The Effect of Asphaltene Precipitation on Carbonate-Rock Permeability: An Experimental and Numerical Approach

Summary A series of experiments was carried out to determine the effect of asphaltene precipitation on the intrinsic permeability of carbonate rocks. Experiments indicated the existence of three different flow regimes, namely monotonous steady state, quasisteady state, and continuous plugging. The numerical model helped identify mech- anisms involved in these flow regimes. The existence of a contin- uous plugging regime at a high flow rate is of particular concern in the petroleum industry because of increased probability of plugging near the wellbore. The numerical model couples the surface excess theory for adsorption with the mechanical entrapment theory. The mathematical model accurately predicts permeability damage from mechanical trapping and adsorption. The model predictions agree favorably with experimental results for different flow rates.