DE-FE0014830

Goal
The primary objective of this work is to provide laboratory support to the Department of Energy Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as an essential component of the quality assurance program during acquisition, long-term storage, and draw down of SPR crude oils. A major component of this work is to provide critical data pertaining to chemical and physical properties of crude oil, sludge, and brine samples obtained from SPR caverns. Other objectives include evaluating the compatibility of newly acquired crude oil with that of the current cavern inventory, characterizing the properties of the resultant blend, and determining its effect on long-term storage, as well as to provide detailed laboratory analyses to support understanding of quality changes and stability of SPR crude oil under cavern storage conditions.

Performer
Core Laboratories L.P. Tulsa OK 741175901

Background
Each SPR crude oil is segregated by type into sweet and sour oil categories at each of four facilities in Louisiana and Texas. The caverns consist of a blend of multiple-sourced crude oils of similar composition that are commingled in long-term storage. When a new crude oil is acquired, the SPR must evaluate the compatibility of the acquired crude oil with the current cavern inventory, characterize the properties of the resultant blend, and determine what affect it could have on long-term storage.

The storage of crude oil in underground salt dome caverns poses a unique set of challenges. In order to maintain the overall quality of the stored oil and minimize the adverse effects of storing crude oil in underground salt dome caverns, a program of testing and analysis is needed to ensure the quality of the crude oil is maintained throughout the storage period.

In the event of a release of SPR crude oil, refineries taking receipt of the oil must know its chemical and physical properties. SPR crude oil typically would be delivered from multiple caverns simultaneously, and the properties of each cavern vary; therefore, the properties of the individual caverns that make up the stream, and the properties of the blended stream, must be identified.

Impact
Core Laboratories and its predecessors have provided analytical and technical support to SPR Headquarters (SPRHQ) for the U.S. Department of Energy for many years. This project is a continuation of those support activities. The technical support provided assists the SPRHQ in fulfilling its mandated mission of maintaining a viable stockpile of crude oil. These support activities provide detailed analyses of crude oil streams, cargos, and storage cavern composites necessary to ensure that the quality of the stockpile is maintained.

Accomplishments

• Core Laboratories has completed the H2S Scavenger response study and provided the results to the SPR project management office for review.
• Core Laboratories analyzed a set of eight (8) oil, two (2) sludge, and two (2) brine samples they recived from SPR. The report was completed and provided to SPR.
• Core Laboratories completed the task defined to revise the data format for the completed H₂S Scavenger response study.

Current Status (May 2012)
Core Laboratories has received 60 cavern assays along with the updated cavern inventories. Core Laboratories will use this and additional information to update SPR’s sweet and sour crude stream assays. The project is currently being transitioned from Base Year to Option Year 1 of the award.

Project Start: June 20, 2011
Project End: June 19, 2014

Project Funding Information:
Base Year – 12 months, DOE Contribution: $238,054.00
Option Year 1 – 12 months, DOE Contribution: $238,054.00
Option Year 2 – 12 months, DOE Contribution: $238,054.00
Planned Total Funding (if project continues through all project phases):
DOE Contribution: $3,547,967

Contact Information:
NETL – William Fincham (william.fincham@netl.doe.gov or 304-285-4268)
Core Laboritories – Dan Carlson (Dan.Carlson@corelab.com or 281-478-1300)