Title: Metal naphthenate precipitation modelling framework

Authors: Sai R. Panuganti; Caleb J. Sisco; Ivy Chai C. Hsia; Noorazlenawati Borhan; Marya Cokar

Addresses: Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' ENNOVA LLC, Greenbriar Dr., Stafford, Texas, USA ' Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' ENNOVA LLC, Greenbriar Dr., Stafford, Texas, USA

Abstract: One of the important challenges faced during production, transport and processing of acidic crude is metal naphthenate formation and subsequent flow assurance issues. But currently there are no commercial simulation tools available to determine the risk of naphthenate precipitation over the life cycle for an asset. The objective of our paper is to propose a thermodynamic modelling approach to predict metal naphthenate occurrence in real crude oil system at field condition. Modelling considerations and framework details are presented. The algorithms are then used to predict naphthenic acid salts' occurrences and magnitude, for impact on emulsion stability and scaling tendency. A field example of metal naphthenate formation modelling is showcased in a real crude oil system for the first time in literature. The modelling result matches field observation. This model can be used for providing guidance to workflows involving metal naphthenate formation and help prevent or mitigate the issue. [Received: February 24, 2023; Accepted: July 5, 2023]

Keywords: naphthenate; flow assurance; precipitation; thermodynamic; modelling; framework; crude oil; field.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2024.136545

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2024 Vol.35 No.2, pp.117 - 135

Received: 22 Feb 2023
Accepted: 05 Jul 2023
Published online: 06 Feb 2024 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article