Refinery Applications
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Opportunity Crudes
As refiners target improved operating margins, one of the more likely methods to accomplish this is through the processing of opportunity crudes, sometimes called challenging crudes. Opportunity crudes may command a discounted price due to known processing issues, or they may be new crudes with unknown or poorly understood properties and processing challenges. Without a strategy to asses and mitigate the processing issues, the profit potential may be eroded. At stake is higher unit availability, reliability, and runlength between major turnarounds (lower total cost of operation).In the next 3-5 years, the total percentage of crude meeting the opportunity crude classification will double. It's forecast to grow as part of the average global crude slate from 5% to 11%. As more of these crude are blended with standard crude slates, the classic opportunity crude definition will expand further.
For a refiner, a successful strategy for processing opportunity crudes involves identifying their processing issues and assessing the inherent risks associated with running a particular crude or crude blend. With this knowledge, the refiner can anticipate the possible processing problems and implement cost effective mitigation measures.
In general, what makes opportunity crudes problematic are:
• Inherent contaminants
• Oil field additives
• Blending practices
• Equipment limitations
The main characteristics typical of opportunity crudes include:
• High total acid number (TAN > 1.0 mg KOH/g sample)
• High sulfur content (> 1%)
• Low gravity (< 26oAPI or > 0.9 g/mL)
In addition to these 'classic' properties, they may also present processing challenges due to high levels of water, salt, metals, solids, asphaltene incompatibility, high pour point or high conductivity. Depending on their characteristics, these crudes impact multiple units in the refinery.
Defining crude characteristics and understanding how unit operations might be impacted helps the refiner explore various control strategies. By working with Nalco, a refiner can capitalize on the profit opportunity of these challenging crudes.
