Asphaltene deposition control

A method for inhibiting precipitation of asphaltene(s) from a crude oil having an asphaltene content, the method comprising:

• (A) providing a crude oil in a major amount, the crude oil having an asphaltene content;
• and
• (B) introducing into the crude oil a three-way combination of additives (B)(i), (B)(ii) and (B)(iii), in an effective minor amount, to inhibit precipitation of asphaltene(s) from the crude oil, wherein the three-way combination of additives (B)(i), (B)(ii) and (B)(iii) comprises or is made by admixing:
• (B)(i) a metal (C10 to C40)hydrocarbyl-substituted hydroxybenzoate detergent, wherein the metal of said metal (C10 to C40)hydrocarbyl-substituted hydroxybenzoate detergent has a valency of +1 or +2 and wherein said metal (C10 to C40)hydrocarbyl-substituted hydroxybenzoate detergent has a total base number (TBN) at 100% active mass of less than or equal to 135 mg KOH/g as measured by ASTM D2896;
• (B)(ii) a poly(C2 to C6)alkenyl-substituted anhydride or poly(C2 to C6)alkenyl-substituted acid;
• and
• (B)(iii) an aliphatic hydrocarbyl acid amide, or an aliphatic hydrocarbyl acid imide, or a combination thereof, wherein said aliphatic hydrocarbyl acid amide and said aliphatic hydrocarbyl acid imide is each independently obtained by reacting (B)(iii)(a) an aliphatic alkylene polyamine with (B)(iii)(b) an aliphatic (C10 to C30)hydrocarbyl-substituted monocarboxylic acid or derivative thereof or with (B)(iii)(c) an aliphatic hydrocarbyl-substituted anhydride, -diacid or -diol, and wherein the aliphatic alkylene polyamine includes at least two carbon atoms and at least two amine groups, wherein at least one of the amine groups is a primary amine group, and each of said amine groups is bonded to a different carbon atom of the aliphatic alkylene polyamine.