Method for improving heavy crude oils by reducing the asphaltene content of crude oils and oil-containing tar sands

摘要

A process for reducing asphaltene content of crude oil and oil- containing materials to improve rheological properties of crude oils enhancing the water-extractabilities of sulphur and metals contained in them. The process employs the cold cracking effect of a binary acid solution containing, preferably, hydrochloric acid and oleic acid. The process is particularly applicable to the exploitation of heavy and ultra- heavy oil deposits, to oil recovery from oil-containing tar sand, shale or clay and to the cleaning of oil tanks, garments and clogged oil- pipelines.