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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Brine-in-crude-oil emulsions at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1121934· OSTI ID:1121934
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Metastable water-in-crude-oil emulsion formation could occur in a Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) cavern if water were to flow into the crude-oil layer at a sufficient rate. Such a situation could arise during a drawdown from a cavern with a broken-hanging brine string. A high asphaltene content (> 1.5 wt %) of the crude oil provides the strongest predictor of whether a metastable water-in-crude-oil emulsion will form. However there are many crude oils with an asphaltene content > 1.5 wt % that don't form stable emulsions, but few with a low asphaltene content that do form stable emulsions. Most of the oils that form stable emulsions are "sour" by SPR standards indicating they contain total sulfur > 0.50 wt %.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1121934
Report Number(s):
SAND2013--8834; 482631
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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