Asphaltene precipitation becomes a serious problem especially when it causes plugging of the formation, wellbore, or production facilities, which will significantly affect the productivity and final recovery of the area. This paper presents an overview of asphaltene properties, structure, and its impact on oil production operations. It also specifically, discusses different available modeling approaches used to analyze and predict asphaltene precipitation, flocculation, and deposition in oil reservoirs. We will review asphaltene in crude oil systems: asphaltene properties and their impact on oil production, including the effects of pressure, temperature, and composition.

Keywords:
paraffin remediation, scale remediation, oilfield chemistry, scale inhibition, resin, flow assurance, wax inhibition, asphaltene remediation, solubility parameter, remediation of hydrates
Subjects:
Production Chemistry, Metallurgy and Biology, Flow Assurance, Inhibition and remediation of hydrates, scale, paraffin / wax and asphaltene, Precipitates (paraffin, asphaltenes, etc.)
Copyright 2017, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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