MSc Petroleum Engineering

School of Engineering

Oil PVT Properties

(Black Oil Calculation Approach)

Contact hours:11
Credit unit:33
Staff contact info:
[email protected]

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List of figures:
• Figure 1. Gas solubility Diagram 15
• Figure 2. Oil Formation Volume Factor versus Pressure (Ahmed, 2013)
18

• Figure 3. Oil viscosity versus pressure (Ahmed, 2009)

24

• Figure 4. Schematic of PV cell and associated equipment 34

• Figure 5. CCE test procedure (Ahmed, 2013)

39

• Figure 6. Differential Liberation Illustration

46

• Figure 7. Cox Chart

57

• Figure 8. Schematic of a separator test (Ahmed, 2009)

78

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List of tables:
• Table 1. Parachor table for different compounds (Ahmed 2013) 29

• Table 2. Compositional Analysis of pure Alkanes 36

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List of abbreviations:
Apparent molecular weight,

Specific gravity,

z Compressibility factor,

Density,

v Specific volume, Isothermal gas

compressibility coefficient,

Gas formation volume factor,

Gas expansion factor,

Viscosity,

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List of abbreviations:
API Fluid gravity

Specific gravity of the solution gas

Rs Gas solubility

Pb Bubble-point pressure

Bo Oil formation volume factor

c Isothermal compressibility coefficient of undersaturated crude

oils

Oil density

Bt Total formation volume factor

Crude oil viscosity

Surface tension

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Crude Oil Gravity

The crude oil density is defined as the mass of a unit volume of the crude
at a specified pressure and temperature. It is usually expressed in pounds
per cubic foot. The specific gravity of a crude oil is defined as the ratio of
the density of the oil to that of water. Both densities are measured at
60oF and atmospheric pressure:
𝜌𝑜
𝛾 𝑜=
𝜌𝑤

where = specific gravity of the oil, ratio

= density of the crude oil, lb/
= density of the water, lb/

𝜌𝑜
𝛾 𝑜=
62.4

Water density=62.4 lb/ft3

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API Gravity

Although the density and specific gravity are used extensively in the
petroleum industry, the API gravity is the preferred gravity scale. This gravity
scale is precisely related to the specific gravity by the following expression:

141.5
° 𝐴𝑃𝐼= − 131.5
𝛾𝑜

The API gravities of crude oils usually range from 47° API for the lighter crude
oils to 10° API for the heavier asphaltic crude oils.

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Crude Oil Density (at bubble point)

The crude oil density is defined as the mass of a unit volume of the crude at a specified
pressure and temperature. It is usually expressed in pounds per cubic foot. Several
empirical correlations for calculating the density of liquids of unknown compositional
analysis have been proposed. The correlations employ limited PVT data such as gas
gravity, oil gravity, and gas solubility as correlating parameters to estimate liquid density
at the prevailing reservoir pressure and temperature.

Density of the oil at pressure below or equal to the bubble-point pressure:

62.4 𝛾𝑜 + 0.0136 𝑅 𝑠 𝛾 𝑔
𝜌𝑜 =
𝐵𝑜

where = specific gravity of the stock-tank oil

= gas solubility, scf/STB
= oil density, lb/

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Standing’s Correlation
• The density of a crude oil at a specified pressure and temperature can be
calculated with Standing’s Correlation:

62.4 𝛾 𝑜 + 0.0136 𝑅 𝑠 𝛾 𝑔
𝜌𝑜 =
0.972+0.000147 ¿ ¿ ¿
Where T= temperature, °R
γo= specific gravity of the stock tank oil

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 Specific Gravity of the Solution Gas

The specific gravity of the solution gas yg is described by the weighted average of the
specific gravities of the separated gas from each separator.
This weighted-average approach is based on the separator gas-oil ratio, or:

∑ ( 𝑅 𝑠𝑒𝑝 )𝑖 ( 𝛾 𝑠𝑒𝑝 ) 𝑖 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑡 𝛾 𝑠𝑡
𝑖=1
𝛾 𝑔= 𝑛

∑ ( 𝑅 𝑠𝑒𝑝 ) 𝑖 + 𝑅 𝑠𝑡
𝑖=1

where n = number of separators

= separator gas-oil ratio, scf/STB
= separator gas gravity
= gas-oil ratio from the stock tank, scf/STB
= gas gravity from the tock tank

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Gas Solubility
The gas solubility is defined as the number of standard cubic feet of gas which will
dissolve in one stock-tank barrel of crude oil at certain pressure and temperature.
The solubility of a natural gas in a crude oil is a strong function of:

• Pressure
• Temperature
• API gravity
• Rsb
gas gravity

Gas Solubility Rs, scf/STB

A typical gas solubility curve, as a function of
pressure for an undersaturated crude oil, is
shown in Figure 1. As the pressure is reduced
from the initial reservoir pressure pi, to the
bubble-point pressure pb, no gas evolves from
the oil and consequently the gas solubility
Pb
remains constant at its maximum value of Rsb.
Pressure
Below the bubble-point pressure, the solution
gas is liberated and the value of Rs decreases Figure 1. Gas solubility Diagram
with pressure.

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Rs Standing Correlation
• Standing (1947) proposed a graphical correlation for determining the gas
solubility as a function of pressure, gas specific gravity, API gravity, and
system temperature. In 1981, he expressed his proposed graphical
correlation in the following more convenient mathematical form:

[( ]
1.2048

𝑅 𝑠 =𝛾 𝑔
𝑃
18.2 )
+ 1.4 10𝑥

with

𝑥=0.0125 𝐴𝑃𝐼 −0.00091(𝑇 − 460)

Where T=temperature, °R
p= system pressure, psia
= solution gas specific gravity

Note: Standing’s equation is valid for applications at and below the bubble point
pressure of the crude oil.

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Oil Formation Volume Factor
The oil formation volume factor, Bo, is defined as the ratio of the volume of oil (plus the gas in solution) at
the prevailing reservoir temperature and pressure to the volume of oil at standard conditions. B o is always
greater than or equal to unity. The oil formation volume factor can be expressed mathematically as:

( 𝑉 𝑜 )𝑝 ,𝑇 where Bo = oil formation volume factor, bbl/STB

𝐵𝑜 = (Vo)p,T = volume of oil under reservoir condition bbl
( 𝑉 𝑜 ) 𝑠𝑐 (Vo)sc = volume of oil is measured under standard conditions, STB

A typical oil formation factor curve, as a function of Bo

pressure for an under-saturated crude oil (pi > pb), is
shown in previous page. As the pressure is reduced
below the initial reservoir pressure pi, the oil volume Bob

Oil Formation Volume Factor

increases due to the oil expansion. This behavior
results in an increase in the oil formation volume
factor and will continue until the bubble-point
pressure is reached. At pb, the oil reaches its
maximum expansion and consequently attains a
maximum value of Bob for the oil formation volume
factor. As the pressure is reduced below pb, volume
of the oil and Bo are decreased as the solution gas is
liberated. When the pressure is reduced to
1
Pb Pi
atmospheric pressure and the temperature to 60°F, Pressure
the value of Bo is equal to one.
Figure 2. Oil Formation Volume Factor versus
Pressure (Ahmed, 2013)

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Bo Standing’s Correlation

Standing provided the oil formation volume factor from 105 data points,
with an average error of 1.2% :

𝐵𝑜 =0.9759+0.000120 ¿ ¿
Where T= temperature, °R
γo= specific gravity of the stock tank oil
γg= specific gravity of the solution gas
Rs= dissolved gas, ft3/scf
Bo= Oil formation Volume Factor, bbl/STB

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 Oil isothermal compressibility coefficient (Co)

For a crude oil system, the isothermal compressibility coefficient of the oil
phase co is defined for pressures above the bubble-point by one of the
following equivalent expressions:

𝑐𝑜 =−
1 𝜕𝑉
𝑉 𝜕𝑝 𝑇( )
𝑐 𝑜=−
1 𝜕 𝐵𝑜
( )
𝐵𝑜 𝜕 𝑝 𝑇

𝑐 𝑜= ( )
+1 𝜕 𝜌 𝑜
𝜌𝑜 𝜕 𝑝 𝑇

where = isothermal compressibility, psi−1

= oil density lb/
= oil formation volume factor, bbl/STB
V = Volume, bbl

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Co at pressure below Pb

At pressures below the bubble-point pressure, the oil compressibility is

defined as:

−1 𝜕 𝐵𝑜 𝐵𝑔 𝜕 𝑅 𝑠
𝑐 𝑜= +
𝐵𝑜 𝜕 𝑝 𝐵𝑜 𝜕 𝑝

where Bg = gas formation volume factor, bbl/scf

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Correlation for Oil Compressibility P>Pb

• From a total of 4036 experimental data points used in a linear

regression model, Vasquez and Beggs (1980) correlated the
isothermal oil compressibility coefficients with Rs, T, °API, and p.
Proposing the following expression:

−1433 +5 𝑅 𝑠𝑏 +17.2 ( 𝑇 − 460 ) −1180 𝛾 𝑔𝑠 +12.61 ° 𝐴𝑃𝐼

𝑐 𝑜=
105 𝑝

Where T= temperature, °R
p=pressure above the bubble-point pressure, psia
= gas solubility at the bubble-point pressure
= corrected gas gravity as defined by Equation

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Correlation for Oil Compressibility P<=Pb
• The data used for developing the correlations was compiled from
differential liberation and separator test data of black oil samples from 260
well locations worldwide. McCain, Rollins and Villena proposed the
correlation:
𝐼𝑛 ( 𝑐 𝑜 )=− 7.573 −1.450 𝐼𝑛 ( 𝑝 ) −0.383 𝐼𝑛 ( 𝑝 𝑏 ) + 1.402 𝐼𝑛 ( 𝑇 ) + 0.256 𝐼𝑛 ( 𝛾 𝑜 ) + 0.449 𝐼𝑛( 𝑅 𝑠𝑏 )

When the bubblepoint pressure is not available, the following can be used:
𝐼𝑛 ( 𝑐 𝑜 )=− 7.633 − 1.497 𝐼𝑛 ( 𝑝 ) +1.115 𝐼𝑛 ( 𝑇 ) +0.533 𝐼𝑛 ( 𝛾 𝑜 ) +0.184 𝐼𝑛 ( 𝑅 𝑠𝑏 )

Where the values of bubblepoint pressure and solution GOR are not available, the
following can be used:

𝐼𝑛 ( 𝑐 𝑜 )=− 7.114 − 1.394 𝐼𝑛 ( 𝑝 ) + 0.9815 𝐼𝑛 ( 𝑇 )+ 0.770 𝐼𝑛 ( 𝛾 𝑜 ) + 0.446 𝐼𝑛 (𝛾 𝑔 )

Where T= temperature, °R
p=pressure, psia
= gas solubility at the bubble-point pressure
= corrected gas gravity as defined by Equation
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Crude Oil Viscosity

Crude oil viscosity is an important physical property that controls and influences the
flow of oil through porous media and pipes. The viscosity, in general, is defined as
the internal resistance of the fluid to flow.

• temperature

Oil viscosity
• pressure
• oil gravity
• gas gravity
• gas solubility

Pb
Pressure

Figure 3. Oil viscosity versus pressure (Ahmed, 2009)

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Viscosity Measurement:

Oil viscosity should be determined by laboratory measurements at reservoir temperature and

pressure. If such laboratory data are not available, engineers may refer to published correlations,
which usually vary in complexity and accuracy depending upon the available data on the crude oil.
According to the pressure, the viscosity of crude oils can be classified into three categories:

• Dead-Oil Viscosity
The dead-oil viscosity is defined as the viscosity of crude oil at atmospheric pressure
(no gas in solution) and system temperature.

• Saturated-Oil Viscosity
The saturated (bubble-point)-oil viscosity is defined as the viscosity of the crude oil at
the bubble-point pressure and reservoir temperature.

• Undersaturated-Oil Viscosity
The undersaturated-oil viscosity is defined as the viscosity of the crude oil at a
pressure above the bubble-point and reservoir temperature.

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Method of oil viscosity calculation at or equal to Pb:

Step 1. Calculate the viscosity of the oil without dissolved gas (dead oil), μ od, at the
reservoir temperature.

Step 2. Adjust the dead-oil viscosity to account for the effect of the gas
solubility at the pressure of interest, μob.

Step 3, At pressures greater than the bubble point pressure of the crude oil, the
bubble-point oil viscosity, μob, should be corrected for the compression and the
degree of undersaturation in the reservoir.

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Dead Oil Viscosity Correlation
• From a total of 753 values for dead oil viscosity and above 100°F, Beal (1946)
developed a graphical correlation for determining the viscosity of dead oil as a
function of temperature and the API gravity of the crude. Standing (1981)
expressed the proposed graphical correlation in a mathematical relationship as
follows:

𝜇 𝑜𝑑=¿
with
8.33
( 0.43 + )
𝐴𝑃𝐼
𝑎=10

Where = viscosity of the dead oil as measured at 14.7 psia and

reservoir temperature, cp
T= temperature, °R

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Saturated-Oil Viscosity Correlation
• From 2073 saturated oil viscosity measurements, Beggs and Robinson (1975)
proposed an empirical correlation for estimating the saturated-oil viscosity. The
accuracy of the correlation is -1.83% with a standard deviation of 27.25%.

• The proposed mathematical expression has the following form:

𝑏
𝜇 𝑜𝑏=𝑎 ( 𝜇 𝑜𝑑 )

Where
− 0.515
𝑎=10.715 ( 𝑅 𝑠 +100)

−0.338
𝑏=5.44 ( 𝑅 𝑠 +150)

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Undersaturated-Oil Viscosity Correlation
• From a total of 3593 data points, Vasquez and Beggs (1980)
proposed the following expression for estimating the viscosity of
undersaturated crude oil:

( )
𝑚
𝑝
𝜇 𝑜=𝜇 𝑜𝑏
𝑝𝑏

where
1.187 𝑎
𝑚=2.6 𝑝 10

𝑎=− 3.9 ( 105 ) 𝑝 − 5

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 Lab Tests of Reservoir Fluid

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Routine PVT laboratory tests

• Compositional analysis of the system

• Constant-composition expansion
• Differential liberation
• Separator tests

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Compositional Analysis
• It is desirable to obtain a fluid sample as early in the life of a field as
possible so that the sample will closely approximate the original reservoir
fluid.

• Most of the parameters measured in a reservoir fluid study can be

calculated with some degree of accuracy from the composition. It is the
most complete description of reservoir fluid that can be made.

• In the past, reservoir fluid compositions were usually measured to include

separation of the component methane through hexane, with the heptanes
and heavier components grouped as a single component reported with the
average molecular weight and density.

Figure 4. Schematic of PV cell

and associated equipment

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Compositional Analysis
Component Name Mol % Wt% Liquid Density MW
(gm/cc)
Hydrogen Sulfide 0.00 0.00 0.8006 34.08
Carbon Dioxide 0.25 0.11 0.8172 44.01
Nitrogen 0.88 0.25 0.8086 28.013
Methane 23.94 3.82 0.2997 16.043
Ethane 11.67 3.49 0.3562 30.07
Propane 9.36 4.11 0.5070 44.097
Iso-Butane 1.39 0.81 0.5629 58.123
N-Butane 4.61 2.66 0.5840 58.123
Iso-Pentane 1.50 1.07 0.6244 72.15
N-Pentane 2.48 1.78 0.6311 72.15
Hexanes 3.26 2.73 0.6850 84
Heptanes 5.83 5.57 0.7220 96
Octanes 5.52 5.88 0.7450 107
Nonanes 3.74 4.50 0.7640 121
Decanes 3.38 4.50 0.7780 134
Table 2. Compositional Analysis of pure Alkanes
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Liquid chromatography

In chromatography, substances are separated

as they travel in a mobile phase which passes
through a stationary phase. Different
substances travel at different speeds, so some
move further than others in a given time.
In liquid chromatography, the stationary phase
is a membrane. The mobile phase may either
be an aqueous (water-based) liquid or a non-
aqueous organic (carbon-based) solvent.
For each chemical in the sample, there is
a dynamic equilibrium between the stationary
phase and the mobile phase. The overall
separation depends upon how strongly
attracted the chemicals are to the mobile and
the stationary phases. A chromatogram can be compared with a chromatogram of
a standard reference material to identify which chemicals
the mixture contained

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Gas Chromatograph (GC)
GC is used to separate complex mixtures. It is much
better at this than thin-layer or paper chromatography.
This is because it is more sensitive - allowing the
determination not only of what chemicals are in the
mixture, but also how much of each chemical there is.
The mixture to be analysed is injected into the stream
of carrier gas. As it passes along the column (long thin
tube) it separates into the different substances.
In gas chromatography (GC), the mobile phase is
an inert gas (eg helium). The stationary phase is a very
thin layer of an inert liquid on an inert solid support -
such as beads of silica packed into a long thin tube (this
flexible tube is coiled many times inside a
thermostatically-controlled oven to keep it at a constant
temperature).
Substances with a greater affinity (attraction) for the
mobile phase reach the detector at the end of the
column more quickly. Substances with a greater affinity
for the stationary phase move more slowly through the
column.
This gas chromatogram shows that:
• substance A was present in the smallest quantity (it has the smallest peak)
• substance A had the shortest retention time
• substances B and C were present in equal amounts
• substance F had the longest retention time
• substance F was present in the greatest quantity (it has the largest peak)
• substance F had the greatest affinity for the stationary phase

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Constant Compositional Expansion Test (CCE)

Figure 5. CCE test procedure (Ahmed, 2013)

P1>>Pb P2>Pb P3=Pb P4<Pb P5<P4<Pb

• Saturation pressure
• Isothermal compressibility
coefficients Gas
• Z factor Oil Oil

Vt3=Vb
Oil

Vt1

Vt2

Vt4
• Total hydrocarbon volume Gas
Oil
(density, Vrel)

Vt5
Oil
Hg Hg Hg
Hg

Hg

A B C D E

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CCE Test Procedure

• The experimental procedure, as shown schematically in Figure involves placing a

hydrocarbon fluid sample (oil or gas) in a visual PVT cell at reservoir temperature
and at a pressure in excess of the initial reservoir pressure.

• The pressure is reduced in steps at constant temperature by removing mercury

from the cell, and the change in the total hydrocarbon volume Vt is measured for
each pressure increment.

• The saturation pressure (bubble-point) and the corresponding volume are

observed and recorded and used as a reference volume Vsat.

• The volume of the hydrocarbon system as a function of the cell pressure is

reported as the ratio of the reference volume.

• This test is commonly called pressure-volume relations, flash liberation, flash

vaporization, or flash expansion.

• It should be noted that no hydrocarbon material is removed from the cell, thus,
the composition of the total hydrocarbon mixture in the cell remains fixed at the
original composition.

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 𝑉𝑡
𝑉 𝑟𝑒𝑙 = → 𝜌=𝜌 𝑠𝑎𝑡 /𝑉 𝑟𝑒𝑙
𝑉 𝑠𝑎𝑡
where Vrel = relative volume
Vt = total hydrocarbon volume
Vsat = volume at the saturation pressure

To normalize the Vrel below Pb:

𝑃 𝑠𝑎𝑡 − 𝑃
𝑌= ¿¿

where psat = saturation pressure, psia

p = pressure, psia
Vrel = relative volume at pressure p

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Normalizing Y-Function

2.40
Step 1. Calculate the Y-function for all
pressures below the saturation 2.20

Step 2. Plot the Y-function versus pressure

on a Cartesian scale 2.00

Y-function
Step 3. Determine the coefficients of the 1.80

best straight fit of the data 𝑌 =𝑎+ 𝑏𝑃

1.60

Step 4. Recalculate the relative volume at

1.40
all pressure below the saturation
pressure from the following expression:
1.20
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200

Pressure, psig

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Example:
The best straight fit of the Y-function as a function
of pressure for the Big Butte oil system is given by:

Y = a + bp
where a = 1.0981
b = 0.000591
Smooth the recorded relative volume data of Table

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Calculation of oil compressibility, Co

Relative Volume (at 247 F)

1.02

−1 𝜕𝑉 𝑟𝑒𝑙
𝐶𝑜 =
𝑉 𝑟𝑒𝑙 𝜕 𝑝 0.98

Relative Volume
0.96

To evaluate Co at any pressure p, it is

only necessary to graphically 0.94

differentiate the curve by drawing a

tangent line and determining the 0.92
slope of the line.
0.9
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

Pressure, psig

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Differential Liberation Test

In the differential liberation process, the solution gas that is liberated from an oil
sample during a decline in pressure is continuously removed from contact with
the oil, and before establishing equilibrium with the liquid phase.

This type of liberation is characterized by a varying composition of the total

hydrocarbon system.

The experimental data obtained from the test include:

• Amount of gas in solution as a function of pressure

• The shrinkage in the oil volume as a function of pressure

• Properties of the evolved gas including composition of liberated gas,
gas compressibility factor, and the gas specific gravity
• Density of the remaining oil as a function of pressure

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Differential Liberation Test (DL)

1. Amount of gas in solution (Rs) as a function of pressure

2. The shrinkage in the oil volume as a function of pressure (Bo)
3. Properties of the evolved gas
4. Density of the remaining oil as a function of pressure

Pb P2<Pb P2 P3 P3

Gas Off Gas Off

Gas

<Vbb
=V22<V
Gas Oil Gas
Oil =V33=V
V 1= V b

V3=V2<Vb

VV44=V
Oil Figure 6. Differential
Liberation Test
V5<V4<Vb
V2<Vb

Oil Oil
Hg Hg
Hg
Hg Hg
P1=Pb

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Parameters calculated from DL:

𝑉𝐿
𝐵𝑜𝑑 =
𝑉 𝑠𝑐

V olume of gas in solution

𝑅 𝑠𝑑 =
R esidual oil volume

𝐵𝑡𝑑 =𝐵𝑜𝑑 +(𝑅 𝑠𝑑𝑏 − 𝑅 𝑠𝑑 )𝐵𝑔 where Btd = relative total volume, bbl/STB
Bg = gas formation volume factor, bbl/scf

𝑧= ( )(
𝑉𝑝
𝑇
𝑇 𝑠𝑐
𝑉 𝑠𝑐 𝑝 𝑠𝑐 ) where V = volume of the liberated gas in the
PVT cell at p and T
Vsc = volume of the removed gas at
𝐵𝑔 =
( )
𝑝 𝑠𝑐 𝑧𝑇
𝑇 𝑠𝑐 𝑝
standard condition contains
the gas formation volume
factor Bg as expressed by the
following equation:

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Lecturer Name, PhD Page 40 www.abdn.ac.uk
SEPARATOR TESTS
Separator tests are conducted to determine the changes in the
volumetric behavior of the reservoir fluid as the fluid passes
through the separator (or separators) and then into the stock
tank.

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Objective of Separator Tests
The primary objective of conducting separator tests is to provide the
essential laboratory information necessary for determining the optimum
surface separation conditions, which in turn will maximize the stock-
tank oil production. In addition, the results of the test, when
appropriately combined with the differential liberation test data, provide
a means of obtaining the PVT parameters (Bo, Rs, and Bt) required for
petroleum engineering calculations.

• A maximum stock-tank API gravity

• A minimum oil formation volume factor
(i.e., less oil shrinkage)
• A minimum producing gas-oil ratio (gas
solubility)

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Results of Separator Tests

Separator Stock-Tank Oil

Temperature () GOR, FVF, **
Pressure (psig) Gravity ()

50 75 737
41 40.5 1.481
to 0 75 778

676
100 75
92 40.7 1.474
to 0 75
768

602
200 75
178 40.4 1.493
to 0 75
780

549
300 75
246 40.1 1.495
to 0 75
795
*GOR in cubic feet of gas at 14.65 psia and 60°F per barrel of stock-tank oil at 60°F
**FVF is barrels of saturated oil at 2.620 psig and 220°F per barrel of stock-tank oil at 60°F

Lecturer Name, PhD Page 43 www.abdn.ac.uk

Separation Process

Stage separation is a process in which gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons

are flashed (separated) into vapor and liquid phases by two or more
separators.

These separators are usually operated in series at consecutively lower

pressures. Each condition of pressure and temperature at which
hydrocarbon phases are flashed is called a stage of separation.
Traditionally, the stock-tank is normally considered a separate stage of
separation process.

Mechanically, there are two types of gas-oil separation:

(1) Differential separation, and
(2) flash or equilibrium separation.

Lecturer Name, PhD Page 44 www.abdn.ac.uk

Differential Separation:

In the differential separation:

The liberated gas (which is composed mainly of lighter components) is removed

from contact with the oil as the pressure on the oil is reduced.

When the gas is separated in this manner, the maximum amount of heavy and
intermediate components will remain in the liquid, minimum shrinkage of the oil
will occur, and, therefore, greater stock-tank oil recovery will occur.

This is due to the fact that the gas liberated earlier at higher pressures is not
present at lower pressures to attract the intermediate and heavy components
and pull them into the gas phase.

Lecturer Name, PhD Page 45 www.abdn.ac.uk

Flash (equilibrium) separation

In the flash (equilibrium) separation, the liberated gas remains in contact with
oil until its instantaneous removal at the final separation pressure.

A maximum proportion of intermediate and heavy components is attracted

into the gas phase by this process, and this results in a maximum oil shrinkage
and, thus, a lower oil recovery.

In practice, the differential process is introduced first in field separation when

gas or liquid is removed from the primary separator. In each subsequent stage
of separation, the liquid initially undergoes a flash liberation followed by a
differential process as actual separation occurs. As the number of stages
increases, the differential aspect of the overall separation becomes greater.

Lecturer Name, PhD Page 46 www.abdn.ac.uk

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