Asphaltenes

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A complex mixture of heavy organic compounds in crude oils that precipitate under natural conditions due to the admixture of light hydrocarbons to the reservoir or in the laboratory by addition of excess n-pentane, n-exane, or n-heptane. After precipitation of asphaltenes, the remaining oil consists of saturates, aromatics, and nitrogen, sulfur, and/or oxygen (NSO) compounds.[1]


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References

  1. Peters, Kenneth E., David J. Curry, and Marek Kacewicz, 2012, An overview of basin and petroleum system modeling: Definitions and concepts, in Peters, Kenneth E., David J. Curry, and Marek Kacewicz, eds., Basin modeling: New horizons in research and applications: AAPG Hedberg Series no. 4, p. 1-16.