Low-temperature oxidation of viscous crude oils

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reservoir Engineering; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/15648-PA· OSTI ID:6088813

Fassihi, M R ^[1]; Meyers, K O; Basile, P F ^[2]

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1. Amoco Production Co. (US)
2. Arco Oil and Gas Co. (US)

During in-situ combustion, oxygen can bypass the flame front and react with oil temperatures that are relatively low compared with those in combustion. These reactions, called low temperature oxidation (LTO), can adversely affect the crude's physical and chemical properties and result in lower oil recovery. This paper presents laboratory study results on the LTO of four oils, ranging from 31.1 to 10.1{degrees} API and from 14 to 54,300 cp dead-oil viscosity at 85{degrees}F. They include two biodegraded oils, a mature crude and an immature heavy oil. The LTO of these oils is reported as a function of reaction time, oxygen partial pressure, and temperature. LTO increased oil viscosity and density. For the 31.1{degrees} API oil, these increases are minor and should have insignificant effects on process performance. For the heavier oils, however, the viscosity of the oxidized oils increases exponentially with increasing extent of oxidation, X{sub O{sub 2}}. relatively minor oxidation (40mg O{sub 2}/g oil) results in a six-fold increase in viscosity. The rate of viscosity increase depends on an oil's API gravity, origin, and composition. Compositional changes accompanying LTO are also discussed.

• OSTI ID: 6088813
• Journal Information: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reservoir Engineering; (USA), Vol. 5:4; ISSN 0885-9248
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
42 ENGINEERING
PETROLEUM
OXIDATION
RESERVOIR ROCK
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
ASPHALTENES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COKE
ENHANCED RECOVERY
LOW TEMPERATURE
OIL WELLS
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TIME DEPENDENCE
VISCOSITY
ASPHALTS
BITUMENS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
TAR
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
023000 - Petroleum- Properties & Composition
040401 - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
420400 - Engineering- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow