C a s e H i s t o r y

Processing problemsA North American re nery experienced problems when they began processing increased levels of heavy Canadian crudes. The heavy crude formed an emulsion layer within the desalter and led to oil undercarry to the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). For several weeks, the charge rates to the re nery had to be reduced.

The incumbent demulsi er had been used for more than 10 years, but it was unable to meet the more rigorous processing demands of the heavy Canadian crude oil.

Treatment strategyThe re ner asked Baker Hughes to develop a treatment strategy that would solve the desalter upsets and reduce the oil undercarry issues associated with processing heavy Canadian crudes.

The Baker Hughes staff in conjunction with the re ner implemented a Crude Oil Management program consisting of Electrostatic Desalting & Dehydration Apparatus (EDDA) testing Product trials from the Baker Petrolite XERIC heavy oil product line A Baker Petrolite BPR23025R pretreatment demulsifier application, injected at the tank farm crude custody transfer line A BPR23025R primary demulsifier, injected at the desalter crude charge pump A periodic BPR23025R slug feed application (200 ppm for 6-8 hours) A coagulant injected into the brine water leaving the desalter

Consistent results during trialWithin hours of starting the BPR23025R primary demulsi er trial, the emulsion band

Bene ts

Reduced costs for refinery

Eliminated desalter upsets and wastewater treatment problems

Improved crude charge rates by improving desalter performance

Background and challenges

North American refinery

Heavy, high-solids Canadian feedstock

Desalter upsets caused by thick emulsion

Oil undercarry to the wastewater treatment plant

Reduced charge rates to thecoker desalter

Develop a treatment strategy to prevent desalter upsets and reduce the oil undercarry

Baker Hughes solution and results

Baker Hughes Crude OilManagement program

Baker Petrolite BPR23025R pretreatment demulsifier application

Baker Petrolite XERIC heavy oil program

Improved solids removal

Maintained dehydration and salt removal

Reduced chemical and wastewater treatment costs

Crude Oil Management ProgramIncreased ThroughputDesalter performance maintained with heavy Canadian crude

shrank, and the emulsion changed from a thick paste to a thin oil-in-water emulsion that broke immediately after sampling.

During the 12-week trial period, the desalter consistently ran without upsets or oil undercarry problems, and the desalter performance did not limit crude charge

rates. Throughout the trial, solids removal improved while maintaining dehydration and salt removal. The solids that were generated in the brine were free of oil, reducing the impact at the WWTP.

The Baker Hughes Crude Oil Management program improved throughput, reduced

WWTP costs, and saved on chemicals and treatment costs.

This case history is presented for illustration purposes only, as the results may vary between applications.

2012 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. 36313. BPCH7518. 11/2012

Baker Petrolite and XERIC are trademarks of Baker Hughes Incorporated

Disclaimer of Liability: This information is provided for general information purposes only and is believed to be accurate as of the date hereof; however, Baker Hughes Incorporated and its af liates do not make any warranties or representations of any kind regarding the information and disclaim all express and implied warranties or representations to the fullest extent permissible by law, including those of merchantability, tness for a particular purpose or use, title, non-infringement, accuracy, correctness or completeness of the information provided herein. All information is furnished as is and without any license to distribute. The user agrees to assume all liabilities related to the use of or reliance on such information. BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED AND ITS AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FROM ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ITS NEGLIGENCE.

www.bakerhughes.com