Abstract
As water approaches the critical point, the dielectric constant lowers enabling solution of heavy oil components. Simultaneously, enhanced water dissociation enhances cracking to lighter fractions. We evaluated this effect for three heavy oils concentrating on the effect of processing on feed viscosity. Reductions of up to 90 % were observed and these could be achieved in a few hours. Although more applicable to surface processing of oil sands in the short term, ultimately this technique could also be applied to immature oils for in situ processing and recovery. This may already be happening in some steam-assisted gravity drainage scenarios. In situ application would be limited to reservoirs where formation pressure is higher than the pressure required to generate these subcritical effects.
Highlights
The use of hot water is well established in thermal/steam oil recovery for high viscosity oils (Gray 1994)
Relatively short duration cracking in subcritical water lowers the viscosity more than purely thermal pyrolysis
This suggests that it is solubilisation of the heavy oil which drives the advantaged performance compared to pyrolysis
Summary
The use of hot water is well established in thermal/steam oil recovery for high viscosity oils (Gray 1994). Ineke Shell Global Solutions International b.v, Kessler Park 1, 2288 GS Rijswijk, The Netherlands These hot treatments can pyrolytically crack the long molecular structures. The object of the current work is to chemically augment the pyrolysis of heavy components from heavy oil, oil sands and kerogen in oil shales in order to generate crude oil components. For obtaining these effects, we use two effects of near critical water on organic components. In ‘‘Experimental’’, we describe our experimental apparatus, the hydrocarbons studied and our criteria for ascertaining cracking performance. ‘‘Results’’ describes the results with a conclusion geared towards practical in situ application
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
