Synthesis and Evaluation of A Macromolecular Viscosity Reducer for Venezuela Heavy Oil

Abstract Orinoco heavy oil belt in Venezuela is a world-famous heavy oil belt, and difficult to develop due to the high viscosity of crude oil. In order to reduce the viscosity, a water-soluble macromolecular viscosity reducer (commercial name: CVR-V) for MPE3 block is designed and prepared. It is synthesized via copolymerization, and plays an important role as emulsifier in forming O/W emulsion. The experimental results demonstrate that CVR-V show extremely superior initial viscosity reduction effect and the O/W emulsion stabilized by CVR-V exhibits excellent static and dynamic stability. The optimum condition for viscosity reduction is obtained: with the ratio of 10:3 (oil to water), and 0.1 ~ 0.2% of viscosity reducer, the initial viscosity reduction rate reaches 99.8% approximately and the apparent viscosity is less than 100 mPa·s. Meanwhile, excellent static and dynamic stability are proved, i.e. the apparent viscosity of O/W emulsion is still less than 500 mPa·s after standing for 60d for static stability tests, and is also less than 200 mPa·s in rotation 7d later by vertical loop for dynamic stability tests. Laboratory experimental results demonstrate that the fluidity of Venezuela's ultra heavy oil can be greatly improved by CVR-V, and CVR-V exhibits strong potential in development of Venezuela heavy oil.