Asphaltene Adsorption Onto Formation Rock: An Approach to Asphaltene Formation Damage Prevention

In this paper, through a comparative study on Static vs Dynamic adsorption of asphaltene onto formation rock, it is reported how, for the particular asphaltene/formation rock system here considered, the Dynamic asphaltene adsorption onto formation rock is a continuous phenomenon by which the quantity of adsorbed asphaltene increases continuously. In the authors` opinion this rather remarkable adsorption behavior may contribute to asphaltene formation damage. In the hypothesis that prevention may represent a more economical approach than removal, in this work is also reported a possible prevention approach based on formation rock treatment by means of specific chemicals more apt than asphaltenes to be adsorbed onto rock. As preliminary demonstration, with the aim at assessing qualitatively the potential of their approach, the authors have pre-treated the rock by means of commercially available asphaltene dispersant and flocculation inhibitors. Albeit the chosen additives are not commercialized on the base of their specific adsorption feature, a prevention effect has been effectively found. Experimental set ups and procedures used as a base for a test able to rank chemicals with respect to their asphaltene adsorption inhibitive effects are also reported.