Note that this event will be conducted as a SPE webinar only event. It is free for global SPE members via the webinar registration link below.
Webinar registration:
https://webevents.spe.org
Description
Abstract:
Asphaltenes are polar heteroatoms which are often found in varying amounts and properties in crude oils. They are usually dissolved in hydrocarbon mixtures. They may drop out due to changes in pressure, and composition, and temperature to a lesser degree. The precipitation and deposition in flow lines and in the production wells create problems. The deposition is often removed by aromatics such as xylenes. They can be also removed by functional molecules at much lower concentration. This presentation discusses the following items:
- What are asphaltene molecules? How to describe phase behavior of asphaltenes in petroleum fluids.
- Efficient dissolution of asphaltenes in functional molecules. Effect of water on asphaltene stability in crudes.
- Efficient mitigation of asphaltene deposition in flowlines. Effect of water on asphaltene deposition and removal.
- Reservoir simulation of asphaltene precipitation and deposition in the injection well, reservoir, and production well.
- Opportunities in use of functional molecule in the wellbore.
Short Bio: Abbas Firoozabadi
Professor Firoozabadi is a senior scientist and director at the Reservoir Engineering Research Institute (RERI) in Palo Alto, CA, a Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice University, Houston. Professor Firoozbadi has taught graduate thermodynamics at Stanford University, Imperial College London, Yale University, Tokyo University, and Peking University.
The major research focus of Abbas has been on efficient production from subsurface conventional/unconventional hydrocarbon formations and related environmental stewardship. His research covers higher-order numerical modeling of subsurface flow, bulk phase-phase thermodynamics, interfacial thermodynamics, and irreversible thermodynamics. Both continuum scale and molecular simulations methods are advanced to study new improved hydrocarbon recovery methods and productions from shale formations. Current focus includes molecular engineering to use small amounts of functional molecules for efficiency in hydrocarbon energy production and stewardship of the environment. Very recently his research has been expanded into fracking and selection of fluids such as CO2 which may give much intense fractures. Professor Firoozabadi’s research is supported by major oil companies from the US, Middle East, Europe, and South America.
Abbas is the author of two books on thermodynamics and applications in hydrocarbon energy productions published by McGraw-Hill. He has published some 250 Journal papers.
Firoozabdi has received 4 of the major awards of the Society Petroleum Engineers including the SPE Anthony Lucas Gold Medal. Professor Firoozabadi is a member of the United States National Academy of Engineering (NAE).