Critical analysis of different techniques used to screen asphaltene stability in crude oils

Ali, Syed Imran; Haneef, Javed; Ahsan, Usama; Tariq, Syed M.; Tirmizi, Syed Talha; Shamim, Ramsha

doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2021.120874

Cited by 33 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Asphaltene deposition in oil fields remains a challenging problem for the Upstream Petroleum Industry. 1 This problem could arise anywhere in the production system, i.e., at the reservoir or at subsurface and surface facilities. 2 Asphaltene deposition could impact oil companies technically in terms of the deployment of complex treatment methods and economically with respect to interruption of sustainable hydrocarbon production and implementation of expensive treatment techniques.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was reported by several researchers that asphaltene stability in crude oils increases as the H/C ratio of asphaltene increases and aromaticity and heteroatoms decreases. 1 Previously in the literature, various values of asphaltene molecular weights were presented by different researchers. However, the probable value of asphaltene was found to be 750 g/mol.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among them, one of the methods is based on determining asphaltene stability in crude oil on the basis of crude oil SARA values. 1 , 40 The basic concept behind this method is that crude oil is found to be more risky in terms of asphaltene deposition if it contains higher contents of saturates and asphaltene and lower contents of resins and aromatic contents. 1 , 22 Different models like the colloidal instability index (CII), stability index (SI), colloidal stability index (CSI), Stankiewicz plot (SP), ANJIS Model, qualitative–quantitative analysis (QQA), and stability cross plot (SCP) were developed and applied in the past, which works well on this concept.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 1 , 40 The basic concept behind this method is that crude oil is found to be more risky in terms of asphaltene deposition if it contains higher contents of saturates and asphaltene and lower contents of resins and aromatic contents. 1 , 22 Different models like the colloidal instability index (CII), stability index (SI), colloidal stability index (CSI), Stankiewicz plot (SP), ANJIS Model, qualitative–quantitative analysis (QQA), and stability cross plot (SCP) were developed and applied in the past, which works well on this concept. 41 − 49 Although these models are very easy and simple to apply as it involves less computational work, their reliability and accuracy are debatable.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 41 − 49 Although these models are very easy and simple to apply as it involves less computational work, their reliability and accuracy are debatable. 1 , 40 These indices suffer inaccuracies due to the absence of the incorporation of other factors like asphaltene and resins compositional and structural properties and operational conditions such as temperature and pressure conditions which are equally important for judging asphaltene stability in crude oils. 1 In addition, these parameters take SARA values as input which are determined through various techniques and found to have significant differences in values from each other; therefore, in this context it may produce different stability outcomes for same crude oil.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Determination of Asphaltene Stability in Crude Oils Using a Deposit Level Test Coupled with a Spot Test: A Simple and Qualitative Approach

et al. 2022

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The main goal of this study is to monitor the stability of crude oils in terms of both precipitation and deposition magnitude with respect to time. To achieve this goal, two experimental techniques which include a deposit level test and a spot test were integrated and applied simultaneously. The method was implemented using six crude oils, namely A, B, D, E, F, and G, and tests were performed at different times which split them into short duration tests and long duration tests. All crude oils were found to exhibit potential for asphaltene precipitation and subsequent deposition at different rates. Crude oils B, G, and D were observed to have started asphaltene precipitation and subsequent deposition relatively quicker. Similarly, crude oils B, A, and F exhibit a higher potential for producing asphaltene deposits in terms of deposition level. Crude oil E produces relatively fewer deposits at comparatively slower rates. The overall result indicates that crude oil B was found to be the most risky crude oil as it produces a higher quantity of deposits at higher rates, while crude oil E proved to be the least risky. Sensitivity analysis was also performed via the computing relevancy factor to determine the relative importance of two input parameters, namely the specific gravity of crude oil and the time for two-output precipitation intensity and deposition level. Precipitation intensities were found by the implementation of an image-processing tool on spot test results. The relationship between time and precipitation intensity was found to be negligible; however, the correlation between time and deposition level was found to be strongly positive with a relevancy factor value of approximately 0.521. Similarly, the relationship of the specific gravity of oil with precipitation intensity and deposition level was found to be moderately negative and very close to each other, i.e., −0.228 and −0.247, respectively. The integration of the deposit level test with the spot test allows the continuous and simultaneously reliable monitoring of both asphaltene precipitation and deposition at different times without involving cost, complex instrumentation, or interpretation, irrespective of the type of oil. The method enables the successful determination of stability ranking of different crude oils both in terms of precipitation and deposition.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%