Pasargad Energy Group, in cooperation with the Tehran University, has established the Pasargad Energy Flow Assurance Specialized Laboratory with the aim of developing advanced technologies and enhancing technical know-how in the field of investigating and controlling damaging factors in hydrocarbon production and transportation processes. The goal is to increase the productivity of oil wells and strengthen the link between industry and academia.
The Establishment and development of this laboratory—carried out through the efforts of Pasargad Exploration, Development & Production Company and the Technology and Innovation Management of Pasargad Energy Expansion Group, in collaboration with the Institute Of Petroleum Engineering University Of Tehran (IPE) —focuses on specialized studies in preventing asphaltene deposition, mineral scale, wax, clay swelling and migration of clay and sand particles, polymer-induced formation damage, equipment corrosion, and foam and emulsion formation. In other words, it targets the prevention of factors that can production loss, increase repair costs, and even necessitate workover of wells. With the objective of reducing maintenance needs and increasing flow stability, this center provides a scientific platform for designing preventive solutions and optimizing production operations.
This project is not only applied in the Sepehr and Jufair oil fields (where investment for development and production of field has been made by Pasargad Energy group), but is also used as a reference for studies on improving flow assurance, reducing maintenance requirements, and optimizing production in other fields across the country.
In this Laboratory, an advanced system was designed and built to study asphaltene deposition under real production conditions. This system by simulating the production tubing and reservoir, allows for precise examination and evaluation of the location and volume of asphaltene deposition at high pressure and high temperature (HPHT). With capabilities such as accurate injection of oil, inhibitors, and water, as well as controlling outlet pressure, the system simulates real field conditions and provides vital data for chemical design, flow behavior prediction, and operational risk reduction.
This laboratory infrastructure is considered a major step toward improving the country’s technical knowledge in the field of flow assurance and Sustainable production from hydrocarbon resources
Scope of studies
This laboratory focuses on studying conditions and methods for preventing formation damage, reducing work over of wells, and facilitating the transport of oil and gas through pipelines.
The Flow Assurance Laboratory enables studies on:
- Prevention of asphaltene formation and deposition, as well as organic and inorganic deposits, in porous media, production tubing, and hydrocarbon transportation lines
- Prevention of wax formation and deposition
- Prevention of clay swelling and migration of clay and sand particles
- Prevention of polymer damage to the reservoir formation
- Prevention of corrosion
- Prevention of foam and emulsion formation during hydrocarbon production processes
Capabilities and tests currently operational
Asphaltene deposition study system, capable of performing the following tests:
- Studying asphaltene deposition of live oil in a capillary tube during constant pressure-gradient injection and constant flow-rate injection
- Studying the effects of asphaltene inhibitors and water cut on asphaltene deposition of live oil during natural production (constant pressure gradient and constant flow rate) in core/tubing
- Studying the effects of production tubing material and roughness on asphaltene deposition of live oil during natural production (constant pressure gradient and constant flow rate) in core/tubing
- Studying the effects of injection rate, temperature, and pressure of various solvents and solvent–dispersant mixtures on dissolving deposited asphaltene under well repair conditions
- Studying the effects of inhibitors and water cut on asphaltene deposition of dead oil during constant flow-rate injection, including measurement of pressure drop and asphaltene-induced damage
- Determining the deposition location and deposition volume of live-oil asphaltene in a capillary tube
- Investigating the effects of ultrasonic waves on deposited asphaltene volume and reduction of live-oil flow rate in a capillary tube during constant pressure-gradient tests
Summary and outlook
The development of the Pasargad Energy Flow Assurance Specialized Laboratory at the Tehran University is a fundamental step toward achieving technical know-how and local technologies for designing preventive solutions, optimizing production operations, and reducing damages in oil and gas production and transportation. With the aim of reducing maintenance and improving flow stability, this center provides a scientific platform to prevent factors that can production loss, increase repair costs, and even require re-drilling of wells. It investigates issues such as leakage and deposition of organic, inorganic, and waxy materials; clay swelling and migration of clay and sand; polymer adsorption; equipment corrosion; and foam and emulsion formation—all of which can disrupt hydrocarbon production and increase repair and re-drilling costs.
This laboratory, as a reference for scientific and practical research alongside industry, has the capability to advance technology and enhance the country’s technical knowledge in this field.