Sensitivity Analysis of Petroleum Phase Behavior Prediction

Abstract

This work focuses on the phase behavior of a hydrocarbon system including a Cn+ fraction. The sensitivity to changes in critical properties, number of hypothetical components, and also to the last boiling point is studied and summarized. First, a characterization of the Cn+ fraction is carried out and the phase behavior predicted; second, advanced characterization is used to improve the phase behavior; and thirci, the initial characterization is changed within the degrees of freedom given in the experimental distillation data. The phase behavior is predicted for every modification and compared to the initial phase behavior and the available experimental data. Also, the change in volumetric properties, in terms of liquid drop out for a gas and gas to oil ratio for an oil, is predicted and noted.