Reservoir Fluids

  • Programme type: Research
  • Study location:
  • Edinburgh

Overview

This research group forms one of the few international centres active in the measurement and theoretical modelling of phase behaviour and properties of petroleum reservoir fluids. Research areas include reservoir fluid sampling, multiphase equilibria, density, viscosity and interfacial tension of fluids at reservoir and surface conditions. Additional to conventional PVT measurements, tests simulating various reservoir processes such as multiple contact miscibility, swelling, near well gas-condensate inflow and gas cycling are conducted at simulated reservoir conditions. The laboratory uses novel techniques, mostly developed in-house, to measure in-situ properties and composition of all fluid phases at equilibrium conditions. Dynamic phase behaviour studies are also conducted using slim tube displacement.

Research

Research projects

The focus of the research is the determination of properties of reservoir fluids from bottom-hole samples contaminated with the drilling mud filtrates and non-conventional reservoir fluids.

The main emphasis is on properties of high-pressure high-temperature reservoir fluids, including the impact of water, which can be quite important in such reservoirs. Other non-conventional fluids include biodegraded samples associated with deep-water formations and near critical fluids with compositional grading in the reservoir.

Entry requirements

Contact the Institute to discuss

Tuition fees

Fees for this programme can be found on our Tuition fees page.

Industrial sponsorship

Many of our past students have gained funding from industry sources, both those companies involved in oil exploration and production in their home countries or larger international companies that offer scholarship programs. For example:

  • Nigerian Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)
  • Bolahak, Kazakhstan
  • Commonwealth Scholarships
  • Chevening scholarships
  • BP
  • Chevron
  • Shell
  • ExxonMobil

There are also a number of Industrial sponsorships available every year to UK and EU students. All eligible applicants (generally EU/UK students) automatically have their CVs or applications sent to participating petroleum companies, who offer a limited number of sponsorships each year to our students, across all three programmes. The number of sponsorships offered will vary depending on the companies’ needs and situations, and the quality of the student applicants and are given our after an interview event that takes place during the summer before the course starts.

Scholarships & bursaries