Exploring the potential of non-food biobased oils as waxy crude oil flow improvers: Recent developments, challenges and future prospects

The transportation of waxy crude oil poses significant flow assurance challenges due to the formation of wax crystals, which can lead to pipeline blockages, increased viscosity, and reduced efficiency. Conventional flow improvers, while effective, often have limitations including environmental concerns, high costs, and reduced efficacy under extreme conditions. In response, non-food biobased oils have emerged as a promising, sustainable alternative. This study comprehensively examines the emerging use of non-food biobased oils as flow improvers for waxy crude oil, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical additives. Unlike previous works, this study specifically focuses on non-food sources to minimize competition with the food supply chain. It explores the potential of plant examining their mechanisms of action in mitigating wax deposition, including pour point depression, viscosity reduction, and wax crystal modification. Performance evaluation through laboratory, pilot, and field trials is discussed. While promising in terms of sustainability and environmental friendliness, challenges such as high production costs, scalability issues, and regulatory hurdles are addressed. The work highlights the potential of emerging technologies, including genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence, to enhance the performance and economic viability of biobased oil flow improvers. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of hybrid systems combining biobased oils with conventional additives to optimize performance and reduce environmental impact. This research provides valuable insights into the current state of biobased oil flow improvers, their potential benefits, and the crucial steps needed for their successful industrial application.