ASPHALTENE CHEMICALS

TREATMENT REV.01
BONY BUDIMAN
2021

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bony-budiman-39886031/
DECLARATION

• This presentation may be used for research,

teaching, and private study purposes.
• Any substantial or systematic reproduction,
redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing,
systematic supply, or distribution in any
form to anyone is expressly forbidden
COMMON QUESTION

• What is asphaltene and how to identify ?

• Is asphaltene deposit similar with paraffin deposit ?
• What are the effects of asphaltene in the oilfield ?
• How to handle asphaltene deposition ?
• How chemicals could be used to treat asphaltene ?
• Field cases !

Courtesy Picture : https://dragonflytraining.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/man-with-question-01.png?w=640

OUTLINE

• OBJECTIVE
• INTRODUCTION
• MONITORING
• TREATMENT METHOD
• ASPHALTENE INHIBITOR APPLICATION
• FIELD AND LABORATORY CASES
• SUMMARY
 OBJECTIVE

• Refresh simple definition of asphaltene

• Sharing implication of asphaltene in the
oilfield
• Sharing principle of asphaltene chemicals
• Sharing field case

Courtesy Picture : https://jpt.spe.org/fiberglass-lined-tubing-helps-prevent-asphaltene-deposition-in-oil-wells/

OUTLINE

• OBJECTIVE
• INTRODUCTION
• MONITORING
• TREATMENT METHOD
• ASPHALTENE INHIBITOR APPLICATION
• FIELD AND LABORATORY CASES
• SUMMARY
 ASPHALTENE IS NOT WAX

• It is very important to get general

understanding that asphaltene and wax is
different. The understanding required in
order to manage the asphaltene problem
• Both asphaltene and wax is part of crude
oil and will cause similar problem when
deposited but they have different physical
and chemical properties so that the
deposition mechanism is different as well.

Courtesy Picture : https://d3i71xaburhd42.cloudfront.net/401a39bd71489a8a00940cb4ace6be56bc24241c/500px/2-Figure1-1.png

 ASPHALTENE IDENTIFICATION FROM WAX

• Wax will be melted when heated above the

pour point while asphalten not melted,
sometime give popping sound.
• Wax dissolved in many of hydrocarbon solvent
both aliphatic or aromatic. Aspaltene dissolved
in aromatic (such as xylene, toluene and
benzene) hydrocarbon but not in aliphatic
hydrocarbon such as pentane and heptane.

Courtesy Picture : https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E2CAQHcLuEGollQ0w/comment-image-shrink_8192_1280/0/1633021646524?e=1633140000&v=beta&t=Qj9oYc9wXzKaT6ldXxZErC1tw4STgfS6TsEAygtAil8

 RESUME ASPHALTHENE VS WAX
No Parameter Asphaltene Wax

1 Molecule Complex Simple

2 Composition Hydrocarbons, containing; Sulfur, Nitrogen,
Oxygen and metals such as Vanadium
3 Heating effect Do not melt, sometimes give a popping
sound
4 Solubility Soluble in aromatic solvents
Hydrocarbons CnH2n+2
Melted at above pour point temperature
Soluble in aliphatic and aromatic solvents

5 Appearance Hard black brittle deposit Soft sticky dark brown deposit
6 Main cause of Pressure drop; Mixing of incompatible fluids Declining temperature  Crystallization /
problems Gelling
7 Main problems Asphaltene Deposition; High Viscosity; Wax Deposition; High Viscosity; High Pour Point;
Stabilized Emulsions High Yield Stress
8 Remediation Operational Techniques; Mechanical Mechanical Techniques; Thermal Techniques;
Techniques; Chemical Techniques Chemical Techniques
 ASPHALTHENE – GENERAL

1. Asphaltenes are molecular

substances that are found in
crude oil, along with resins,
aromatic hydrocarbons, and
saturates
2. The word "asphaltene" was
coined by Boussingault in
1837 when he noticed that
the distillation residue of
some bitumens had asphalt-
like properties.

Courtesy Picture : https://www.uniquepavingmaterials.com/what-are-the-uses-of-asphalt/

 ASPHALTENE - CHEMICAL(2)

• Asphaltenes are organic solids consisting of various polyaromatic

structures with aliphatic chains as well as containing heteroatoms
such as sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen, and metals.
• The metals form complexes and impart electrical charge, which in
turn may influence asphaltene deposition.
• The percentage of each element in asphaltenes varies from oil to oil;
however, average values are 76–86 wt.% C, 7.3–8.5 wt.% H, 5.0–9.0
wt.% S, 0.7–1.2 wt.% O, 1.3–1.4 wt.% N, and 0.1–0.2 wt.% metals
(mostly Ni,V, and Fe)

Courtesy Picture : http://www.e-asfalto.com/datoseuropa/Asphaltene.htm

ASPHALTENE STABILITY

• Asphaltene stability depends on a number of factors(3)

• Composition of the surrounding fluid,
• Pressure
• Temperature.

• The effect of composition and pressure on asphaltene precipitation is generally believed to be

stronger than the effect of temperature.
• Addition of paraffinic compounds shifts the solubility of asphaltenes in the bulk oil because its
solvent power affects interactions among asphaltenes and resins
 COMPOSITION EFFECT : SARA

• Crude oil consist of four components :

Saturates, Aromatics, Resins and
Asphaltenes (SARA).
• SARA composition affect the asphaltene
stability. More asphaltene and saturates 
higher deposition tendency, otherwise the
solution will be more stable when the resin
and aromatic components are more
dominants.

Courtesy Picture : https://image.slidesharecdn.com/asphalteneswaxdeposition-190428153620/95/asphaltenes-wax-deposition-in-petroleum-production-system-19-1024.jpg?cb=1556465952/

SARA CALCULATION

• The stability of asphaltene calculated as

Colloidal Instability Index, with rule of
thumb as below :
• CII < 0.7 = stable
• CII 0.7 – 0.9 = asphaltene may flocculate
• CII > 0.9 = unstable of asphaltene

• At picture beside, more resins and aromatic

component (Scenario 1) make less CII than
Scenario 2 then asphaltene will be more
soluble in Scenario 1
PRESSURE DROP EFFECT

• At high pressure in the reservoir, asphaltenes exist as individual

molecules or, at most, nanoaggregates in the crude oil.
• When the pressure drops during oil production but remains above the
bubble point  volumes occupied by the lighter components (C6–) 
the oil density decreases  the oil polarity decreases  the
asphaltenes may begin to associate and eventually flocculate(2).
• It has been appeared through phase behavior studies that asphaltene
precipitation typically begins to occur at a pressure higher than bubble
point pressure which is called Upper Asphaltene Onset Pressure
(UAOP)(5) : as pressure decreases, the pressure at a given test
temperature that first causes asphaltene to precipitate from
a reservoir fluid(10)
ASPHALTENE ONSET PRESSURE (AOP)(11)

• For a given temperature, the pressure at which the asphaltene first start to aggerate
known as AOP.
• Principle of AOP measurement :
• Sample at elevated temperature and pressure is charged into a special high pressure container
• The pressure gradually decrease in discrete steps, typically on the order of 100 to 500 psi.
• At each step, the transmission of light through the sample is monitored.
• The AOP of the sample is determined to be the pressure at which the optical transmission
begins to decrease. The onset of asphaltene aggregation causes the light to scatter, resulting in
reduced transmission
 PRESSURE EFFECT

• Graphic beside illustrate the asphaltene solubility as

pressure dependence
• At 4,500 psi, almost 0% precipitant means no
asphaltene deposit observed or all asphlatene are
well soluble.
• At 3.000 psi around 0.7% asphaltene precipitated
and at 2,000 psi around 1% asphaltene precipitated.
• Below 2,000 psi the precipitated decrease.

Courtesy Picture : https://image.slidesharecdn.com/asphalteneswaxdeposition-190428153620/95/asphaltenes-wax-deposition-in-petroleum-production-system-26-1024.jpg?cb=1556465952/

WHEN AND WHERE ASPHALTENE FORMED

• When Pressure Drop Occurred :

• Down hole near the well bore area
• Production and transport tubing
• Process facilities

• When Mixing of Incompatible Fluids :

• Down hole / reservoir  gas lift, CO2 flooding, acid jobs
• Transport tubing
• Manifold
• Storage Facilities

• If Found Stabilized Emulsions

• Separators
 ASPHALTENE PROBLEM

- Reduce pipeline throughput and storage facilities capacity

- Reduce efficiency of process facilities

- Increase viscosity of crude oil  difficult to transport

- Increase emulsion stability  complicate phase separation
- Increase of operating pressure
OUTLINE

• OBJECTIVE
• INTRODUCTION
• MONITORING
• TREATMENT METHOD
• ASPHALTENE INHIBITOR APPLICATION
• FIELD AND LABORATORY CASES
• SUMMARY
 SIGNS OF ASPHALTENES PRESENCE

• Decreasing Production
• Increasing Pumping Pressures
• Fouling of Level Controllers/Indicators
• Asphaltene Deposit Removal by Pigging
• Reduced Capacity of Storage Vessels
• Poor Demulsification
• High Viscosity of the Crude Oil

Courtesy Picture : https://d3i71xaburhd42.cloudfront.net/b1a6d993613465b2ac491d45933e3137de12812a/4-Figure2-1.png

METHOD OF MONITORING

• The monitoring method will be depend on method and equipment availibity

• The monitoring method may be combined to get comprehensive overview
• Some of methods are :
• SARA Analysis
• Monitor production rate vs pressure
• n-Heptane Solubility
• Asphaltene deposition inhibitor tester (ADIT)
 SARA ANALYSIS

• SARA analysis conducted by analysis each fraction using different

method :
• Asphaltenes can be measured by pentane or heptane insoluble
method
• Saturates and Aromatics are determined by adsorption
chromatography, typically from silica or silica/alumina
• Resins may be classified as a solubility fraction, such as heptane
soluble, pentane insoluble, heptane soluble, and acetone or ethyl
acetate insoluble, or as the polar fraction eluted from a polar
adsorbent with a polar solvent, such as pyridine, toluene, or methanol.
• SARA analysis alternatives including IP-143, followed by preparative
HPLC (IP-368), or Clay-Gel (ASTM D-2007), which may be
appropriate.

Courtesy Picture : https://dokumen.tips/documents/intro-2-asphaltenes-5627b62e5def0.html

MONITOR PRODUCTION RATE VS PRESSURE

• This is a classic monitoring method, but

please bear in mind that this may
overlapped with others deposition
phenomena such as inorganic scale and
wax.
• This method may be useful for field that
has historic experience with asphaltene
deposit.
 n-HEPTANE SOLUBILITY

• Well known method to analysis asphalthene is ASTM 6560/IP 143

• This test method covers a procedure for the determination of the heptane
insoluble asphaltene content.
• A test portion of the sample is mixed with n-heptane and the mixture heated
under reflux, and the precipitated asphaltenes, waxy substances, and inorganic
material are collected on a filter paper. The waxy substances are removed by
washing with hot n-heptane in an extractor.
• After removal of the waxy substances, the asphaltenes are separated from the
inorganic material by dissolution in hot toluene, the extraction solvent is
evaporated, and the asphaltenes weighed.

Courtesy flowchart : https://www.stanhope-seta.co.uk/product/asphaltenes-apparatus/

 ASPHALTENE DEPOSITION INHIBITOR TESTER (ADIT)

• The ADIT quantifies and monitors asphaltene deposition in a

production-representative, turbulent hydrocarbon flow regime.
• At the cell outlet, the mixture exits the system via a receiving pump
whose main function is to keep a constant system outlet pressure.
Asphaltene particles deposit on the beads’ surface and agglomerate
between them.
• The solid deposit mass is determined by simply subtracting the weight
of the cleaned fooling cell before the test from its weight after the test.
• This gravimetric method provides reliable, exact and repeatable results
regardless of experimental conditions.

Courtesy Picture : https://www.vinci-technologies.com/products-explo.aspx?IDM=754076&IDR=113221&IDR2=113124

OUTLINE

• OBJECTIVE
• INTRODUCTION
• MONITORING
• TREATMENT METHOD
• ASPHALTENE INHIBITOR APPLICATION
• FIELD AND LABORATORY CASES
• SUMMARY
 ASPHALTENE MANAGEMENT

PLASTIC PIPE
OPERATIONAL MECHANICAL ULTRASONIC CHEMICALS
AND
TECHNIQUES CLEANING RADIATION TREATMENT
COATING

Reduce Pressure Asphaltene

Scrapping
Drop Inhibitor

Avoid Mixing
Asphaltene
Incompatible Pigging
Dispersant
Fluid

Higher Flow Asphaltene

Rate Dissolver
ASPHALTENE CHEMICALS

• Asphaltene Inhibitors / Dispersants

• Similar to natural resins in crude oil
• Make the Asphaltene colloid more stable
• Lower the onset pressure
• Prevent Asphaltene precipitation

• Asphaltene Dissolvers
• Solvents
• Dissolution of deposited asphaltenes
ASPHALTENE DISPERSANTS AND INHIBITORS

• There are clearly two classes of additives that can prevent asphaltene deposition :
Asphaltene Dispersants (Ads) and Asphaltene Inhibitors (Ais).
• AIs provide real inhibition in that they prevent the aggregation of asphaltene molecules.
Thus, an AI can shift the onset of asphaltene flocculation pressure. Hence, it can move
asphaltene precipitation and subsequent deposition out of the wellbore to a point in the
production system where it could be dealt with much more easily.
• ADs disperse preformed asphaltene flocculates. Many AIs can also function as ADs, but
ADs do not generally function as AIs
 ASPHALTHE CHEMICALS : DISPERSANT AND
INHIBITOR(2)
There are two classes of additives that can prevent asphaltene deposition. They are Asphaltene Dispersant (ADs)
and Asphaltene Inhibitor (AIs).
No Properties ADs Ais
1 Chemicals nonpolymeric surfactants and polymeric polymers (or resins) and polymeric
surfactant surfactant
2 Work Principle • reduce the particle size of flocculated prevent the aggregation of
asphaltenes, keeping them in suspension in asphaltene molecules by shift the
the oil onset of asphaltene flocculation
• lower the oil viscosity pressure
3 Injection Point may be used further downstream upstream of the bubble-point
pressure (such as at downhole)
CLASSES OF ADs AND AIs(2)

Ads Ais
Alkylaryl sulfonic acids Polyester and
polyamide/imide
Phosphoric esters and Alkylphenol–aldehyde resin
phosphonocarboxylic acids oligomers
Sarcosinates Graft polymer
Amphoteric surfactants Lignosulfonate
Ether carboxylic acids
ALKYLARYL SULFONIC ACIDS(2)

• The most common AD in this class is

dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DDBSA),
which is cheap and has been used
commercially with some success
• DDBSA has been used for many years in
the field as ADs, both upstream and in
refineries
• These sulfonated alkylnaphthalenes
appear to be the best sulfonic acid–base
monomeric surfactant ADs investigated
 MECHANISM OF ASPHALTENE INHIBITOR

1. Instable Asphaltenes will

coagulate and precipitate
2. A polar group of Ais will interact
with the asphaltene :
• Stabilizing the asphaltenes
• Prevent agglomeration and
precipitation

Courtesy Picture : https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0920410519309234-gr18.jpg

 ASPHALTENE DISPERSANT

• ADs generally are surfactants

• Resins-like polymer help stabilize the asphaltene
molecule
• No influence on the onset of flocculation
• Attach themselves to the small flocculation
particles to keep small asphaltene particles in the
oil phase.

Courtesy Picture :https://images.app.goo.gl/UJutAu2s67AUM18x8

ASPHALTENE DISSOLVER

• As mention previously, asphaltene is well soluble in

aromatic hydrocarbon
• Asphalthene dissolvers are commodity aromatic
solvent such as benzene, toluene and xylene
• The application of Asphaltene Dissolver usually by
batch soaking.
• Two important effectiveness factors are soaking
time and dissolver volume. More time and more
dissolver will give better result.
TEST SELECTION

• Asphaltene Dispersant Test

• Turbiscan
• Flocculation Point Tester
• Asphaltene Rocking Cell
 ASPHALTENE DISPERSANT TEST (ADT)

• The ADT is used to test Asphaltene Inhibitor or

Asphaltene Dispersant based on amount of
precipitated asphaltene
• Samples of crude are treated with candidate
product and then added to measured vials
containing 10 ml n-pentane/n-hexane. They are
compared to the blank.
• At figure beside, the blank produce 0.7 ml deposit
and dispersant B shows the best performance after
1 hour settling with no deposit found start from 70
ppm.

Courtesy Picture :https://scholarship.rice.edu/bitstream/handle/1911/93977/asphaltene-dispersants.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y

 TURBISCAN

• Turbiscan is method that measure the transmitted

light when passed the crude solution.
• As asphaltene flocculate and precipitate, the amount
of transmitted light increases. More transmitted light
indicate more asphaltene precipitate.
• The transmitted light of treated sample compared
to transmitted light of blank sample.
• Turbiscan provide faster and more accurate result
compare to ADT.

Courtesy Picture :https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S092777571730835X-gr1.jpg

 FLOCCULATION POINT TESTER

• Samples are dissolved in toluene at various concentrations

and titrated with iso-octane or n-heptane at controlled
temperatures to determine the point of flocculation
(asphaltene precipitation).
• As soon as the asphaltenes form flakes (colloids) these
disperse the passing light. By this dispersion, less light is
admitted through the sample, which causes a decrease in the
translucency1.
• Precipitation and acumulation of bigger flakes result in a
higher decrease of translucency.

Courtesy Picture :https://www.psl-systemtechnik.com/en/flocculation-titrimeter/wiki/

ASPHALTENE ROCKING CELL(7)

• This Asphaltene Rocking Cell (ARC) test is analogous of the

well-known Hydrate Rocking Cell test but able to operate in
high temperature and high pressure (HT/HP) conditions, up to
15,000psi and 250oF.
• This method measure the length of time it takes the magnetic
ball in the cell to travel from one end to the other as the cell is
rocked back and forth.
• ARC provides pseudo-live oil condition by combining synthetic
field gas with dead crude oil in HT/HP conditions then
asphaltene destabilization is demonstrated via depressurization
OUTLINE

• OBJECTIVE
• INTRODUCTION
• MONITORING
• TREATMENT METHOD
• ASPHALTENE INHIBITOR APPLICATION
• FIELD AND LABORATORY CASES
• SUMMARY
APPLICATION METHOD : CONTINUOUS
INJECTION
• AIs and ADs usually injected in continues
mode
• Both chemicals ideally injected at downhole
before asphaltene onset pressure or before
point where incompatible fluid may comingle.
ADs may be used further downstream
• Asphaltene dispersants may injected
definitely prior to bubble point
• AIs are often in the range of 20–100 ppm(2)
while ADs are used at 100 - >500 ppm.

Courtesy Picture :https://d3i71xaburhd42.cloudfront.net/7481ed175fe43fb61dbe6474c6144b9db9d7ee2d/9-Figure1-1.png/

APPLICATION METHOD : BATCHING

• Asphaltene Dissolvers and some Asphaltene

Dispersants injected in batch/slug mode
• Two important factors in batching mode are soaking
time and chemicals quantity.
• Various batching method :
• Soaking
• Pigging
• Near wellbore flush
OUTLINE

• OBJECTIVE
• INTRODUCTION
• MONITORING
• TREATMENT METHOD
• ASPHALTENE INHIBITOR APPLICATION

• FIELD AND LABORATORY CASES

• SUMMARY
1. ASPHALTENE INDUCED FOULING AND FOAM
CONTROL(8) - BACKGROUND
• Oil sands facilities operating using a paraffinic froth
treatment process face unique challenges. The high
temperature froth treatment process involves the
controlled addition of pentane solvent into the
froth to achieve a desired solvent-to-bitumen ratio
and precipitate heavy asphaltenes and minerals
from the bitumen.
• The large asphaltene agglomerates settle rapidly in
Froth Settling Units (FSU) then pumped with the
underflow into the Tailings Solvent Recovery Unit
(TSRU) for final solvent recovery
1. ASPHALTENE INDUCED FOULING AND FOAM
CONTROL(8) – FOAM PROBLEM
• The large asphaltene deposits lead to plugging in the underflow lines,
bottoms pumps, and gate valves within the TSRU flash column.
• The asphaltenes can act as a foam stabilizer in the first stage TSRU
as they become entrained in the liquid surrounding the foam bubble.
• This fouling and foaming within the TSRU results in loss of flow,
significant production restriction, and reduced solvent recovery
1. ASPHALTENE INDUCED FOULING AND FOAM
CONTROL(8) – SOLUTION
• Based on technical research of the chemcical supplier, an asphaltene dispersant proposed
to apply.
• The AD is a dual-function chemistry :
• Mitigates asphaltene association and agglomeration in the FSU, TSRU, and underflow piping by
water wetting organic and inorganic particles
• Dispersing them into the continuous (water) phase

• The ADs also has anti-foaming properties, which prevent foaming that can occur in the
first stage TSRU under normal operation due to solvent loading and pressure drop
1. ASPHALTENE INDUCED FOULING AND FOAM
CONTROL(8) – RESULT
• Before AD treatment, the operator required over 150 Liters per hour
(LPH) of defoamer to prevent pump cavitation, TSRU foaming, and
maintain sitewide production.
• After implementing AD, the defoamer injection was ceased from standard
operation, and operational challenges due to foaming were eliminated.
• Total chemical savings to the customer exceeded $4M annually, with an
additional cost avoidance of 30-50% in pump maintenance.
 2. LABORATORY DOSAGE VS FIELD DOSAGE(9)

• A producer in Alaska had been experiencing

asphaltene deposition problems in one well of a
Sample Asphalthe Asphaltne
dual string completion, producing from two zones.
Deposit (g) Inhibition (%)
Blank 0.43 - • Laboratory tests performed to compare
+ AIs A 0.24 44 performance of AIs A and AIs B at dosage 4000
+ AIs B 0.08 81 ppm
• Results from laboratory tests and a field trial are
presented. In this case the correlation between lab
data and field performance shows that predictive
lab tests can successfully select an asphaltene
inhibitor for field applications.
2. LABORATORY DOSAGE VS FIELD DOSAGE(9)

• To monitor the field performance of

inhibitor A, a side stream filter loop was
installed at the well head.
• The testing loop wasplumbed with 3/8”
stainless steel tubing and consisted of two
pressure gauges, two chart recorders, one
in-line filter, one flowmeter and was
connected by valves and tees as shown in
figure beside
2. LABORATORY DOSAGE VS FIELD DOSAGE(9)

• As produced fluids flowed through the filter, the pressure difference across the filter
increased as the filter began to plug.
• Once the filter was totally plugged, the down stream pressure leveled off to the well
clean tank pressure which was almost atmospheric.
• The time required to plug the filter was calculated from the pressure data measured by
the chart recorders
2. LABORATORY DOSAGE VS FIELD DOSAGE(9)

• During blank tests on untreated crude,

the 40 um filters were plugged in
about 13 hours.
• With the crude being treated by 250
ppm of inhibitor A,
• the time required to plug the 40 um
filters was extended to about 26
hours.
• Dosage at field cold be 1/10 lower
than laboratory test
3. EFFECT OF AGING CRUDE(12)

• One of critical factor of laboratory test in ADs/AIs qualification is a representative condition include, but
not limited to, sample condition and field condition (pressure, temperature, mixing, and retention time).
• Most of the routine screening for chemical recommendation is performed on dead oil samples.
• It is, thus, vital for a successful flow assurance program that samples are of good quality and as
representative of the reservoir fluids as possible.
• Further, the importance of sampling and sample preservation is extremely important and cannot be
underestimated
• In this case, a laboratory test has been carried on to study effect of aging crude to AIs performance.
• Aging refers to the deterioration of hydrocarbon fluids that manifests as changes in the physicochemical
characteristics of the fluid upon exposure to ambient conditions
3. EFFECT OF AGING CRUDE(12)

• 50mL of crude oil was taken in a glass bomb

Aged by :
Properties Unaged liner and aged at 150oC in a pressure bomb
N2 Air O2
for 16 hours under 100-psia pressure of N2, air
Asphaltenes = 0.73 0.9 0.67 0.53
and O2, respectively
Saturates = 59.56 61.88 59.46 60.59
Resins = 6.95 7.21 10.36 11.33 • At table beside, the polar Resins (NSO)
Aromatic = 32.76 30.01 29.51 27.19 fraction of the crude oil significantly increases
CII = 1.52 1.69 1.51 1.59 upon aging
TAN = 0.10 0.10 1.80 2.40
• Total acid number (TAN) also increase
especially at aged sample by air and O2. It may
indicate formation of carboxylic acid
3. EFFECT OF AGING CRUDE(12)

• In a Turbiscan test, an efficient AIs will lower

the percent transmission compared to the
blank and remain relatively unchanged during
the full length of the test.
• From graph beside, turbiscan graph of aged
Wyoming (WY) crude oil is higher after 10
minutes compare to unaged sample.This
indicate aged samples has more tendency for
asphaltenes precipitation.
• The highest is aged crude oil by O2.
3. EFFECT OF AGING CRUDE(12)

• The bar chart beside is comparison AIs

performance in aged crude oil versus unaged
crude oil
• Unaged here is fresh sample while the age is
sample that stored in cabinet for 6-7 months
• The performance of AIs indicate by %inhibition
(ADT method). Higher %inhibition means higher
performance.
• At unaged crude oil, we only need 250 ppm AIs
to get minimum 80% inhibition, while at aged
crude oil need more than 1000 ppm AIs to get
minimum 80% inhibition
OUTLINE

• OBJECTIVE
• INTRODUCTION
• MONITORING
• TREATMENT METHOD
• ASPHALTENE INHIBITOR APPLICATION
• FIELD AND LABORATORY CASES
• SUMMARY
SUMMARY

• Asphaltene deposit has similar problem with wax, but they have different
physical-chemical properties.
• Two factors affecting asphaltene stability : crude oil composition (SARA)
and decrease of pressure.
• There are 3 types of asphaltene chemicals : inhibitor, dispersant and
dissolver
• Asphaltene inhibitors and dispersants keep the asphaltene dissolved in
crude oil
• Asphaltene dissolvers re-dissolve the precipitated asphaltene
REFERENCES

1. HTS Consultant, Oilfield Production Chemicals and Microbiology

2. Production Chemicals for the Oil and Gas Industry , 2nd edition, Malcolm A. Kelland, CRC Press, 2014

3. Asphaltene Precipitation in Crude Oils: Theory and Experiments, Eduardo Buenrostro-Gonzalez et.all, AIChE Journal, October 2004 Vol. 50, No. 10

4. https://petrowiki.spe.org/Formation_damage_from_paraffins_and_asphaltenes

5. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/45f5/853491b9371c61e205e771854f4d0910858f.pdf

6. https://onepetro.org/JPT/article-abstract/73/07/55/469073/Fiberglass-Lined-Tubing-Helps-Prevent-Asphaltene

7. https://aiche.confex.com/aiche/s16/webprogram/Paper445325.html

8. https://www.championx.com/assets/files/CHX_0546.pdf

9. https://doi.org/10.2118/65376-MS

10. https://glossary.oilfield.slb.com/en/Terms/a/asphaltene_onset_pressure.aspx

11. https://doi.org/10.2118/199900-PA

12. https://doi.org/10.1080/01932691.2010.497680