Study of surface-active compounds in Sanand field crude oil

Abstract

The crude oil sample collected from Sanand oilfield was analyzed chemically and infrared spectroscopically after vacuum distillation and liquid chromatographic separation. It was concluded that the crude ,?il sample contained anion active surfactants primarily of naphthenic acid type present mainly ill the resinous chromatographic fraction which provides most of the surface-active properties to the crude. These naturally occurring surfactants are believed to influence formation of oil( water emulsion and the extent of paraffin depOSition of pipe wall. It may also have bearing on the prospect of caustic flooding as tertiary recovery method.