An innovative method for extracting hard-to-recover, super-viscous oil, developed at the Kazan Federal university, showed impressive results. The use of a special catalyst makes it possible to increase oil recovery by more than a third and significantly improve the quality of the final product. Experimental work at the fields is planned for the coming years.
Specialists from Kazan Federal University have completed a key stage of research in collaboration with the Zarubezhneft company. They have created and are ready to implement a new technology of thermal steam treatment with a water-soluble catalyst. This development is specifically designed for the efficient extraction of hard-to-recover reserves, which make up a significant part of Russia’s resources.
The essence of the technology is to inject steam into the formation together with a catalyst based on nickel sulfate. The steam heats the rock, reducing the viscosity of the oil, and the catalyst triggers beneficial chemical reactions in the depths. As a result, oil not only becomes more mobile, but also begins to refine itself directly underground. Laboratory tests have proven that the viscosity of raw materials can be reduced by more than 20 times.
The main advantages of the new technique have already been appreciated by experts. The catalyst is accessible and low cost. Almost the entire volume of the reagent remains in the formation, which allows it to be used repeatedly. This makes the process cost-effective. In addition, the technology is environmentally friendly, as it does not require the use of organic solvents and can be easily integrated into existing industrial processes.
A special feature of the development is the complex effect on raw materials. In addition to increasing production volumes, the technology changes the very structure of oil, decomposing heavy components into lighter ones. This means reduced sulfur content and improved performance. This “synthetic” oil is easier to transport and process, adding value at every step.
As noted by KFU junior researcher A. Tazeev, the key stage is the adsorption of the catalyst on the rock. The steam then triggers hydrothermal decomposition reactions. During experiments for carbonate rocks, it was possible for the first time to prove the high efficiency of in-situ upgrading. The increase in extra-viscous oil recovery exceeded 36%.
The new CFU technology opens up significant prospects for mastering complex deposits, including Domanik breeds. Its implementation will allow the development of reserves that were previously considered unprofitable. This is a serious step towards increasing the efficiency and technological independence of the Russian oil industry. Industrial tests are planned for 2025-2026.
Source: neftegaz.ru
