Natural Bitumens: Physicochemical Properties and Production Technologies

Abstract

The physicochemical parameters and the extraction technologies of natural bitumens—solid or viscous natural materials that are the products of hypergenic, phase-migratory, contact-metamorphic, and other natural transformations of oil—were analyzed. The separation of bitumens is based on their physicochemical properties, the most important of which are solubility in chloroform, oil content, specific gravity, coking behavior, Mohs hardness, group composition, and consistency. It was shown that the physicochemical properties of natural bitumens and black and oil shales, their hydrocarbon composition, and the concentrations and ratios of their ore components depend on the initial organic matter, the litho-facial conditions of its burial, and the subsequent accumulation and destruction, that is, on the geological history of sedimentary basins. To improve the efficiency of further development of natural bitumen deposits, it was proposed to introduce a highly efficient integrated technology for developing hard-to-recover reserves, the most important elements of which are the application of thermal effects using various heat sources, horizontal drilling, and hydraulic fracturing.