PR461-21604-R01 Study of Rag Layer Formation in Different Types of Crude Oils

Water-in-oil emulsions, known as rag layers, pose significant challenges during crude oil custody transfer operations by interfering with accurate volume measurements and composition analysis. This study investigates the formation of rag layers during sediment and water (S&W) centrifugation testing, examining the effects of crude oil types, oil properties, and centrifugation parameters. Strategies to mitigate rag layers, including the use of alternative solvents and demulsifiers, as well as a comparison of water content measurement techniques (centrifugation vs. Karl Fischer titration), were also evaluated.