Influences of Asphaltene Deposition on Formation Damage and Gas Coning

Abstract

Asphaltene deposition in porous media would lead to reduction of effective pore/throat radius when the pressure of reservoir fluid drops below the onset of Asphaltene flocculation pressure. Therefore, causing major problems such as formation damage, more pressure drop around the well-bore, increased tendency to water and gas coning and subsequently disruption the oil production rate and the economical oil recovery. The main objective of this study is to estimate the gas coning height in the vicinity of the production well- bore due to Asphaltene induced formation damage and investigate the effect of various flow rates on gas coning height using information of two reservoirs. The results prove Asphaltene damages the reservoir by reducing rock permeability and porosity and progressive increase of the skin factor and which can result in productivity impairment. So, it is important to clearly investigate formation damages because removing them is so expensive and sometimes impossible.