Catalytic converter developed in Russia to improve oil production

Scientists from the Federal University of Kazan, in collaboration with Russian companies, developed a metallic catalyst that increases the production of heavy oil and reduces its water content, the multinational channel TVBrics reported.

The note specifies that the catalyst, composed mainly of iron and nickel in a ratio of 85:15, was tested in a well at the Aksionovskoye field in Samara province.

During four months of use, the water content of the extracted oil decreased from 99% to 30, which facilitates processing and reduces corrosion in equipment.

In addition, the use of this method made it possible to increase crude oil production and decrease energy costs, which opens up new opportunities for the extraction of highly viscous oil.

Project principal investigator Erick Mujametdinov said that work will continue on optimizing the catalyst to expand its application in other fields, which could improve the economic viability of heavy oil extraction in the future.