Laboratory investigation of dynamic growth of asphaltene deposition and formation damage on sandstone cores

• Main Authors: MOHAMMAD A.J. ALI, S.M. KHOLOSY, A.A AL-HADDAD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kuwait University 2013-09-01
• Series: Maǧallaẗ al-abḥāṯ al-handasiyyaẗ
• Subjects: Asphaltene particle size; low permeability; asphaltene content; asphaltene onset point; solid detection system.
• Online Access: http://pubcouncil.kuniv.edu.kw/jer/files/31Aug201309553559-74.pdf

A live oil sample was subjected to a solid detection system (SDS) to measure asphaltene onset point (AOP) at 3850 psi, and asphaltene content of 1.3%. A high-resolution digital camera was used to measure asphaltene particle size distribution. The result showed that asphaltene particles were not uniform in size, but has a normal distribution of 100-120 m. Asphaltene reversibility to dissolved back into the oil with increasing pressure was only 35% of the original deposition. Two core samples were examined for formation damage due to asphaltene deposition. A Low permeability core showed significant permeability reduction exceeding 50% of its baseline permeability, and the higher permeability core showed less permeability decline, even with the same asphaltene precipitation.