Asphaltenes: The Cholesterol of Petroleum

Abstract

Asphaltenes: The Cholesterol Of Petroleum Sunil L. Kokal; Sunil L. Kokal Petroleum Recovery Institute, Calgary Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Selim G. Sayegh Selim G. Sayegh Petroleum Recovery Institute, Calgary Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the Middle East Oil Show, Bahrain, March 1995. Paper Number: SPE-29787-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/29787-MS Published: March 11 1995 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Kokal, Sunil L., and Selim G. Sayegh. "Asphaltenes: The Cholesterol Of Petroleum." Paper presented at the Middle East Oil Show, Bahrain, March 1995. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/29787-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE Middle East Oil and Gas Show and Conference Search Advanced Search #Presently with Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, SAUDI ARABIAAbstractAsphaltene precipitation and deposition has been recognized to be a significant problem in oil production, transmission, and processing facilities. The precipitation of asphaltenes is caused by a number of factors including changes in pressure, temperature, chemical composition of the crude oil, mixing the oil with diluents or other oils, and during acid stimulation. The precipitated asphaltenes reduces the permeability of the reservoir near the wellbore region causing formation damage and can plug-up the well-bores and well tubings. Deposition of asphaltenic organic scales leads to operational problems, safety hazards and an overall decrease in production efficiency, thereby increasing the cost of oil production.This paper presents a review of the important factors which affect asphaltene precipitation in petroleum reservoirs and in processing facilities. The nature and characteristics of asphaltenes in the crude oil and their molecular and colloidal properties are discussed. A description of the asphaltene deposition problem manifestations in the reservoir, well bores and well tubings, processing and transportation equipment is presented. Current research work in this area is also discussed.IntroductionMiscible and immiscible flooding of crude oil reservoirs by light hydrocarbon gases, carbon dioxide and other injection gases has the potential for enhanced recovery. The flooding process however causes a number of changes in the flow and phase behavior of the reservoir fluids and can significantly alter rock properties. One such change is the precipitation of asphaltenes which can adversely affect the productivity of the reservoir during the course of oil recovery. Precipitation of asphaltenes can cause formation plugging and wettability reversal which can lead to reduced recovery efficiencies. In many cases, the precipitated asphaltenes can plug up the well tubing or can be carried to the well head and downstream separators causing expensive problems. Presently the asphaltenes are removed either by mechanical cleaning, chemical cleaning or reservoir condition manipulation.P. 169 Keywords: crude oil, reservoir, spe 29787, hydrate inhibition, asphaltene remediation, asphaltene precipitation, wax remediation, bubble point, upstream oil & gas, asphaltene deposition problem Subjects: Production Chemistry, Metallurgy and Biology, Inhibition and remediation of hydrates, scale, paraffin / wax and asphaltene This content is only available via PDF. 1995. Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.