초록 ▼

Heavy crude oil containing at least 1% by weight water is hydrotreated and upgraded while being produced downhole in a production well. During production the heavy crude oil containing water is subjected to sonic energy at a low frequency of 400 Hz to 10 kHz downhole in the presence of a metal hydro

Heavy crude oil containing at least 1% by weight water is hydrotreated and upgraded while being produced downhole in a production well. During production the heavy crude oil containing water is subjected to sonic energy at a low frequency of 400 Hz to 10 kHz downhole in the presence of a metal hydrogenation catalyst that causes the water in the crude oil to react and form hydrogen which then hydrotreats and upgrades the heavy crude oil during production. In another embodiment, if the heavy crude oil does not contain water, the hydrogen may be formed in-situ by contacting the heavy crude oil downhole with a chemical compound comprising ammonia, hydrazine and formic acid that in the presence of a metal hydrogenation catalyst and sonic energy causes the chemical compound to react and form hydrogen which then hydrotreats the heavy crude oil during production. Suitable catalysts include nickel on zinc dust, platinum on carbon and palladium on carbon, preferably nickel on zinc dust. The hydrotreated and upgraded heavy crude oil has improved properties making it easier to refine and transport by pipeline. The upgrading includes reducing the amount of asphaltenes and resins in the heavy crude oil and increasing the amount of aromatics and saturates.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for hydrotreating and upgrading heavy crude oil containing at least 1% weight water and having less than 20 degree API gravity in a production well penetrating a subterranean, heavy crude oil containing formation comprising:producing heavy crude oil from the form

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for hydrotreating and upgrading heavy crude oil containing at least 1% weight water and having less than 20 degree API gravity in a production well penetrating a subterranean, heavy crude oil containing formation comprising:producing heavy crude oil from the formation; subjecting the heavy crude oil containing water downhole in the production well to sonic energy in the frequency range of 400 to 10 kHz at prevailing downhole temperature and pressure in the presence of a metal hydrogenation catalyst to cause the water in the crude oil to react and form hydrogen in-situ in the production well, wherein the hydrogen is formed according to the equation below: [ STR 1 ] and is formed in the absence of hydrazine: hydrotreating the heavy crude oil in-situ in the production well with the hydrogen to form an upgraded, hydrotreated oil of lower gravity and viscosity than the heavy crude oil.