TREATMENT OF VISCOUS CRUDE OILS

摘要

OF TEE DISCLOSURE Treatment of viscous crude oils Asphaltenes and/or wax and/or water are removed from crude oil by contacting the crude oil with an organic solvent to dissolve the crude oil and precipitate asphaltenes and/or wax and separate the oil and water. Solvent is then separated from the deasphalted and/or dewaxed and/or dehydrated crude oil. Removing asphaltenes, wax and/or water reduces the viscosity of the crude oil and it can then be transported, eg by pumping through a pipeline, with less expenditure of energy.