Compositional Formulations for the Removal and Dissolution of Asphaltene–Resin–Paraffin Deposits in the Near-Wellbore Zone and Tubing Strings

Lyubchenko N. Boiko G. Sarmurzina R. Panova Y. Kenzhaliyev B. Karabalin U.
October 2025 Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

Processes
2025 #13 Issue 10

The concept of heating the near-wellbore zone (NWZ) using activated aluminum alloys offers a novel approach to enhancing oil recovery. This article reviews research on the development of hydrocarbon-based solvent formulations for removing asphaltene–resin–paraffin deposits (ARPD) in the NWZ and restoring well productivity. A comprehensive analysis of ARPD composition enabled the selection of solvent systems tailored to specific deposit types. The efficiency of ARPD removal from the NWZ, downhole equipment, and oil gathering systems in heavy and highly viscous Kazakhstani crude oils was evaluated using hydrocarbon solvent blends (e.g., hexane–toluene, gasoline–o-xylene, o-xylene–hexane–1-hexene) with surfactants (polyoxyethylene sorbitan–maleic anhydride esters), atactic polypropylene (APP), and activated aluminum alloys. The developed formulations accelerated ARPD breakdown and reduced energy consumption. It has been established that the optimal concentration of APP (0.5 wt.%) provides up to 100% cleaning efficiency and increases dissolving capacity by 25–30% compared to traditional binary systems. Cleaning efficiency is driven by a thermochemical reaction between water and the aluminum alloy, 2Al + 6H₂O → 2Al(OH)₃ + 3H₂↑ + 17 kJ, which depends on the alloy’s microstructure, grain boundary condition, and additive distribution. The exothermic effect of the reaction leads to the formation of a hot gas–steam–hydrogen mixture, where atomic hydrogen actively breaks down ARPD and increases the reservoir permeability by 2 to 4.5 times. Results show that a composite formulation of hexane–toluene–alloy–H₂O₂ (46.5:15:0.25:38.25) reduces the treatment time of ARPD-3 from 60 to 10 min while maintaining high efficiency at the level of 98.3%.

asphaltene–resin–paraffin deposits , atactic polypropylene , compositional formulations , highly viscous crude oil , hydrocarbon solvents , multicomponent activated aluminum alloys

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Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Benefication JSC, 29/133 Shevchenko Str., Almaty, 050010, Kazakhstan
Geology and Oil-gas Business Institute named after K. Turyssov, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Kazakh National Technical University after K.I. Satbayev, 22 Satbayev Str., Almaty, 050013, Kazakhstan
Kazenergy Association, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan

Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Benefication JSC
Geology and Oil-gas Business Institute named after K. Turyssov
Kazenergy Association

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

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