(155e) Use of Thermal Analysis and Rheometry to Study the Properties of Crude Oil

Crude oil is typically extracted as a single organic liquid phase from the reservoir. However during transportation, a drop in the temperature can cause the higher molecular weight paraffins or waxes to separate into the solid phase. The temperature at which the first wax crystals appear during cooling is commonly known as the wax appearance temperature (WAT). Once below the WAT, the crude oil can form a gel-like structure. Breaking down this structure to restart and maintain flow may often require energy- and cost-intensive approaches.

This talk will focus on characterizing crude oil and related fuels using thermal and rheological analysis at different temperatures above and below the WAT in the context of flow assurance. Specifically, we will compare four different types of light crude oils for differences in their properties. The thermal analysis section will emphasize on use Modulated DSC ® (MDSC) as a technique to measure WAT with improved sensitivity for analyzing light crudes with the additional benefit of reduced supercooling. The rheometric studies will cover a range of studies from viscosity measurements above the WAT to measuring the yield stress below the WAT. Given that WAT, viscosity and yield stress play a critical role in flow assurance studies, the emphasis of this talk will be on the method development to perform these measurements along with strategies to eliminate or reduce experimental artefacts.

Note: Modulated DSC ® is a registered trademark of TA Instruments.