8 Properties of Gas Condensates:

Reservoir Fluid Studies

A gas condensate reservoir fluid study consists of a series of laboratory

procedures designed to provide values of the fluid properties primarily used to
“tune” or “calibrate” an equation-of-state for use in compositional simulation of
gas condensate reservoirs. However, as explained in chapter 9, the results can be
used (if the service company doing the report has made the correct calculations) to
determine very good estimates of the ultimate recovery (reserves) of surface gases
and stock-tank condensate.
The three major procedures of a reservoir fluid study are:
• Composition measurement, usually the compositions of the separator gas
and separator liquid are measured. Recombination calculations are used to
determine the composition of the reservoir gas,
• Constant Composition Expansion, CCE, (also called Constant Mass
Expansion, CME), and
• Constant Volume Depletion, CVD.
The results of these laboratory procedures, plus some calculations using data
from several of these procedures, are called a reservoir fluid study, or sometimes a
PVT study or PVT report.

Collection of Reservoir Gas Samples

A sample which is representative of the gas condensate originally in the reservoir
must be obtained for the laboratory work. A gas condensate reservoir must be
sampled before the reservoir pressure decreases below the dewpoint pressure of
the reservoir gas. At reservoir pressures below the dewpoint pressure, no sampling
procedure will produce a sample representative of the reservoir gas. Therefore, the
results of the laboratory procedures will not be representative of the reservoir gas.
The normal procedure for obtaining representative samples of gas condensates
is called separator sampling or surface sampling. Bottom-hole sampling, which is
often used for black oil reservoirs, will nearly always produce samples which are
not representative of a gas condensate.
Ideally, the separator gas and separator liquid should actually be taken from the
separator where the gas and liquid are in equilibrium. This is rarely possible, so the

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THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

gas samples must be taken immediately at the top of the separator before the gas
reaches a valve or meter. The liquid samples must be taken immediately below the
separator before the liquid encounters a valve or dump-meter (and never from the
bottom of a sight-glass).
Separator sampling also involves carefully controlling and measuring the gas and
condensate rates from the separator. The separator gas-oil ratio must be reported. The
temperature and pressure of the fluids in the separator must be carefully controlled
and their values reported. These data are necessary for recombining the separator
gas and separator liquid, both for calculating the reservoir gas composition and for
physically combining these fluids for use in the Constant Composition Expansion
and the Constant Volume Depletion procedures.
Several service companies have recently developed a procedure that involves
sending a tool downhole, which will insert a probe into the formation before casing
is set in the well (i.e., open hole). The tools extract samples from the formation and
can assess the quality of the samples (mud filtrate contamination, etc.) before the
tool is closed and the samples brought to the surface. Experience has shown that
samples taken in this way can be representative of the reservoir gas condensate.

Reservoir Fluid Study

A sample reservoir fluid study is shown in table 8–1. This is an actual study in
which the identifications of the well name, well location, geological formation,
company name, and so on, have been altered to maintain the confidentiality of
the report.

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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

Table 8–1. Typical gas condensate reservoir fluid study (courtesy Core Laboratories, Inc.).

251
THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

Table 8–1. Cont.

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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

Table 8–1. Cont.

253
THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

Table 8–1. Cont.

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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

Table 8–1. Cont.

255
THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

Table 8–1. Cont.

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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

Table 8–1. Cont.

257
THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

Table 8–1. Cont.

258
 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

Table 8–1. Cont.

259
THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION
Table 8–1. Cont.
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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies
Table 8–1. Cont.
261
THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

Table 8–1. Cont.

Next, the three major tests performed during a gas condensate reservoir fluid
study will be described. Chapter 9 will show how the results of these tests can be
used to predict the potential recoveries of surface gases and stock-tank condensate.

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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

Compositions
The compositions of the separator gas and liquid are measured and a
recombination calculation is made to determine the composition of the reservoir
gas. Usually these compositions are measured using chromatography. The process
of determining the reservoir gas composition from the compositions of the separator
fluids is as follows.
Sometimes the separator gas-oil ratio is reported by the sampling people in
standard cubic feet of separator gas per stock-tank barrel. If so, it must be converted
to standard cubic feet of separator gas per separator barrel by dividing by the ratio
of volume of separator liquid to volume of stock-tank liquid, which is normally
given as a part of the compositional analysis report.

RSP SP gas scf

RSPSP = ——— , ————– (8–1)
ratSPST SPO bbl

Values of the density and apparent molecular weight of the separator liquid must
be calculated as a first step in this procedure. Density (ρSPO) can be calculated using
composition with the procedures of chapter 14. The apparent molecular weight of
the separator liquid (MSPO) is calculated exactly like the apparent molecular weight
of gas (equation 5–35); values result during the density calculation.
The procedure for calculating liquid density using the composition of the liquid
as outlined in chapter 14 was originally developed for reservoir oils at bubblepoint
pressure. This procedure can be used for separator liquids at separator pressures
and temperatures. Simply use the separator liquid composition in equations 14–17
through 14–20, equations 14–26 and 14–27 if needed, and use separator conditions
for pressure and temperature in equations 14–22 and 14–24. Step one of example
14–6 shows that the apparent molecular weight of the liquid is calculated as a part
of the procedure.
The next step is conversion of the separator gas/separator liquid ratio in standard
cubic feet of separator gas per separator barrel (SP gas scf/SP bbl) to units of
pound moles of separator gas per pound mole of separator oil (lb mol SP gas/lb
mol SPO).

RSPSP × MSPO lb mol SP gas

ngSPSP = ————————— , ——————– (8–2)
380.7 × 5.615 × ρSPO lb mol SP oil

This separator gas/separator liquid ratio in terms of pound moles is used to

combine the compositions of the separator gas and separator liquid to determine
the composition of the reservoir gas. Equation 8–3 is written for each component
(j) in the reservoir gas.

lb mol of j SP feed
njSPSP = ngSPSP × yj + xj , ————————– (8–3)
lb mol SP oil

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THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

The results are added to obtain nSPSP in terms of pound moles of reservoir gas
per pound mole of separator oil.

nSPSP =
Σn jSPSP
lb mol SP feed
, ———————
lb mol SPO
(8–4)

The separator feed stream composition, which is assumed to be the reservoir

gas composition, is obtained by dividing the result for each component (njSPSP) by
the total (nSPSP).

njSPSP lb mol j
zj = ——– , ———– (8–5)
nSPSP lb mol T

Example 8–1a. Separator gas and separator liquid were sampled. The sampling
personnel reported separator conditions of 410 psig and 90°F
and also a producing gas-oil ratio at the time of sampling of
5,691.5 SP scf/STB. Laboratory analysis gave the compositions
listed below. Also, the laboratory reported a separator/stock-tank
volume ratio of 1.523 bbl SP liquid at separator conditions per
stock-tank barrel at standard conditions. Calculate the composition
of the feed stream to the separator (this will be the reservoir fluid
composition, if properly done).

Composition of Separator Fluids

Component Gas composition Liquid composition
mole fraction mole fraction
yj xj
H2S 0.0 0.0
CO2 0.2342 0.0721
N2 0.0210 0.0009
C1 0.5617 0.0724
C2 0.0698 0.0457
C3 0.0788 0.1567
i- C4 0.0130 0.0496
n- C4 0.0139 0.0832
i- C5 0.0034 0.0415
n- C5 0.0022 0.0538
C6 0.0012 0.0719
C7+ 0.0008 0.3522
1.0000 1.0000
Properties of heptanes plus
Density, gm/cc @60°F 0.7333 0.8293
Molecular weight 103 159

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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

Solution

5,691.5 SP gas scf

Rspsp = ———– = 3,737 ————– (8–1)
1.523 SPO bbl

First, calculate the density and apparent molecular weight of the separator liquid
(at separator conditions) using the procedure from example 14–6.

xj
Component xj Mj Mj ρj xjMj /ρj
CO2 0.0721 44.010 3.173
N2 0.0009 28.014 0.025
C1 0.0724 16.042 1.162
C2 0.0457 30.069 1.374
C3 0.1567 44.096 6.910 31.644 0.2185
i- C4 0.0496 58.122 2.883 35.110 0.0821
n- C4 0.0832 58.122 4.836 36.428 0.1328
i- C5 0.0415 72.149 2.994 38.955 0.0769
n- C5 0.0538 72.149 3.882 39.362 0.0986
C6 0.0719 86.175 6.196 41.415 0.1497
C7+ 0.3522 159.000 56.000 51.772 1.0817
1.0000 MSPO = 89.435 1.8402

83.701 lb
ρC3t = ——— = 45.48 —— (14–17)
1.8402 cu ft

1.1615
W1 = ——— = 0.0130 (14–18)
89.435

1.3994
W2 = ——— = 0.0164 (14–19)
85.100

45.48 lb
ρpo = ——— = 44.46 —— (14–20)
1.0229 cu ft

lb
∆ρp = 0.1580 —— (14–22)
cu ft

lb
ρbs = 45.58 – 0.1580 = 44.63 —— (14–23)
cu ft

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THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

lb
∆ρT = 0.9741 —— (14–24)
cu ft

lb
ρSPO = 44.63 – 0.9741 = 43.63 —— (14–25)
cu ft

Second, calculate separator gas-oil ratio in lb mol/lb mol.

(3,737)(89.435) lb mol SP gas

ngSPSP = ——————— = 3.582, —————— (8–2)
(2,137.6)(43.65) lb mol SP oil

Third, calculate njSPSP, nSPSP, and zj using equations 8–2 and 8–3.

Gas composition, Liquid composition, Feed composition,

mole fraction mole fraction njSPSP mole fraction
Component yj 3.582yj xj xj + 3.582 zj
CO2 0.2342 0.8389 0.0721 0.9110 0.1988
N2 0.0210 0.0752 0.0009 0.0761 0.0166
C1 0.5617 2.0119 0.0724 2.0843 0.4549
C2 0.0698 0.2500 0.457 0.2957 0.0645
C3 0.0788 0.2822 0.1567 0.4389 0.0958
i- C4 0.0130 0.0466 0.0496 0.0962 0.0210
n- C4 0.0139 0.0498 0.0832 0.1330 0.0290
i- C5 0.0034 0.0122 0.0415 0.0537 0.0117
n- C5 0.0022 0.0079 0.0538 0.0617 0.0135
C6 0.0012 0.0043 0.0719 0.0762 0.0166
C7+ 0.0008 0.0029 0.3522 0.3551 0.0775
1.000 3.5818 1.0000 nSPSP = 4.5818 1.0000

Example 8–1a illustrates the procedure for calculating the composition of a

reservoir fluid using the compositions of the separator gas and separator liquid. In
order to complete the calculation, the molecular weight and specific gravity of the
plus fraction (in this example, the heptanes plus fraction) must be determined.
A procedure for calculating the molecular weight of the heptanes plus fraction
of the reservoir fluid is developed as follows. First, the mass in pounds of the
heptanes plus fraction of the reservoir fluid is calculated on the basis of the quantity
of separator liquid in pound moles.

mC7+ = xC7+ MLC7+ + yC7+ MgC7+ ngSPSP (8–6)

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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

Second, the mass in pound moles of the heptanes plus fraction of the reservoir
fluid is calculated, again on the basis of the quantity of separator liquid in
pound moles.

nC7+ = xC7+ + yC7+ ngSPSP (8–7)

The molecular weight of the plus fraction in the reservoir fluid is mC7+ /nC7+ .

mC7+
MC7+ = —— (8–8)
nC7+

The procedure for calculating the specific gravity of the heptanes plus requires
first calculating the volume, in cubic feet, of the total (separator gas plus separator
liquid) heptanes plus fraction on the basis of the quantity of separator liquid in
pound moles.

xC7+ MLC7+ yC7+ MgC7+ ngSPSP

VC7+ = ————— + ———————– (8–9)
62.368 LC7+ 62.368γgC7+

This volume is divided into the mass of total heptanes plus calculated in equation
8–6 to obtain the density of the heptanes plus fraction in the reservoir fluid.

mC7+
ρC7+ = —— (8–10)
V C7+

The specific gravity of the heptanes plus fraction in the reservoir fluid is this
density divided by the density of pure water at standard conditions: 62.368 lb/cu ft.

Example 8–1b. Complete example 8–1a by calculating the molecular weight and
specific gravity of the plus fraction of the reservoir fluid.

Solution
First, determine the necessary input data from example 8–1a.
xC7+ = 0.3522
yC7+ = 0.0008
MgC7+ = 103 lb C7+ gas/lb mol C7+ gas
MLC7+ = 159 lb C7+ liquid/lb mol C7+ liquid
γgC7+ = 0.7333
γLC7+ = 0.8293
ngSPSP = 3.258 lb mol SP gas/lb mol SP liquid

Second, calculate the molecular weight of heptanes plus in the reservoir fluid.
mC7+ = 56.295 lb C7+ total/lb mol SP liquid (8–6)

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tHe PRoPeRtieS oF PetRoleuM FluidS, tHiRd edition

nC7+ = 0.3551 lb mol C7+ total/lb mol SP liquid (8–7)

MC7+ = 158.5 lb/lb mol (8–8)

Third, calculate the specific gravity of heptanes plus in the reservoir fluid.

VC7+ = 1.0881 cu ft C7+ total / lb mol SP liquid (8–9)

ρC7+ = 51.74 lb C7+ / cu ft C7+ (8–10)

γC7+ = 51.74/62.368 = 0.8295

These examples have heptanes plus as the plus fraction. The same procedure can
be used for any reservoir fluid, regardless of the composition of the plus fraction.
Results of the types of calculations illustrated in examples 8–1a and 8–1b are
given on pages 6/17 and 7/17 of table 8–1.

Constant composition expansion

A representative sample of the original reservoir gas is put into a laboratory
cell; the temperature is set at reservoir temperature and the pressure is increased to
a level greater than the initial reservoir pressure by reducing the volume of the cell.
Pressure is reduced in steps by increasing the cell volume. Pressure and volume
are recorded for each step. No petroleum is removed from the cell. The procedure
is shown schematically in figure 8–1. The constant composition procedure is
sometimes called constant mass expansion (CME), or p-V relations.

pd

Vt Gas Vt Gas Vt Gas

Gas Vt
Gas
Liquid Vt

Hg Hg Liquid
Hg
Hg
Hg

First step Second step Third step Fourth step

Fig. 8–1. laboratory Constant Composition expansion (CCe) procedure

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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

The laboratory cell has a window so that the dewpoint can be observed and the
dewpoint pressure determined. The volume measured at each step is divided by the
volume at the dewpoint and reported as relative volume on page 8/17 of table 8–1.
The gas z-factor (deviation factor) is calculated for pressures greater than and
equal to the dewpoint pressure with knowledge of the mass of gas charged into the
cell in pound moles along with the measured cell pressure and volume. Equation
5–39 is used for these calculations. Again, see page 8/17 of table 8–1.
The volume of condensate in the laboratory cell at pressures below the dewpoint
pressure is measured and reported, stepwise, as a percent of the total volume of gas
and condensate in the cell at that pressure. See page 8/17 of table 8–1.
Some laboratories calculate the gas expansion factor, bg, which is the reciprocal
of the gas formation volume factor, for the both the initial reservoir pressure and
the dewpoint pressure. See equations 6–1 through 6–3 and example 6–1. These can
be seen at the bottom of page 8/17. The reason for reporting these properties will
become apparent in chapter 9.

Example 8–2. The data from a constant composition expansion on a gas

condensate at 275°F are given in the table below. Standard
conditions at the location of this well are 15.025 psia and 60°F.
The laboratory cell was originally charged with 22,841 standard
cubic centimeters (std cu cm) of gas.
Prepare a table of pressure, relative volume, gas z-factor, and
quantity of liquid in volume percent for each expansion. Also
calculate the gas expansion factor.

Pressure, psig Total volume, res cu cm Liquid volume, res cu cm

6,500 86.552
6,100 88.767
5,700 91.166
5,300 94.134
5,000 96.716
4,800 98.586
4,700 99.603
4,600 100.741
4,521 = pd 101.646 0.000
4,500 101.920 trace
4,400 103.120 0.103
4,250 105.183 0.631
4,050 108.497 2.712
3,800 113.244 6.228
3,500 120.420 9.032
3,200 129.172 11.109
2,800 140.526 12.366
2,600 154.797 13.003
2,300 173.662 13.546
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THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

Solution
First, divide all volumes in the data set by the volume at the dewpoint pressure
(Vd ) to determine relative volumes. For instance, at 5,300 psig,

94.134 cu cm
relative volume = ——————– = 0.9261
101.646 cu cm

Second, calculate the mass of the original charge of reservoir gas.

RTsc (10.732)(60 + 459.7) scf

VMsc = —— = ————————— = 371.2 ——— (5–13)
psc 15.025 lb mol

cu ft
Vsc = 22,841 std cu cm × ——————————– = 0.80662 scf
0.02831685 × 106 cu cm

0.80662 scf
ni = —————– = 0.002173 lb mol
scf
371.2 ———
lb mol

Note that the standard conditions for this reservoir fluid study (see pages 1/17, 4/17, or
8/17 of the report) are different than the standard conditions used in this book. Thus the
value of the conversion factor from standard cubic foot to pound moles, 371.2 scf/lb mol,
is slightly different than the conversion factor calculated in example 5–14.
Third, calculate z-factors. For instance, at 5,300 psig,

pV
z = —— (5–39)
niRT

cu ft
V = 94.134 cu cm × ——————————— = 0.003324 cu ft
0.02831685 × 106 cu cm

(5,314.7)(0.003324)
z = —————————————— = 1.031
(0.002173)(10.732)(275 + 460)

Fourth, calculate liquid volume percent as a percent of the total volume of gas
and liquid at the indicated pressure and temperature. For instance, at 2,300 psig,

13.546
liquid volume percent = ———– × 100 = 7.8%
173.662

Fifth, calculate gas expansion factors. For instance, at 5,300 psig,

1 zscTscp
gas expansion factor, bg = — = ——— (6–1)
Bg zTpsc
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 Chapter 8 | PRoPeRtieS oF GaS CondenSateS: ReSeRvoiR Fluid StudieS

(1.0)(60 + 460)(5,314.7) scf

gas expansion factor, bg = ————————————– = 242.73 ———–
(1.031)(275 + 460)(15.025) res cu ft

scf cu ft Mscf Mscf

gas expansion factor, bg = 242.73 ———– × 5.615 —— × ———– = 1.363 ———
res cu ft bbl 1,000 scf res bbl

See bottom of page 8/17 of table 8–1.

Constant volume depletion

A representative sample of the original reservoir gas is put into a laboratory cell;
the temperature is set at reservoir temperature and the pressure is set at the dewpoint
pressure. The mass of gas in pound moles initially put into the cell is determined.
Pressure is reduced from dewpoint pressure to a low pressure, usually 700 psig,
in several steps. Each step has two parts. First, the pressure is reduced by increasing
the cell volume; liquid condenses at the lower pressure. Second, gas is removed at
constant pressure until the volume of gas plus condensate in the cell is returned to the
initial volume, hence the name constant volume depletion. These steps are repeated
until the lower pressure is reached. The procedure is illustrated schematically in
figure 8–2.

Gas Gas
pd

Gas
Gas Gas
V Gas V V
Gas Liquid
Liquid
Liquid Liquid
Hg Hg Hg
Hg Hg

First step Second step

Fig. 8–2. laboratory Constant volume depletion (Cvd) procedure.

The results of a typical constant volume depletion can be found on pages 9/17
and 11/17 on table 8–1.

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THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

The size of the pressure reduction for each step is large enough to produce
sufficient gas so that the composition (and properties of the plus fraction) can be
measured. The quantity of this gas in standard cubic centimeters is also measured.
The mass in pound moles of gas removed is calculated as illustrated in example
5–15. The mass of gas plus condensate left in the cell is calculated by difference.
The quantity of gas removed at cell conditions is also determined by difference
of the cell volumes between the first and second parts of each depletion step.
The volume of this gas at reservoir conditions divided by the volume at standard
conditions is the gas formation volume factor from which the gas z-factor can be
calculated using equation 6–1. This z-factor is called equilibrium gas on page 11/17
of table 8–1.
Equation 5–39 can be used to calculate the two-phase z-factor for each
depletion step. Input data for this calculation are the total mass in the cell (gas plus
condensate), the total volume in the cell (gas plus condensate), the cell pressure at
each depletion step, and the temperature.
Gas viscosity is calculated with a correlation, usually equations 6–28 through
6–31.
The last line of page 11/17 of table 8–1 states “Wellstream produced –
Cumulative percent of initial.” This is not exactly correct. The numbers are the
cumulative percent of production starting at the dewpoint pressure. These numbers
can be considered standard cubic foot produced per standard cubic foot in the
reservoir at dewpoint pressure or pound mole of gas produced per pound moles
of gas in the reservoir at dewpoint pressure, as needed (both multiplied by 100 to
get percent).
The constant volume depletion procedure mimics the production of a gas
condensate reservoir for the situation in which no water encroaches from an aquifer
and no fluid is injected (i.e., a constant volume reservoir). The condensate is left
in the laboratory cell because the condensate in a gas condensate reservoir is not
produced. Only at the end of the laboratory procedure is the condensate sampled and
its composition measured, reported as the last column on page 11/ 17 of table 8–1.

Example 8–3. A volume of 22,841 std cu cm of a gas condensate with a composition

as given on page 7/17 of table 8–1 was charged into a laboratory cell.
The cell was brought to 275°F and 4,521 psig (dewpoint conditions).
The volume of the gas in the cell was measured to be 101.646 res cu cm
(the constant volume). Gas is removed in a stepwise constant volume
depletion as indicated in the table below. Measurements made during
the depletion steps are given. The standard conditions at the location
of this well are 15.025 psia and 60°F.
Calculate the gas z-factor, the two-phase z-factor, the wellstream
produced—percent of initial, and the retrograde liquid volume—
and the percent of pore space for each depletion step.

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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

Depletion Pressure, Expanded volume, Liquid volume, Gas removed,

step no. psig res cu cm res cu cm std cu cm
1 3,900 111.503 5.082 2,001.1
2 3,200 118.772 10.470 2,959.3
3 2,500 127.142 12.502 3,458.1
4 1,800 141.123 12.502 3,790.2
5 1,200 154.678 11.791 3,307.8
6 700 179.634 10.673 2,765.6

Solution
First, calculate the molar volume at standard conditions for this particular reservoir.

RTsc (10.732)(60 + 459.7) scf

VMsc = —— = ————————— = 371.2 ——— (5–13)
psc 15.025 lb mol

Second, convert the initial charge to mass in pound moles and calculate the
initial cell volume in reservoir cubic feet (res cu ft).

cu cm
22,841 std cu cm/0.02831685 × 106 ——– = 0.80662 scf
cu ft

scf
ni = 0.80662 scf/371.2 ——— = 0.002173 lb mol
lb mol

cu cm
Vi = 101.646 res cu cm/0.02831685 × 106 ——– = 0.003590 res cu ft
cu ft

Third, calculate the reservoir volume of gas removed. For instance, at 3,900 psig,
111.503 – 101.646 = 9.857 res cu cm

Fourth, calculate the gas formation volume factor. For instance, at 3,900 psig,

9.857 res cu cm res vol

Bg = ———————– = 0.004926 ——— (6–1)
2,001.1 std cu cm std vol

Fifth, calculate the gas z-factor. For instance, at 3,900 psig,

psczT
Bg = ——— (6–1)
Tsczscp

BgTsc Zsc P (0.004926)(520)(1)(3914.7)

z = ——–—––– = ———————————— = 0.908
pscT (15.025)(275 + 460)

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THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

Sixth, convert the volume of gas removed into mass in pound moles. For
instance, at 3,900 psig,

std cu cm
2,001.1 std cu cm/0.02831685 × 106 ————– = 0.070668 scf
scf

scf
0.070668 scf/371.2 ——— = 0.000190 lb mol
lb mol

Seventh, calculate the total mass remaining in the cell. For instance, at 3,900 psig,

n2PH = 0.002173 – 0.000190 = 0.001983 lb mol

Eighth, calculate two-phase z-factor, For instance at 3,900 psig,

cu cm
V2PH = 101.646 res cu cm/0.02831685 × 106 ——— = 0.003590 res cu ft
cu ft

pV2PH = z2PHn2PHRT (5–39)

pV2PH (3,914.7)(0.003590)
z2PH = ———– = —————————————– = 0.899
n2PHRT (0.001983)(10.732)(275 + 460)

Ninth, calculate wellstream produced. For instance, at 3,900 psig,

2,001.1 std cu cm
wellstream produced = ———————– × 100 = 8.761%
22,841 std cu cm

Tenth, calculate the retrograde liquid volume. For instance, at 3,900 psig,

5.0823 res cu cm
retrograde liquid volume = ———————— × 100 = 5.0%
101.646 res cu cm

See page 11/17 and page 9/17 of table 8–1.

Calculated instantaneous and cumulative recovery during depletion

The initial composition of the gas and the compositions of the gases removed
at each of the constant volume depletion steps, along with the pressures and the
temperatures of the separators and stock tank, are used to calculate the results
of producing the gases through surface separation equipment. Various ratios are
calculated as shown on page 17/17 of table 8–1. As the title of that page indicates,
these numbers are calculated, not measured. The procedure for this calculation is
given elsewhere.1

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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

These calculations are very accurate if done with K-factors from a good
correlation. If done with an unturned equation of state or an equation of state tuned
to reservoir data, the accuracy of the results cannot be predicted but are suspect.
The term GPM in the lower tables of page 17/17 indicates the quantity of various
liquids that could be produced by sending either the separator gases or the entire
wellstream (as indicated) to a plant operating at 100% separation efficiency. GPM
means gallons of liquid produced in the plant per thousand standard cubic feet of
gas sent to the plant, or gallons per thousand (see chapter 5).
The calculated results reported on page 17/17 are combined with the cumulative
production data from the bottom of page 11/17 to calculate the cumulative
recoveries given on page 14/17. The numbers on this page are called factors and are
based on 1,000 Mscf of gas (as indicated on the upper left-hand corner). It is better
to think of this as MMscf. The factors in the column “Initial In-Place” are used for
calculations at pressures from initial pressure to dewpoint pressure. The columns
to the right, listed under the pressures for the various CVD depletion steps starting
at the dewpoint pressure, show cumulative factors—these are used for calculations
at pressures less than the dewpoint pressure. These factors are cumulative so only
the factors in the column for the selected abandonment pressure will be used. These
calculation procedures are illustrated in chapter 9.

Exercises
8–1. Name the three laboratory procedures normally performed for a gas
condensate reservoir fluid study.
8–2. You are preparing a reservoir engineering study for the gas condensate
reservoir represented by the reservoir fluid study RFL 88002. Determine the
values of the following items.
Reservoir conditions at the time of sampling, psig and °F __________________
Dewpoint pressure, psig ___________________________________________________
Location of the sampling point ____________________________________________
Composition of the heptanes plus in the original reservoir fluid, mole percent
___________________________________________________________________________
Maximum liquid dropout during CVD, % _________________________________
Gas z-factor at 275°F and 3,200 psig _______________________________________
Stock-tank liquid factor for use at pressures above dewpoint pressure, STB
___________________________________________________________________________
Producing gas-condensate ratio (primary + secondary separator gases)
for use at pressures equal to and greater than dewpoint pressure, scf/STB
___________________________________________________________________________

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THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

Initial producing stock-tank liquid gravity, °API ___________________________

Quantity of propane plus plant products in original reservoir fluid, GPM
___________________________________________________________________________

8–3. You are preparing a reservoir engineering study for the gas condensate
reservoir represented by the reservoir fluid study RFL 88002. Determine the
values of the following items.
Separator conditions at the time of sampling, psig and °F _________________
Depth of the producing interval, ft _________________________________________
Name of the formation ____________________________________________________
Molecular weight of the heptanes plus in the original reservoir fluid,
lb/lbmol_______________________________________________________________________
Specific gravity of the original reservoir fluid _______________________________
Gas z-factor at 275°F and 5,300 psig _______________________________________
Stock-tank liquid factor for use at an abandonment pressure of 1,200 psig,
STB/MMscf @ pd _________________________________________________________
Producing gas-condensate ratio (primary separator gas only) at pressures
equal to and greater than dewpoint pressure, scf/STB ______________________
Producing gas-condensate ratio (primary separator gas only) at an average
reservoir pressure of 2,500 psig, scf/STB __________________________________
Stock-tank liquid gravity at an average reservoir pressure of 2,500 psig,
°API ______________________________________________________________________

8–4. You are preparing a reservoir engineering study for the gas condensate
reservoir represented by the reservoir fluid study RFL 88002. Determine
values of the following items.
Quantity of liquid propane that can be produced in a plant from the total gas
produced at pressures greater than the dewpoint pressure, GPM ______________
Quantity of liquid propane which can be produced in a plant from the total
gas produced when the average reservoir pressure is 1,800 psig, GPM
___________________________________________________________________________
Molecular weight of the heptanes plus in the original reservoir gas
___________________________________________________________________________
Molecular weight of the heptanes plus in the gas produced when the average
reservoir pressure is 1,200 psig ___________________________________________
Composition of the heptanes plus in the original reservoir fluid, mole percent
___________________________________________________________________________
Composition of the heptanes plus in the gas produced when the average
reservoir pressure is 2,500 psig, mole percent _____________________________
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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

Composition of the carbon dioxide in the original reservoir fluid, mole

percent ____________________________________________________________________
Composition of the carbon dioxide in the gas produced when the average
reservoir pressure is 1,200 psig, mole percent _______________________________
Specific gravity of the original reservoir gas _______________________________
Specific gravity of the sample of separator gas ______________________________

8–5. The compositions of gas and liquid samples taken from a separator are
given below. The separator production was stabilized at 945 scf/STB.
Laboratory measurement indicated a separator/stock-tank volume ratio of
1.052 sp bbl/STB. The density and molecular weight of the separator liquid,
calculated with procedures given in chapter 14, is 49.64 lb/cu ft and 160.4
lb/lb mol at separator conditions of 115 psia and 100°F.

Composition, separator gas, Composition, separator liquid,

Component mole fraction mole fraction
C1 0.7833 0.0307
C2 0.0965 0.0191
C3 0.0663 0.0423
i- C4 0.0098 0.0147
n- C4 0.0270 0.0537
i- C5 0.0063 0.0310
n- C5 0.0064 0.0373
C6 0.0037 0.0622
C7+ 0.0007 0.7090
1.0000 1.0000
Properties of heptanes plus of separator liquid
  Specific gravity 0.850
  Molecular weight 202 lb/lb mole
You may assume heptanes plus of separator gas has a molecular weight of 103 lb/lb mole.

You may assume that the heptanes plus fraction of the separator gas has a
molecular weight of 103 lb/lb mol and a specific gravity of 0.7.
Producing gas-oil ratio remained constant prior to sampling, so you may
assume that the reservoir fluid is single phase. Calculate the composition of
the reservoir fluid. What type of reservoir fluid is this?

8–6. Continue exercise 8–5. Calculate the molecular weight and specific gravity
of the recombined fluid.
8–7. Samples of gas and liquid are taken from a first-stage separator operating at
500 psia and 75°F. The separator gas-oil ratio is constant at 2,347 SP scf/SP bbl.
The compositions of the samples are given in the table below (assume that

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the C7+ of the separator gas has a molecular weight of 103 lb/lb mol and a
specific gravity of 0.7). The density and molecular weight of the separator
liquid at separator conditions, calculated with procedures given in chapter
15, are 47.67 lb/cu ft and 127.0 lb/lb mol. Calculate the composition of the
reservoir fluid. What type of reservoir fluid is this?

Composition, separator gas, Composition, separator liquid,

Component mole fraction mole fraction
C1 0.8739 0.1437
C2 0.0776 0.0674
C3 0.0332 0.0902
i- C4 0.0033 0.0191
n- C4 0.0077 0.0587
i- C5 0.0014 0.0228
n- C5 0.0018 0.0380
C6 0.0009 0.0513
C7+ 0.0002 0.5088
1.0000 1.0000
Properties of heptanes plus of separator liquid
  Specific gravity 0.840
  Molecular weight 207 lb/lb mole

Nomenclature
Latin
bg Gas expansion factor, which is the reciprocal of the gas formation
volume factor, Mscf/res bbl of gas
Bg Gas formation volume factor, res bbl of gas/Mscf
mC7+ Mass of heptanes plus in reservoir fluid, lb/lb mol SP liquid
MC7+ Molecular weight of heptanes plus in reservoir fluid, lb/lb mol
MgC7+ Molecular weight of heptanes plus in gas, lb/lb mol
Mj Molecular weight of component j, lb/lb mol
MSPO Molecular weight of separator liquid, lb/lb mol
MLC7+ Molecular weight of heptanes plus in liquid, lb/lb mol
n Mass, lb mol
nC7+ Mass of heptanes plus in reservoir fluid, lb mol/lb mol SP liquid
ni Initial mass charge to laboratory cell in either CCE or CVD, lb mols
nj Mass of component j, lb mol
ngSPSP Separator gas-oil ratio, SP gas lb mol/SPO lb mol

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 Chapter 8 | Properties of Gas Condensates: Reservoir Fluid Studies

njSPSP Separator feed lb mol j/SPO lb mol, for component j

nSPSP Ratio of SP feed/spo, ∑njSPSP, SP feed lb mol/SPO lb mol
n2PH Mass of fluid (gas + liquid, i.e., two phase) in laboratory cell, lb mol
p Pressure, psia
pd Dewpoint pressure, psia
psc Standard pressure, psia
ratSPST Ratio of volume of SP oil (at SP conditions) to stock-tank oil (at std
conditions)
R Universal gas constant, 10.732 psia cu ft/lb mol °R
RSP Separator gas-oil ratio, SP gas scf/STB
RSPSP Separator gas-oil ratio, SP gas scf/SPO bbl
T Temperature, °R
Tsc Standard temperature, °R
V Volume, cu ft
VC7+ Volume of heptanes plus in reservoir fluid, cu ft/lb mol SP liquid
Vd Volume of gas at dewpoint pressure, cu cm
Vi Volume of initial mass charged to laboratory cell in CVD, res cu ft
Vsc Volume at standard conditions, scf
VM Molar volume, cu ft/lb mol
VMsc Molar volume at standard conditions, scf/lb mol
V2PH Total volume (gas + liquid, i.e., two phase) in laboratory cell, res cu ft
W1 Weight fraction of methane in petroleum defined in equation 14–18
W2 Weight fraction of ethane (and N2) in ethane plus defined in equation
14–19
xC7+ Composition of heptanes plus in liquid, mole fraction
xj Composition of component j in liquid, mole fraction
yC7+ Composition of heptanes plus in gas, mole fraction
yj Composition of component j in gas, mole fraction
z Gas compressibility factor, also called gas deviation factor or z-factor,
mole fraction
zj Composition of component j, mole fraction; in equation 8–5, this is the
composition of component j in total separator feed stream, mole fraction
zsc Gas compressibility factor at standard conditions, mole fraction
z2PH Two-phase compressibility factor, mole fraction

Greek
Δρp Density adjustment from pstd to pSP defined by equation 14–22, lb/cu ft
ΔρT Density adjustment from Tstd to TSP defined by equation 14–24, lb/cu ft

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THE PROPERTIES OF PETROLEUM FLUIDS, THIRD EDITION

γC7+ Specific gravity of heptanes plus in reservoir fluid

γgC7+ Specific gravity of heptanes plus in separator gas
γLC7+ Specific gravity of heptanes plus in separator liquid
ρbs Calculating factor defined in equation 14–23, lb/cu ft
ρC3+ Density of propane plus (including H2S) in petroleum liquid, lb/cu ft
ρC7+ Density of heptanes plus in reservoir fluid, lb C7+/cu ft C7+
ρj Density of component j, usually lb/cu ft, sometimes g/cu cm
ρpo Density of pseudoliquid defined in equation 14–20, lb/cu ft
ρSPO Density of separator liquid, lb/cu ft

Abbreviations
CCE Constant composition expansion (laboratory procedure); also called
constant mass expansion, CME
CVD Constant volume depletion (laboratory procedure)
GPM Gallons of liquid per thousand standard cubic feet of input gas produced
in a plant
PVT Pressure-volume-temperature
res Reservoir
scf Gas volume, measured or calculated at standard conditions, standard
cubic feet
std Standard, refers to standard conditions
sp Separator
SPO Separator liquid; this is condensate but often called oil
ST Stock tank
STB Stock-tank barrels, volume of stock-tank liquid at standard conditions,
bbl
z-factor Gas compressibility factor (defined in chapter 5), also called gas
deviation factor

Note
1. McCain, Properties of Petroleum Fluids, 2nd ed., 374–394.

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