The Effect of Temperature Change on Wax and Asphaltene Precipitation

One of the well problems that are face by the operation is the formation damage occurs in the wellbore. The formation damage can be cause by several reasons which one of it is due to the formation of wax and asphaltene precipitation. This formation of organic precipitate will cause the flow of well to be disturb and suddenly depleted. The study of temperature effect on the formation of the precipitate will provide a solution to the operation in order to manipulate the production to minimize the formation. The study will cover the effect of temperature to the crude properties and also to define the range of temperature where the precipitation is tend to form. The study will be conducted in the lab size scale where crude from various field will be collected and then put under test for the purpose of study. The crude sample will be put under several range of temperature to observe the change that may occur to its properties and also any formation of precipitate. The study will be involving the knowledge of petroleum engineering together with chemical engineering. The outcome of the study will be use to manipulate the current operation practice to minimize the formation of the precipitation and hence, improve the production of the crude.