Department of Petroleum Engineering
PETE205: Petroleum Fluid Properties
3 credits : 2 50-minute lectures + 1 3-hour laboratory session per week
Required
Catalog Description: The phase behavior of hydrocarbon systems as related to petroleum
recovery is introduced. This includes ideal and real gas behavior, single and multi-component
two-phase systems, and properties of reservoir fluids under various conditions of pressure
and temperature. Laboratory tests include determination of various properties of oil and gas
mixtures.
Prerequisite:
ME 203: Thermodynamics I
Textbook:
1. "The Properties of Petroleum Fluids" by William D. McCain
PennWell Books, Second Edition (1990).
Jr.,
2. Class notes and hand-outs prepared by the instructor.
References:
1. PennWell “Phase Behavior" by Curtis H. Whitson and Michael R.
Brule, Monograph volume 20, SPE (2000).
2. "PVT and Phase Behavior of Petroleum Reservoir Fluids" by Ali
Danesh, Elsevier (1998).
Course Objectives:
1. Introduce the student to the science and techniques of estimating reservoir fluid
behavior.
2. Emphasize the impact of reservoir fluid behavior on reservoir exploitation.
3. Train the student on routine laboratory work involved in PVT analysis.
Topics and Hours:
Topic
1. Introduction
2. Petroleum fluid composition
3. Phase behavior
4. Reservoir types
5. Equations of state
6. Properties of gases
7. Properties of black oils – Definitions
8. Properties of black oils – Fluid studies
9. Properties of black oils – Correlations
10. Gas-liquid equilibrium
11. Properties of oilfield waters
Laboratory Experiments:
Method of Evaluation:
Homework assignments:
Quizzes and exams:
13
10%
30%
Class Hrs
2
3
2
2
2
3
3
4
4
2
3
Total Hours 30
Laboratory:
Final exam:
Total:
25%
35%
100%
Contribution to Professional Component:
Engineering Science and Design: All topics relate to the application of scientific and
engineering principles to the estimation of reservoir fluid behavior and the impact of such
behavior on reservoir performance.
Relationship of Course Learning Outcomes to Program Outcomes:
Course Learning Outcome
1. Apply thermodynamic principles to
petroleum mixtures to quantify gasliquid equilibrium.
2. Ability to determine properties of a
real reservoir fluid experimentally as
well as estimating those properties by
correlations.
3. Ability to characterize reservoir fluid
types and apply a suitable method to
predict behavior.
4. Ability to use relevant computer
software to study fluid behavior.
5. Ability to design an experimental setup
to evaluate fluid properties and cross
check the validity of the experimental
results.
Program Outcome
 Ability to apply knowledge of math,
science and engineering.
 Ability to design and conduct
experiments as well as to analyze and
interpret data.
Prepared by: Dr. Abdullah S. Sultan, May, 2010.
Instructors: Dr. Abdullah S. Sultan, Assistant Professor, Department of Petroleum
Engineering, 16-260, (03) 860-2586, sultanas@kfupm.edu.sa .