Asphaltene inhibition and/or dispersion in petroleum fluids

Abstract

Compositions may include an asphaltene dispersant that is the product of a reaction between a polysaccharide having at least two sugar subunits and one or more fatty acid reagents, and a petroleum fluid produced from a subterranean formation and containing asphaltenes therein. The asphaltene dispersant may have a molecular weight of at least 4000 Da. Compositions may further include an aromatic solvent. Methods may include contacting a hydrocarbon fluid with an asphaltene dispersant dissolved in an aromatic solvent, wherein the asphaltene dispersant is the product of the reaction of a polysaccharide and one or more fatty acid reagents. Methods may also include contacting a hydrocarbon fluid with an asphaltene, wherein the asphaltene dispersant is the product of the reaction of a polysaccharide and one or more fatty acid reagents and has a molecular weight of at least 4000 Da.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.