A Study of Asphaltene Precipitation Problem in some wells in Kurdistan Region

Authors

  • Akram Humoodi Abdulwahab Department of Natural Resource Engineering & Management, School of Science and Engineering, University of Kurdistan Hewler, Erbil, F.R. Iraq
  • Baroz Aziz Ministry of Natural Resources, Erbil, F.R. Iraq
  • Dana Khidhir Petroleum Department, MAD Institute, Erbil, F.R. Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25079/ukhjse.v4n1y2020.pp27-36

Keywords:

Asphaltene precipitation, Colloidal Instability, Computer Modelling Group

Abstract

Throughout the production and reservoir lifecycle, the asphaltene precipitation is an ever existing problem through changing the porosity, permeability and wettability leading to decline in production. The conditions that govern Asphaltene precipitation varies from well to well and from reservoir conditions of high pressure and temperature to surface conditions and need to be studied case by case. The modeling and predicting the phase behavior and precipitation of Asphaltene is paramount for wells in Kurdistan region as it is developing its oil and gas industry. Crude oil samples from three wells in Kurdistan Region-Iraq were selected for this study. Experimental data such as crude oil composition using Gas Chromatography, PVT analysis and reservoir pressure and temperature were used as input data into Computer Modeling Group CMG simulator and a model of Asphaltene phase behavior was suggested. The model suggests that the maximum precipitation occurs near the bubble point pressure at reservoir conditions. This is validated and compared with results in literature indicating similar behavior of crude oil. To predict the Asphaltene precipitation at surface condition a modified Colloidal Instability Index CII were used and the results were validated by De Bore plot

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Author Biographies

  • Akram Humoodi Abdulwahab, Department of Natural Resource Engineering & Management, School of Science and Engineering, University of Kurdistan Hewler, Erbil, F.R. Iraq

    Holding Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering (1980). He has professor title since January 1999 (Baghdad University). He was awarded the title Prof. Emeritus in 2013 (Baghdad University). He has teaching experience more than 33 years in Baghdad University and field experience for 11 Years. He was heading the Department of Petroleum Engineering in Baghdad University for 11 years continuously (1996-2007). He was appointed as Iraqi cultural attaché in Poland (2007-2012). He published 5 text books, 43 papers and supervised 48 M.Sc. and 5 theses Ph.D. and more than 120 undergraduate projects. Presently he is working as a professor in UKH since 2013.
    His google scholar is:
    https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=vDQf5TsAAAAJ&hl=en

  • Baroz Aziz, Ministry of Natural Resources, Erbil, F.R. Iraq

    Holding Ph.D. in Material and Environmental Engineering in 2012 from the Stockholm University and M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering in 2006 from the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm. He has published 8 articles and have more than 500 citations. Currently, he is working as Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Natural Resources, KRG, Erbil.

  • Dana Khidhir, Petroleum Department, MAD Institute, Erbil, F.R. Iraq

    Holding M.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Kurdistan Hewler in 2019 and B.SC. IN 2016. Has experience as Drilling Lab. Assistant for 2 years, Worked as H2S Field Engineer for one year. Currently is working as full time Lecturer teaching Drilling Fluid, Well completion, Drilling technology, Reservoir engineering, Natural gas and oil properties, and HSE.

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Published

2020-06-30

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2020): ISSUE 6

Section

Research Articles

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How to Cite

A Study of Asphaltene Precipitation Problem in some wells in Kurdistan Region. (2020). UKH Journal of Science and Engineering, 4(1), 27-36. https://doi.org/10.25079/ukhjse.v4n1y2020.pp27-36

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