Hydrocarbon Phase Behavior Calculator

Advanced phase behavior estimates from standard engineering correlations. Choose inputs, units, and sour-gas corrections easily. Download CSV or PDF and share results with teams.

Inputs
Responsive layout: 3 columns (large), 2 (small), 1 (mobile)

Reservoir pressure at calculation point.
Reservoir temperature at calculation point.
Used with gas gravity to estimate Ppc/Tpc.
Adjusts pseudo-critical properties for nonhydrocarbons.
Iterative option is recommended for wider ranges.
Adds a small cost due to extra z evaluations.
Used for black-oil region screening.
Solution GOR at bubble point.
Bubble point pressure.
Reset

How to use this calculator

  1. Choose a unit system, then enter reservoir pressure and temperature.
  2. Enter gas gravity, oil API, and any CO₂/H₂S/N₂ mol% if known.
  3. Select pseudo-critical and z-factor correlations suited to your data.
  4. Provide either Rsb or Pb for oil screening.
  5. Press Calculate. Results appear above the form.
  6. Use the download buttons to export CSV or PDF.

Formulas used (engineering correlations)

Gas pseudo-critical properties
Estimated from gas gravity (Sutton or Standing–Katz fit), optionally corrected for CO₂/H₂S/N₂.
  • Reduced properties: Pr = P/Ppc and Tr = T/Tpc.
  • Impurity adjustment (screening): Ppc′ = Ppc + 440yCO₂ + 600yH₂S − 170yN₂, Tpc′ = Tpc − 80yCO₂ − 130yH₂S + 250yN₂.
Gas z-factor
Choose an iterative correlation (Dranchuk–Abou-Kassem) or an explicit correlation (Papay).
  • DAK: solves for reduced density ρr = 0.27 Pr/(z Tr) iteratively, then evaluates z.
  • Papay: explicit fit using Pr and Tr.
Gas density, Bg, and viscosity
  • Gas density: real-gas equation with molecular weight from gas gravity.
  • Bg: Bg = 0.02827 z T/P (Field units).
  • Gas viscosity: Lee–Gonzalez–Eakin correlation (uses density and temperature).
Oil screening (black-oil)
Standing-type correlations and Beggs–Robinson viscosity correlation.
  • Bubble point: computed from Rsb (or inverted to estimate Rsb from Pb).
  • Rs at pressure: for P ≤ Pb, Standing Rs is used (capped by Rsb).
  • Bo: Bo = 0.972 + 0.000147·F^1.175, where F = Rs·sqrt(gg/γo) + 1.25·T.
  • Oil viscosity: Beggs–Robinson dead/saturated/undersaturated forms.
Tip: For gas-condensate and compositional phase envelopes, use an EOS-based flash calculation with component analysis.

Example dataset

Pressure (psia) Temp (°F) Gas gravity API CO₂ (mol%) N₂ (mol%) Rsb (scf/stb) z Bg (rb/scf) Pb (psia) Bo (rb/stb) μo (cP)
3000 180 0.75 35 2 1 650 0.8498 0.005123 2,634 1.3707 0.572
Use “Load Example” to populate the form with these values.

Correlation coverage and practical limits

This calculator supports reservoir screening when laboratory PVT is unavailable. Gas pseudo-critical properties come from gas gravity using two standard fits. Oil properties use black-oil correlations driven by API gravity, temperature, and solution gas–oil ratio. For consistent behavior, keep gas gravity within 0.55–1.20 and API within 5–60, matching the input checks. The workflow is best for lean to moderate systems; rich condensates should be handled with a compositional EOS. Use sensitivity checks by varying pressure ±10% and temperature ±5°F to understand uncertainty and margins during early planning stages.

Gas z-factor and density workflow

The gas module converts pressure and temperature into reduced properties, Pr = P/Ppc and Tr = T/Tpc, then evaluates compressibility factor z. The iterative option solves for reduced density and is typically stable across a wide Pr range. With z, gas formation volume factor is computed as Bg = 0.02827·z·T/P in Field units. Gas density follows the real-gas equation using molecular weight derived from gas gravity.

Sour-gas adjustment and sensitivity

When CO₂, H₂S, or N₂ are present, corrected pseudo-critical properties can shift z at the same P and T. Increasing CO₂ and H₂S generally raises Ppc and lowers Tpc, increasing Pr and decreasing Tr. That combination often reduces z and increases density. Because responses are nonlinear, export CSV results to compare “correction on” versus “off” cases and document assumptions.

Oil bubble point screening outputs

The oil block estimates bubble point pressure Pb from Rsb, or reverses the relation to estimate Rsb from Pb. At pressures below Pb, Rs is evaluated and capped by Rsb to reflect solution gas depletion. Bo is computed from temperature and Rs, then used with density mixing to estimate live-oil density. Oil viscosity uses dead, saturated, and undersaturated forms; above Pb, viscosity increases with pressure.

Reporting, exports, and engineering QA

Results are displayed above the input form to support fast iteration. The CSV export records inputs, selected methods, and outputs for spreadsheets and audit trails. The PDF report provides a compact snapshot for field notes. For QA, run two passes using different z correlations, confirm trends, and validate key points against separator tests or production data whenever available.

FAQs

What inputs are required to run a calculation?

Provide pressure, temperature, gas gravity, and oil API. Then enter either Rsb or Pb for the oil block. Optional CO₂, H₂S, and N₂ mol% improve sour-gas screening.

Which z-factor option should I use?

Use the iterative correlation for broader pressure and temperature coverage and smoother behavior near dense-gas conditions. The explicit correlation is fast and useful for quick checks, but may deviate at higher Pr.

How are CO₂, H₂S, and N₂ handled?

Their mol% values adjust pseudo-critical pressure and temperature before computing Pr and Tr. This changes z, Bg, and density. If composition is uncertain, compare corrected versus uncorrected runs and treat the difference as sensitivity.

What does the phase region label indicate?

It compares your pressure to the estimated bubble point. Above Pb it reports undersaturated oil behavior. At or below Pb it flags two-phase likelihood. This is a screening indicator, not a full flash calculation.

Do unit choices affect exports?

Exports follow your selected unit system for pressure, temperature, and density. Some oil and gas ratios are traditionally reported in Field units, so those terms remain in scf/stb style where noted in the CSV.

Why might results differ from lab PVT or simulators?

Correlations are empirical and cannot capture full compositional effects, heavy ends, or tuning. Temperature reference conditions, impurity handling, and region assumptions also matter. Use lab data when available and apply this tool for fast screening and sanity checks.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.