(55o) Research on the Influence of Wax, Resins and Asphaltenes on Wall Sticking of Shale Oil

There is an urgent need to increase the development of unconventional oil resources such as shale oil to ensure the energy security due to the decrease of conventional oil and gas resources in recent years. However, the complicated components such as wax, resins and asphaltenes in shale oil resulting in severe wall sticking and high pipeline back pressure during pipeline transportation. Therefore, it is necessary to study the influence of components on wall sticking of shale oil, which not only provide theory guidance for decreases the back pressure of shale oil pipeline, but also guarantees the safety of pipeline operation.

In this work, the effects of wax, resins and asphaltenes to wall sticking behaviors of shale oil under different temperature, stick-wall time and shear strength are discussed with the help of small scale stick-wall experimental device. To reveal cause of the change in the quality of the wall sticking, the composition and moisture content of sticky wall under different conditions are characterized. Furthermore, based on the theory of nucleation and adhesion, the influence mechanisms of components of shale oil on wall sticking are discussed systematically, so as to advance understanding for the shale oil transportation.

The results show that the lower of temperature and longer of sticking time, the higher of the wall sticking quality. The applying of shearing will reduce the quality of wall sticking quality. Meanwhile, it is revealed that the different contents in wax, resign and asphaltenes causing the difference in wall sticking quality under the same conditions. The synergy of nucleation of wax molecules and adhesion of asphaltene and resins, contributing to the wall sticking of pipeline. These conclusions provide theoretical guidance for ensuring the safety of the shale oil gathering and transportation pipeline in oilfield.