Crude, Alberta, asphaltenes

Figure 3. Histograms and hypothetical aromatic units for (a) decane-soluble asphaltenes, and (b) decane-insoluble asphaltenes from Alberta crude oils...

This preliminary factor analysis leaves many questions unanswered concerning the relations among the trace elements in the total crude oils. But as pointed out previously the fact that most trace elements are associated with the asphaltene fraction of crude oils together with the facts that the contents of asphaltenes vary widely and hence that many elements were below detection limits indicates that examination of trace elements in the asphaltenes should resolve many of the uncertainties posed by the present study. Furthermore, EPR, NMR and elemental (C, H, N, O, S) analysis of the asphaltene fraction may help link the factors controlling the organic and inorganic components in these Alberta crude oils. 

Figure 1. Atomic H/C vs. O/C ratios for asphaltenes from a variety of sources (M) petroleum crude (Alberta, Cretaceous, Carboniferous, and Devonian) ( ) Middle East crude (w) North and South American crude (+) shale oil (+) oil sands and (A) liquids from Kentucky coal at 4000 psi hydrogen and West Virginia coal at (O) 4000 psi, and (U) at 2000 psi hydrogen (21)...

Viscosity is the resistance to flow in a liquid. The lower the viscosity, the more readily the liquid flows. The viscosity of oil is a function of its composition therefore, crude oil has a wide range of viscosities. For example, the viscosity of Federated oil from Alberta is five mPa, whUe a Sockeye oil from California is 45 mPa at 15°C. In general, the greater the fraction of saturates and aromatics and the lower the amount of asphaltenes and resins, the lower the viscosity. As oil weathers, the evaporation of the lighter components leads to increased viscosity. 

This chapter reports preliminary results from a comprehensive, on-going study of the relations between trace elements and the organic components, specifically asphaltenes, in a large suite of crude oils and oil sands from Alberta, Canada. We report here only the results of the initial examination of the interrelations among 22 trace elements in a limited sample of 88 crude oils from stratigraphic units ranging in age from the Upper Cretaceous,... 

Lichaa, P. M., "Asphaltene Deposition Problem in Venezuelan Crudes—Usage of Asphaltenes in Emulsion Stability". Paper presented at the Canada—Venezuela Oil Sands Symposium 77. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, May 27 - June 4, 1977. 

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