Author(s)

A. Miadonye, F. Dan-Ali, R. Onwude & O. O. Osirim

Abstract

In this study, the effect of asphaltenes on the viscosity of Nigerian light crude oils at different temperatures was studied. Different weight per cent of bitumen containing 14 per cent asphaltenes and deasphalted bitumen samples from Alberta, Canada were mixed with Nigerian crude oils. The mixtures were prepared from five light crude oil samples and two bitumen samples. The experimental viscosity data obtained at different temperatures and weight per cent of the bitumen samples were correlated with the viscosity equation of Singh et al. The viscosity of pure crude oils (for instance, Forcados crude oil) containing asphalted and deasphalted bitumen (Rush Lake and Plover Lake bitumen) increased by as much as 160% and 60% respectively. However, the results obtained from correlating the viscosity data with the equation indicated that the discrepancies in measured data could be mainly attributed to the presence of asphaltenes, but the percent errors between measured and predicted viscosity were consistent for the entire samples. The results were identified the light crude oils as better alternative diluents for the production and transportation of heavy crude petroleum. Keywords: Nigerian crude oil, asphaltenes, bitumen, hydrocarbon condensates, solvents, asphaltenes solubility, light crude oil, viscosity modeling. 1 Introduction Pipeline transportation of heavy oil has been among the major challenges faced by the upstream petroleum industry. The high viscous nature of heavy oil,

Keywords

Nigerian crude oil, asphaltenes, bitumen, hydrocarbon condensates,solvents, asphaltenes solubility, light crude oil, viscosity modeling