A wide variation
in composition and thermodynamic properties is
expected for different reservoir fluids, from the simplest one containing
only methane and light compounds to those with high compositional
complexity. In this work, phase behavior of six different reservoir
fluids recombined with methane was compared and contrasted. From our
past work (Experimental Study of the Phase Behavior of Methane and Crude Oil
MixturesRomero YanesJ. F.FeitosaF. X.FlemingF. P.de Sant’AnaH. B.
Romero Yanes, J. F.
Feitosa, F. X.
Fleming, F. P.
de Sant’Ana, H. B.
Fuel2019255115850), a low asphaltene crude oil [28.0° American Petroleum Institute
(API) gravity, 0.68 wt % n-C7 asphaltenes],
referred to here as BRO, has presented a complex phase behavior when
mixed with methane, especially when the methane content is around
75.0 mol %. On the basis of these results, the phase behavior of six
different crude oils mixed with 75.0 mol % methane was studied in
this work. The main characteristics of samples can be summarized as
follows: a light condensate fluid (P1, 44.0° API gravity, and
no detected n-C7 asphaltenes), three medium
crude oils [(P2, 30.8° API gravity, and 0.09 wt % n-C7 asphaltenes), (P3, 26.0° API gravity, and 0.54
wt % n-C7 asphaltenes), and (P4, 25.1°
API gravity, and 0.12 wt % n-C7 asphaltenes)],
and two heavier crude oils [(P5, 19.5° API gravity, and 2.69
wt % n-C7 asphaltenes) and (P6, 18.7°
API gravity, and 2.09 wt % n-C7 asphaltenes)].
From these fluids, mixtures with methane were prepared and their phase
behavior was evaluated using a constant composition expansion test,
coupled with a near-infrared solid detection system and high-pressure
microscopy. For P1 and P4 systems, a unique phase transition at the
bubble point was detected. On the other hand, for P2 and P3 systems,
non-typical multiphase equilibria were observed associated with asphaltene
precipitation, similar to that described for the BRO mixture. Phase
segregation with no fractal geometry was observed from the phase transition
onset pressure to the bubble pressure for P2, BRO, and P3 crude oils.
Additionally, BRO and P3 show minor aggregation at pressures above
the bubble pressure, with rapid redissolution when gas evolves at
saturation pressures. P5 and P6 systems have phase transitions at
a higher pressure because of their high asphaltene content. Phase
transitions and related characteristics were associated with crude
oil solvency for heavy compounds and their stability.