An explanation for solid-liquid-liquid-vapour phase behaviour in reservoir fluids

ABSTRACT

The appearance of solid-liquid-liquid-vapour phase equilibria in reservoir fluids is explained as an extension of the phase behaviour of binary asymmetric fluids. The theoretical approach is demonstrated for the model condensate-rich reservoir-fluid ethane (10 mole %) butane (40 mole %) phenanthrene (50 mole %), to which propane is added. Extant solid-liquid-liquid-vapour phase equilibrium data for reservoir fluids, which include asphaltenes, are found to be consistent with the phase behaviour of this model fluid. The implications for the prediction of asphaltene “precipitation” are discussed.

key words:

• reservoir fluid
• phase equilibria
• solid
• asphaltenes

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Th. W. deLoos

person to whom correspondence should be addressed.