Asphaltene dispersants

Abstract

Compositions and methods for preventing the formation of aggregates and for dispersing aggregates and other poorly soluble materials in hydrocarbon fluids. The compositions include an asphaltene dispersant prepared from the reaction of a polyethyleneimine (PEI) dendrimer and one or more derivatizing reagents wherein the polyethyleneimine dendrimer has a weight average molecular weight of greater than or equal to 9 kDa. The methods include emplacing in a wellbore a composition comprising an asphaltene inhibitor, wherein the asphaltene inhibitor is a compound prepared from the reaction of a polyethyleneimine dendrimer and one or more derivatizing reagents wherein the polyethyleneimine dendrimer has a weight average molecular weight of greater than or equal to 9 kDa.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.