To increase productivity from crude oil reservoirs, carbondioxide (CO2) is usually injected during secondary and/or tertiary recovery. While CO2 injection significantly increases the amount of oil recovered, it causes asphaltene deposition at high concentrations. However, the presence of water reduces the extent to which asphaltene is precipitated. Thus, the aim of this report is to determine why the presence of water reduces the amount of asphaltenes precipitated during CO2 injections. Results from CT scan data on water and gas injections are also provided and are accompanied with scanned images.

Keywords:
wax remediation, flow assurance, paraffin remediation, enhanced recovery, Hydrate Remediation, hydrate inhibition, asphaltene inhibition, Asphaltene Precipitation, limestone core, core sample
Subjects:
Production Chemistry, Metallurgy and Biology, Flow Assurance, Reservoir Fluid Dynamics, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Formation Evaluation & Management, Inhibition and remediation of hydrates, scale, paraffin / wax and asphaltene, Precipitates (paraffin, asphaltenes, etc.), Flow in porous media
Copyright 2006, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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