Gas Condensate Blockage

 1 
Sb    1 ln rb rw 
 krgb 
 
0.4

0.35 rb = f(CGR)  50 - 500 ft

Productivity Index

0.3

0.25
Krgb = f(CGR,rock,Nc)
0.2

0.15  0.05 - 0.5

0.1

0.05 Nc = f(qg,pwf)
0
5300 5100 4900 4700 4500 4300 4100 3900 3700
Reservoir pressure, psi sb  5 - 20 (100)

1. Condensate blockage is the build-up of liquid around the wellbore, reducing the effective gas
permeability and lowering well deliverability.

2. Condensate saturations in the near-well region can reach 50%, reducing the gas permeability
in the near-well region by a factor of 2 to 20.

3. Condensate blockage is only important when there is a significant pressure drop between the
deep reservoir and the well perforations, and when the well is on decline (tubing-pressure
limited).

4. Condensate blockage is more important at low kh. It is likely to be a major issue when kh < ~
1,000 md-ft. It is unlikely to be significant when kh > ~10,000 md-ft.

5. The primary relative permeability relationship affecting condensate blockage is krg as a

function of krg/kro in the near-well region. Saturation does not enter the calculation.

6. The impact of condensate blockage can be reduced by an increase in krg at high velocities
(capillary numbers, Nc) in the near-well region. Considerable evidence for this effect exists
from lab experiments and well tests.
February 29, 2024 e-notes (c) Curtis H. Whitson, Robert E. Mott 1
 References
1. Arun SPE paper
2. Gas Condensate Relative Permeability for Well Calculations
3. Measurement and Correlation of Gas Condensate Relative Permeability
4. Engineering Calculations of Gas Condensate Well Productivity
Examples
1. Condensate blockage skin estimation – a simple spreadsheet

2. Condensate blockage – single well simulation calculations and example

3. Single well simulations to demonstrate the fundamental rel
perm relationship for condensate blockage.

Notes

February 29, 2024 e-notes (c) Curtis H. Whitson, Robert E. Mott 2