Asphaltene precipitation critically impacts oil and gas production by reducing permeability through deposition within reservoir formations during pressure changes. Conventional mitigation strategies such as squeeze treatments, involving periodic injections of solvents or inhibitors, incur significant operational costs and limited effectiveness over time. Addressing the industry's need for long-term inhibition, we developed phenol formaldehyde-based or amine-based inhibitor-loaded mesoporous nanoparticles for controlled, extended inhibitor release in organic solvents.
Employing mesoporous nanoparticles with particle sizes under 500 nm, we achieved excellent colloidal stability, essential for minimizing formation damage during reservoir injections. Extensive characterization using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) validated the suitability of nanoparticles for reservoir conditions. Release kinetics evaluated via UV-Vis spectroscopy and modeled using adsorption/desorption dynamics provided insights into the sustained release mechanisms. Multidentate interactions between asphaltene inhibitor polymers and nanoparticle surfaces were identified as critical factors influencing the high loading of polymer on nanoparticles and prolong release profiles. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of nanoparticle-inhibitor interactions for achieving inhibitor release durations approaching one year, thus presenting a robust, cost-effective strategy for long-term management of asphaltene precipitation in petroleum reservoirs.
