Asphaltene Precipitation: Phase Behaviour Modelling and Compositional Simulation

摘要

This paper presents results of phase behaviour calculations and compositional simulation of asphaltene precipitation in reservoirs. For phase behaviour calculations, the precipitated asphaltene is represented by a pure solid while the oil and gas phases are modelled with an Equation of State (EOS). Compositional simulation of the dynamics of asphaltene precipitation in porous media includes the flow of suspended solid in the oil phase, deposition of solid through adsorption and entrapment, and plugging. Calculations of asphaltene precipitation for a North Sea oil with hydrocarbon gas, for a Canadian crude with CO_2, and for a heavy oil with propane are described. The results are in agreement with laboratory experiments and field observations.