Upgrading heavy and extra-heavy crude oil for transportation by use an iron oil-soluble catalyst

Abstract

Heavy or extra-heavy crude oil has difficulty in transportation, especially for off shore. Catalytic upgrade treatment with iron oil-soluble catalyst (FASFe) was used in this paper to reduce crude oil's viscosity and meet the transport demand. After optimization of reaction conditions and without hydrogen donor added, both NB35-2B43 (from Bohai offshore oilfield) and LD16-1-3 (from Liaohe oilfield) reduced their viscosities from 2,167 mPa·s and 20,600 mPa·s to 279 mPa·s and 396 mPa·s, respectively. With determinations of analyzation, it was proved that FASFe catalyst can effectively upgrade the heavy oil. Meanwhile, the mechanism of upgrading was also investigated.