Ionic liquid in stabilizing asphaltenes during miscible CO2 injection in high pressure oil reservoir

The potential of ionic liquids to prevent asphaltene precipitation during miscible Carbon dioxide (CO2) flooding was investigated. Asphaltene dispersion tests were performed to compare the effectiveness of commercial inhibitors and the ionic liquids at ambient conditions. Based on the results 1-Butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bromide [BMIM][Br], Ionic Liquid was selected and asphaltene onset pressure (AOP) was determined at high-temperature high-pressure conditions through isothermal depressurization experiments in PVT cell. The effect of CO2, organic solvents and [BMIM][Br] on AOP were documented and correlated with nodal pressure analysis of the reservoir/wells. The results show a 21% decrease in AOP compared to the untreated oil and about 46% decrease when 35 mol % of CO2 is solubilized in oil. [BMIM][Br] is seen to have higher activity when injected in solution with isopropanol-n-heptane compared to direct addition. The application of [BMIM][Br] in miscible CO2 flooded reservoir is found to have good potential in inhibiting asphaltene deposition within the reservoir and near wellbore nodal conditions.