Choosing the appropiate solvent mixture for removal of asphaltenic deposits within oil production strings

摘要

Asphaltenic deposition inside oil producing strings has been reported since the 1970's as a cause for serious drawbacks and decrease petroleum companies'revenues(1).Systematic monitoring schemes for prediction or remediation are important tools for coping with the problem(2).In cases of clogged strings,remediation is a must and,solvent treatment can be one efficient option when deposits are mostly organic in nature.The solvent mixture must ideally meet many simultaneous requirements:I.High dissolving properties II.Field availability and low cost III.High boiling and flash points IV.Low damaging effects to polymer seals V.Low toxicity.