Effect of pressure and CO₂ content on the asphaltene precipitation in the light crude oil

Abstract

This paper focus on the effect of the pressure and CO₂ content on the state of asphaltene in the light crude oil from Changqing oilfield. When the pressure is more than 7 MPa or the CO₂ content is more than 10%, the aggregation of the asphaltene occurs. With the increase of the pressure from 7 MPa to 10 MPa or the increase of CO₂ content from 10% to 40%, the amount of the asphaltene aggregates has a significant increase. The experiment results of the effect of CO₂ content and pressure on the asphaltene precipitation in the light crude oil is different from that of the heavy oil. The conclusion can provide a theoretical basis to avoid the asphaltene precipitation the light crude oil during CO₂ flooding.

Keywords:

• asphaltene precipitation
• CO₂ flooding
• light crude oil
• pressure
• temperature