Determination of Hydrocarbon Properties by Optical Analysis During Wireline Fluid Sampling

Abstract

Summary Recent innovations in wireline fluid sampling have allowed the expedient recovery of high-quality oil samples. The use of the Optical Fluid Analyzer† (OFA), a part of the Modular Formation Dynamics Tester† (MDT), to predict sample fluid type and quality has now become an essential part of the sampling process. The ability to use the optical data from the OFA in a more quantitative manner has been under development for several years. This paper demonstrates that the analysis of the optical spectra measured downhole can be used to give a quantitative indication of some hydrocarbon properties before or during sampling. Clearly, there are many potential benefits to be gained from using these optical spectra while sampling to assist in reservoir characterization and determination of oil type. Optical data gathered while taking oil samples in 21 wells (drilled with water-based mud) offshore Norway were correlated with the pressure/volume/temperature (PVT) properties of those samples. The samples were selected to ensure a wide range of oil types to establish correlations between the fluid and optical properties. Correlations have been found between the optical response and some fluid properties, as determined from PVT laboratory measurements of the samples. Oil density, saturation pressure (pb), oil compressibility (co), formation volume factor (Bo), and gas/oil ratio (GOR) gave good correlations. Weaker correlations were found with other properties. The GOR and the optical responses could become measured variables with the possible future addition of a GOR measurement sensor to the MDT. Improved correlations are demonstrated when this feature is simulated. The results of this study show that the optical data measured during wireline fluid sampling can help determine key in-situ hydrocarbon properties.