Forecasting asphaltic precipitation
US8688383B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 27, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/54
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The magnitude of asphaltic precipitation when injecting a viscosity reducing diluent into a reservoir formation, notably to assist oil recovery therefrom, is forecast by (i) determining a relationship between asphaltic precipitation and a solubility parameter for the diluted oil, and then (ii) utilizing that relationship to forecast the magnitude of asphaltic precipitation when injecting a predetermined viscosity reducing diluent into the formation. Making this forecast may be followed by injecting a viscosity reducing diluent into the formation to assist oil recovery. The diluent may in particular be supercritical carbon dioxide or other asphaltene precipitant mixed with a more polar material in proportions designed by forecasting asphaltic precipitation by candidate materials in possible proportions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.