SPE Journal
Volume 14, Number 2, June 2009, pp. 259-266

SPE-112434-PA

Mechanisms, Parameters, and Modeling of Naphthenate-Soap-Induced Formation Damage

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DOI  More information 10.2118/112434-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/112434-PA

Citation

  • Sarac, S. and Civan, F. 2009. Mechanisms, Parameters, and Modeling of Naphthenate-Soap-Induced Formation Damage. SPE J.  14 (2): 259-266. SPE-112434-PA. doi:10.2118/112434-PA.

Discipline Categories

  • 5 Production and Operations
  • 5.8 Fundamental Research in Production and Operations
  • 5.5 Oilfield Chemistry
  • 5.7 Operations Management
  • 5.3 Production Enhancement

Summary

Naphthenate-soap deposition and the related formation damage in petroleum reservoirs are investigated by means of laboratory-scale experimental and theoretical studies. Experiments were carried out in three directions to understand and quantify the naphthenate-soap-deposition problem. Static bottle tests were conducted to determine the precipitation rate for various pH and temperature conditions. Microscopy investigations were carried out to verify the growth of naphthenate-soap particles under different pH conditions. Core-flow tests were conducted to generate naphthenate-soap particles and to determine the permeability impairment caused by subsequent deposition of these particles in porous media under flowing conditions and different pH values. A power-law expression was proposed and verified for the precipitation rate of the naphthenate-soap particles. The parameters of the rate equation were correlated with respect to pH and temperature. This also allowed the determination of the critical pH value for the onset of naphthenate-soap precipitation. The results of the particle-size experiments were described by a particle-growth equation, and the parameters of the equation were correlated with respect to pH. The core-flow experiments proved the occurrence of formation damage caused by naphthenate-soap precipitation and subsequent deposition. The permeability impairment in core-flow experiments was described by a new differential model. The applications presented in this study provide insights for understanding the mechanism and magnitude of naphthenate-soap-induced formation damage and help in taking proper measures to avoid the formation damage caused by naphthenate-soap deposition.

© 2009. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

  • Original manuscript received: 14 November 2007
  • Meeting paper published: 13 February 2008
  • Revised manuscript received: 8 May 2008
  • Manuscript approved: 8 May 2008
  • Published online: 1 June 2009
  • Version of record: 1 June 2009