A thermodynamic liquid model has been developed to describe the behavior of asphalt and asphaltenes in reservoir crudes upon changes in pressure, temperature, or composition. Asphaltene solubility properties used as input to the model may be obtained from titration experiments on tank oil. High-pressure flocculation experiments confirm the potential of the model. The model appears to be well applicable to conditions at which asphaltenes are associated with resins. The model may be used to identify field conditions where asphalt or asphaltene precipitation will occur.

Keywords:
wax inhibition, asphaltene remediation, solubility parameter, asphaltene precipitation, composition, experiment, paraffin remediation, asphalt precipitation, fraction, flow assurance
Subjects:
Flow Assurance, Fluid Characterization, Formation Evaluation & Management, Gas-injection methods, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Inhibition and remediation of hydrates, scale, paraffin / wax and asphaltene, Miscible methods, Phase behavior and PVT measurements, Precipitates (paraffin, asphaltenes, etc.), Production Chemistry, Metallurgy and Biology
Copyright 1984, Society of Petroleum Engineers
You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.