ASPHALTENE CHARACTERIZATION OF A MALAYSIAN CRUDE OIL

Asphaltenes are the most polar fraction of petroleum that can precipitate due to changes in pressure, temperature and composition which may be encountered during petroleum production and transportation. The precipitated asphaltenes can subsequently deposit on the surfaces of production/transportation pipelines and clog the pipeline partially or completely. Why asphaltenes deposit on a metal surface remains a poorly understood topic. This study is to determine the onset of asphaltene precipitation with respect to varying pressures and temperatures. High-pressure NIR was used to study the aggregation of asphaltenes by pressure depletion. What would be established is data displaying optimum operating conditions in which asphaltene deposition can be minimized or mitigated altogether. With this knowledge, operators can then be wary of the limits in the operating conditions to prevent asphaltene fouling in pipelines