First Laboratory Report
Reservoir Fluid Properties Laboratory
Faculty of Energy & Environmental Engineering
Petroleum Engineering & Gas Technology (DY2)
Module Leader: Dr. Ramadan Emara
Teaching Assistant: Eng. Hamed Ali
Prepared by: Muhammad Metwalli – 199372
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 3
2. Experimental Equipment ......................................................................................................... 3
3. Experimental Procedure .......................................................................................................... 4
4. Results & Calculations ............................................................................................................ 4
.5 Sources of Errors ..................................................................................................................... 5
6. Comments ................................................................................................................................ 6
7. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 6
8. References ............................................................................................................................... 6
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Table of figures
Figure 1. Pycnometer (Fluid Laboratory) ....................................................................................... 3
Figure 2. Electronic Balance (Fluid Laboratory) ............................................................................ 3
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1. Introduction
It is important to know that every fluid responds to factors like pressure, temperature and many
other factors according to its properties like density, viscosity, and specific volume. Therefore,
being able to tell the fluid in the reservoir is very significant to know how to treat it properly.
Water, oil, and gas are the three fluids that may be found in the reservoir while drilling.
Furthermore, knowing the type of fluid in the reservoir is critical for making production decisions,
determining fluid sampling and analysis procedures, determining the sizes and types of surface
equipment, predicting initial gas and oil in place, and choosing recovery strategies (McCain, 1993).
There are five types of hydrocarbons that may exist in the reservoir, which are black or heavy oil,
volatile or light oil, retrograde gas or condensate, wet gas, and dry gas (McCain, 1993). This
experiment aims to determine the type of a sample of fluid by performing the API test.
2. Experimental Equipment
• Pycnometer
The pycnometer shown in figure 1 is a container that is used in the
laboratory that aids in measuring the fluid density. It must be completely
Figure 1. Pycnometer
filled with the fluid whose density is to be measured. (Fluid Laboratory)
• Electronic Balance
Electronic balance is a laboratory device that is used to
measure the mass of an unknown object (usually small
masses). In this experiment, the balance was used to weight
Figure 2. Electronic Balance (Fluid
the pycnometer twice to measure the oil sample mass. Laboratory)
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3. Experimental Procedure
- Clean and dry the pycnometer.
- Weight the empty pycnometer using the electronic balance and record the reading.
(24.097 gm)
- Fill the pycnometer completely with oil and place the capillary to ensure that excess fluid
is removed.
- Weight the pycnometer that is filled with oil using the electronic balance and record the
reading. (63.89 gm)
- Use the API formula to calculate the oil APIº and determine the fluid type.
4. Results & Calculations
First, calculating the fluid density (𝜌𝑜 ):
𝑚𝑜 = 𝑚𝑝𝑦𝑐𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑖𝑙 − 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑦 𝑝𝑦𝑐𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 63.89 − 24.097 = 39.793 𝑔𝑚
𝑉𝑜 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑦𝑐𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 50 𝑚𝐿
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 39.793
𝜌𝑜 = = = 0.7958 𝑔𝑚/𝑚𝐿
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 50
Second, calculating the fluid specific gravity (S.G.):
𝜌𝑜 0.7958
𝑆. 𝐺.𝑜𝑖𝑙 = = = 0.7958
𝜌𝑤 1
Finally, calculating the fluid APIº using the API formula:
141.5 141.5
𝐴𝑃𝐼 = − 131.5 = − 131.5 = 46.295
𝑆. 𝐺. 0.7958
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5. Sources of Errors
This experiment is subject to several sources of error that may result in inaccurate readings or
calculations. Knowing and analyzing the sources of error is an important factor that aids in
minimizing the errors within the experiment to get the most possible accurate results. The errors
in this experiment may be classified as follows:
• Human errors
These types of errors usually arise as a result of the lack of experience of the individuals who
perform the experiment. For instance, not filling the pycnometer completely or overfilling it
which will result in wrong mass readings. Moreover, an individual may use the balance while
weighting the pycnometer without making sure it is reset to zero.
These types of errors can be avoided by repeating the experience several times until the
individual gains enough experience that qualifies him/her to experiment efficiently.
• Systematic errors
These errors occur due to defections in the instruments used in the experiment, which may arise
over time as a result of overusing the instrument, or a manufacturing industry defect.
These errors can be minimized by calibrating and testing the instruments to known
measurements of the same kind to make sure the instrument is working properly.
• Random errors
These errors arise as a result of unplanned or uncontrolled conditions. For example, the electronic
balance may be affected by the air in the room. Besides, it may have some dust on its surface
that gives extra weight. In the case of pycnometer, it may not release the bubbles in the fluid
efficiently.
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6. Comments
According to the American Petroleum Institute, hydrocarbon API gravity may be classified
between heavy (black) oil, volatile (light or crude) oil, and condensate based on the following
ranges:
Black oil: ºAPI < 24
Volatile oil: 24 > ºAPI > 50
Condensate: ºAPI > 50
After carrying out this experiment the ºAPI was found to be 46.295, which lays in the range of
volatile oil. Therefore, the hydrocarbon sample used throughout this experiment is volatile oil.
7. Conclusion
To sum up, there are three possible fluids that can be found in the reservoir, which are oil, gas, or
water. Determining the type of fluid is crucial to know its properties and how to deal with it
properly. There are five classifications for reservoir hydrocarbons. Namely, black or heavy oil,
volatile oil, condensate or retrograde gas, wet gas, and dry gas. This experiment aim was to classify
a given sample of oil according to its APIº, which was achieved and found to be volatile oil having
APIº of 46.295 (according to API ranges). Finally, determining the fluid type is an important aspect
that affects the process of production, enhanced recovery, and surface treatment.
8. References
McCain, J. (1993, October 1). Chemical composition determines behavior of reservoir fluids.
Petroleum Engineer International; (United States). Retrieved March 3, 2022, from
https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5960986-chemical-composition-determines-behavior-
reservoir-fluids
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