Experimental Investigation and Modeling of Naphthenate Soap Precipitation Kinetics in Petroleum Reservoirs

Sarac, Sukru; Civan, Faruk

doi:10.2118/106074-ms

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…For this purpose, a light microscope was found to be the most convenient means of measurement. Custom-made quartz containers were used to place the particles under the microscope together with toluene and brine, as described by Sarac and Civan (2007). To perform the particlesize-measurement experiments, the brine and oil phases were prepared for different conditions, as explained previously in the experimental procedure applied for the particle-deposition experiments.…”

Section: Naphthenate-soap-particle Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Core-flow experiments were conducted by using a single-phase-flow setup as explained elsewhere by Sarac and Civan (2007). Berea sandstone cores with 1.5-in.…”

Section: Naphthenate-soap-induced Formation Damagementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ese and Kilpatrick (2004) describe the naphthenic acids present in crude oil as being all carboxylic acids of the cyclic and acyclic types. Under favorable conditions, naphthenic acids of the crude oil may lead to various production problems, including scale formation and emulsification, both throughout the reservoir and inside the surface facilities, such as pipelines and separators (Rousseau et al 2001;Goldszal et al 2002;Dyer et al 2003;Havre et al 2003;Laredo et al 2004;Ese and Kilpatrick 2004;Shepherd et al 2005;Sarac and Civan 2007). Therefore, understanding of the mechanism of naphthenate-soap formation, conditions affecting the formation of particles, and formation damage induced by naphthenate-soap deposition is of paramount interest to the oil industry for effective mitigation of the operational problems caused by naphthenate soaps during crudeoil production.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mechanisms, Parameters, and Modeling of Naphthenate-Soap-Induced Formation Damage

Sarac

Civan

2009

SPE Journal

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Naphthenate-soap deposition and the related formation damage in petroleum reservoirs are investigated by means of laboratory-scale experimental and theoretical studies. Experiments were carried out in three directions to understand and quantify the naphthenatesoap-deposition problem. Static bottle tests were conducted to determine the precipitation rate for various pH and temperature conditions. Microscopy investigations were carried out to verify the growth of naphthenate-soap particles under different pH conditions. Core-flow tests were conducted to generate naphthenatesoap particles and to determine the permeability impairment caused by subsequent deposition of these particles in porous media under flowing conditions and different pH values. A power-law expression was proposed and verified for the precipitation rate of the naphthenate-soap particles. The parameters of the rate equation were correlated with respect to pH and temperature. This also allowed the determination of the critical pH value for the onset of naphthenate-soap precipitation. The results of the particle-size experiments were described by a particle-growth equation, and the parameters of the equation were correlated with respect to pH. The core-flow experiments proved the occurrence of formation damage caused by naphthenate-soap precipitation and subsequent deposition. The permeability impairment in core-flow experiments was described by a new differential model. The applications presented in this study provide insights for understanding the mechanism and magnitude of naphthenate-soap-induced formation damage and help in taking proper measures to avoid the formation damage caused by naphthenate-soap deposition.

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Section: Naphthenate-soap-particle Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Core-flow experiments were conducted by using a single-phase-flow setup as explained elsewhere by Sarac and Civan (2007). Berea sandstone cores with 1.5-in.…”

Section: Naphthenate-soap-induced Formation Damagementioning

confidence: 99%