Russian scientists develop new catalyst to boost heavy oil production
MOSCOW, 3 days ago
Scientists at Kazan Federal University, in collaboration with two Russian companies, have developed a new catalyst based on iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, and copper to enhance the extraction of highly viscous heavy oil.
The researchers identified the optimal catalyst composition - a mixture of iron and nickel in an 85:15 ratio - and tested it in field conditions at a well in the Aksinovskoye oil field in the Samara region.
Over four months of production using the catalyst, water content in the extracted oil dropped from 99% to 30%. High water content is a major challenge, as it complicates crude oil processing and causes equipment corrosion, said the top scientists.
The use of the new catalyst led to increased oil production, demonstrating its high efficiency. It also enables catalytic hydrothermal analysis, reducing energy costs.
Erik Mukhametdinov, Project Director and Senior Researcher at the Laboratory for Enhanced Oil Recovery Methods at Kazan Federal University, said: "We plan to continue improving the catalyst’s composition and expanding its application, potentially using it in other heavy oil fields, which would increase its economic viability."
This breakthrough opens up new opportunities for extracting highly viscous crude oil, he added.
