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This paper deals with the effect of radio-frequency electromagnetic (RF-EM) fields and electrical heating on the mass-and heat-transfer processes in a multi-component hydrocarbon system flowing in porous media. The more specific objective was to determine the major differences between the RF-EM effects and electric heating and eventually to propose the application conditions toward their field-scale applications. Critical parameters, including the viscosity reduction, that affect the recovery of heavy oil under the influence of these heating options with the emphasis on resolving the asphaltene precipitation problem were clarified. It was observed that the EM field influence on the residual oil recovery factor was more critical, and a greater recovery was obtained from the RF-EM case. This was attributed to the fact that the RF-EM field influences polar components of the oil, desorpting these components from the surface of the rock and adding to the production, as indicated by the scanning atomic force microscopy images. This critical role of the RF field on the adsorptive process during the displacement of high-viscosity oils eventually resulted in less asphaltene precipitation and pore plugging.

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