Abstract
The aquathermolysis of Liaohe heavy oil is described which involves the addition of catalyst and hydrogen donors under steam injection conditions. The laboratory aquathermolytic experiments were carried out with the heavy oil, water, catalysts, and hydrogen donors at different temperature (160~260°C) and reaction time (24~240 hours). It was found that the metal species could catalyze the aquathermolytic reactions of Liaohe extra-heavy oil, for example, Fe(II) led to near 60% decrease in viscosity of treated oil at 240°C till 72 hours. However, using catalyst and hydrogen donor (tetralin), more decrease (up to 90%) in viscosity was observed, it indicated the synergetic effect of hydrogen donor and catalyst on aquathermolysis. Average molecular weight, element and SARA analysis showed the same synergetic effect. A cheaper hydrogen donor almost as effective as tetralin was developed from coal tar. The field aquathermolytic testing using catalyst and hydrogen donor were carried out at five Liaohe extra-heavy oil wells, as a result, the oil recovery was improved and treated oil upgraded greatly.
