Measurement And Correlation Of Asphaltene Precipitation From Heavy Oils By Gas Injection
Authors: Kokal S.L. , Najman J. , Sayegh S.G. , George A.E. 
Published: March 2010

The nature of asphaltenes and their role in the production and processing of crude oils has been the topic of numerous studies. This is due to the fact that the economics of oil production can be seriously affected by the asphaltene deposition problem. This paper presents a novel method to visualize in situ asphaltene precipitation from heavy oils with light hydrocarbon gases, e.g. methane. propane, ethane/propane mixtures, and carbon dioxide at reservoir pressures and temperatures. Experimental results are reported for the effects of temperature (up to 100 °C), pressure (up to 20 MPa) and composition on the formation of asphaltene precipitates from heavy crude oils. A series of titration experiments were conducted with several n-alkanes to determine the amount of asphaltenes precipitated. Both the amount and nature of the precipitate varied with the solvent used. Propane was the most prolific of all the solvents used in precipitating asphaltenes from the heavy oils. A thermodynamic model proposed by Hirshberg et al. was used to correlate the experimental data.

Introduction

Miscible and immiscible flooding of crude oil reservoirs by light hydrocarbon gases, carbon dioxide and other injection gases has become a popular method for enhanced oil recovery(1). The flooding process, however, causes a number of changes in the flow and phase behaviour of the reservoir fluids and can significantly alter rock properties. Such changes include the precipitation of asphaltenes(2) and wettability reversal which can alter recovery efficiencies. The existence of asphaltenes in crude oils and their deposition inside reservoirs and wellbores can cause severe problems and affect the efficiency and cost of petroleum production.

The important parameters that affect asphaltene precipitation during gas injection are the compositions of the crude oil and the solvent gas, and the pressure and temperature of the reservoir(3–5). Precipitation of asphaltenes is a complex process and it is generally followed by flocculation which produces an insoluble material in the heavy oi1(6). Asphaltenes are believed to be stabilized in solution by resins and aromatics and the asphaltene/resin ratio plays a key role in their precipitation. This ratio is more important than the absolute asphaltene content in determining which crudes will be subject to precipitation.

Problems arising from asphaltene deposition have been reported in the literarure(7,8) for many field projects. Some examples of these are the Ventura field in California(9), Hassi Messaoud field in Algeria(l0) and heavy oil fields in Venezuela(l1). Deposition of asphaltenes in the wellbore can be a serious production problem and may require frequent solvent washings and scrapings to maintain oil production(10). Significant damage can be caused during well acidizing because the acid can cause the asphaltenes to precipitate and form rigid films. Other problems associated with asphaltene precipitation are the seizure of downhole safety valves submersible pumps, hinderance in wireline operations and production restrictions. These problems are discussed in derail by Leontaritist(7).

Presently asphaltenes are removed either by mechanical cleaning, chemical cleaning, or by manipulating reservoir conditions (for example, pressure, production rates, etc,)(10,12). The approach taken by the oil industry has been a remedial one.