Additive for reducing viscosity in heavy crude oil

Abstract

A method for increasing mobility of a heavy crude oil includes mixing an additive containing saponins and fatty acids with a heavy crude oil, wherein the saponins are derived from Sapindus Saponaria.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for increasing mobility of a heavy crude oil, comprising mixing an additive containing saponins and fatty acids with a heavy crude oil, wherein the saponins are derived from  Sapindus Saponaria.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of obtaining the saponins from  Sapindus Saponaria.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the saponins are derived from pericarp of the fruit pods of  Sapindus Saponaria.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the saponins are derived by extracting with an organic solvent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the saponins are selected from the group consisting of triterpenoids and corresponding 2-β-methyl derivatives with C 23 , C 24 , C 28 , C 29  and C 30 , hexones and furanose. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fatty acids are selected from the group consisting of saturated, unsaturated and polysaturated fatty acids linked to other chemical functional groups. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additive is mixed with the heavy hydrocarbon such that the saponins are present in an amount between 0.01 wt. % and 30 wt. % based on weight of the hydrocarbon. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing step forms a single phase dispersion of the additive through the heavy crude oil. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the single phase dispersion has reduced viscosity as compared to the starting heavy crude oil.