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re: How do you lower crude oil's viscosity to get it through pipelines faster?

Posted on 2/28/14 at 3:08 pm to
Posted by Korkstand
Member since Nov 2003
29105 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 3:08 pm to
quote:

Add semen

He's trying to transport viscous crude, not tame a vicious shrew.
Posted by TheBigHurt
Houston
Member since Feb 2010
2403 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 3:10 pm to
Usually they blend. There is a quality bank for each pipeline. If your product doesn't reach a certain spec you can't flow through the pipe. Therefore, you add lighter hydrocarbons to reach that spec to flow.
Posted by StreamsOfWhiskey
The Woodlands, TX
Member since Jun 2013
922 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 7:50 pm to
Yup, once again, blend in NGLs/condensate.

Most pipelines will have a RVP spec so you can't always do this, but it does work.
Posted by maburu2
Member since Mar 2008
4715 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 8:15 pm to
Condensate
Posted by Placebeaux
Bobby Fischer Fan Club President
Member since Jun 2008
51852 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 8:44 pm to
Heat
Adding mineral spirits to raise the oils gravity level
Posted by junkfunky
Member since Jan 2011
36324 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:30 pm to
So who won the gift card, or is this not that type of thread?
Posted by Fast_Eddie
Member since Feb 2014
193 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:38 pm to
In Venezuela , lots of alcohol (usually butanol or pentanol) is added to lower the viscosity. Then, at the end terminal, the alcohol is distilled out the crude and sent back to the beginning of the pipeline to be re-used. Nalco Champion has some new specialty chemistries as well (polymer type stuff) than can do the same thing at way lower concentrations.
Posted by GeauxLSUGeaux
1 room down from Erin Andrews
Member since May 2004
25670 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:44 pm to
Keeping it over 120 degrees Fahrenheit and adding some kind of thinner will do the trick.
Posted by Paige
Vice President of the OT
Member since Oct 2010
85640 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:46 pm to
is this for your science project?

do your own research
Posted by Bushmaster
19th Hole
Member since Oct 2008
39955 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:50 pm to
I have an answer above all answers. Im chemical and process but am gonna lay back and watch some of these young boy answers. lol
Posted by JasonL79
Houston area
Member since Jan 2010
6425 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:50 pm to
Company I am with now will mix it with diesel or a cutter stock to raise the viscosity/api and heat it up to pump it. But it's not just through a pipeline. They are moving it from tank to tank or barge to tank using pipelines in between.

Temperatures are usually 250 degrees or greater. Some times over 325 degrees from what I have seen from inspection reports.
This post was edited on 2/28/14 at 9:52 pm
Posted by Fast_Eddie
Member since Feb 2014
193 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 9:54 pm to
quote:

by Bushmaster
I have an answer above all answers. Im chemical and process but am gonna lay back and watch some of these young boy answers. lol


Posted by GumboPot
Member since Mar 2009
140573 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 10:08 pm to
Check the video out at the bottom of this page. Pretty informative but a word if caution, there is a sales pitch for Nalco's viscosity reducer.
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
23246 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 10:44 pm to
So if you producing oil 126 Miles OCSG and you floating in 6,500' of water, wouldn't the oil cool off in the pipeline by the time it hits the bottom of the gulf?
Posted by GumboPot
Member since Mar 2009
140573 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 11:01 pm to
quote:

So if you producing oil 126 Miles OCSG and you floating in 6,500' of water, wouldn't the oil cool off in the pipeline by the time it hits the bottom of the gulf?


I'm a pipeline engineer and 95% of my experience is onshore. With that said I would answer your question, yes. But it's just a heat transfer problem to determine the location along the pipeline where pipeline temp = ambient.
Posted by MrTide33
Member since Nov 2012
4358 posts
Posted on 2/28/14 at 11:03 pm to
Make it extra virgin
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