Physical Properties
Real Gas Law states:

pV=ZnRT

Where, p = absolute pressure, psia

V = Volume of gas, ft3
Z = Compressibility factor
n = number of moles of gas
R = Universal gas constant
= 10.73, psia ft3/lbm-mole oR
T = Temperature, oR (Rankine)
 Gas Density

m pM g
ρg ≡ =
V ZRT
Where,
ρg= Density of gas ; m= weight of gas

 ρg  Mg
γ g ≡   =
Molecular weight of air, Ma= 28.96
For Sp. Gravity of air being 1

 ρa  sc M a
 Determination of Z
1. Calculate the Pseudo Critical properties
• Need Specific Gravity of Gas, γg
• Pressure and Temperature
2. Calculate Pseudo Reduced parameters,
• Pseudoreduced Pressure,pr = p/ pc
• Pseudoreduced Temperature,Tr = T / Tc
3. Calculate Z for calculated reduced
pressure and temperature
Gas Compressibility Factor

Pseudo reduced pressure

 Class Exercise
Given: γg = 0.7 ; p = 5000 psia and T = 250 oF

Determine the compressibility factor for this gas.

 Gas Density

 p 
ρ g ≡ 2.7γ g  
 zT 
Gas Formation Volume Factor

 zT 
Bg ≡ 0.0283 
 p 
Βg= Gas formation volume factor, ft3/scf
Gas Viscosity – Lee et al.
  ρ g Y 
µ g ≡ 10 − 4 K exp X   
  62.4  
 

K=
(9.4 + .02 M )Tg
1.5

(209 + 19M + T )
g

X = 3.5 + (986 / T ) + .01M g

Y = 2.4 − 0.2 X
Gas Compressibility

 1   1  dz 
c g ≡   −   
 p   z  dp T
= 1/p for an ideal gas (z=1)
 Elements of
Compositional Analysis
 Classification of Fluids: GOR and Density

GOR (scf/bbl) API Gravity Gas Gravity

Wet gas 15000-100000 50-70 0.65 – 0.85
Cond. gas 3000-15000 50-70 0.65 – 0.85
Volatile oil 2500-3000 40-50 0.65 – 0.85
Non-volat. oil 100-2500 30-40 0.80 – 0.90
Heavy oil 0 10-30
Tar/bitumen 0 <10

° API = 141.5 / SG(60°) – 131.5 ρgsc = 0.001233 γg

Classification of Fluids: Composition (% Cn)

Hydrocarbon C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6+
Dry gas 88 4 4 1 1 1
Cond. gas 71 8 5 5 4 7
Volatile oil 60 8 5 4 3 20
Non-Volat. oil 41 3 5 5 4 42
Heavy oil 11 3 1 1 4 80
Tar/bitumen 100
P-V Behaviour of a Single Component System at Constant Temperature
Three-Dimensional Diagram of a Single Component System

• Beyond the critical

temperature, the properties of
the fluid are indistinguishable
between the liquid phase and the
vapour phase.