Asphaltenes exist in crude oil, stabilized by material termed resins. The combined material behaves like a colloidal dispersion. Removal of the resins by a physical or chemical means results in the asphaltenes aggregating and precipitating from the crude.

The most effective means of prevention is through chemical treatment. We supply asphaltene dispersants designed for each type of crude oil.

Paraffins pose a big concern in the production of some crude oils. Even though paraffins normally remain dissolved at formation temperature, but as oil is produced the crude temperature is lowered, the wax crystallises gradually in the form of needles and thin plates. As more wax crystallises, these needles and thin plates aggregate to turn into 3-D network causing the crude oil to solidify; particularly if it is very waxy.

Additives can change the wax crystal surface by adsorption and keep the entire system dispersed. This predominately results in an improvement in the waxes deposition behavior in crude oil. We are capable and have designed a specific paraffin inhibitor with anti-sticking properties which has proven its efficiency in significantly reducing the paraffin deposition.

Pour Point Depressants (PPD) are designed to interfere in the wax crystallization process by modifying the crystal structure.

PPDs are structured so that part of the molecule is like paraffin wax crystals, which acts by providing nucleation sites and co-crystallization with the waxes. The other part of the structure is dissimilar to the wax crystals and blocks the extensive growth of wax matrices.

The effect is a better flow behaviour and a depression of the pour point. We perform viscosimetry and flow simulation in test loops to design the appropriate pour point depressant..

Demulsifiers act to increase water droplets radius and facilitate dehydratation. This is achieved by reducing the repulsive forces and interfacial tension, neutralising zeta potential and reducing viscosity of interfacial film.

Our specialisation in organic deposition control with our long and recognized expertise in this area is put to good use when building up specific demulsifiers formulated for difficult-to-break emulsions.

We are well-known for our expertise in designing custom made demulsifiers for acidic crude oil which allows for a dramatic reduction or complete suppression of acetic acid injection. Our technicians are experienced in “bottle testing” to:

	Determine the type and amount of our surfactants for interfacial film destruction
	Determine the type and amount of our own ionic surfactants for electric forces neutralization
	Final tuning of demulsifier, taking in account production specificities and other chemicals in the stream.