Patent ID: 6599949
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
A process to demulsify a crude oil emulsion comprising:adding to a crude oil emulsion comprising brine, a chemical demulsifier formulation comprising: (a) about 10 wt. % to about 80 wt. % based on the weight of the chemical demulsifier of an additive having the formula: Râ€”Arâ€”SO3H where R is an alkyl group containing at least 16 carbons and at least one branch of an alkyl group, Ar is an aromatic group with at least two 6 carbon-ring aromatic groups and (b) about 90 wt. % to about 20 wt. % based on the weight of the chemical demulsifier of a co-additive selected from the group consisting of dipropylene monobutyl ether, aromatic naphtha, isoparaffinic solvent, cycloparaffinic solvent, aromatic solvent, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, benzyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof separating said emulsion into a plurality of layers, and recovering demulsified crude oil.