#China #Beijing #Sinopec #Heavy Oil #ISO Approval

Sinopec's Landmark Achievement in Heavy Oil

On December 13, 2024, the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, widely known as Sinopec, received a significant milestone in its efforts to develop heavy oil resources. The company has successfully obtained the ISO certification for its first international technical specification concerning the thermal multi-component flooding of heavy oil. This groundbreaking specification was proposed by the research team led by the esteemed academician Sun Huanquan and marks a pivotal moment for heavy oil recovery in China.

Heavy oil, characterized by its high density and viscosity, constitutes a crucial part of the world's proven oil reserves, accounting for about 36%. This type of oil is not only essential for energy supplies but also serves as a significant raw material in various industrial applications, particularly in producing high-grade asphalt and transformer oil. Sinopec's annual heavy oil production has impressively surpassed 15 million tons for 13 consecutive years, signifying its importance in the global oil market.

Despite its vast reserves, China faces unique challenges in heavy oil extraction due to geological complexities and sedimentation issues, which often result in limited oil layer thickness. These conditions necessitate innovative approaches to overcome problems related to flow rates and extraction distances. With the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and key projects within Sinopec, Sun Huanquan's team aimed to address these challenges head-on.

The comprehensive approach led to the development of an innovative thermal multi-component flooding technology, which has been executed successfully on a large scale in Sinopec's Shengli and Henan oil fields. This advanced extraction method has significantly enhanced the company's efficiency, achieving an annual heavy oil production exceeding 4.8 million tons.

Following this achievement, the next step for Sun Huanquan and his team involves the formation of an international working group featuring technical experts from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. This collaboration aims to expedite the formulation of the international standard, ensuring its publication in the near future.

Sinopec's receipt of ISO approval represents a significant advancement in heavy oil technology, promising to foster international technical exchanges and facilitate the global development of heavy oil sectors. Given the critical role of heavy oil in energy production and important industrial processes, this initiative could pave the way for enhanced cooperation in oil extraction technologies worldwide. This development not only underscores Sinopec's commitment to innovation but also positions China as a key player in the global oil industry landscape.

With such advancements, Sinopec is not only contributing to meeting the world's energy demands but also enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of heavy oil production, marking a new era for the industry.