High Temperature Viscosity Analysis for Heavy Oil Extraction Research  

Cambridge Viscosity (USA) recently developed a customised VISCOlab PVT high temperature viscometer for analysing heavy oil samples to a second major European oil company. Currently, the steam-assisted gravity drainage method (SAGD) is used to remove heavy viscous bitumen from oil sands. The viscometer will be used to improve the current method and develop new techniques for locations where the environment and geography make standard approaches impractical.

Developing the high temperature version of the VISCOlab PVT presented many unique challenges. The customer required that the viscometer operate at temperatures up to 300°C and pressures of 20,000PSI. These requirements necessitated a redesign of the SPL-440 sensor’s internal electrical components, inlet and outlet tubes and the viscometer’s isothermal control system. Dan Airey, director of engineering who oversaw the system redesign, addressed the challenges. “We had a number of problems to work out in order to deliver a system that could produce accurate and repeatable data under extreme conditions. The pressure and temperature combination required new components from the latest ceramics technology to advanced metal alloys. It was a significant effort, but I am very proud of the new design and the results the system provides.”