%I Society of Petroleum Engineers
%A W.N.A. Wan Razak
%A W.A. Wan Daud
%A S. Bhd
%A M.I. Ali
%V 2
%T Potential of apshaltene deposition in light oil reservoir-Co2 flooding project
%P 1555-1563
%X A series of laboratory study was conducted on light crude oil reservoir of API 41° with 0.07 asphaltene content in order to investigate potential of asphaltene problem during CO2 flooding project. This bottomhole crude oil sample was collected using a special technique in order to preserve asphaltene content in the crude oil solution. The study involved a set of depressurization tests using Near Infrared (NIR) sensor to detect Asphaltene Onset Pressure (AOP). The depressurization test was repeated for CO2 added crude oil mixture for a series of CO2 concentrations. Using particle size analysis software, the captured image was translated into range of sizes. Finally, the crude oil and crude oil-CO2 mixture was filtered using bulk filtration system at pressure slightly above bubble point pressure and the final weight of the filter paper was measured. The asphaltene content of the filtrate, asphaltene deposit and toluene wash of the cell was measured. The results indicated that asphaltene particle started to grow at 60mole of CO2 concentration. During the depressurization test of that condition, the asphaltene particle was visually seen using high pressure microscope. The analysis of the particle indicates that the size of the asphaltene floc is bigger than the pore throat of the reservoir rock. This shows the potential of permeability impairment during the CO2 flooding operation in the field. The analysis of asphaltene content in filtrate, deposit and toluene wash shows that the highest percentage of asphaltene lies in the toluene rinse, for 80mole CO2 mixture whilst for 60mole CO2 mixture the filtrate has the highest percentage of asphaltene content. It shows that asphaltene is essentially precipitated when CO2 is at 60mole concentration and starts to deposit when the CO2 concentration reaches 80mole. A series of core flooding displacement test using CO2 gas was conducted on two reservoir cores. The results indicated that pressure build-up was detected during the 2nd cycle of CO2 injection on the lower permeability core. Further investigation is recommended in order to validate the finding. © 2010, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers.
%K Bottom hole pressure; Concentration (process); Crude oil; Deposits; Engineering exhibitions; Engineers; Infrared devices; Mixtures; Oil well flooding; Particle size analysis; Petroleum analysis; Petroleum engineering; Petroleum reservoir evaluation; Petroleum reservoirs; Toluene, Asphaltene content; Asphaltene flocs; Bottomhole; Bubble point pressure; CO2 concentration; CO2 gas; Core flooding; Crude oil mixtures; Depressurizations; Filter papers; Filtration systems; High pressure; Laboratory studies; Light oil reservoirs; Near-infrared sensors; Oil reservoirs; Oil samples; Pore throat; Pressure build up; Reservoir cores; Reservoir rock, Asphaltenes
%D 2010
%L scholars1359
%J 72nd European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers Conference and Exhibition 2010: A New Spring for Geoscience. Incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2010
%O cited By 0