Asphaltene Deposition and its Control ( visit also ASPHALTENE) ( Visit also A Statistical Mechanical Model of Asphaltene Flocculation and Collapse From Petroleum Systems)

Remediation of the heavy organic deposits in the course of petroleum production has been a costly process and it has hampered the production activities in many parts of the world. In this report the authors study the in situ remediation of heavy organics including asphaltene, resin, paraffin / wax, etc. in oil production and transportation practices and its relation with the laboratory and theoretical simulation experiments. it is demonstrated that while asphaltene is the major compound responsible for various arterial blockage cases in the petroleum industry its interaction with other heavy organics is a major factor whether depositions will occur or not. Various mechanisms of asphaltene flocculation and micelle formation are reviewed and illustrative pathways are presented for each mechanism. The current in situ remediation and laboratory simulation practices in the oil industry to combat these complex systems of problems is reviewed and analysis are made of the cause and effect of each factor influencing them. It is demonstrated that with the development of predictive modelling of heavy organic deposition one can make alterations in the production and transportation schemes to reduce and eliminate the deposition problem. With the development of predictive models one can also screen the candidate dispersants and solvents from the points of view of availability at the site, effectiveness and economy