Asphaltenes monitoring and control system
US6467340B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The present invention provides a system that monitors and controls the precipitation of asphaltenes in a formation fluid recovered from a subsurface formation or reservoir by using a sensor to make a direct real-time on-site measurement of the relative concentration asphaltenes from at least one location at a wellsite or in a pipeline. In a system including a fiber optic attenuated total reflectance probe for sensing asphaltenes and using a processor to compare sequential measurements, the system of the present invention can trigger the addition of additives in response to a change in asphaltene concentration in the formation fluid, preventing precipitation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.