Status of Equation of State Project at the NETL

Abstract

Abstract We describe a collaborative effort to accelerate the development of Equation of State (EoS) models to predict density and viscosity of crude oils at temperatures up to 533 K and pressures up to 276 MPa. These conditions are consistent with reservoirs encountered in ultra-deep formations such as in the Gulf of Mexico. The collaboration is organized by the U.S. Department of Energy-National Energy Technology Laboratory and two universities (University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Commonwealth University). This is being done by conducting well-defined validation experiments and by developing cubic and SAFT-based mathematical expressions for density and viscosity. The net result of this effort will be a suite of validated equations of state for crude oil at high temperature and high pressure conditions, and the widespread usage of these equations in reservoir simulators. Such reservoir models are critical not only to assess the magnitude of oil spills associated with failures in the wells or of production equipment but also to develop the appropriate response strategies should such accidents occur.