	US 12,404,461 B2
	Methods for improving heavy oils
Jose Edgar Patino, Antioquia (CO)
Assigned to PETRORAZA SAS, Antioquia (CO)
Filed by PETRORAZA SAS, Antioquia (CO)
Filed on Apr. 23, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/643,819.
Application 18/643,819 is a continuation of application No. 18/116,507, filed on Mar. 2, 2023, granted, now 12,006,477.
Prior Publication US 2024/0271049 A1, Aug. 15, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 43/30 (2006.01); C10G 11/04 (2006.01); E21B 43/24 (2006.01)

CPC C10G 11/04 (2013.01) [C10G 2300/4037 (2013.01); E21B 43/24 (2013.01); E21B 43/305 (2013.01)]

16 Claims

1. A method for upgrading a heavy oil fraction in an oil well comprising:

contacting a heavy oil in a rock formation associated with the well producing the heavy oil with a nanocatalyst for a time and under conditions sufficient for the nanocatalyst to adsorb an asphaltene in the heavy oil;

wherein:

the heavy oil comprises the asphaltene;

the heavy oil fraction upgrading comprises adsorbing the asphaltene in the heavy oil onto the nanocatalyst in the well;

said nanocatalyst comprises:

nickel oxide nanoparticles supported on alumina nanoparticles;

wherein:

the alumina nanoparticle to nickel oxide nanoparticle weight to weight ratio in the catalyst is in a range of from about 99 to about 500;

the particle size of the alumina nanoparticle is in the range of from about 30 to about 100 nanometers;

the catalyst does not further comprise silver nanoparticles supported on the alumina nanoparticles; and

the alumina nanoparticles are present in an amount of at least 99% by weight of catalyst or the SBET surface area is from about 17 to about 70 m²/g; and

subsequent to the contacting, the well is maintained in a static condition for a period of time before heavy oil removal from the well is initiated.