Study of solid deposition phenomena and fluid properties of Alaska North Slope crude oil, gas-to-liquid products and their blends for transportation through the trans-Alaska pipeline system
Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2005Earlier studies on the options for utilization of Alaska North Slope (ANS) gas had indicated that it is economical to convert the gas to Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) products, blend it with the ANS crude oil and transport the resulting liquid through the existing Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) to monetize the stranded gas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of blending ANS crude oil with a GTL sample acquired from BP Alaska Inc. (BPGTL). Solid deposition phenomena and fluid properties of ANS crude oil, BPGTL and their blends were studied. The blends of BPGTL and ANS crude oil would require less pumping pressure. It is concluded from this study that the possibility of vapor and wax formation is precluded during transportation of the blends, and that asphaltene deposition is a potential major problem in blending ANS crude oil with BPGTL.Introduction -- Literature review -- GTL technology -- Rheological classification of fluids -- Gel strength -- Phase behavior -- Solid deposition -- Experimental techniques -- Experimental apparatus -- Experimental procedures -- Results and discussion -- Density -- Rheological parameters -- Gel strength -- Bubble point pressure -- Static asphaltene in ANS crude oil -- Stability of asphaltene in ANS crude oil -- Onset of asphaltene flocculation in ANS crude oil -- Influence of pressure on precipitated asphaltene in a flowing fluid -- Wax appearance temperature -- Vapor pressure -- Conclusions and recommendations -- References -- Appendices
