Stability Mechanisms and Viscosity Models for Oilfield Emulsions

Crude oil emulsions present significant implications for the oil and gas industry. Emulsions pose challenges for production, transportation, the environment, and processing of crude oil, affecting operational efficiency and overall profitability. Understanding the mechanisms of emulsion stability and developing accurate predictive models for emulsion rheology are crucial for emulsion separation and optimization of oil production processes. This review paper explores different classes of emulsion, discusses factors that influence emulsion stability, and presents an overview of the most important predictive models for emulsion rheology in the literature. The complex mechanisms of emulsion stabilization, including the role of surfactants, asphaltenes, shear force, temperature, and water content are discussed. The development of accurate predictive models is crucial for the design and optimization of petroleum production and processing systems to ensure effective oil and gas operations.