METHOD FOR DEHYDRATING HEAVY CRUDE OIL AND EXTRA-HEAVY CRUDE OIL BY MEANS OF A DILUTION PROCESS

摘要

According to the invention, a low-viscosity diluent comprising hydrocarbons of low molecular weight and/or light fractions of oil and combinations of same, is added to heavy crude oil and extra-heavy crude oil with the aim of reducing the percentage of emulsified water. Said diluent, wherein the crude oil is soluble, forms an oily phase in the emulsion with a specific density that is less that that of the water, which facilitates the subsequent separation by gravity of the oil and aqueous phases.