The analysis conducted by the Oil Load Group provides valuable insights into the characteristics and suitability of Kurdistan's crude oils for various fuel applications. Understanding these properties is essential for optimizing refining processes, ensuring compliance with quality standards, and maximizing the utilization of the region's oil resources. Moving forward, continued research and analysis will be crucial for further enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of Kurdistan's oil industry.
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Analysis Methodology:
The Oil Load Group conducted a meticulous analysis of five different Kurdistan crude oils, employing ASTM standard methods of testing to assess their quality and compliance with Iraqi specifications. Distillation characteristics were determined using the IP-24 method, providing insights into the boiling ranges and fractionation capabilities of each crude oil. Additionally, metallic analysis was performed to evaluate the presence of metals in both crude oils and derived fuel oils.
Source of Crude Oil Samples:
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq boasts diverse crude oil varieties sourced from different fields, including Swara Tuka, Miran, Khurmala, Shiwashok, and Tawki. These oils have been subjected to thorough analysis and evaluation, with a focus on their distillation properties, elemental composition, and suitability for various fuel applications.
But in the future, all the oil fields and oil wells of Iraqi Kurdistan were checked to obtain API and the result was given at the end.
What you will finding:
This analysis provides valuable insights into the characteristics of five crude oil samples (Swara tuka, Miran, Khurmala, Shiwashok, and Tawki) from Iraq's Kurdistan Region. Here's a breakdown of the key findings:
Distillation Characteristics:
- Shiwashok crude yields the highest percentage of light fractions (37%v/v) ideal for gasoline production, while Miran crude yields the lowest (less than 1%).
- Khurmala crude produces the most fuel oil (41%v/v) at higher distillation temperatures (above 300°C).
- Tawki crude oil has the highest sulfur content (up to 5.0%w) in its fuel oils.
Fractions for Refinery Processes:
- The analysis provides estimated yields for various fractions crucial for refineries: naphtha (used for gasoline), kerosene, gas oil (diesel), and fuel oil.
Fuel Oil Properties:
- The report compares the properties of fuel oil derived from these crudes with Iraqi marketing specifications, including density, flash point, pour point, metal content, calorific value, water content, and sulfur content.
Benefits of this Analysis:
This information is valuable for:
- Refineries: Choosing the right crude oil source based on their desired product yield (e.g., gasoline vs. fuel oil).
- Oil Exploration and Production Companies: Understanding the characteristics of their crude oil reserves for optimal marketing and processing.
- Policymakers: Evaluating the potential economic benefits and environmental considerations of refining these crude oils.
Overall, this analysis highlights the diverse characteristics of crude oils within the Kurdistan Region. This data can inform decisions across the oil and gas market, from exporting, trading to refining.
Table 1: Distillation Characteristics of Kurdistan Crude Oils According to IP 24
This table presents the distillation properties of five Kurdistan crude oils, namely Swara Tuka, Miran, Khurmala, Shiwashok, and Tawki, analyzed using the IP 24 method. It outlines the volume percentages of fractions distilled at various temperatures up to 300°C, providing insights into their boiling ranges and fractionation capabilities, crucial for understanding their refining potential and suitability for different applications in the petroleum industry.
| Fraction (ºC) | Swara Tuka (%) | Miran (%) | Khurmala (%) | Shiwashok (%) | Tawki (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I.B.P. | 46 | 178 | 70 | 35 | 60 |
| 25 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 50 | Few dps | - | - | 2 | - |
| 75 | 2 | - | 0.3 | 8.1 | 1 |
| 100 | 5 | - | 2 | 16 | 4.5 |
| 125 | 11 | - | 4 | 23 | 9 |
| 150 | 16 | - | 11 | 33 | 14 |
| 175 | 23 | - | 16 | 42 | 19 |
| 200 | 28 | 0.5 | 21 | 50 | 24 |
| 225 | 35 | 0.8 | 26 | 56 | 30 |
| 250 | 41 | 1.2 | 33 | 62 | 36 |
| 275 | 49 | 10 | 39 | 67 | 43 |
| 300 | 56 | 20 | 47 | 74 | 50 |
Table 2: ASTM Distillation for Production of Light Products from Kurdistan Crude Oils
This table illustrates the ASTM distillation results for generating light products from Kurdistan crude oils. It delineates the volume percentages of fractions distilled within specific temperature ranges, shedding light on the production of lighter fractions such as naphtha, kerosene, and gas oil. These findings are instrumental in optimizing refining processes to obtain desired product yields and quality.
| Tests | Swara Tuka (%) | Miran (%) | Khurmala (%) | Shiwashok (%) | Tawki (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I.B.P.-170 | 22 | Few drops | 16 | 37 | 18 |
| 171-240 | 17 | 1 | 15 | 20 | 16 |
| 241-350 | 23 | 39 | 41 | 24 | 31 |
| I.B.P-150 | 16 | Few drops | 11 | 33 | 14 |
| 151-300 | 40 | 20 | 36 | 41 | 36 |
Table 3: Specific Gravity for Light Products Produced from Kurdistan Crude Oils
This table showcases the specific gravity values of light products derived from Kurdistan crude oils at different temperature intervals. Specific gravity is a crucial parameter for assessing oil quality and predicting its behavior during refining and transportation. The data presented here aids in understanding the physical properties of the derived products and their suitability for various industrial applications.
| Tests | Swara Tuka | Miran | Khurmala | Shiwashok | Tawki |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I.B.P.-170 | 0.721 | - | 0.7035 | 0.7026 | 0.7034 |
| 171-240 | 0.7791 | - | 0.7798 | 0.7701 | 0.7964 |
| 241-350 | 0.8317 | 0.89 | 0.8505 | 0.8251 | 0.8575 |
| I.B.P.-150 | 0.7101 | - | 0.7024 | 0.7013 | 0.7016 |
| 151-300 | 0.8031 | 0.878 | 0.7981 | 0.7785 | 0.8053 |
Table 4: Properties of Fuel Oils Produced from Kurdistan Crude Oils
This table highlights the key properties of fuel oils obtained from Kurdistan crude oils, including specific gravity, API gravity, flash point, pour point, water content, and sulfur content. These properties are vital for assessing the quality and compliance of fuel oils with industry standards, ensuring safe handling, storage, and utilization in different sectors such as transportation, power generation, and heating.
| Tests | Swara Tuka | Miran | Khurmala | Shiwashok | Tawki | Fuel Oil | Blend Fuel Oil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling Range Above 300°C | |||||||
| Specific Gravity @ 15.6°C | 0.8933 | 0.9711 | 0.9555 | 0.8839 | 0.9619 | -0.95 | -0.98 |
| API Gravity | 26.9 | 14.2 | 16.59 | 28.58 | 15.6 | 17.44 | 12.88 |
| Flash Point (C.O.C) °C | 161 | 180 | 158 | 154 | 158 | 60 (min) | 65 (min) |
| Pour Point °C | +6 | +9 | +6 | +3 | +9 | +21 (max) | +27 (max) |
| Water Content (v/v%) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 (max) | 0.5 (max) |
| Sulfur Content (w/w%) | 1.1 | 2.06 | 2.8 | 1.05 | 4.28 | 4.0 (max) | 4.5 (max) |
| Boiling Range Above 350°C | |||||||
| Specific Gravity @ 15.6°C | 0.9123 | 0.9821 | 0.9733 | 0.9104 | 0.9821 | -0.95 | -0.98 |
| API Gravity | 23.6 | 12.57 | 13.88 | 23.92 | 12.57 | 17.44 | 12.88 |
| Flash Point (C.O.C) °C | 192 | 204 | 194 | 192 | 190 | 60 (min) | 65 (min) |
| Pour Point °C | +9 | +18 | +12 | +6 | +15 | +21 (max) | +27 (max) |
| Water Content (v/v%) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 (max) | 0.5 (max) |
| Sulfur Content (w/w%) | 1.3 | 2.49 | 3 | 1.3 | 5 | 4.0 (max) | 4.5 (max) |
Table 5: Metallic Analysis of Kurdistan Crude Oils and Fuel Oils
Metallic Analysis of Kurdistan Crude Oils and Fuel Oils - This table presents the metallic analysis results for Kurdistan crude oils and fuel oils, revealing the concentrations of various metals including cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and vanadium (V). Understanding the metal content is crucial for assessing the corrosiveness, stability, and environmental impact of crude oils and derived fuel oils, thereby informing refining processes and quality control measures.
| Metals | Swara Tuka (ppm) | Miran (ppm) | Khurmala (ppm) | Shiwashok (ppm) | Tawki (ppm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Oils | |||||
| Co | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Cu | Nil | Nil | 0.05 | Nil | Nil |
| Fe | 0.4 | 0.98 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 9 |
| Ni | Nil | 2.1 | 1.6 | 0.38 | 5 |
| Pb | 0.01 | 0.12 | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.04 |
| V | 0.22 | 4.8 | 6.2 | 2.8 | 10 |
| Fuel Oils (Above 300°C) | |||||
| Co | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Cu | Nil | Nil | 0.11 | Nil | Nil |
| Fe | 3.1 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 32 |
| Ni | Nil | 6 | 4.6 | 2 | 19 |
| Pb | 0.029 | 0.41 | 0.13 | 1.5 | 0.13 |
| V | 1.2 | 15 | 20 | 5.6 | 36 |
| Fuel Oils (Above 350°C) | |||||
| Co | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Cu | Nil | Nil | 0.14 | Nil | Nil |
| Fe | 3.86 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 34 |
| Ni | Nil | 7 | 5.1 | 2.3 | 22 |
| Pb | 0.036 | 0.5 | 0.16 | 1.7 | 0.14 |
| V | 1.7 | 18 | 22 | 6 | 40 |
Diverse Crude Oil Reserves in Kurdistan
Kurdistan boasts a rich tapestry of hydrocarbon resources, with significant variations in oil type and quality. API gravity, a key indicator of oil density, ranges widely across the region, spanning from light oils exceeding 57° API to heavy oils dipping below 12° API. Exploration efforts have also yielded substantial discoveries of natural gas.
Several major finds contain heavy oil, defined by the American Petroleum Institute as having an API gravity below 22.3° API. In the Shaikan Field, estimates suggest that roughly 80% of the recoverable resources reside in Jurassic formations, characterized by heavy oil with an API gravity between 12° and 22° API. The Barda Rash Field presents a similar story, with over half of its estimated initial oil reserves believed to be located in Cretaceous reservoirs containing heavy oil.
All Iraq's Kurdistan Region Crude Oil Api and Origins List
فهرست و مشخصات چاه های نفت و مشخصات نفت خام آنها در کردستان عراق
This table provides an overview of various oil fields in the Kurdistan region, detailing their respective years of discovery, reservoir ages, formations, and oil gravities measured in degrees API (ºAPI). When multiple values are provided for oil gravity, it indicates a range.
Kurdistan Oil Fields Overview
| Field Name | Year | Reservoir Age | Formation | Oil Gravity (ºAPI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ain Al Safra | 2013 | Jurassic | Alan - Mus | 20−29 |
| Atrush | 2011 | Jurassic | Barsarin-Naokelekan-Sargelu-Alan-Mus | 22−27 |
| Bakrman | 2013 | Triassic | Kurra Chine | 31−38 |
| Banan | 2014 | Cenozoic | Pila Spi | Heavy oil (21) |
| Baram | 2014 | Cenozoic | Kirkuk | 42 |
| Barda Rash | 2009 | Cretaceous | Shiranish-Qamchuqa | Heavy oil (28−30) |
| Bastora | 2011 | Cenozoic | Sinjar | 10 |
| Cretaceous | Bekhme | 17 | ||
| Bijell | 2010 | Jurassic | Barsarin-Naokelekan-SargeluSehkaniyan | 14−23 |
| Benenan | 2008 | Cretaceous | Bekhme | 10 |
| Jurassic | Najmah / Mus | 8−12 / 30 | ||
| Ber Bahr | 2013 | Jurassic | Sargelu | 12−15 |
| Bina Bawi | 2007 | Jurassic | Mus-Adaiyah | 44−47 |
| Triassic | Kurra Chine-Geli Khana | Gas (10−14 bbl/MMcf) | ||
| Chemchemal | 1929 | Cenozoic | Pila Spi | 43 & Gas |
| Cretaceous | Shiranish-Kometan | Gas | ||
| Chia Surkh | 1901 | Cenozoic | Lower Fars / Jeribe-Dhiban-Euphrates | 38 & Gas / 38−50 |
| Demir Dagh | 1960 | Cenozoic | Pila Spi | 15 |
| Cretaceous | Shiranish-Kometan-Qamchuqa | 23 | ||
| Jurassic | Najmah / Sargelu / Mus-Adaiyah | 10 / 29−32 / 37−42 | ||
| Jisik | 2014 | Jurassic | Sargelu-Mus-Adaiyah | ? 39−45 ? |
| Triassic | Kurra Chine | Gas | ||
| Khurmala Dome | 1935 | Cenozoic | Avanah-Khurmala | 34 |
| Cretaceous | Shiranish-Kometan-Qamchuqa | 28−41 | ||
| Kor Mor | 1928 | Cenozoic | Jeribe-Euphrates-Kirkuk | 57 & Gas |
| Kurdamir | 2010 | Cenozoic | Kirkuk-Jaddala | 38−47 & Gas (30−40 bbl/MMcf) |
| Mil Qasim | 2011 | Cenozoic | Upper Fars | 43−44 |
| Miran West | 2009 | Cretaceous | Shiranish | 15 |
| Jurassic | Adaiyah-Butmah | Gas (2−20 bbl/MMcf) | ||
| Mirawa | 2013 | Jurassic | Sargelu-Mus-Adaiyah | 39−45 |
| Triassic | Kurra Chine | Gas | ||
| Peshkabir | 2012 | Jurassic | Sargelu | 32 |
| Pulkhana | 1927 | Cenozoic | Euphrates-Serikagni-Jaddala | 31−34 |
| Cretaceous | Shiranish-Balambo | 28−32 | ||
| Qara Dagh | 2011 | Cretaceous | Tanjero-Shiranish | 43−46 |
| Sarqala | 2011 | Cenozoic | Jeribe-Dhiban | 40 |
| Sarta | 2010 | Jurassic | Sargelu | 20 |
| Sangaw North | 2011 | Jurassic | Mus | Dry Gas |
| Shaikan | 2009 | Cretaceous | Sarmord-Garagu-Chia Gara | Heavy / bituminous oil (14−20) |
| Jurassic | Naokelekan-Sargelu-Mus | 14−20 | ||
| Triassic | Kurra Chine | 37−43 & Gas (120 bbl/MMcf) | ||
| Shakal | 2009 | Cenozoic | Jaddala-Aaliji | 35 |
| Sheikh Adi | 2012 | Cretaceous | Sarmord-Garagu-Chia Gara | Heavy oil (16−19) |
| Jurassic | Naokelekan-Sargelu-Mus | 16−19 | ||
| Shewashan | 2014 | Cretaceous | Shiranish-Kometan-Qamchuqa | 45 |
| Simrit | 2012 | Jurassic | Mus-Adaiyah | 14−21 |
| Triassic | Kurra Chine | 36−39 | ||
| Summail | 2011 | Cretaceous | Shiranish-Aqra-Kometan | Gas |
| Jurassic | Sargelu-Mus | 14 | ||
| Swara Tika | 2011 | Triassic | Kurra Chine | 36−38 |
| Taq Taq | 1958 | Cenozoic | Pila Spi | 24 |
| Cretaceous | Shiranish-Kometan-Qamchuqa | 48 | ||
| Tawke | 2006 | Cenozoic | Jeribe | 24 |
| Cretaceous | Bekhme-Qamchuqa | 26−27 | ||
| Jurassic | Sargelu | 32 | ||
| Taza | 2013 | Cenozoic | Jeribe-Dhiban-Euphrates-Kirkuk | 36 |
| Topkhana | 2011 | Cenozoic | Kirkuk | Gas (30−40 bbl/MMcf) |
| Zey Gawra | 2013 | Cretaceous | Shiranish-Kometan-Qamchuqa | 35 |
The exploration and evaluation of these crude oils play a pivotal role in understanding their properties, distillation characteristics, and suitability for different fuel applications. In this article, we present a comprehensive analysis of Kurdistan's crude oils conducted by the Oil Load Group, shedding light on their elemental composition, distillation properties, and compliance with industry standards.
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