An optical spectrometer has been coupled to a completely automated pressure volume temperature (PVT) system, enabling petroleum companies to analyze downhole fluid compositions and determine phase behavior equations of state at in-situ conditions (3,000 to 20,000 psi, 150� to 350� F). This system can be deployed at the rig site and enables samples to be analyzed immediately after recovery. Currently, offsite laboratory analysis is used; this requires at least one month and uses instrumentation that requires highly skilled technicians.A system was designed to monitor the physical properties and spectra in real-time.  A QC algorithm monitors the system's sequences of events to interpret the data in context. Acquired data is uploaded to a database and used to generate a calibration model for component predictions using chemometric analysis. The calibration model is then applied to the optical data of new samples to predict Methane, Ethane, Propane, Carbon Dioxide, Saturates, Aromatics, Resins and Asphaltenes, phase compositions, fluid density, and gas/oil ratio.Information obtained from the QC algorithm depicts the system's state (e.g., traces of total optical intensity of spectra, trends of the system's pressure and temperature, curves of the concentrations of light end gases, and SARA) from the beginning of an experiment to current time. A warning will be transmitted by means of automated analyses for events that require immediate attention, mitigating down time and low quality data collection. The QC program provides the ultimate view of the experimental progress to ensure that all data is recording and experiments follow designed routines.

Real-time QC optical PVT system and data analysis

244th National Meeting (2012)

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