Green phenolic amphiphile as a viscosity modifier and asphaltenes dispersant for heavy and extra-heavy oil

The production and transportation of highly viscous heavy and extra-heavy crude oils are two of the paramount concerns in the oil and gas industry due to logistical difficulties and costs. Viscosity is highly sensitive to asphaltenes content of heavy oils and bitumen. Asphaltenes, which are the most polar and aromatic components of heavy oil, have high propensity toward self-association, thus increasing viscosity significantly. The present work proposes a new type of plant-based solvent that contains functionalized molecules that can interact with asphaltenes at the molecular level and modify viscosity. Effects of solvent on the viscosity of tested crude oil and functional groups of asphaltenes were evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively by viscosity measurements and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis. Sensitivity of asphaltenes aromaticity and stacking to solvent were evaluated by curve deconvolution and fitting routines of X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of solid asphaltenes. The proposed solvent is a plant-based, non-hazardous substitute to the conventional hazardous solvents, e.g., toluene, that provides efficient viscosity reduction. Asphaltenes critical concentration in the heavy oil was delayed by adding the solvent, requiring more precipitating agent to separate asphaltenes from oil. Furthermore, asphaltenes aromaticity decreased by the addition of solvent. Its application also increases asphaltenes solubility in the oil and decreases asphaltenes precipitation and deposition.