Research Article
Emulsion-Based Transportation of Nigerian Heavy Oil Using Alkaline Oil-in-Water Emulsions
Bayonle Tolani Ademodi,
Adebayo Bamidele Olanrewaju*
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 2, June 2026
Pages:
45-50
Received:
12 April 2026
Accepted:
22 April 2026
Published:
16 May 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.jenr.20261502.11
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Abstract: Nigerian heavy crude oil has substantial potential as a transportable energy resource, but its high viscosity creates major challenges for pipeline flow. This study evaluated oil-in-water emulsification as a viscosity-reduction strategy for Agbabu heavy crude oil using a full factorial design. Emulsions were prepared at two temperatures (25 and 75°C), two NaOH concentrations (0.07 and 0.10 M), and two NaCl salinities (1 and 4 wt%) at a fixed oil-to-water ratio of 65:35 by weight, with butanol used as a co-surfactant. The emulsions were pumped through a 3.20 m pilot-scale pipeline and assessed in terms of flow rate, velocity, pressure drop, Reynolds number, apparent viscosity, and oil recovery after thermal demulsification. The results showed that temperature was the dominant factor affecting transportability. The formulation prepared at 75°C with 0.10 M NaOH and 4 wt% NaCl produced the most stable emulsion, the highest flow rate, the lowest pressure drop, and the smallest oil loss after pumping. Lower-temperature formulations were less stable and displayed substantially higher losses. Overall, the study demonstrates that appropriately formulated alkaline oil-in-water emulsions can significantly improve the pipeline transport of Nigerian heavy oil and may reduce the pumping energy required for future field applications.
Abstract: Nigerian heavy crude oil has substantial potential as a transportable energy resource, but its high viscosity creates major challenges for pipeline flow. This study evaluated oil-in-water emulsification as a viscosity-reduction strategy for Agbabu heavy crude oil using a full factorial design. Emulsions were prepared at two temperatures (25 and 75°...
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