TECHNOLOGY GUIDE TO WORLD CRUDES: Welsh crude is very light and sweet

Anne K. Rhodes
Refining/Petrochemical Editor

The characteristics of light, sweet Liverpool Bay crude oil were analyzed in early 1996. The 43° API, 0.24 wt % crude is produced in the Irish Sea off northern Wales. Liverpool Bay is located in Blocks 110/13 and 110/15 (see map, OGJ, Aug. 28, 1995, p. 62). The project comprises four fields: Douglas oil field, Hamilton and North Hamilton gas fields, and Lennox oil and gas field. The Liverpool Bay fields came on stream in January 1996. The development project cost BHP Petroleum Ltd. £1.1 billion ($1.7 billion).

In early 1996, combined reserves were estimated to be 1.2 tcf of gas and 150 million bbl of oil (OGJ, Jan. 22, 1996, p. 21). Current production rates were not reported in the most recent OGJ survey of worldwide production. Oil from Liverpool Bay is stored in a tanker in the field for offloading onto shuttle tankers. Gas is fueling power plants in north Wales.

Table 1 [69414 bytes] shows the true boiling point distillation data for Liverpool Bay.

Liverpool Bay
Offshore, northern Wales
Whole crude
Gravity, °API: 43.3
Sp gr @ 60/60° F.: 0.8094
Density @ 15° C., g/ml: 0.8091
Total sulfur, wt %: 0.24
Mercaptan S, ppm: 1,020
H2S, ppm: <1
Total nitrogen, ppm: 210
Basic nitrogen, ppm: 59
Rvp, psi: 4.5
Water content, wt %: <0.05
Salt content, lb/1,000 bbl: 83
Hydrogen content, wt %: 14.4
Carbon content, wt %: 85.44
Pour point, °C.: -18
UOP K factor: 12.2
Total acid no., mg KH/g: 0.06
Kin. visc. @ 20° C., cSt: 7.21
Kin. visc. @ 40° C., cSt: 3.216
Concarbon residue, wt %: 0.95
Gross calorific value, J/g: 45,300
Net calorific value, J/g: 42,240
Sediment, wt %: 0.04
Asphaltenes, wt %: <0.05
Ash content, wt %: 0.031
Wax content, wt %: 8.11
V/Ni, ppm: <0.1/<0.1
Cu/Na/Fe, ppm: <0.1/54.9/9.8

Light ends
Propane, wt %: 0.24
iso-Butane, wt %: 0.38
n-Butane, wt %: 1.31
2,2-Dimethylpropane, wt %: 0.02
iso-Pentane, wt %: 1.45
n-Pentane, wt %: 1.92
C1-C4, wt %: 1.97

Range, °C. (°F.): C5-70 (C5-158)
Yield range, vol % (wt %): 2.4-10.4 (1.6-8.2)
Yield, vol % (wt %): 8.0 (6.6)
Gravity, °API: 82.5
Sp gr @ 60/60° F.: 0.6614
Density @ 15° C., g/ml: 0.6613
Sulfur, wt %: 0.069
Mercaptan S, ppm: 358
Total nitrogen, mg/L.: 0.4
Basic N, ppm: <10
Total acid no., mg KOH/g: <0.01
UOP K factor: 12.4
n-Paraffins, vol %: 46.8
iso-Paraffins, vol %: 47.2
Naphthenes, vol %: 5.8
Aromatics, vol %: 0.2
RON: 68.0
MON: 66.9

Range, °C. (°F.): 70-140 (158-284)
Yield range, vol % (wt %): 10.4-26.6 (8.2-23.0)
Yield, vol % (wt %): 16.2 (14.8)
Gravity, °API: 62.1
Sp gr @ 60/60° F.: 0.7310
Density @ 15° C., g/ml: 0.7308
Sulfur, wt %: 0.087
Mercaptan S, ppm: 455
Total nitrogen, mg/L.: 0.6
Basic N, ppm: <10
Total acid no., mg KOH/g: <0.01
UOP K factor: 12.0
n-Paraffins, vol %: 22.5
iso-Paraffins, vol %: 28.7
Naphthenes, vol %: 47.2
Aromatics, vol %: 1.4
Unidentified, vol %: 0.2
RON: 52.5
MON: 51.0

Range, °C. (°F.): 140-190 (284-374)
Yield range, vol % (wt %): 26.6-35.8 (23.0-31.8)
Yield, vol % (w %): 9.2 (8.8)
Gravity, °API: 51.0
Sp gr @ 60/60° F.: 0.7751
Density @ 15° C., g/ml: 0.7749
Sulfur, wt %: 0.16
Mercaptan S, ppm: 1,218
Total nitrogen, mg/L.: 0.8
Basic N, ppm: <10
Total acid no., mg KOH/g: <0.01
UOP K factor: 11.9
n-Paraffins, vol %: 12.2
iso-Paraffins, vol %: 38.1
Naphthenes, vol %: 37.6
Aromatics, vol %: 12.0
Unidentified, vol %: 0.1
Aromatics (FIA), vol %: 9.8
RON: 43.4
MON: 44.3
Freeze pt., °C.: <-60
Smoke pt., mm: 29

Range, °C. (°F.): 140-250 (284-482)
Yield range, vol % (wt %): 26.6-47.2 (23.0-43.1)
Yield, vol % (wt %): 20.6 (20.1)
Gravity, °API: 47.3
Sp gr @ 60/60° F.: 0.7913
Density @ 15° C., g/ml: 0.7909
Sulfur, wt %: 0.17
Mercaptan S, ppm: 1,133
Total nitrogen, mg/L.: 1.0
Basic N, ppm: <10
Total acid no., mg KOH/g: 0.02
UOP K factor: 11.9
Kin. visc. @ -20° C., cSt: 3.660
Kin. visc. @ 20° C., cSt: 1.628
Kin. visc. @ 40° C., cSt: 1.230
Aromatics (FIA), vol %: 11.7
Naphthalenes, wt %: 1.09
Hydrogen content, wt %: 13.8
Carbon content, wt %: 86.2
Freeze pt., °C.: -51
Smoke pt., mm: 27
Flash pt. (Abel), °C.: 46
Copper corrosion, 2 hr @ 100° C.: 1b
Aniline pt., °C. (°F.): 69.3 (156.7)
Aniline gravity product: 7,414
Gross calorific value, J/g: 46,400
Net calorific value, J/g: 43,470

Range, °C. (°F.): 190-230 (374-446)
Yield range, vol % (wt %): 35.8-42.9 (31.8-38.8)
Yield, vol % (wt %): 7.1 (7.0)
Gravity, °API: 45.2
Sp gr @ 60/60° F.: 0.8008
Density @ 15° C., g/ml: 0.8004
Sulfur, wt %: 0.19
Mercaptan S, ppm: 1,249
Total nitrogen, mg/L.: 1.2
Basic N, ppm: <10
Total acid no., mg KOH/g: 0.02
UOP K factor: 11.9
Kin. visc. @ -20° C., cSt: 4.849
Kin. visc. @ 20° C., cSt: 1.995
Kin. visc. @ 40° C., cSt: 1.418
Aromatics (FIA), vol %: 12.5
Naphthalenes, wt %: 1.28
Hydrogen content, wt %: 14.1
Carbon content, wt %: 85.9
Freeze pt., °C.: -43.5
Smoke pt., mm: 26
Flash pt. (Abel), °C.: 70
Copper corrosion, 2 hr @ 100° C.: 1b
Aniline pt., °C. (°F.): 64.8 (148.6)
Aniline gravity product: 6,719
Gross calorific value, J/g: 46,300
Net calorific value, J/g: 43,300

Range, °C. (°F.): 250-360 (482-680)
Yield range, vol % (wt %): 47.2-68.3 (43.1-64.9)
Yield, vol % (wt %): 21.1 (21.8)
Gravity, °API: 37.7
Sp gr @ 60/60° F.: 0.8365
Density @ 15° C., g/ml: 0.8361
Sulfur, wt %: 0.23
Mercaptan S, ppm: 1,026
Total nitrogen, mg/L.: 6.9
Basic N, ppm: <10
Total acid no., mg KOH/g: 0.02
UOP K factor: 11.7
Kin. visc. @ 20° C., cSt: 7.460
Kin. visc. @ 40° C., cSt: 4.136
Copper corrosion, 2 hr @ 100° C.: 1a
Calculated cetane index: 65.0
Flash pt., °C.: 130
Pour pt., °C.: -3
Cloud pt., °C.: 0
Cold filter plugging pt., °C.: 0
Ramsbottom C residue (10% bottoms), wt %: 0.05
Aniline pt., °C. (°F.): 80.2 (176)
Aniline gravity product: 6,635
Gross calorific value, J/g: 45,960
Net calorific value, J/g: 43,220
Hydrogen content, wt %: 12.9
Carbon content, wt %: 87.1

Range, °C. (°F.): 230-360 (446-680)
Yield range, vol % (wt %): 42.9-68.3 (38.8-64.9)
Yield, vol % (wt %): 25.4 (26.1)
Gravity, °API: 38.9
Sp gr @ 60/60° F.: 0.8306
Density @ 15° C., g/ml: 0.8302
Sulfur, wt %: 0.21
Mercaptan S, ppm: 995
Total nitrogen, mg/L: 6.2
Basic N, ppm: <10
Total acid no., mg KOH/g: 0.03
UOP K factor: 12.0
Kin. visc. @ 20° C., cSt: 5.920
Kin. visc. @ 40° C., cSt: 3.546
Copper corrosion, 2 hr @ 100° C.: 1a
Calculated cetane index: 62.5
Flash pt., °C.: 118
Pour pt., °C.: -6
Cloud pt., °C.: -3
Cold filter plugging pt., °C.: -3
Ramsbottom C residue (10% bottoms), wt %: 0.06
Aniline pt., °C. (°F.): 78.4 (173)
Aniline gravity product: 6,730
Gross calorific value, J/g: 45,900
Net calorific value, J/g: 43,100
Hydrogen content, wt %: 13.6
Carbon content, wt %: 86.4

Range, °C. (°F.): 360-450 (680-842)
Yield range, vol % (wt %): 68.3-81.1 (64.9-78.6)
Yield, vol % (wt %): 12.8 (13.7)
Gravity, °API: 32.5
Sp gr @ 60/60° F.: 0.8628
Density @ 15° C., g/ml: 0.8623
Sulfur, wt %: 0.29
Total nitrogen, ppm: 116
Basic N, ppm: 47
Total acid no., mg KOH/g: 0.02
Kin. visc. @ 70° C., cSt: 7.092
Kin. visc. @ 100° C., cSt: 3.893
Pour pt., °C.: 36
UOP K factor: 12.4
Aniline pt., °C.: 98.5
Conradson C residue, wt %: 0.08
Asphaltenes, wt %: <0.05
Wax content, wt %: 29.6
Gross calorific value, J/g: 45,720
Net calorific value, J/g: 42,770
Carbon content, wt %: 86.1
Hydrogen content, wt %: 13.9
V/Ni, ppm: <0.1/<0.1
Cu/Na/Fe, ppm: <0.1/<0.1/<0.1

Range, °C. (°F.): 450-540 (842-1,004)
Yield range, vol % (wt %): 81.1-91.9 (78.6-90.5)
Yield, vol % (wt %): 10.8 (11.9)
Gravity, °API: 28.8
Sp gr @ 60/60° F.: 0.8826
Density @ 15° C., g/ml: 0.8821
Sulfur, wt %: 0.36
Total nitrogen, ppm: 389
Basic N, ppm: 108
Total acid no., mg KOH/g: 0.03
Kin. visc. @ 70° C., cSt: 18.34
Kin. visc. @ 100° C., cSt: 8.250
Pour pt., °C.: 48
UOP K factor: 12.6
Aniline pt., °C.: 106.4
Conradson C residue, wt %: 0.13
Asphaltenes, wt %: <0.05
Wax content, wt %: 19.8
Gross calorific value, J/g: 45,460
Net calorific value, J/g: 42,680
Carbon content, wt %: 86.9
Hydrogen content, wt %: 13.1
V/Ni, ppm: <0.1/<0.1
Cu/Na/Fe, ppm: <0.1/<0.1/<0.1

Range, °C. (°F.): 360+ (680+)
Yield range, vol % (wt %): 68.3-100.0 (64.9-100.0)
Yield, vol % (wt %): 31.7 (35.1)
Gravity, °API: 27.4
Sp gr @ 60/60° F.: 0.8905
Density @ 15° C., g/ml: 0.8900
Sulfur, wt %: 0.37
Total nitrogen, ppm: 533
Basic N, ppm: 162
Total acid no., mg KOH/g: 0.06
Kin. visc. @ 70° C., cSt: 21.56
Kin. visc. @ 100° C., cSt: 9.559
Pour pt., °C.: 42
UOP K factor: 12.3
Aniline pt., °C.: 104
Conradson C residue, wt %: 3.53
Asphaltenes, wt %: <0.05
Wax content, wt %: 21.6
Gross heating value, J/g: 45,220
Net heating value, J/g: 42,420
Carbon content, wt %: 86.8
Hydrogen content, wt %: 13.2
V/Ni, ppm: <0.1/0.2
Cu/Na/Fe, ppm: 0.2/102/10
Range, °C. (°F.): 540+ (1,004+)
Yield range, vol % (wt %): 91.9-100.0 (90.5-100.0)
Yield, vol % (wt %): 8.1 (9.5)
Gravity, °API: 18.5
Sp gr @ 60/60° F.: 0.9435
Density @ 15° C., g/ml: 0.9430
Sulfur, wt %: 0.47
Total nitrogen, ppm: 1,290
Basic N, ppm: 442
Total acid no., mg KOH/g: 0.10
Kin. visc. @ 70° C., cSt: 394.0
Kin. visc. @ 100° C., cSt: 98.36
Pour pt., °C.: 39
Aniline pt., °C.: 113
Conradson C residue, wt %: 12.9
Ash content, wt %: 0.118
Asphaltenes, wt %: 0.05
Wax content, wt %: 23.8
Gross heating value, J/g: 44,340
Net heating value, J/g: 41,730
Carbon content, wt %: 87.7
Hydrogen content, wt %: 12.3
V/Ni, ppm: 0.3/0.7
Cu/Na/Fe, ppm: 0.8/331/33