Caracterización físico-química del crudo pesado del campo Pungarayacu.

Abstract

Oil exploitation is the backbone of the economy in Ecuador, a fundamental factor for its development, since a large part of the financing of the State budget comes from here. The exploitation of heavy crude oil is key to this contribution, which is why the need arises to develop effective production and transportation strategies; therefore, the characterization of the crude turns out to be one of the main phases. In this work, the physicochemical characterization of heavy crude from the Pungarayacu field is developed, a field that has the largest accumulation of extra-heavy crude: 4.6 billion barrels of POES. The first thing that is done is to obtain a representative sample of oil in order to be able, tests regulated by the ASTM, to evaluate different physicochemical properties of the fluid. The properties to be evaluated are: BSW, relative density – API gravity, calorific power, sulfur content, carbonaceous residues, flash and combustion point, crude oil composition and ash content. The document begins with a brief description of the Oriente Basin, where the situation, morphology and its deformation are considered, in addition to the general characteristics of the crude oils in the basin. Then the Pungarayacu field is described with a brief historical review and general characteristics of its deposits and crude oil. Subsequently, the physicochemical properties evaluated in the sample of heavy crude from the Pungarayacu field are shown. In addition, the ASTM procedures for the tests carried out on the sample are exposed, as well as the calculations and results obtained from the tests carried out. Finally, it is discussed and concluded on the basis of data obtained and recommendations are presented to help the development of further research.