Evaluation of empirically derived PVT properties for Middle East crude oils

This study evaluates the most frequently used pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) empirical correlations to determine reservoir–fluid properties for Middle East crudes. The best available correlations were selected and their predictions compared with a large database of reservoir–fluid studies of samples representing all active areas of the Middle East. The comparison is based on statistical error analysis. This paper gives the best correlations for estimating: bubblepoint pressure, solution gas–oil ratio, oil formation volume factor at bubblepoint pressure, total formation volume factor, undersaturated oil compressibility, and undersaturated, saturated, and dead oil viscosities. of reservoir liquid and gas properties are often needed when detailed laboratory PVT data is not available. The published correlations that are not based on Middle East data perform poorly, but, when they are calibrated with this data, the performance improves.