New correlations for CO2-Oil solubility and viscosity reduction for light oils

Abstract

This paper presents the development of new empirical correlations for (1) CO2 solubility in dead oil and (2) oil viscosity reduction ratio due to CO2 saturation. These correlations are specifically developed for light oils, i.e., with oil gravities less than 0.9 (greater than 26° API). The new correlations are developed to be simple equations and dependent only on reservoir temperature and pressure while maintaining a relatively high level of accuracy. The new correlations developed in this work can be used as a tool for better performance evaluation of CO2 injection into depleted oil fields and/or CO2 sequestration.