Quality Control in Reservoir Sampling

PVT and Phase Behavior of
Reservoir Fluids
Chapter 5b QC for Fluid Sampling
Leonhard Ganzer
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
This chapter highlights the principal controls that should be

performed and gives guidelines for selecting which samples are
most likely to be representative.
Poor sample quality can arise from such sources
L. Ganzer
as sampling a non-representative fluid,

human error during sampling or field transfers,
contaminated sample containers, and
leaks during shipment.
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
L. Ganzer
BOTTOM HOLE SAMPLE OR SURFACE SAMPLE
For undersaturated reservoirs the recommended sampling

procedure is bottom hole sampling. Undersaturated reservoirs
have initial (or current) reservoir pressure above the bubble
point pressure. Surface samples are taken as backup.
For saturated reservoirs bottom hole and surface sampling

should be utilised. Saturated reservoirs have initial (or current)
reservoir pressure below the bubble point pressure there is
either the presence of an original gascap or the presence of a
secondary (induced) gascap due to production.
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
SAMPLE VOLUMES
Estimated minimum Volumes needed for analysis
Preliminary Analysis
Identification Analysis
Two samples sets are required, each set to consist of:

2 litre stabilised crude (for oil reservoirs) or 10 litre condensate
5 litre gas, 5 litre of water
Evaluation Analysis

20 litre stabilised crude (for oil reservoirs) or 20 litre condensate
PVT Analysis (bottom hole samples)
Three samples sets are required, each set to consist of:

0.6 litre reservoir fluid or one sample chamber if volume differs
PVT Analysis (surface samples)
L. Ganzer

1 litre stabilised crude or condensate
10 litre gas, 1 litre of water

0.6 litre crude (for oil reservoirs) or 0.6 litre condensate (for gas
reservoirs) or one sample chamber if volume differs
20 litre gas
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Seperator Samples
The following QC checks are recommended
Determination of opening pressure

Compositional analysis with focus on air content
Determination of residual liquids (possibly from carry-over)
Seperator liquids (usually with gas cap)

Must be first homogeneized by pressurization, then
Determination of opening pressure
Determination of bubble-point pressure at seperator
temperature
Check for water phase presence (or sediments)
Flash separation to provide GOR, gas gravity, shrinkage
L. Ganzer
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Downhole Samples
Must be checked as seperator liquid samples, except that
bubble-point determination can be made at reservoir
temperature
L. Ganzer
Note that in samples of highly volatile oil or gas

condensate fluids no real break point will be seen on the
compressibility (between single phase and 2-phase state)
and hence the Psat must be determined using a visual
window cell.
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Selecting the best Sample from Duplicates
The following are parameters that should be used, in order of
preference, when a sample is selected on the basis of sample
quality alone (i.e., when samples are essentially duplicates
collected at the same time and under the same conditions):
L. Ganzer
An adequate sample volume or pressure

A downhole sample bubblepoint pressure lower than downhole
pressure during sampling
Contamination levels lower than, or similar to, duplicate samples
bottle opening pressures that agree with sampling data (i.e., leaks
are unlikely)
Surface sample bubblepoint pressures that agree with separator
data
A close correlation between laboratory measurements on duplicate
samples
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
L. Ganzer
Oil-Based Mud Contamination Effect on GC
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
10
SAMPLE VALIDATION CARRIED OUT BY PVT LAB

Gas sample:
The sample cylinder is brought to a temperature as close as
possible to the on site sampling temperature and the opening
pressure of the cylinder is measured. This pressure must be
reported in the PVT (analysis) report.
Any significant deviation from the original sampling pressure
indicates leakage during transit and the sample should be
rejected.
During analysis, the concentration of air present in the sample
is determined. It is not uncommon for small amounts of air to be
present due to failure to thoroughly purge the sample bottle
prior to sampling and ingress during sample transfer
procedures. This may not be a problem since it is common
practice to adjust the measured nitrogen concentration in the
sample for the nitrogen present due to air contamination (air
being approximately 78% nitrogen by volume) and report the
composition on an air free basis.
The presence of air is indicative of poor sampling techniques.
L. Ganzer
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
11
SAMPLE VALIDATION CARRIED OUT BY PVT LAB

Hydrocarbon liquid samples
Upon receipt in the laboratory the cylinder opening pressure
must be checked to asses any loss of gas due to valve or seal
failure during transit.
Restoration to reservoir conditions, rocking frequently or
continuously, for at least 3 days (5 days, if the sample may be
destined for Flow Assurance analyses) sample saturation
pressure (i.e., bubble point pressure) must be determined at
sampling temperature.
The measured saturation pressure of a downhole sample
should be at or above reservoir pressure.
The measured saturation pressure of a separator sample
should correspond with the sampling pressure when collecting
the sample from the liquid outlet of a gas liquid separator. In
each case, a significantly lower saturation pressure would
indicate sample leakage with loss of light ends and the sample
should be rejected.
All sample containers should be checked for contaminants
(e.g., water or mud).
L. Ganzer
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
12
CHECKS FOR PVT LAB RESULT QUALITY
L. Ganzer
Before any experimental PVT data are used for design or study
purposes, it is necessary to ensure that there are no errors or
major inconsistencies that would render any subsequent work
useless.
Two such means of data validation are the Campbell Diagram
(Buckley plot) and the Mass Balance Diagram. These
techniques are described below:
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
13

Buckley Plot (or Campbell Diagram)
L. Ganzer
For hydrocarbon gas and liquid phase in equilibrium, there is a

linear relationship between the log of the individual component
K-values (mole fraction of a component in the gas phase
divided by the mole fraction of the same component in the liquid
phase) and their respective critical temperatures squared (see
Diagram).
This technique is described by Campbell. Note that as
components become less paraffinic in nature, the greater will be
the deviation from linearity. Thus, it is common for the
components heavier than C5 to show such deviations.
For the light components, any significant deviations from the
linear relationship indicate possible non equilibrium separation,
suspect analyses or numerical errors in the data reporting.
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
L. Ganzer
14
CAMPBELL DIAGRAM
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
15
Mass Balance Diagram
The mass balance diagram is based on the following general

flash equation describing the individual component material
balances around a flash separation stage:
F.Zi = L.Xi +V.Yi
where F, L and V are the molar flow rates of Feed, flashed Liquid
and flashed Vapour respectively and Zi, Xi and Yi are the mole
fractions of component i in the feed, flashed liquid and flashed
vapour respectivelv.
For one mole of feed the above equation can be rearranged to:
Yi/Zi = -L.Xi/(V.Zi)+ 1/V
This is a linear equation and thus a plot of Yi/Zi versus Xi/Zi
should result in a straight line of gradient L/V
L. Ganzer
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
L. Ganzer
16
MASS BALANCE DIAGRAM
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
L. Ganzer
17
SAMPLE TYPES
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
L. Ganzer
18
SAMPLING GUIDELINES
Contamination: where OBM (oil based mud) is used during the

drilling of reservoir sections, OBM samples should be collected
at the wellsite and have their composition determined. This will
allow for removing contamination of reservoir fluid samples at
future dates. Additionally, if oil is used during completion of the
well prior to sampling, completion fluid should also be collected
and analysed to allow for future contamination deconvolution.
PVT samples should be taken as soon as practical after clean

up and preferably without closing in the well. The well must be
flowing at the lowest practical stable rate and a minimum of 2
tubing volumes to have been produced at this rate.
Single phase sampling is preferred if the well fluid is known to

be monophasic at either the perforations (bottom hole
sampling) or the well head (surface sampling).
Surface recombination sampling is preferred for all multiphase

oil and gas tests.
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
L. Ganzer
19
SAMPLING GUIDELINES
If wax or asphaltenes are anticipated in an oil or gascondensate well, or scale formation suspected on an aquifer
test, then down hole constant pressure sampling is essential.
Down hole sampling is desirable when the down hole flow is

monophasic, but not at surface. In low permeability reservoir
and or when the reservoir is close to the saturation pressure,
MDT sampling may provide more representative PVT samples
than down hole sampling during a production test (because the
drawdown may drop below saturation pressure).
Down hole sampling is not recommended where free water

production is occurring.
SAMPLING
INTRODUCTION
20
SAMPLIG GUIDELINES
All down hole sampling should be performed under flowing

conditions. However, if this is not possible and samples are
taken from a static well, the samples should be taken from the
mid point of the oil column (a static gradient survey may be
required to establish fluid gradients).
All parameters related to separator and separation efficiency

while surface sampling the well shoul be measured, recorded
and reported. This should be clearly communicated to and
performed by the Operations team, as the sampling contractor
will be busy with the sampling operation itself.
Note:
L. Ganzer
Any chemical injection upstream of the sampling points should

be stopped prior to sampling.
The production test separator and well head conditions must be
stable prior to sampling.
Once sampling has commenced there must be no changes in
conditions at which the test separator is operating.

Quality Control in Reservoir Sampling

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Quality Control in Reservoir Sampling

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Quality Control in Reservoir Sampling

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What are the recommended sampling procedures for undersaturated and saturated reservoirs?

What are the recommended sampling procedures for undersaturated and saturated reservoirs?

What are the minimum sample volumes needed for different types of analysis?

What are the minimum sample volumes needed for different types of analysis?

PVT and Phase Behavior of

This chapter highlights the principal controls that should be

Poor sample quality can arise from such sources

as sampling a non-representative fluid,

BOTTOM HOLE SAMPLE OR SURFACE SAMPLE

For undersaturated reservoirs the recommended sampling

For saturated reservoirs bottom hole and surface sampling

Two samples sets are required, each set to consist of:

Two samples sets are required, each set to consist of:

PVT Analysis (bottom hole samples)

Three samples sets are required, each set to consist of:

PVT Analysis (surface samples)

Two samples sets are required, each set to consist of:

Two samples sets are required, each set to consist of:

Determination of opening pressure

Seperator liquids (usually with gas cap)

Note that in samples of highly volatile oil or gas

An adequate sample volume or pressure

Oil-Based Mud Contamination Effect on GC

SAMPLE VALIDATION CARRIED OUT BY PVT LAB

SAMPLE VALIDATION CARRIED OUT BY PVT LAB

CHECKS FOR PVT LAB RESULT QUALITY

CHECKS FOR PVT LAB RESULT QUALITY

For hydrocarbon gas and liquid phase in equilibrium, there is a

CHECKS FOR PVT LAB RESULT QUALITY

Mass Balance Diagram

The mass balance diagram is based on the following general

MASS BALANCE DIAGRAM

Contamination: where OBM (oil based mud) is used during the

PVT samples should be taken as soon as practical after clean

Single phase sampling is preferred if the well fluid is known to

Surface recombination sampling is preferred for all multiphase

Down hole sampling is desirable when the down hole flow is

Down hole sampling is not recommended where free water

All down hole sampling should be performed under flowing

All parameters related to separator and separation efficiency

Any chemical injection upstream of the sampling points should

You might also like