The use of three on-column filtration asphaltene characterization techniques is presented for the analysis of produced crude oils and deposits from upstream operations. These techniques are: Determination of asphaltenes content by the on-column filtration method, asphaltenes solubility profile and separation of asphaltenes in solubility fractions. It was found that the on-column filtration technique can be effectively used for determining asphaltenes content of crude oil samples coming from upstream operations. Additionally, using solubility profile, it was found that a deposit from production operation is preferentially enriched of low solubility asphaltenes as evidenced by their higher solubility parameter. Finally, the asphaltene solubility fraction method was used to characterize produced oil coming from steam injection tests. The results showed that no significant changes were observed in the distribution of asphaltenes for all the samples studied.

On column filtration asphaltene characterization methods for the analysis of produced crude oils and deposits from upstream operations

246th National Meeting (2013)

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