Crude Oil Characteristics

Each year, Enbridge compiles a summary of selected chemical and physical properties of crude oils and condensates moved in the liquids pipelines system, which are included in the PDF file below.

Enbridge 2008 Crude Oil Characteristics

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Samples were collected over a limited period of time and may or may not be representative of shipments over the entire year. These samples tabulated density at 15^oC, Reid Vapour Pressure at 37.8^oC, while sulphur by weight (per cent), pour point (in ^o C) and viscosity results (in centistokes) were each tabulated at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 45^oC.

Viscocity-Temperature Relationship

The viscosity test of a commodity characterizes its resistance to flow in pipeline movement. The test itself may exaggerate the low temperature viscosity of paraffinic crude oils. Previous testing has shown that the viscosity behaviour of a crude oil in a pipeline follows a curve somewhere between the apparent viscosity (the extrapolated straight line portion of the viscosity-temperature plot) and the measured viscosity.

Measured values of viscosity should be used for interlab comparisons. Apparent values should be used for head loss calculations and surcharge grouping.

To increase pumping capacity, Enbridge has limited receipt viscosities to 350 centistokes. As seasonal temperatures vary, the blends of heavier crude oils with diluent will change to meet the viscosity limit.

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