Simulation of Paraffin and Asphaltene Deposition in Porous Media

Abstract

Abstract A one-dimensional, three-phase and four-pseudo-component model for simultaneous deposition of paraffin and asphaltene in porous media is developed and validated by experimental data. The paraffin and asphaltene retention by static and dynamic pore surface depositions, and pore throat plugging is considered. A fully implicit finite-difference numerical scheme is developed and solved by a double iteration procedure. The simulator is applied to six typical cases of the reported laboratory core tests. The model accurately predicts the results of the laboratory core tests within the order of the accuracy of the laboratory measurements. The case studies reveal that the static surface deposition may occur in certain situations even without the fluid flowing. However, during flow, the dynamic surface deposition is predominant. The plugging deposition may occur under certain conditions, depending on the properties of the fluid, the porous media, and the paraffin and asphaltene precipitates, and the injection rate and pressure conditions. The best estimates of the model parameters are determined by history matching. These studies indicate that the approach taken to model and simulate the simultaneous paraffin and asphaltene deposition during the flow of oil through porous media is adequate.