The role of viscosity reducer in heavy oil pipeline transportation

For the transportation of extra-heavy oil through ground pipelines, the primary and auxiliary method involves heating the oil to 80°C, then adding a viscosity-reducing agent at once to lower its viscosity before transferring it to the terminal refinery, where the temperature is generally no less than 50°C. In order to achieve efficient transportation, the viscosity of the extra-heavy oil must be reduced from approximately 1500 mPa·s to a much lower level, meaning that the viscosity reduction rate should be maintained between 80% and 90%.

During the pipeline transportation process, the viscosity-reducing agent plays a key role in lowering the oil’s viscosity, while the heat treatment serves as a supplementary measure. Compared to traditional methods, this approach eliminates the need for intermediate heating stations or blending with lighter oils. The viscosity-reducing agent used is relatively inexpensive, which significantly lowers the overall cost of oil transportation and offers considerable economic potential.

Because the viscosity-reducing agent is the main factor in reducing viscosity, selecting an appropriate one is crucial. While these agents can be purchased from the market, they often do not perfectly match the specific requirements of the extra-heavy oil found in certain oil fields. Therefore, it is usually more effective to develop a custom viscosity-reducing agent tailored to the oil’s unique properties.

However, whether to purchase the viscosity-reducing agent or develop it in-house ultimately depends on the physical characteristics of the extra-heavy oil. Each oil field may have different needs, so a customized solution is often necessary to ensure optimal performance and efficiency during transportation.

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