Abstract: A method of demulsifying a water-in-oil emulsion is provided. The method includes treating a volume of fluids comprising oil and water by adding a salt of a polynuclear, aromatic sulfonic acid to the fluids so as to cause the oil and water to be at least partially demulsified. The method may further include separating water and oil in a separator. A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface reservoir is also provided. The hydrocarbons include a water-in-oil emulsion. The method includes producing the hydrocarbons through a wellbore, and subjecting the water-in-oil emulsion to a salt of a polynuclear, aromatic sulfonic acid additive so as to cause the oil and water to be at least partially demulsified.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a stream rich in aromatic polysulfonic acid compounds from light catalytic cycle oil. The preparation involves the polysulfonation of the light catalytic cycle oil using more than a stoichiometric amount of sulfuric acid. The aromatic polysulfonic acid compositions are preferably aromatic polynuclear compositions.

Abstract: A method for reducing the viscosity and toluene equivalence of an oil containing asphaltenes comprises the steps of: a) mixing with the oil, a polar solvent, and an asphaltene dispersant additive wherein the weight ratio of oil : polar solvent is in the range of 10:0.1 to 10:5, the asphaltene dispersant additive is at a treat rate in the range of 0.025 to 5 weight percent based on the weight of the oil, and then, b) removing at least 90 wt % of the polar solvent from the mixture of oil, polar solvent and the asphaltene dispersant additive to provide upgraded oil with reduced viscosity and toluene equivalence.

Abstract: A method for reducing the viscosity and surface wetting tendency of an oil containing hydrophilic asphaltenes comprises adding to said oil an amount of hydrophobic asphaltenes in the range of 1 to 80 wt % based on the weight of the hydrophilic asphaltenes of said oil.

Abstract: A delayed coking process for making substantially free-flowing coke, preferably shot coke. A coker feedstock, such as a vacuum residuum, is heated in a heating zone to coking temperatures then conducted to a coking zone wherein volatiles are collected overhead and coke is formed. A low molecular weight additive is added to the feedstock prior to it being heated in the heating zone, prior to its being conducted to the coking zone, or both.

Abstract: A method for upgrading heavy oils by contacting the heavy oil with an inhibitor additive and then thermally treating the inhibitor additized heavy oil. The inhibitor is selected from oil soluble polynuclear aromatic compounds. The invention also relates to the upgraded product from the inhibitor enhanced thermal treatment process.