Modeling formation damage due to asphaltene deposition in the porous media

Asphaltene deposition in a reservoir severely reduces the effective permeability and results in a reduction in oil production. The main term in asphaltene deposition modeling in the porous media is pore surface deposition. Previous models do not describe the effects of different parameters (i.e., concentration, velocity, and temperature) on the pore surface deposition term. We report the results of a series of experiments carried out to study the effects of the above parameters on the surface deposition term using an accurate thermal method. Based on these data, a new expression for the surface deposition term has been developed and implemented in asphaltene deposition modeling. The developed model was used in simulating formation damage due to asphaltene deposition in porous media. The results are very promising and the calculated permeabilities are in very good agreement with the experimental data reported in the literature. © 2011 American Chemical Society.