An Asphaltene Formation Damage Study determines the skin factor evolution or growth in the near-wellbore region during production of a hydrocarbon fluid. Asphaltene formation damage data are first obtained in the lab from core plugs and/or from well formation damage production history. Then, the formation damage data are used to tune an asphaltene formation damage simulator, like AsphWax's FDModelR. Finally, the skin factor evolution or growth in the near-wellbore region is simulated with the tuned FDModelR. The formation damage or skin evolution rate is utilized to evaluate the need for solvent stimulation chemical treatments using coiled tubing units.
Description:
An Asphaltene Formation Damage Study is a continuation of an Asphaltene Phase Behavior Study and it involves a sequence of tests and computer simulation leading to the determination of the skin factor caused by asphaltene-induced formation damage. The flowcharts below give a summary of the steps required to:
Obtain representative bottom-hole fluid samples
Perform PARA (Paraffin-Aromatic-Resin-Asphaltene) Analysis, PVT Study, and Flow Assurance Diagnostic Study
Develop a PVT-tuned PARA EOS fluid characterization
Simulate the fluid's P-T Diagram
Tune asphaltene phase behavior model
Simulate the fluid's ADE
Estimate core plug asphaltene-induced formation pluggage due to asphaltene flocculation in laboratory tests performed at reservoir conditions
Tune asphaltene formation damage simulator to the lab data and field data (if any)
Simulate asphaltene-induced near-well formation damage, e.g., skin factor.
