Heavy Oil

 

Heavy crude oil or Extra Heavy Crude oil is any type of crude oil which does not flow easily.  It is referred to as “heavy” because its density or specific gravity is higher than that of light crude oil.  Heavy crude oil has been defined as any liquid petroleum with an API gravity less than 20 degrees, meaning that its specific gravity is greater than 0.933.

Heavy oil accounts for more than double the resources of conventional oil in the world.  Production, transportation, and refining of heavy crude oil presents special challenges compared to light crude oil.  The largest reserves of heavy oil in the world are located north of the Orinoco River in Venezuela, the same amount as the conventional oil reserves of Saudi Arabia.  Heavy crude oil is closely related to tar sands, located north and northeast of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Physical properties that distinguish heavy crudes from lighter crude’s include higher viscosity and specific gravity, as well as heavier molecular composition.  Extra heavy oil from Orinoco region has a viscosity of over 10,000 centipoise and 10 degree API gravity.  Generally a diluent is added and heating stations are required at regular intervals in a pipeline carrying heavy crude to facilitate its flow.

 

GRC

Global Resource Corporation's microwave technology has proven that it is capable of upgrading the heavy oil to a higher API gravity, and therefore there is a tremendous opportunity to save cost in the upgrading process.  Independent laboratory results indicate that there is a significant change in the chemistry of heavy oil tested through Global Resource Corporation's microwave technology.  The lab reports show that heavy oil with over 1,100 centipoise before being exposed to our technology are reduced to less than 25 centipoise after.