Time-Dependent Compressibility of Crude Oil in Gelled State Measured by a New Apparatus

Abstract

Summary Compressibility is a basic property of gelled crude oil, which was always regarded as a constant in the unsteady-pipe-flow process. In this article, the compressibility of gelled crude oil was accurately measured, and some new characteristics were discovered by a new apparatus that was developed using a special sealing method consisting of an elastic film and the Newtonian fluid. There was no leakage in the special hermetical method, and the unexpected seal-ring deformation of the piston in the traditional compression apparatus was also well-avoided. Using the new apparatus, compressibility of the gelled crude oil was tested and it was found that the compressibility of gelled crude oil is strongly time dependent.