ABSTRACT
Deposition of naphthenates has become a major problem in the production of acidic crude oils. The naphthenate problems arise when oil, gas and water/brine are produced. The severity of naphthene problems can be gauged by measuring the acidity of crude oils. Naphthenate precipitation and deposition occurs in both heavy and light crudes, and both high and low TAN value crudes. Naphthenic acids are a part of the greater carboxylic acids family found in petroleum (crude oil). The naphthenic acid concentrations are factual, while the naphthenate concentrations are speculative. Naphthenic acid is soluble in crude oil and slightly, slightly soluble in brine. Naphthenate deposits form at oil-water interfaces in water-in-oil emulsions and oil-in-water emulsions. Great progress has been made in recent years to identify the carboxylic acids that lead to the precipitation and deposition of naphthenates in oil and gas facilities.
