Investigation of Desert Date Seed (Adua Seed) Oil for Waxy Crude Treatment in Nigeria

Abstract

Wax accumulation in crude oil during transit and production causes significant issues like reduced Investigation of Desert Date Seed (Adua Seed) Oil for Waxy flow and blockages in pipelines, which adversely affect pipeline operation. This project aims to address the issues related to waxy crude in the oil and gas sector by utilizing locally obtained desert date seed oi. The desert date seed oil was produced synthetically and the waxy crude oil was obtained. The study found that desert date seed oil is an effective additive for treating waxy crude oil, based on the results of tests conducted on several parameters. The wax content of the crude oil sample was initially 5.60% and was subsequently reduced to 4.70% for Adua seed oil and 0.8% for EVA. The two additions showed improved performance in the waxy crude Appearing Temperature, with increases of 26% for Adua seed oil and decreases of 19% and 3% for EVA. There has been notable enhancement in the treatment of the viscosity of the Wax crude oil sample with the use of Adua seed oil, as well as the specific gravity and API gravity of the Wax crude oil. In the Pour point temperature analysis, the two additions significantly reduced the Pour point temperature of the Wax crude oil sample from 15oC to 9oC for Adua seed oil and -9oC for EVA. The Adua seed oil can be used as a novel additive for treating waxy crude oil in the oil and gas industry.