Ghaffoori, Abeer Tareq
Project Title
Asphaltene Deposition - A Theorical, Experimental& Modelling Approach
Abstract
One of the most effective and economical ways to mitigate the problem while maintaining continuous production is the utilization of solvent soak treatments with an added dispersant when the asphaltene deposits. However, the chemical additives sometimes aggravate the asphaltene deposition problems in the field rather than remediate them. As a result, asphaltene deposition can clog oil wells and directly contribute to the decline in productivity of the wells with natural depletion over a period leading to increases in the cost of production.
The main aim of this research is to gain a deeper understanding of asphaltene deposition mechanisms in the well and tubing conditions. investigating the role of sampling and produce representative sample as the first step to investigate, asphaltene deposition. There are several reasons for this, including the effect of changes in reservoir/pipeline conditions during the life of the reservoir, issues with sampling methods and test equipment/techniques, a lack of knowledge on the nature of asphaltenes, their precipitation/deposition, the effect of inhibitors and the effective evaluation of these. In general, results obtained from current experimental testing techniques commonly differ from the outcome under real field conditions, and chemical treatments which pass lab tests can even aggravate asphaltene deposition at real conditions.
Supervisors
Professor Bahman Tohidi