(480d) Advances in Modeling Asphaltene Precipitation and Deposition

Asphaltene precipitation and subsequent deposition is a flow assurance problem that threatens the continuous production of crude oil. Asphaltenes constitute the heaviest and the most polar fraction of the crude oil, which can precipitate in the wellbore due to changes in temperature, pressure and composition. The formation of asphaltene deposits can lead to significant downtime, deferred production and expensive remediation procedures.

In this talk we will present the state-of-the-art modeling methods to forecast the occurrence and the magnitude of asphaltene precipitation and deposition. We will provide some field examples and important best practices related to this important problem, faced by oil companies worldwide.