Measurement of minimum miscibility pressure: A state of the art review

Birol Dindoruk, Russell Johns, Franklin M. Orr

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper gives a critical review of miscibility measurement techniques published in the open literature along with recommendations and lessons learned. Many of these suggested methods violate the assumptions for multicontact miscibility (MCM). The confusion often arises from a failure to distinguish between the first-contact miscibility (FCM), in which two fluids can be mixed in all proportions without forming two phases, and MCM, in which fluid compositions that arise during the flow of two phases in a porous medium approach a specific critical point within the constraints of the MCM definition. There are many analytical, numerical, correlational, and experimental methods available to estimate the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) for MCM flow. The numerous available methods, some of which are quite inexpensive, have caused significant confusion in the literature and in practice regarding their ability to estimate MMP. Our experience has shown that the best methods are those that honor the multicontact process (MCM), in which flow interacts with phase behavior in a prescribed way. Good methods that achieve this are slim-tube experiments, detailed slim-tube smulations, multiple mixing cell calculation methods, and the method-of-characteristics (MOC). Techniques such as the rising bubble apparatus (RBA) and vanishing interfacial tension (VIT) experiments are subject to significant uncertainties, though they may still provide quite useful information. Numerous MMP correlations have been developed. They should be used with caution for systems similarto those used to develop the correlation. Use for other systems can lead to significant errors. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of most current methods and show that various combinations of methods can reduce uncertainty.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSociety of Petroleum Engineers - SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference 2020, IOR 2020
PublisherSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
ISBN (Electronic)9781613997055
StatePublished - 2020
EventSPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference 2020, IOR 2020 - Tulsa, United States
Duration: Aug 31 2020Sep 4 2020

Publication series

NameProceedings - SPE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery
Volume2020-August

Conference

ConferenceSPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference 2020, IOR 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityTulsa
Period8/31/209/4/20

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

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