Catalytic Conversion of Heavy Oil Using Molybdenum Based Water-soluble Catalyst

The growing global trend of putting heavy oil fields into development is a complex task that requires updating previously unprofitable approaches. One of such areas is cyclic steam stimulation of wells to stimulate the production of high-viscous and super-viscous oils. An increase in well flow rates and the depletion of reserves, a decrease in the time and financial costs of well servicing and workover can be achieved by combining thermal and chemical methods of inflow stimulation. This approach has proven itself successfully in the catalytic in-situ upgrading of oil. Within the framework of this article, a series of laboratory experiments were performed to confirm the effectiveness of ammonium molybdate as a water-soluble precursor of an aquathermolysis catalyst for upgrading super-viscous oil from one of the fields of the Timan-Pechora oil and gas province. The decrease in oil viscosity relative to the non-catalytic effect was 24%, which was also confirmed by the results of the SARA-analysis of oil: a decrease in the amount of asphaltenes by 15.9%, an increase in the amount of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons by 3% and 4.6%, respectively. Based on a simple numerical model was predicted an increase in oil flow rate with a catalytic effect relative to a non-catalytic effect by 23%. The results obtained indicate the potential for using this catalyst precursor in field conditions.