Being able to assess
the solubility properties of asphaltenes is
essential for oilfield asphaltene risk assessment. The solubility
distribution of PetroPhase 2017 asphaltenes was characterized using
the asphaltene solubility class index (ASCI), which a simple methodology
based on precipitation onset determination in different heptols. This
ASCI method was also used to measure the polydispersity in terms of
solubility for PetroPhase 2017 asphaltenes that were fractionated
from the native crude oil with precipitants of different qualities.
Similar to other crude oils, asphaltenes from PetroPhase 2017 have
a high level of polydispersity, ranging from fractions “insoluble
in toluene” to “soluble in heptane”, which may
seem contradictory with the usual definition of asphaltenes. The modification
of the precipitant/crude oil ratio, with heptane as the precipitant,
also highlighted the presence of co-precipitated materials that did
not affect the solubility class of asphaltenes. From our experience
over the last 15 years, using ASCI or another equivalent tool, would
greatly improve the comparison between different studies on asphaltene,
similar to the well-known wax appearance temperature, which is measured
and reported in the vast majority of studies on paraffins.
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