Transoil Technology for Heavy Oil Transportation: Results of Field Trials at Wolf Lake

Abstract

ABSTRACT Since 1982, BP Research International has been investigating the suitability of oil-in-water emulsion technology for the transportation of heavy oils and bitumens as part of a collaborative research agreement with Intevep S.A., an affiliate of Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. During the course of this work, in 1983, a new method for the preparation of stable oil-in-water emulsions was discovered. Patent applications for the process have been filed in appropriate countries. Encouraged by the results of a substantial programme of laboratory and small-scale pilot plant research at the Sunbury Research Centre of BP Research International, a Joint Venture was established in 1987 between BP Canada, the Alberta Energy Company and BP Canadian Holdings to develop and demonstrate TRANSOIL technology at Wolf Lake, Alberta, Canada. The development programme has recently been completed in trials designed to evaluate the scale-up of the TRANSOIL emulsification process, the storage properties of the emulsions produced, their transportation characteristics and their ultimate demulsification. This paper describes the background to the technology, the facilities used and the results obtained during the trials.