PVT analyses as an effective tool in the hands of the petroleum engineer. Downhole reservoir fluid sampling for PVT analysis

Abstract

The most important aspect of laboratory analysis is undoubtedly to acquire data of the highest quality. The worldwide trend of drilling into deeper reservoirs characterised by the high temperature and high pressure (HTHP) conditions makes the newly discovered reservoirs challenging because of bearing fluids with an unprecedented diversity of phase behaviour and variability of phase parameters over time. Due to the high temperature of the deep horizons constituting the reservoir rock, many individual components of the reservoir fluids are located in a region close to their critical temperatures, i.e. gas condensate (retrograde condensation region) or volatile oil. In particular, gas condensate reservoirs are challenging to analyse. They are highly prone to the errors resulting from phase behaviour testing when using samples that are incompatible with the original reservoir in-situ fluid that saturates the reservoir rock pores. Taking the representative samples of reservoir fluid is an essential requirement to obtain reliable data that can characterise such phase-variable multicomponent reservoirs. The primary purpose of hydrocarbon fluid analysis in case of new discoveries is to determine the type of reservoir fluid system. It should also be borne in mind that without a sufficiently long production process from several intervals and/or several wells, it can be challenging to classify the fluid with confidence, especially at the initial analysis stage. The paper presents issues related to sampling of the reservoir fluid (such as crude oil and natural gas) for the physical property and phase behaviour analyses (PVT), usually accompanied by chemical analyses. The importance of representativeness of the samples in performing reliable tests that have a significant impact on the hydrocarbon production was discussed. The data obtained from the PVT laboratory are widely used in economic reports concerning local, regional or finally national hydrocarbon reserves. Other applications of the PVT data include coordination of reservoir exploitation methods related to a particular fluid composition, as well as input to design requirements for the surface facilities development, and selection of the suitable technology for hydrocarbon fluid treatment prior to introduction to the market. Various techniques of downhole sampling were mentioned and characterised with an explanation of their applicability. The criteria for selection of a proper method were also presented.