Summary
Crude Oil Quality Association
Houston , TX
October 2, 2003

Details on the meeting presentation can be found on www.coqa-inc.org or by contacting the COQA facilitator, Harry Giles, at dir.COQA@verizon.net. 

Legal Review of Anti-Trust - Harry Giles, COQA Facilitator, reminded all attendees to review the Standard Setting Rules prior to each meeting.  The Standard Setting Rules can be found on coqa-inc.org under “Information”.

Update on HTSD – Mr. Terry Thompson of Intertek Testing Services spoke to us on the High Temperature Simulated Distillation (HTSD) test.  HTSD has been around for some time now and is gaining acceptance as a valuable tool for monitoring and characterizing crude oil.  There are, of course, other Simulated Distillation tests that already have published standards (ASTM D2887 and D5307), but HTSD is the only Sim Dist that can determine residue percents (1382 degrees F).  HTSD is much faster and has a lower cost than a True Boiling Point test and is accurate for use with most refinery models.  HTSD, however, does not generate fractions, offers limited information of the front end (C1 – C5), and is very technique dependent.  ASTM is trying to work up a standard for HTSD but nothing in the short term is expected. 

HTSD -INTERTEK TESTING SERVICES - View this Document****
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Crude Oil Compatibility was presented by Dr. Irv Wiehe of Soluble Solutions.  The Soluble Solutions Oil Compatibility Model predicts the fouling tendency of a crude or combination of crudes by measuring and applying the solvency and insolubility of the crude oils.  Asphaltene fouling can be costly, not only with high maintenance and decreased days on stream, but especially in higher energy requirements.  The Model assists in optimizing blending (the order in which crudes are blended can be very important) and in purchasing opportunity crudes with more confidence (in regards to fouling).  Soluble Solutions has already determined over 100 incompatible pairs of crudes and more than 10 self-incompatible crudes.  Irv and Soluble Solutions are interested in coordinating a Crude Compatibility Exchange where companies pool results and costs.  Any companies interested in such an exchange should please contact Irv at Irv@SolubleSolutions.com

CRUDE OIL COMPATIBILITY - SOLUBLE SOLUTIONS - View this Document****
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Real Time Oil Corrosivity Measurement - Mr. Doug Eberle of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) introduced the group to SwRI’s method of using Radioactive Tracer Technology to measure the true corrosivity of an oil sample.  Corrosivity has historically been predicted through TAN, sulfur, etc. correlation.  These correlation models are expensive to develop and can be unreliable.  Radioactive Tracer Technology (RATT) is an actual measurement of mass loss run in simulated refinery conditions.  This real time procedure has several possible applications from selection of opportunity crudes to blend optimization to operating conditions research to materials selection.  SwRI is interested in forming a Joint Industry Project to further develop this technology.  Interested parties should please contact Doug directly at deberle@swri.org or (210) 522-5260.

CORROSIVITY MEASURMENT - SwRI - View this Document****
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 Canadian Crude Quality Initiatives - Mr. Tim Blackmore of Omnicon Consultants represented the Canadian Crude Quality Technical Association.

 ·        Phosphorous continues to be a concern at several refineries.  The implementation of a specification on volatile phosphorus in crude is under discussion with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).

·        Although a decrease in filterable solids concentration has been found in some heavy oils, there are still significant operational difficulties associated with these crudes.  The Heavy Oil Project members are now studying organic sediment in crudes.  The scope of this new phase is underway.  New members to the project are invited.

·        A study to look at various aspects of testing, shipping and processing high naphthenic acid crudes is being developed for consideration.  Issues include new developments in analytical chemistry, evaluation of product segregation during transport and options for mitigation of naphthenic acid corrosion.

·        Tank cleaning is a routinely scheduled maintenance item for almost all pipelines.  The cleaning methods used were designed by the pipelines to clean the tank effectively and economically, while controlling the amount of sediment and water (S&W) in the crude that is pumped out.  However, S&W is not an effective control mechanism for the prevention of refinery issues when processing crudes with added tank bottoms.  A proposed CCQTA project has the objective of developing a tank cleaning protocol that considers what is in the tank and what facilities are available to the pipeline when cleaning and to the refinery when receiving.  The project would also include communication and evaluation mechanisms.

The next CCQTA meetings are scheduled for November 18 & 19 in Calgary .  Interested parties should contact Bruce Kennedy at (905) 469-3696 or Tim Blackmore at (780) 915-7912.

 Mr. Bill Lywood of Crude Quality, Inc had a report on a proposed project to evaluate downstream crude quality.  The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) has sponsored CrudeMonitor.ca for three years.  A significant database of crude quality parameters, as produced, has been developed and is used extensively by every aspect of the oil industry.  It has been determined that the next step in the monitoring program should be collection of data on the “as received” side, for direct comparison with the upstream data.  The project will quantify quality differentials relative to individual stream variability and determine which streams are at the greatest risk of quality degradation.  The project will be financed equally by those participating.  A copy of the project proposal is available at http://www.crudequality.com/CompanyInfo/whatsnew.htm.  Also, interested parties can contact Bill directly at (780) 481-1170 or lywood@crudequality.com.

Report on the Water Measurement Subcommittee - Mr. Ron Fisher of BP shared new data comparing Karl Fisher water results with separate sediment measurements to centrifuge BS&W.  Ron’s data are inconclusive, as are many sets of data presented in the past.  While it appears to be clear that Karl Fisher tests report a more accurate water result, the issue of sediment creates a new set of problems.  The COQA will continue to follow new developments in water measurement with possible future speakers to include on-line equipment manufacturers and an in-depth assessment of ASTM crosscheck results.  Ron has offered to share his data, please contact him directly at fisherrb@bp.com.

Report on the Trading Subcommittee - The Trading Subcommittee discussed education and communication of crude quality issues to the oil industry at large.  A generic memo outlining the COQA position on contract terms covering quality issues is available.  Please contact the facilitator.  

Report on the Communication Forum – The Education Forum for pipeline personnel is now available.  Some changes will be made to better encompass the gathering aspect of pipelines and also to more strongly state the economic benefit to everyone when quality is the normal state of the product.  Anyone wishing a copy of the Education Forum should please contact the facilitator.  

Report from the COQA Steering Committee - A listing of websites that have crude quality data will be posted on coqa-inc.org.  The COQA has not verified the data contained on these web sites but they have been accessed by members and found to be useful.  Anyone with other websites of quality interest should please contact the Facilitator for posting.  

COQA Web Site and Budget Report - The facilitator presented the financial report for the first eight months of 2003.  Many thanks to our 2003 Financial Supporters:

            Associate Members: BakerPetrolite, Giant Refining, ITS Caleb Brett, Ondeo Nalco Energy Services, Saybolt / Core Labs, US DOE

            Funding members: BP, BHP Petroleum, Conoco Phillips, Gary Williams, LOOP,  Marathon Ashland, Navajo, NCRA, Shell Pipeline

Please review past minutes (with detailed attachments), our Retrospective Review and Mission Statement and a complete membership listing (name, company, email, phone) on coqa-inc.org.  All members are encouraged to take advantage of our forum page.

Next Meeting - The next meeting will be held in New Orleans on January 29, 2004.

Harry Giles, COQA Facilitator