Instructors:         Charles F. Alcocer, Ph.D.

 

• Course Description: This course discusses in depth all the emerging laboratory and field technologies. related to asphaltene. The course considers Near Infrared Spectroscopy  laboratory Technology, Spectrum/ Electromagnetic  principles and theory,  3-D P-T- Composition diagrams of flocculation curves for asphaltene, Magnetic and electromagnetic principles, theory and design of magnetic and electromagnetic devices applied to petroleum industry, Microbial methods field design and laboratory implementation. Attention is given to mathematical models to predict asphaltene deposition. This course discusses the  latest results in characterization of asphaltene. 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 in depth of the conventional methods to control asphaltene is included. Coating technology and modern field applications cases are included in the course. A comparative study  of Methods/Technologies: Advantages and disadvantages. is discussed in details. Laboratory studies and Field cases are part  of the course. A workshop  during the last day review in depth all the material on asphaltene in practical manner for immediate field applications.

• Target Audience: This course is designed for Pipeline, Production, Reservoir Engineers and theirs Supervisors, Chemical Engineers associated with the oil industry, Geophysical and Technical field personnel and Service Companies representatives that wish to obtain or increase understanding on asphaltene  problems associated to field operations

Course Contents:

First day:

 

I. Introduction

1. Introduction and scope of the course

2. Brief History of asphaltene problems in crude oil production

3. Economic Impact of the Problem

4. Economic History Case

5. Significant  Breakthroughs in the field of asphaltene treatments

6. Initial Test for Pre-evaluation.

 II. Producing Asphaltene in Crude Oils: Problems And  Solutions

1. Introduction

2. Asphaltene composition: The molecular  nature of petroleum asphaltene

3. Asphaltene structures: Discussion and competition

4. Thermodynamic Colloidal Model for asphaltene

5. Chemical concepts of Colloids and phases, Solution, and suspension applied  to the understanding of asphaltene. 

6. Concept of Micelle, Peptization and depeptization process in asphaltene

7. Conceptual Molecular-Thermodynamic Model for asphaltene

8. Mechanisms of flocculation and deposition for asphaltene

8.1   Molecular diffusion as main lateral mechanism of transport of asphaltene

8.2   Shear Dispersion

8.3   Brownian Diffusion

8.4   Gravity settling of Asphaltene

8.5   Practical application of these concepts to field problems related to asphaltene

9. Influence of temperature, composition and pressure on asphaltene flocculation.

Second Day:

10. Formation damage by Asphaltene Flocculation, Deposition and Plugging.

11. Formation Change of Wettability by asphaltene Deposition and Flocculation.

12. State of the art sampling technology  for laboratory analysis of asphaltene

13. P-T ADE  envelops: Description, Construction and interpretation

14. Production Strategies  to produce Asphaltenic  crude oil base on P-T-ADE envelops

15. Combination with Production optimization to establish production strategies: Discussion, practice and competition

16. Formation Damage prevention through control deposition

17. Absorbance optical concept and Absorbance behavior vs. time in asphaltenic crudes

18. Modern Asphaltene stability method/ laboratory procedure.

19. UV method to determine asphaltene stability (field application)

20. Experimental equipment (UV) for atmospheric experiments.

21. Experimental equipment for elevated pressure & elevated temperatures

22. Asphaltene precipitation from heavy-medium oils by gas injection-miscible and/or inmiscible flooding.

23. Conventional Methods to control Asphaltene.

24. Microbial and Magnetic/Electromagnetic methods for control and prevention of deposition of asphaltene. Practice/discussion and competition

Third Day:

25. Effect of diluent and carbon dioxide on asphaltene and flocculation in heavy solution

26. Diagram of stabilization power of chemicals

27. Comparative study of NIR curve interpretation with P-T-ADE curves

28. Introduction to NIR Paraffin/Asphaltene Crystallization/Flocculation curves to diagnose asphaltene problems to establish strategies for reservoir exploitation.

29. Selection and Optimization of Chemical Injection by Using diagrams of stabilization Power.

30. Boscan/Panuco Crude Phenomenon/ Research results and filed applications

31. New formation treatment method to control asphaltene deposition based on stability method.

32. A conceptually Review Thermodynamic-Molecular and Thermodynamic-Colloidal models to predict asphaltene deposition

33. Asphaltene and Paraffin case histories ( Problem -Solutions)

34. Monophasic sampling technology for live-reservoir sampling collection

35. Design and specification and quality control of Permanent magnets/Electromagnetic devices applied to oil industry.

Fourth Day:

III   New Technology to Control/Prevent Asphaltene

1. Compatibility Techniques in Reservoir previous to Stimulation.

2. Field Problems related with Asphaltenic reservoir exploitation

3. Microbial  Control of Asphaltene at reservoir level

4. Influence of Magnetic and Electromagnetic field on Asphaltene

5. Review magnetic and electromagnetic application

6. Magneto-Hydro-Dynamic principle and research associated to the principle

7. Lorenz's Law applied to Petroleum Engineering

8. Aggregate/disaggregated theory applied to magnetic/eletromagnetic devices

9. Analysis of Laboratory results with magnetic/electromagnetic devices

10. Field Application of  magnetic/electromagnetic devices

11. Quality Control in Microbial and Magnetic/Electromagnetic field application

12. Final discussion and conclusions on new methods to control/prevent paraffin

13. General discussion on asphaltene and conclusions

14. Final technical competition on Asphaltene.

Fifth Day:

IV.   Asphaltene Workshop

       This workshop will be conducted during the 5^th  day of the course.

 

A. Objectives of the workshop are as follows:

1. Review and extend course material or specific points 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. Establish 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 asphaltene

6. Discuss student's specific field problems and methods that have been applied to solve      paraffin/asphaltene/scale deposition and have failed

7. Others.

B. Final Test  Evaluation.

• Additional equipment needed: Computer for Power point projection, Slide Projector,  Overhead Projector, Vinyl Blackboard and VCR

LENGHT: 5 DAYS  ( 40 Hrs)