Experimental and Theoretical Assessment of Using Propane to Remediate Liquid Buildup in Condensate Reservoirs

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents the results of an assessment of condensate phase behavior issues in the near-wellbore region. Constant composition expansion (CCE) studies were conducted to measure the retrograde liquid deposit data for a real reservoir fluid. Subsequently, the effect of adding light hydrocarbon gases on the vaporization of condensed liquid was studied. An equation of state (EOS) model was developed based on the measured data and was used to evaluate the experimentally observed phase behavior characteristics of the condensate fluid. Results indicate that although carbon dioxide can influence the liquid extraction properties of the condensate wellstream to some extent, the use of propane allows the system conditions to be supercritical conditions for most typical reservoir fluids at reservoir temperature and pressure. This allows for an enhanced liquid extraction capability, which subsequently improves wellbore extraction.