Effects of Native and Non-Native Resins on Asphaltene Deposition and the Change of Surface Topography at Different Pressures: An Experimental Investigation

Asphaltene deposition during oil production and transportation causes extensive damage to reservoirs and wellhead equipment. In this study, the effects of native and non-native resins as well as those of their mixtures on the asphaltene deposition process are investigated. A novel pressure, volume, and temperature (PVT) visual cell is used to check the effect of resin on asphaltene deposition at different pressures and reservoir temperatures. Two Iranian crude oil samples with different potentials of asphaltene deposition (low and high) were used in these tests. During depressurizing in the presence of native and non-native resins, the amount of asphaltene deposited was measured. To monitor any changes in surface topography, the atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique was used in this study. The results show that the amount of asphaltene deposited decreases as the amount of resin increases; however, less asphaltene is deposited when the resin mixture is used than when the native resin is used. At high ratios of resin to asphaltene, the stability of asphaltene is higher, but as the pressure increases, the stability of the asphaltene decreases more than expected. The surface property changes indicate that in the presence of the resin mixture the surfaces are less affected.