PARAFFIN AND ASPHALTENE IN CRUDE OILS
Instructor: Dr. Charles F.
Alcocer, PhD
Duration: 3-5 days (24-40 hours)
Course Description:
This course discusses the latest results in characterization of paraffin, asphaltene and scales in crude oils. Differential paraffin deposition theory, and analysis of the mechanisms of paraffins, asphaltene and scales deposition are included. Field strategies for the production of crude oils with differential paraffin deposition is presented. Special attention is given to the description, construction and interpretation of P-T-ADE envelopes to establish production strategies to produce asphaltenic crude oil and avoid or minimize formation damage thought asphaltene control deposition. A review of the conventional methods to control paraffin, asphaltene and scale is included. Design and quality control of Microbial Methods, and Downhole and surface magnetic and electromagnetic tools are discussed in depth. Additive/Activate Technology to control paraffin is study in detail as well as coating technology and field applications cases. A comparative study of Methods/Technologies: Advantages and disadvantages. is discussed in details. Laboratory studies and Field cases are part of the course. At the end of the course is given an introduction to the P-T-Compositional 3-D- Diagram-Crystallization/Flocculation curves and their determination of the phase envelopes by the advanced laboratory technique Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Ultraviolet rays.
Course Contents:
I. INTRODUCTION
1. Introduction and scope of the course
2. Significant Breaktroughs in the field of paraffin treatment
II. PARAFFIN DEPOSITION AND PREVENTION/CHARACTERIZATION
1. Chemical Composition and physical characteristics
2. Production Optimization aspecsts of paraffin problems.
3. Cloud point techniques and potential paraffin deposition ranges
4. Viscosity-temperature relationship in crude oils with paraffin content
5 Paraffin Solubility curves/laboratory curves and its use in field applications
6. Particules distribution of paraffin with respect to temperature
7. Differential paraffin theory
8. Field case of differential deposition theory and field strategies for treatment
III. PARAFFIN CONVENTIONAL CONTROL METHODS
1. Operational Methods
2. Physical methods
3. Chemical Methods
4. Combination Methods
5. Formation Damage realted to Hot Oiling field technique
6. Prevention from Hot Oiling Damage
7. Case History and discussion.
IV. MATHEMATICAL ASPECTS OF PARAFFIN
1. Mathematical/Experimental prediction of paraffin deposition rate
2. Analysis of mechanisms of depostion of paraffin
3. Equations to describe Mechanisms of lateral transport and deposition of paraffins
4. Rate of deposition of paraffin for combined mechanisms
5. Comparison of laboratory measured and predicted deposition rates
6. Study of a major field case. Discussion
7. New Software available for prediction of paraffin deposition
V. NEW TECHNOLOGY TO CONTROL/PREVENT PARAFFIN
1. Microbial Control of Paraffin at reservoir level
2. Influence of Magnetic and Electromegnetic field on Paraffins
3. Review magnetic and electromagnetic application
4. Magneto-Hydro-Dynamic principle and research associated to the principle
5. Lorenz's Law applied to Petroleum Engineering
6. Aggregate/disaggreagated theory applied to magnetic/eletromagnetic devices
7. Analysis of Laboratory results with magnetic/electromagnetics devices
8. Field Application of magnetic/electromagnetics devices
9. Quality Control in Microbial and Magnetic/Electromagnetic field application
10. Final discussion and conclusions on new methods to control/prevent paraffin
VI. PRODUCING ASPHALTENE IN CRUDE OILS: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
1. Introduction
2. Asphaltene composition- The molecular nature of petroleum asphaltenes
3. Asphaltenes structures
4. Thermodynamic Colloidal Model for asphaltenes
5. Peptization and depeptization process in asphaltenes
6. Molecular-Termodynamic Model for aspahltene
7. Mechanisms of flocculation and deposition for asphaltenes
8. Influence of temperature, composition and presure on asphaltene flocculation
9. State of the art sampling technology
10. P-T ADE envelops: Description, Construction and interprestation
11. Production Strategies to produce Asphaltenic crude oil base on P-T-ADE envelops
12. Formation Damage prevention through control deposition
13. Asphaltene precipitation from heavy-medium oils by gas injection-miscible and/or inmiscible flooding.
14. Conventional Methods to control Asphaltene
15. Microbial and Magnetic/Electromagnetic methods for control and prevention of deposition of asphaltenes.
16. Effect of diluent and carbon dioxide on asphaltene and flocculation in heavy solution
17. Diagram of stabilization power of chemicals
18. Introduction to NIR curve interpretation with P-T-ADE curves
19. Introduction to NIR Paraffin/Asphaltene Crystallization/Flocculation curves to dignose paraffin and asphaltene problems to establish strategies for reservoir exploitation.
20. Selection and Optimization of Chemical Injection by Usin digrams of stabilization power.
21. Panuco Crude Phenomenon/ Research results and filed applications
VII. SCALE CONTROL- A GLOBAL PROBLEM
1. Water Properties and Components
2. Water properties determine by analysis(Acidity, pH,Alkalinity,TSS)
3 Units of concentration
4. Examples of Water analysis patterns and interpretation
5. Mineral scale and water Compatibility
6. Prediction of Calcium Carbonate Scaling
7. Methods to control/prevent Scaling
13. Chemical treatment
14. Magnetic/Eletromagnetic devices
15. Lorenz's Law: MHD principle
16. Agregate/Disagregate Theory
17. Paramagnetic, Ferromagnetics and Diamagnetic Material and interactions
18 Laboratory Studies Results and Analysis:
18.1 Scale Control with EDM- University of Louisiana, USA
18.2 Scale Control with PDM- Brunel University, London
18.3 Scale Control with PDM-Baylor University. USA
19. General discussion on asphaltenes and conclusions
Special note (Only for 5 days course): A workshop will be conducted during the 5th day of the course.The main objectives of the workshop are as follows:
1. Review course material based on student request
2. Further group discussion on specific topic related to the course
3. Presentation of field production/reservoir problems by the participants/students
4. Stablist and suggest work plans to be implemented in field operation
5. Discuss team work done by other companies in other countries in relation to problems of paraffin/asphaltene/scale.
6. Discuss student's specific field problems and methods that have been applied to solve paraffin/asphaltene/scale deposition and have failed
7. Others.
Additional equipment needed: Slide Projector, Overhead Projector, Vinyl Balckbord and VCR