Purpose of Barite or Baryte

In oil and gas drilling

Worldwide, 69–77% of baryte (barite) is used as a weighting agent for drilling fluids in oil and gas exploration to suppress high formation pressures and prevent blowouts. As a well is drilled, the bit passes through various formations, each with different characteristics. The deeper the hole, the more baryte (barite) is needed as a percentage of the total mud mix. An additional benefit of baryte (barite) is that it is non-magnetic and thus does not interfere with magnetic measurements taken in the borehole, either during logging-while-drilling or in separate drill hole logging. Baryte (barite) used for drilling petroleum wells can be black, blue, brown or gray depending on the ore body. The baryte (barite) is finely ground so that at least 97% of the material, by weight, can pass through a 200-mesh (75 μm) screen, and no more than 30%, by weight, can be less than 6 μm diameter. The ground baryte (barite) also must be dense enough so that its specific gravity is 4.2 or greater, soft enough to not damage the bearings of a tricone drill bit, chemically inert, and containing no more than 250 milligrams per kilogram of soluble alkaline salts.[7] In August 2010 API (American Petroleum Institute) published specifications to modify the 4.2 drilling grade standards for baryte (barite) to include 4.1 SG materials.

In oxygen and sulfur isotopic analysis

In the deep ocean, away from continental sources of sediment, pelagic baryte (barite) precipitates and forms a significant amount of the sediments. Since baryte (barite) has oxygen, systematics in the δ18O of these sediments have been used to help constrain paleotemperatures for oceanic crust.

The variations in sulfur isotopes (34S/32S) are being examined in evaporite minerals containing sulfur (ex, baryte (barite)) and carbonate associated sulfates (CAS) to determine past seawater sulfur concentrations which can help identify specific depositonal periods such as anoxic or oxic conditions. The use of sulfur isotope reconstruction is often paired with oxygen when a molecule contains both elements.

Other uses

Baryte (Barite) is used in added-value applications which include filler in paint and plastics, sound reduction in engine compartments, coat of automobile finishes for smoothness and corrosion resistance, friction products for automobiles and trucks, radiation-shielding cement, glass ceramics and medical applications (for example, a barium meal before a contrast CAT scan). Baryte (barite) is supplied in a variety of forms and the price depends on the amount of processing; filler applications commanding higher prices following intense physical processing by grinding and micronising, and there are further premiums for whiteness and brightness and color.It is also used to produce other barium chemicals, notably barium carbonate which is used for the manufacture of LED glass for television and computer screens (historically in cathode ray tubes); and for dielectrics.

Historically baryte (barite) was used for the production of barium hydroxide for sugar refining, and as a white pigment for textiles, paper, and paint

Although baryte (barite) contains a "heavy" metal (barium), it is not a toxic chemical because of its extreme insolubility.

It is also sometimes used as gemstone.

Read More → Purpose of Barite or Baryte

Oil Deposits, Extraction and Refining

The areas of the Earth's surface where this phenomenon occurs more easily are those in the vicinity of the sea coast, ie large sedimentary basins of continental shelters. 

When formed, the oil is "squeezed" outside of the muddy material composed of sediments and organic material (mother rock) which is gradually compacting.

Main types of oil traps:

A) Anticline: It is a fold of rocks where the layers are convex upwards. In this geological structure, from bottom to top, water saturates all free pores, liquid hydrocarbons, gas accumulating at the top of the fold. 

B) Diapiros: salt intrusion allows the accumulation of oil in a permeable layer, blocking its rise. 

C) Fault: A fracture in a pack of rocks has made a permeable oil layer in contact with a waterproof layer, allowing accumulation of hydrocarbons. 

D) Angular bend: a permeable layer ends below a waterproof and thus allows accumulation of hydrocarbons.

 The oil that is formed tends to "migrate" to the nearest permeable rocks (usually sandstone or porous limestone), which become the warehouse rocks. 

The relatively low density of hydrocarbons leads them, in this phase of migration, to occupy the highest areas of storage rocks above the water in them. 

This creates an oil trap, with pressures reaching up to 900 atmospheres and temperatures of 150 ° C. If the oil trap permits the extraction of oil contained therein, it has an oil field arable. 

Oil drilling and GROWING

The identification of an oil field takes place through a series of geological and geophysical prospects. 

The drilling is mainly done with the rotary system (a screwed chisel at the end of a series of rods rotating on itself) that has almost completely supplanted the old percussion system (a heavy hammer fell periodically at the bottom of a well).To be carefully evaluated in the drilling phase is the push force of the shaft, in order to counteract, by means of mud, with an appropriate density, the sudden rise of hydrocarbons when reaching the oil layers. With the percussion system, at the moment when the JAPAN was reached , real explosions occurred, with considerable leakage of material.

To transform an oil drilling well into an extractive well, a casting is used to regulate the exploitation and replace the column inside the well with a siphon fitted with a special net that allows the passage of the liquid and of gas, but not of sand. Oil naturally rises due to the thrust forces in crude oil due to gas in solution, fluidized fluid from the gas, and so on. 

Subsequently, special systems are used to aid the rise of oil (input of water or gas under pressure, stimulation of crude oil to reduce viscosity, etc.). On top of a FIELD oil they can be opened hundreds of wells, to take advantage of the entire oil field.

Petroleum Refining and Petrochemicals

Petroleum Refining is the set of processes for the purpose of isolating from raw materials substances or mixtures of substances suitable for various uses, mainly as fuels ( LPG LIQUEFATTI GAS , HYDRAULIC GAS , fuel oil), solvents, lubricants, bitumen or as basic intermediates for the petrochemical industry on which many synthetic products such as plastics, synthetic fibers, elastomers, paints, pharmaceutical raw materials, detergents etc. are manufactured. Among the basic intermediates of the petrochemical industry are olefins (especially ethylene and propylene) and hydrocarbons AROMATIC .

The fractional distillation aims to separate the crude into some major gaseous, liquid and semisolid fractions (or cuts) by exploiting the different ranges at their distillation temperatures. It is carried out in plate distillation columns, where the various fractions are collected at different heights. 

The fractions are then subjected to further treatments, in order to obtain materials suitable for end uses. 

The CRACKING consists in the transformation of high molecular weight hydrocarbons in the other with a molecular weight less than subjecting them to high temperatures, often in the presence of suitable catalysts.

Reforming is also a catalytic process, with a twofold purpose: on the one hand to increase the yield in hydrocarbons AROMATIC , on the other hand to transform linear branched hydrocarbons. The latter, like the AROMATICs , are much more efficient than the fuel of modern internal combustion engines because they have more octane.

Read More → Oil Deposits, Extraction and Refining

Maritime transport on oil tankers

The shipping of oil on board tankers (tankers and super tankers carrying up to 400,000 tons of crude oil), represents more than half of world maritime trade. One can imagine the consequences of oil shortage on commercial! (On others for that matter ...).

Initially the oil was transported aboard wooden casks (barrels). The barrel has remained the unit of exchange used. It is 159 L. Now tankers are designed as huge reservoirs, sometimes divided into several compartments to store oil of different characteristics (including density). So we can better manage the weight distribution on the ship.

Over the past 30 years, many maritime disasters involving super-tankers have been held. They have caused ecological and economic disasters along the coast affected by oil spills. Most of the cleanup costs and compensation were supported by local e local governments. The Coastal Cleanup is in turn often provided by volunteers.

Since then, new oil transport ships are equipped with double hulls, which are supposed to reduce disaster risks. But they do not prevent the practice of degassing, responsible for oil spill at sea ... The single-hulled tankers still represent the vast majority of the park. 

The gigantic size of the super-tankers creates monstrous consumption of fuel, but which are reasonable compared to their carrying capacity. Currently, more than 600 tankers with a tonnage greater than 200,000 tonnes in circulation.

Read More → Maritime transport on oil tankers

Conclusion on the processing of oil

The oil must undergo many changes to be exploitable in the context of a specific use. These transformations involve multiple energy consumption, little known today (no doubt the oil industry have information on this issue). In the end, the multitude of products can be used in various ways (fuel, fuel, petrochemical, plastics, etc.).. 

These byproducts are sometimes directly recyclable (gasoline, diesel, etc.). sometimes they will suffer from further processing to be usable, some are even-products, which have no real opportunities. 

The tendency is to a maximum value of by-products, and the proportion of products derived is relatively fixed, Indutries oil must seek additional outlets for products produced in over-quantity. For example, the French fleet dieselisation pushes the quantities of products for which we must be sure the application or to find new markets.

Read More → Conclusion on the processing of oil

Cracking and reforming

Cracking is to break the long hydrocarbon molecules into smaller molecules. This can be done by thermal process under high pressure, or catalytic (under high temperatures and in the presence of a compound that facilitates the chemical reaction). When hydrogen is involved, it is called hydrocracking, is when water is called steam cracking. 

The reforming to convert naphtha to produce gasoline or premium. 

There are other processes refining as isomerization, alkylation, etc. ... We can thus influence the characteristics of the products obtained (octane, color, odor, volatility ...).

Read More → Cracking and reforming

Distillation

Crude oil is first heated to 370 ° C. It then partially vaporizes and is carried out in a fractionating column (a kind of distillation tower). 

At the top of the column is recovered refinery gas used as fuel on site. It also recovers other petroleum gas such as butane and propane, gasoline and naphtha. The latter is the base compound of the petrochemical industry. Then recovered kerosene (used iFn aviation, the jet engines), diesel and heating oil. Further down the column is recovered residues, which are re-distilled under vacuum to provide heavy fuel oil, lubricants and bitumen. 

In order to obtain specific grades of gasoline (high octane) and reduce the content sulfur diesel fuels, we must also deal with products of distillation.

Read More → Distillation

Drilling for oil

After the drilling of one exploration well, designed to confirm the presence of oil and other wells are drilled to delineate the deposit. Most wells are drilled using a drill bit, a cutting tool on the end of a set of drill pipe supported by a metal tower called derrick. The drill bit is rotated. The drilling speed varies greatly depending on the nature of the rocks traversed. Of the "drilling mud" (a mixture of clay with water and chemicals) is continuously injected inside the stems. It goes back into the space between the rods and the walls of the well. The mud serves to cool the drill bit and remove the cuttings. Back on the surface, the slurry is filtered and reinjected into the well. Analysis of the debris can qualify the rocks traversed. 

Advances in drilling techniques now allow the completion of drilling small diameter boreholes deviated (obliques), horizontal multidrains, etc ... This progress has allowed the exploitation of deposits that were previously unprofitable, for technical reasons and / or economic. 

For offshore deposits (offshore), is generally used for pumping platform independent. Special ships can be used to exploit deposits of lower capacity.

Read More → Drilling for oil

Exploration and prospecting for new oil fields

To find oil, we look for sedimentary basins where oil and gas have formed. Gas and oil then had the opportunity to migrate through porous rock capable of holding large quantities. 

In spite of modern tracking techniques (satellite imagery, geophysical, three-dimensional seismic surveys), the discovery of a new deposit is uncertain until the introduction of drilling. Only the latter can confirm the presence of the precious liquid.

Read More → Exploration and prospecting for new oil fields

Autonomy of oil reserves

Considering that between 850 and 950 have been consumed Gbl today.

Often given an estimate of oil reserves equivalent to 40 to 60 years of world consumption today is to say slightly less in reality if we take into account the steady rise in consumption, mainly due to the emergence of newly industrialized countries such as China and India. However, the thin oil should lead to an increase in prices, which in turn should limit consumption to the profits of alternative energy sources, fossil fuels (coal, etc.), or renewable. All things considered, it is reasonable to think that we have about 50 years of oil. Remains to be seen at what price ...

It took a century for humanity to consume half of the oil, it will take more than a half to fully deplete the reserves.

Read More → Autonomy of oil reserves