Characterization of Crude Oil of Upper Assam Field for Flow Assurance

Abstract

Abstract Crude oil characterization is important prior to development of complex network of surface and subsurface facilities for oil and gas production. Fluid behavior change in multiple set of conditions could cause problems related to fluid flow, solid deposition, wax formation and fluid transportation. This change could pose additional risk with tough terrains and challenging environments and it could jeopardize the project cost economics too. In this paper laboratory result of crude oil evaluation of Upper Assam Field, India is presented. The purpose of the present work was to examine the behavior of produced fluid with highlighting issues which could impact on safety, integrity, production capacity and operational support for the asset throughout project lifecycle. Strategies can then be developed to resolve those issues. Detailed carbon profile of crude oil and wax content, distribution of molecular weight were determined through simulated distillation (SIMDIS) using Perkin Elmer Gas Chromatograph hardware and software. Physical characterization such as density, pour point, water content, bound sand and water, KUOP, wax content was done using ASTM methods. Boiling point profile generated from the experiments was used to find crude oil type. Saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltene (SARA) analysis was done using standard method to find asphaltene deposition potential. Normal and non-normal paraffinic content of wax is calculated using the "Wax Profiling" software from ControlChrom to find wax predominating characteristics. Tulsa University "WAX" software was used to predict wax appearance temperature at atmospheric pressure and temperature. Solid fraction isobar was generated using the software. The viscosity of the crude oil at different temperatures considering the pour point and different shear rates was measured using MV DIN Sensor system and M-5 measuring system of Haake viscometer.