ELECTRICAL AND OTHER EFFECTS RELATED TO THE FORMATION AND PREVENTION OF ASPHALTENE DEPOSITION PROBLEM IN VENEZUELAN CRUDES.

Formation of asphaltene deposits has been a serious problem in many areas in Venezuela. Simple laboratory displacement measurements show that severe sand permeability reductions occur upon acid contact with asphaltenic crudes. Commercial products partially prevent the deposition of asphaltenes, however the injection of a slug of Boscan mix before the acid treatment gave better results than the commercial products used in this study. Based upon these studies, it is believed that controlling the electrodeposition of the asphaltenes can lead to development of preventive techniques.