Kuwait oil lakes : composition of the oil and effects of weathering

Abstract EN

One of the consequences of the Kuwait oil fires was the formation of oil lakes containing mostly crude oil, partially combusted oil, and soot.

The composition and weathering of the oil from the four oil fields was studied.

The results showed that the asphaltene, aromatic, and resin contents of the lake oil increased significantly as a result of loss of volatiles.

Saturates, on the other hand, decreased as the weathering progressed.

The ratio of n-Cl4/n-Clg was used as a measure of weathering for saturates.

No significant biodegradation of the oil was noticed as indicated by «-C18/phytane ratio.

The results showed that the average initial value of asphaltenes was 9.62%.

After 21 months of weathering, the asphaltene content of the oil increased to 15.37%.

During the same period, the saturate fraction decreased from 36.98% to 21.43%.

Aromatics, on the other hand, increased from 23.83% to 41.0%.

Similarly, resins also increased considerably (from 8.51 to 21.46%).

Ratio of n-C14/n-C22 was, initially, 4.75 which dropped to 0.10 over 21 month period.