STUDY OF ASPHALTENE PRECIPITATION-DEPOSITION DUE TO PRESSURE DEPLETION
Z. Piroozan, R. Kharrat, A. Emamzadeh
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to model the effects of asphaltene precipitation and deposition on fluid flow and oil production at reservoir conditions, in order to provide a better understanding of the main parameters that may enhance asphaltene precipitation or deposition. PVT data were matched with the Peng-Robinson equation of state, and a pure solid model was used to represent the asphaltene precipitation. Sensitivity analysis was done to understand the effects of some experimental parameters, such as the surface deposition rate coefficient (α) and the entrainment rate coefficient (β), on asphaltene precipitation and deposition. In addition, the effects of oil production rate on asphaltene precipitation and deposition was investigated. Based on this study, controlling production rate of the wells was found to be an important strategy in delaying the problem of asphaltene precipitation.
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