Measurement of bubble point pressure in crude oils using an acoustic wave sensor

• A new method was proposed to measure the bubble point pressure of crude oils.
• The efficiency of the method has been tested with different types of fluids.
• The acoustic wave sensor is extremely sensitive to vapor-liquid phase changes.

An experimental method for the determination of the bubble point pressure of crude oils has been developed using an acoustic wave sensor that consists of a Quartz Crystal Resonator. The basis of the method has been developed and measurements have been carried out with different types of systems including a transparent synthetic mixture, a bottomhole oil from North Sea and a live crude oil with addition of nitrogen. The efficiency of the method has been tested by comparing the results with those obtained with traditional PVT techniques and with direct visual observation of the bubble conditions for the synthetic system.