In this paper, a systematic approach for the investigation of asphaltene problems in reservoirs during primary production, pressure depletion and Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) processes under gas injection process are presented along with the results of the initial laboratory results on the characterization and phase behavior of typical crude oil samples from Kuwaiti reservoirs.
As the end of the era of easy oil production is approaching, various IOR/EOR technologies will be applied to matured reservoirs worldwide. By using these technologies, 60% or more of the reservoir's original oil in place can be extracted, compared with only 20–40% using primary and secondary recovery. CO2 and gas injection, chemical flooding and thermal recovery techniques are the main approved technologies that are being applied in the future developments during both secondary and tertiary stages of oil recovery. CO2 injection from industrial plants emission also provides another beneficial opportunity due to the added value of dealing with global warming and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission by CO2 sequestration and as storage oil/gas reservoirs. Oil production and the application of IOR/EOR processes can modify the flow and phase behavior of the reservoir fluids, and rock properties. These modifications could lead to asphaltene precipitation. Asphaltene deposition on formation is a serious problem, and it can cause porosity and permeability reduction in the reservoir, and plugging wellbore and piping in production facilities. For this reason, careful attention and a systematic approach are required for investigating asphaltene precipitation problems during a gas injection project at the earliest stage of the planning. This is because, once the asphaltene precipitation occurs, it causes severe permeability and porosity reduction, and wettability alteration, changing relative permeability in the reservoir, and in severe cases, plugging the wellbore and surface facilities.
