Determination of Low Interfacial Tension with a Laser Light Scattering Technique and a Comparative Analysis with Drop Shape Methods.

A comparative analysis of laser light scattering and drop shape techniques for measuring low interfacial tension is provided with particular reference to the gas condensate systems in petroleum reservoirs. Measurements of interfacial tensions for two real reservoir gas condensate samples were undertaken at elevated pressure and temperature reservoir conditions with the laser light scattering technique. The purposes of this study are (a) to clarify some existing confusion on the usefulness of three major interfacial tension measurement methods, pendant drop, spinning drop, and laser light scattering; and (b) to show the applicability of the laser light scattering technique to real reservoir gas condensate interfaces at low interfacial tensions. The laser light scattering technique has appeared to be the most suitable approach for the determination of low gas condensate interfacial tensions at reservoir conditions in terms of precision and operation. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.