Numerical Modeling of Asphaltene Deposition along Wellbore

Asphaltene deposition is one of the major production problems during the life of a well. It can reduce well flow rate or cease the production totally. Prediction of asphaltene deposition profile along wellbore can identify most probable region of deposition and investigate the effect of different parameters on deposition profile. In this book a comprehensive model to predict asphaltene deposition profile along wellbore is developed. For this purpose thermal and hydrodynamic models of wellbore are coupled with asphaltene precipitation and deposition models, to develop a comprehensive model to simulate wellbore conditions during asphaltene deposition period. The unified model is applied to a South-Western Iranian wellbore. Wellbore modeling in the presence and absence of asphaltene deposition is done, and the effect of asphaltene deposition on momentum transfer, heat transfer, and mass transfer along a wellbore is investigated. The results of current work can be applied by a wide spectrum of researchers and students that are interested in asphaltene deposition phenomenon and oil wellbore modeling.