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PVT LABORATORY
AT
DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM
ENGINEERING

Day-2, Friday July 15- PVT Laboratory. at PED

3Days Workshop

July 14-16,2011

PVT SAMPLING

Day-2, Friday July 15- PVT Laboratory. at PED

3Days Workshop

July 14-16,2011

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Aim of Reservoir Fluid Sampling
Collect representative reservoir fluid samples to conduct PVT lab studies
A representative fluid by definition refers to
Fluid coming into wellbore from the furthest part of the reservoir by displacing near
wellbore fluid (New wells, MDT Samples)
Samples must cover the entire range of stratigraphic/structural boundaries
Wells should be sampled across all stacked reservoirs containing various fluids
Sampling is as important as the PVT study itself
Fluid sampling at early stage/field life is usually done for aiding appraisal &
development planning purposes and in late life may be for various reasons:
identifying communication or calibrating/modifying early fluid model predictions

Day-2, Friday July 15- PVT Laboratory. at PED

3Days Workshop

July 14-16,2011

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Reservoir Fluid Sampling Techniques
Choice of sampling method may be affected by a number of factors
Type of reservoir fluid to be sampled
Degree of reservoir depletion (Saturated/Undersaturated)
Well flowing conditions
The volume required for various PVT experiments
Location of the well (particularly in off-shore)
Mechanical conditions of the hole
Depending upon the aforementioned factors, one of the following two methods can
be used
Bottom hole Samples
Surface Samples

Day-2, Friday July 15- PVT Laboratory. at PED

3Days Workshop

July 14-16,2011

Reservoir Fluid Sampling Techniques

Most important consideration is the type of reservoir fluid and its saturation
condition
Gas Case: Wellhead gas samples are enough
Under-saturated Oil Case: Bottom hole samples are usually recommended
Saturated Oil Case: Separator samples of oil & gas are recommended
Gas Condensate & Volatile Oil Case: Separator samples of oil & gas are
recommended

Day-2, Friday July 15- PVT Laboratory. at PED

3Days Workshop

July 14-16,2011

When & how much to sample

As early as possible to minimize the affects of pressure depletion and obtain
original & representative reservoir fluid. This is usually achieved by sampling
during MDT or DST
At least three complete sets of samples are required to check the consistency and
perform standard PVT lab experiments
In case of bottom hole samples three 600cc cylinders are required
In case of separator sampling three gas cylinders of 20ltr each and for oil 600cc
each
In case of any special requirement, such as MSFST, Swelling Test or Miscible
Displacement Test, the required sample numbers & volume must be agreed upon
with the lab performing these test

Day-2, Friday July 15- PVT Laboratory. at PED

3Days Workshop

July 14-16,2011

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Sampling Conditions & Information
Well conditioning is very important prior to sample collection, which basically
involves three things
Managing well flow rate
Maintaining & recording production trend as long as possible
Gradually reducing the rate to:
Reduce drawdown to minimum
Increase the BHP to maximum
Maintain constant GOR/CGR
Following information at the time of sampling must be collected/recorded

Reservoir pressure
BHP @ sampling depth
Reservoir temperature
Wellhead P & T
Separator P & T
Flow rates of separator gas/oil & stock tank oil
Separator oil shrinkage
API gravity of stock tank oil
BS&W
Comments/Remarks/Notes

Day-2, Friday July 15- PVT Laboratory. at PED

3Days Workshop

July 14-16,2011