(81c) Effect of Toluene, Resins to Asphaltene Ratio and Surfactant on the Stability of Water-in-Crude Oil Emulsions

Factors controlling the formation and stabilization of water-in-crude oil (w/o) emulsions in oil fields are of great concern to the petroleum industry for the economic development of underground oil reservoirs. Controlling and minimizing the formation of w/o emulsions and demulsification of water from emulsions are also important for environmental development. Because of its importance, the mechanisms, formation and stability of w/o emulsions have received considerable attention.

This paper deals with some of the factors responsible for the formation and stabilization of w/o emulsions formed in Burgan oil field in Kuwait. Some of the factors investigated in this study are the naturally occurred surface active components of crude oils such as asphaltenes and resins. The effect of additives; toluene and dodecyle benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) on the stability of various emulsion samples collected from oil field are also reported.