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Effect of Brine on Asphaltene Precipitation at High Pressures in Oil Reservoirs

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Abstract

In this study, the effect of NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, MgSO4, and CaCl2 salts in brine in the range of low (1000−5000 ppm) and intermediate (5000−40 000 ppm) salinity water on the amount and offset pressure of asphaltene precipitation was investigated. The measurements were performed at reservoir temperature (350.15 K) and high pressures (0−100 bar). The IFT (Interfacial Tension) values increased with pressure and a sudden increase was observed at a specific pressure namely, an offset pressure of asphaltene precipitation in APE (Asphaltene Precipitation Envelope). For all brines, the amount of IFT with increasing concentration was in descending order and after a minimum value it changed to uptrend. Likewise, similar results were obtained for the precipitated asphaltene amount. All the brines intensified the asphaltene precipitation. Monovalent cations like Na+ and K+ showed higher values of IFT and hence more asphaltene precipitation, however, MgCl2 showed the least IFT, offset pressure and the amount of asphaltene precipitation.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to the Shiraz University and Enhanced Gas Condensate Recovery Research Group for supporting this research.

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Correspondence to Abolhasan Ameri, Feridun Esmaeilzadeh or Dariush Mowla.

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Abolhasan Ameri, Esmaeilzadeh, F. & Mowla, D. Effect of Brine on Asphaltene Precipitation at High Pressures in Oil Reservoirs. Pet. Chem. 59, 57–65 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0965544119010031

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0965544119010031

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