Method of transporting heavy crude oils in dispersion

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-06-08
INST FR DU PETROLE
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  • Abstract
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Benefits of technology

[0012] The temperature of said circulating suspension can be controlled

Problems solved by technology

However, these techniques are energy-consuming, or use complex processes tha

Method used

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  • Method of transporting heavy crude oils in dispersion
  • Method of transporting heavy crude oils in dispersion
  • Method of transporting heavy crude oils in dispersion

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[0026] The present invention preferably applies to heavy crudes. It thus consists in modifying the structural organization of the heavy crude which behaves like a viscous colloidal suspension, to obtain a suspension of non-colloidal particles of lower viscosity. The particles concerned by this change are, within the context of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, asphaltenes. Asphaltenes are molecules of higher molecular weight contained in some crude oils. They are characterized by their high polarity and by the presence of polycondensed aromatic rings. The overlap of these particles spread out in the crude is greatly responsible for the high viscosity of the heavy crudes. This overlap can be eliminated by keeping the asphaltenes in form of solid particles precipitated in the crude. This configuration change can be obtained by deasphalting the crude, then by dispersing the precipitated asphaltenes in the base liquid, notably under strong mechanical stirring. A non limit...

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Abstract

The invention relates to a method of transporting a viscous petroleum effluent in pipes, wherein the following stages are carried out: separating the effluent into at least a solid phase consisting of particles coming from the colloidal elements acting on the viscosity of said effluent and into a fluidized liquid phase, keeping an amount of particles dispersed in said fluidized liquid phase so as to obtain a suspension (2), and circulating the suspension in the pipe.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the sphere of transportation of viscous effluents, notably crudes referred to as “heavy” crudes, for example because of their asphaltenes content. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] There are known viscous crude transportation methods which consist in fluidizing the crude by heating, mixing with a fluidizing product, or treatment prior to transportation, for example bringing into an aqueous emulsion. However, these techniques are energy-consuming, or use complex processes that require large infrastructures which penalize the development of reservoirs. [0003] In the present description, what is referred to as slurry is a suspension or a dispersion of solid particles in a liquid that can be circulated, notably by pumping. This slurry flow type is already commonly used during estuary or river dredging operations, and in the mining industry. What is most interesting is that it allows to transport a maximum amount of solid sp...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): C10G31/00C10C3/14F17D1/16
CPCF17D1/16
InventorARGILLIER, JEAN-FRANCOISHENAUT, ISABELLEGATEAU, PATRICK
OwnerINST FR DU PETROLE