Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of a Green Ternary Polymer Targeted Inhibitor for Asphaltene Dispersion in Oilfield Systems

Abstract Asphaltenes, key components of petroleum systems with high molecular weight and strong polarity, pose significant challenges during hydrocarbon extraction and recovery. In the Tarim oilfield, asphaltenes exhibit highly condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon structures, necessitating the development of targeted inhibitors. This study designed a molecular structure for asphaltene dispersion using molecular dynamics simulations, analyzing radial distribution functions (RDFs), mean square displacement (MSD), and hydrogen bond probabilities. A novel ternary polymer inhibitor (SMN) was synthesized using low‐toxicity butyl acetate instead of conventional aromatic solvents (e.g., toluene). Experimental results demonstrate that SMN enhances the dispersibility of Tarim archipelago‐type asphaltenes by 71.49%, delays precipitation onset by 50%, and reduces particle size from 1704.4 nm to 431.5 nm. For Qinghai island‐type asphaltenes, dispersibility improves by 62.96%, precipitation onset delays by 24%, and particle size decreases from 1421.3 nm to 415.8 nm. This work advances an efficient, eco‐friendly asphaltene inhibition system by elucidating dispersion mechanisms and molecular interactions, offering theoretical and practical insights to optimize hydrocarbon recovery and mitigate asphaltene‐related operational challenges.