Heriot-Watt University/Baku Higher Oil School

Petroleum Engineering
Drilling

Laboratory Site Visit

Name

Konul Alizada H00177741

Experiment Title

AZLAB MMC Site Visit

Date

24th of November

Demonstrator

Mr. Kamyabi

The objective of this report is to illustrate AZLAB MMC site visiting procedures held on different
core sampling lab rooms on 24th of November. Scope of works includes general analysis of core
samples, biostratigraphic studies, PVT experiments, fluid and rock properties measurements
and etc.
The experiment has started in core preparation room of laboratory. In this room the drill press
apparatus for consolidated cores was observed. In the first step, plug samples in cylindrical
shape, usually 1 inch and 1.5 inch in diameter are taken from core samples with liquid nitrogen
lubricating fluid for testing. It is extremely essential that the drill press or its shaft does not
vibrate during the plugging process. Some core plugs which are not in perfect shape are
wrapped in Saran Wrap and with a few layers of thick aluminum foil through all sides.

Continuing by core plug sampling procedure we have observed diameter, weight and height
sizing of core plugs in Biostratigraphy room. After those processes plug samples are being
numbered and sent to the fluid extraction room of AZLAB.
Fluid extraction (method of continuous extraction by solvent) the core sample is loaded into
the Soxhlet extraction chamber, wherein the solvent (ex. toluene to remove oil, or methanol for
water/salt) is heated to reflux in the temperature range of 65-75C. The hot solvent drips back
down flooding the extraction chamber, until syphoning back down to the distillation flask carrying
dissolved fluids, or salt, extracted from the core. Several extraction cycles are repeated
continuously until it clean of all oil, or water and salt, which accumulate in the distillation flask.
Quantitative extraction of water (distillation method) the core sample is disposed into the
Soxhlet extraction chamber and heated to reflux with toluene. The water inside the pore is

vaporized by hot toluene and condensed into the Dean Stark trap together with the toluene
vapor. The water, less dense, is retained into the graduated trap, while the toluene returns to the
Soxhlet extraction chamber to a new extraction cycle. In this process the oil is also removed
from the core, accumulating in the distillation flask. And by the same way dissolved salt remains
are being removed with methanol in the temperature range of 50-55C. The whole extraction
procedure can take about 1 week to 1 month depending on the sample given. Low permeability
rocks may also require a long extraction time.

The next experiment was done in measuring room to determine core sample porosity and
permeability. Helium porosimeter apparatus is shown schematically:
Helium has advantages over other gases because: (1) its small molecules rapidly penetrated
small pores, (2) it is inert and does not adsorb on rock surfaces as air may do, (3) helium can be
considered as an ideal gas (i.e., z = 1.0) for pressures and temperatures usually employed in
the test, and (4) helium has a high diffusivity and therefore affords a useful means for
determining porosity of low permeability rocks. Porosimeter is applicable to measure total
percentage of porosity by displayed grain, pore and bulk volume of core sample. Two cylindrical

parts of the porosimeter are aimed to determine bulk and grain volumes by compression up to
400 psi pressure. Then pore volume can mathematically be found by the well-known formula:
Pore Volume = Bulk Volume - Grain Volume
At the same time, the grain volume can be measured knowing the total length and diameter of
core sample:

A= d / 4

Bulk Volume= A l

So by these ways two measurements must show similar values.

Permeability is measured by passing a fluid of known viscosity through a core sample of
measured dimensions and then measuring flow rate and pressure drop. Various techniques are
used for permeability measurements of cores, depending on sample dimensions and shape,
degree of consolidation, type of fluid used, ranges of confining and fluid pressure applied, and
range of permeability of the core. Constant head permeameter is used in our case to determine
given core sample permeability. Air is usually used as gas flow. Upstream and downstream
pressures are measured by manometers on both sides of the core and air flow is measured by
means of a calibrated outlet.

The mobile PVT system is designed to perform PVT tests on reservoir fluids at the field location
or in the laboratory. The system uses an embedded high pressure pump to control the pressure
and volume of the reservoir fluid in the cell. The unit can be configured for either oil or gas
condensates studies by inverting the position of the cell. A video camera system automatically

determines the gas/liquid interface and measures the volume of retrograde condensate during
gas

condensate

studies. A

magnetic

coupled

stirrer

mounted

inside

the

sample

chamber provides efficient fluid mixing and ensures fast equilibrium of sample phases. Sample
heating is provided by a heating jacket wrapped around the cell. The system can endure the
max pressure of 15000 psi and operates at 12000 psi. Different amount of condensates can be
applied and in our case the condensate is 2.42cc in volume The system is capable of doing
measurements on density, dew point, compressibility, and hydrocarbon composition. In our
visiting we have observed two procedures by PVT apparatus: density and dew point
measurements.
Density estimation was done using pycnometer. Initially, the mass of empty pycnometer was
estimated using sensitive mass scale. And to measure the mass of pycnometer together with
condensate the pycnometer was placed into PVT cell filled with condensate. Later the new
mass of pycnometer was scaled by device. By the subtraction of those values we could obtain
the mass of condensate which was required to find. As we have previously known the volume of
condensate as 2.42 cm, we could calculate the density of that condensate by:

mass of pycnometer=677.380 grams

mass of pycnometer filled with condensate=678.315 grams

mass of condensate=678.315677.380=0.935 grams

density of condensate=

0.935
=0.386 grams per cm
2.42

Secondly, dew point pressure was observed through PVT system. Dew point pressure is
determined by visual observation through the windowed cell using a video camera. To see the
first drop on our core sample pressure on the cell was dropped by 100 psi every time till the first
drop was seen. Obtaining condensate and to get it back to its initial condition can be seen easy
in lab, but the case is complicated when we consider huge amount of reserves.
The last stage of AZLAB visit was completed by observing viscometer apparatus. The main
objective was to determine the kinematic viscosity by capillary type viscometer. For capillary
viscometers the time is measured in seconds for a fixed volume of liquid to flow under gravity
through the capillary at a closely controlled temperature. The kinematic viscosity is the product

of the measured flow time and the calibration constant of the viscometer, the dynamic viscosity
can be obtained by multiplying the measured kinematic viscosity by the density of the liquid.