Applying Hansen solubility parameters to asphaltene precipitation in crude oil

Abstract

To predict asphaltene precipitation problem, Hansen solubility parameter (HSP) analyses were applied to three Japanese oil fields: Minami-Kuwayama, Yabase, and Minami-Aga. The analyzed samples were stock tank oil（STO） and heptane-insoluble asphaltene (Asp) of each oil. Comparing the relative distances between the HSPs of STO and Asp (Ra) to the radius of Hansen solubility sphere of STO (R0) in each oil field, the smaller Ra/R0（ RED: Relative Energy Difference） means the higher affinity of Asp with STO. As a result, the REDs of Minami-Kuwayama, Yabase, and Minami-Aga were 0.90, 0.45, and 0.65, respectively. The result indicated that Minami-Kuwayama oil should have the highest probability in asphaltene precipitation problem, corresponds to the fact that only this oil field has encountered asphaltene problems from the beginning of field development stage. It was found that HSP analyses were very helpful for the prediction of asphaltene problem.