Minimising hydrogen sulphide generation during steam assisted production of heavy oil

• DOI: 10.1038/srep08159
• Publication Date: 2015-02-11T10:17:37Z
• Authors: Wren Montgomery; Mark A. Sephton; Jonathan S. Watson; Huang Zeng; Andrew C. Rees
• Keywords: Asphaltene; Hydrogen sulphide; Steam injection; Oil Production

The majority of global petroleum is in the form highly viscous heavy oil. Traditionally oil sands at shallow depths accessed by large scale mining activities. Recently steam has been used to allow extraction with greatly reduced surface disturbance. However, situ thermal recovery processes can generate hydrogen sulphide, high levels which are toxic humans and corrosive equipment. Avoiding sulphide production best possible mitigation strategy. Here we use laboratory aquathermolysis reproduce conditions that may be experienced during extraction. results indicate generation occurs within a specific temperature pressure window corresponds chemical physical changes Asphaltenes identified as major source sulphur. Our findings reveal for sulphur oils, assisted minimal if maintained criteria. This strict dependence release access world's most voluminous deposits without generating excessive amounts this unwanted gas product.