Cavitation Solutions is able to provide a proven environmentally friendly asphaltene removal solution that:

• Effectively breaks down the asphaltenes to base hydrocarbons
• Does not require systems to be shutdown
• Is highly cost effective compared to solutions used in the market today
• Is safe to administer, is non-corrosive and non-toxic
• Can be used in onshore and offshore operations

Due to the operations of any oil production facility, it is a fact the asphaltenes will return.

However, adding PSI to the flowing oil through operational systems will prevent asphaltenes building up again.  This solution provides many benefits, including:

• Greatly reduced downtime as there will be no clogging
• High flow rates at all times
• Declogged pipes, valves, pumps and other equipment, ensuring a holistic better performance of the entire network flow.

Pig removed from pipeline that used PSI

Pig removed when competitor inhibitors used

What we have

A proprietary chemical compound (PSI), developed by our partners over 20 years in Canada.

How does it work?

The organic chemical solution is a negatively charged compound (an anionic compound) that breaks down the long chain hydrocarbon bonds.

How long does it take to work?

Typically, results can vary depending on project but can be as short as 24 hours.

Does it remain in the recovered oil?

No.  PSI discharges in the water phase.

Asphaltene deposits can occur throughout the oil production system, causing production flow rate decline and various other operational problems, such as higher viscosity and water oil emulsion.  Oil production systems affected by asphaltenes include:

• Near wellbore reservoir: Asphaltene deposits in the reservoir cause permeability reductions or changes to wettability, resulting in lower recoveries.
• Production pipes and tubing: Pipe and tubing deposits can cause decreased production flow rates and severe problems to online operations.
• Flow line: Flow line deposits cause decreased production and can cause pigs to become stuck during pigging operations.
• Processing facilities: Asphaltene deposits have also been seen in production equipment, such as separators, where asphaltenes have collected after having been precipitated further upstream. Asphaltenes also cause oil/water separation problems by stabilizing emulsions.

Asphaltenes clogging pipes

Asphaltene deposits can appear hard and coal-like, or more sticky and tar-like. The more resins are precipitated with the asphaltenes, the more oil-like the deposit may appear. The nature of the deposits is determined by the crude oil and the conditions under which precipitation occurred.

Many operators rely upon periodic solvent washes to remove asphaltenes that have formed. Typically hot aromatic solvents such as xylene are used, although production wells must be shut down for several hours for such a treatment. There is an additional risk if the solvent reaches the formation, since changes to wettability can alter the relative permeability to oil, and cause a dramatic reduction in oil production rates.

Aromatic solvents can pose environmental hazards and tend to dissolve seals. The rule of thumb is 100 gallon of solvent per foot of tubing with deposit. More environmentally terpene based solvents are available, but at a much higher cost.

Long chain anionic surfactant are also used by some operators, although this chemical type would not be suitable in production systems since they encourage formation of emulsions.