As global crude oil demand continues to rise, refiners are increasingly turning to opportunity crudes to optimize margins and maintain flexibility. While economically attractive, these crudes introduce significant variability in composition and behavior—making crude blending more complex and risk-prone.
One of the most persistent challenges is asphaltene stability. Under certain conditions, asphaltenes can precipitate, leading to fouling, equipment damage, and reduced operational efficiency. Traditional methods for assessing compatibility, such as laboratory titration tests, are time-intensive and impractical for evaluating the full range of potential crude blends.
This creates a critical gap: refiners need faster, more reliable ways to predict compatibility and avoid costly operational disruptions.
To address this, a thermodynamic-based Crude Compatibility Tool was developed within the Petro-SIM process simulator. Built on advanced asphaltene phase behaviour modelling, the tool predicts precipitation onset for blended crudes under varying operating conditions—eliminating the need for extensive physical testing.
Validated across more than 40 refinery blends, the model demonstrates strong predictive accuracy and captures the non-linear behaviour that traditional methods often miss. It also introduces a structured compatibility index, enabling refiners to assess blend risk and optimise crude selection with greater confidence.
By embedding predictive capabilities directly into refinery workflows, this approach supports faster decision-making, improved operational reliability, and more efficient crude slate management.
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The original article appeared in PTQ (Petroleum Technology Quarterly) via Digital Refining.