Page 16 - PVT Property Correlations

Preface

Estimation of PVT properties is essential in performing almost any engineer-
ing calculation in the petroleum industry. We cannot think of any application
in this industry that does not require some formation volume factor or vis-
cosity values. PVT properties are derived from laboratory measurements
and/or PVT correlations. Errors in PVT data inference can cause wrong esti-
mates of reserves, inaccurate prediction of production rates, suboptimal
designs of artificial lift systems, and incorrect parameter estimates from well
tests. In absence of PVT laboratory measurements, it is of paramount impor-
tance to use appropriate techniques to estimate accurate PVT properties.
The importance of PVT properties is clear from the significant amount of
research available on the topic. Numerous PVT correlations have been devel-
oped over the years, which shows the importance of the topic. The large
number of available correlations may also cause confusion and ambiguity for
young engineers. With the development of many correlations and appearance
of claims of superiority of one correlation over the others, we felt the need
for a book that tackles this very topic. Guidelines are needed to select and
properly use the correlations. This book hopefully clarifies the proper ways
to use different correlations for different fluid types. The examples in this
book were chosen to provide hands-on approaches and correlations applica-
tions. In addition, the book discusses techniques for selection of correlations
that will better perform in different situations. Many of these PVT correla-
tions are provided through access to a PVT properties calculator.
In today’s environment artificial intelligence techniques applications in
the petroleum industry are growing to tackle many of our everyday opera-
tional activities. A chapter dedicated to discussing artificial neural network
applications in deriving PVT properties is therefore worthwhile. With this
chapter the book intends to cover a wide spectrum from the early days of
simple PVT correlations to the most sophisticated techniques available to
date on this topic.

Ahmed El-Banbi

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