A comparison study of SARA fractions from conventional and heavy crude oils in relation to their deposition tendency in production pipelines
- INTEVEP, Caracas (Venezuela)
Asphaltene deposition is a widespread problem in the oil industry. Well and oil pipeline clogging causes very significant economic losses and operational delays. In spite of these problems, very little has been reported about the chemical nature of such deposits and the mechanism by which they form. The results show that conventional crudes (troublesome) have a lower asphaltene content. However, such asphaltenes exhibit a higher degree of condensation and aromaticity than their counterpart in heavy crude oils (trouble-free). In addition, conventional crude oils have a higher paraffin content than heavy crude oils. Furthermore, resins are found at higher percentages in heavy crude oils. These observations suggest that the chemical structure of conventional crude oil asphaltene is not compatible with the matrix in which they are contained. Following the same line of thought, a heavy crude oil asphaltene is stabilized by the matrix, due to the solvent effect provided by the high aromatic content of such crudes. Extensive data in chemical parameters of the different fractions and a possible explanation for the deposit formation are discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 229630
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9502114-Vol.2; TRN: 96:000932-0062
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 6. UNITAR international conference on heavy crude and tar sands on fueling for a clean and safe environment, Houston, TX (United States), 12-17 Feb 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]; Related Information: Is Part Of Heavy crude and tar sands -- Fueling for a clean and safe environment. Proceedings: Volume 2; Meyer, R.F. [ed.]; PB: 733 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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