Today, there are many
resources where people can acquire heavy oil. It is the challenges these people
have to undergo into how to get it. Heavy oil is extracted from the known
process called mining. They mine the heavy crude extracting them to produce crude
oil. The producers we encounter today have aligned their processes with the new
technology to come up with a more efficient, safe, and convenient way of
getting the oil to the market.
The stability of the
market is where the assets of heavy oil are dependent. The business is steady
for more than 50 years as long as they extract products from wells. They have
been experiencing queries if the production of the media is still feasible.
Regardless, heavy oil remains a long-term solution for global energy needs and
an effective marketing strategy in introducing and utilizing world-class
valves.
Understanding
the Heavy Oil Media
Heavy
oil is defined as a type of crude oil. They are identified as a complex amalgam
whose compounds have a high molecular weight. From hydrocarbon deposits which
are being degraded by algae, the formation of heavy oils is made possible. The
results show how they lose the lighter hydrocarbon fractions which resulted in
the remaining heavier fractions. They are identified as liquid petroleum with
characteristics ranging from 20° API gravity or more than 200 cp
viscosity varying on the conditions of the source.
The
viscosity of heavy oil measures more than 100 centipoises in which this factor
defines how easy the flow of media would be. Oils are classified into three
depending on their measure of viscosity; conventional, heavy oil, and oil
sands. According to the Americal Petroleum Institute (API), the high specific
gravity heavy oil exhibits range from 10 to 20 degrees. They feature high carbon residues, heavy metal,
sulfur, low hydrogen-to-carbon ratios, nitrogen, and high levels of asphaltenes
creating a viscous nature.
The
physical attributes of heavy oil are due to its components. This is both an
advantage and disadvantage in terms of production reviewing all the economic
and technological challenges they face. In production, the heavier the oil, the
more difficult they are to extract. With all the processes they have to
undergo, extracting heavy oil is known to be complex and expensive.
Method
of Recovery
The production of
heavy oil is not as easy as it seems regardless if the reservoir is identified.
They conduct researches, tests, and evaluations to determine the most
convenient and safe way of extracting the media. The operations require
pipelines, supporting equipment, and people to have them all done. With the
help of the products of technology, they came up and develop a more
environmental-friendly means of recovery.
How do productions begin? They start
right after they have determined the ability of the heavy oil to flow naturally
from underground upwards with the help of high pressure. This is called a
natural recovery or primary recovery. It may seem unusual but at some point,
these circumstances do occur. They remain dependent on the pressure and
temperature of the reservoir, natural properties of the heavy oil, and the
drive mechanism.
Another procedure used in extraction
is secondary recovery. They are used as a booster that will make the recovery
from a reservoir more effective. Because of the low success rate of the
secondary recovery, they remain to be plan B in the process of extraction. They
undergo reinjection of either gas or water nearest to the well maintaining the
pressure underground.
Suggested
Valves Used
The suggested valves
for the production of heavy oil require the ability to keep up with high
pressure and temperature, quality-based composition, and throttling services.
That is why they seek top-performing gate valve manufacturers in India,
China, and the USA to support their operations. One of which is XHVAL, a
China-based industrial valve manufacturer for 33 years. They align their
products with what more can the advanced technology offer to develop the
features of industrial valves.
For regulating and
halting the transfer of heavy oil, industrial valves, like gate valves, are
highly suggested. Their quality is exemplary considering they can withstand
changes in pressure and temperature. The choice of material should be
well-evaluated. They are not that different but considering how they can keep
up with the requirements for mining operations is impressive.
Valves in mining
operations work when sand and oil is incorporated with water. They use
specified chemicals to part the sand particles from the oil. With the number of
industrial valves in the market, not all can be remotely operated. Engage in
extensive research about what more can valve offer in the mining industry. This
way, you get to have an idea about its ideal sizes, material compositions, and
types.
Conclusion
The production
process of heavy oil is very complex, to begin with. Ensure that they are
supported with components that are of the best quality. Compromising the
equipment is risky considering that repairs and replacement will just increase
the costs. Heavy oils are not produced in a snap. They undergo process over
process extracted from reliable underground sources. As one of the natural
resources, we are given a supplemental source of energy to fulfill the energy
needs across the globe.