Effect of Saturation on Mobility of Low Liquid-Vapor Ratio Fluids
Authors: Ham Jerry D. , Eilerts C. Kenneth 
Published: December 2007

Laboratory research has been conducted to evaluate the characteristic effects of condensate saturation on the mobility of gas in typical reservoir rocks. A pump with two pistons provided phases in equilibrium at controlled flow rates and constant liquid-vapor volume ratios. Core samples were tested in a holder that permitted sealing steady-state phases in the pore spaces under flow test pressures for weighing with sufficient precision to give an accurate measure of the attained saturations. Parameters of the study were pressure, apparent velocity, flowing liquid-vapor volume ratio, fluid composition, core material and length-to-diameter ratio. Tests were conducted at 515 and 1,515 psia to determine the effect of pressure on the mobility-saturation relationship. Influence of the apparent velocities 0.30, 0.15 and 0.07 cm/ sec and of five liquid-vapor volume ratios from 0.0001 to 0.01 was determined at 515 psia. The principal fluid system was nitrogen and and separator liquid from a Gulf Coast condensate, but the effect of a condensate of different viscosity was also determined. The significance of a possible concentration of liquid near the outlet end of the test cores was investigated. Core materials included a consolidated sandstone and a low-permeability limes tone.

Relative mobility and liquid-vapor volume ratio relationships are concluded to be dependent on pressure, saturation and, to a lesser extent, on velocity. For each porous medium and fluid there is a minimum saturation essential to two-phase flow, and high velocities of flow have only limited effect on saturations in this range.

INTRODUCTION

It is now recognized that knowledge of the availability of a reservoir gas - the period that gas may be recovered from a reservoir at a given rate - is as important as the estimate of gas in place. When reservoir conditions are such that pressure decline owing to production will result in retrograde condensation, liquid saturation can increase in the structure around the production well in a way that may restrict flow capacity, and hence future availability.1

Based on a numerical solution of transient radial flow of single-phase gas-condensate fluids,2 a program for computing the accumulation of condensate in a reservoir and the effect of this condensate on deliverability has been developed.3 During this development a need evolved for data that described the influence of pressure, velocity of flow and condensed liquid on mobility as recovery progressed.

This paper presents the results of experimental investigation to obtain insight into the mobility relationship at reservoir pressures of gas-condensate fluids. A core holder for flow tests at reservoir pressure was developed to weigh the core and its fluid contents under pressure to determine saturation. A specially constructed pump was used to drive a two-phase fluid through the core until a steady state prevailed. The core was used as a differential device, and properties measured were intensive rather than extensive.

APPARATUS

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the major pieces of equipment used in the mobility determination. The weighable core holder is connected to a two-piston, constant-displacement pump. Attainment of steady-state flow is indicated by stability of the flow differential read from the high-pressure manometer.

WEIGHABLE CORE HOLDER

An important part of the data needed was the mobility-saturation relationship. This required that mobilities and saturations be measured at pressures, flow velocities and liquid-vapor volume ratios characteristic of condensate reservoirs.

WEIGHABLE CORE HOLDER

An important part of the data needed was the mobility-saturation relationship. This required that mobilities and saturations be measured at pressures, flow velocities and liquid-vapor volume ratios characteristic of condensate reservoirs.