PROJECT GROUP: 16

PROJECT TOPIC: Suitability of Nigerian Crude for the

production of base oils and asphalt.

TEAM MEMBERS: Etsu U.E , Lawal O.O, Bayode T.O,

Oyinloye O.O and Abdullahi I.M

A PROPOSAL ON THE SUITABILITY OF NIGERIAN CRUDE OIL

FOR BASE OIL AND ASPHALT PRODUCTION.
1.0 INTRODUCTION

Nigeria is a home for a vast array of abundant natural and human resources.
Prominent among these, is the Nigeria crude oil, a term commonly referred to as
“black gold”.

The Nigeria crudes are of different type with slight variations that depend on their
geological formation and are named according to their geographical origin.
However, they can be grouped under a broad category of crude known as
Naphthenic crude. A crude known to contain more of light end hydrocarbons and
naphthanic acid.

Some types of Nigeria crude are.

1. Bonny Light

2. Escravos

3. Forcadoes blend

4. Brass blend.

The purpose of this proposal is to explore the potentials and suitability of Nigerian
crude towards base oil and asphalt production. In embarking on this, the following
pertinent questions will form the basis of our proposal

• QUESTIONS

1. Does Nigeria crude possess the required feature that makes it suitable for base
oil and asphalt production?

2. If these features are present, can it justify the establishment of a process plant
when viewed in terms of the economics of the project investment?

3. Are there alternatives of crude oil (foreign crude) towards base oil and asphalt
production in the view of profit maximization and cost minimization concept?
4. What is the yield product profile (trend) of Nigerian crude as compared with its
foreign crude when each barrel of the crude is refined?

In proffering answers to these questions, we intend to embark on the following

procedures.

1. Definition of project objective

The objective of this project is to explore the suitability of Nigeria crude for base oil
and asphalt production.

2. Research centers

We intend to carry out our researches and findings within the limit of the
following resource centers

• Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, Nigeria

• Center for Petroleum studies, Kaduna

• Modified Foundation Skills Training Resource Materials.

• Research and Developement Division of NNPC

3. DATA GATHERING

• Production Programming and Quality Control (PPQC) data base, KRPC

• Chemical LAB, Fuels and LUBES , KRPC.

• Refinery and petrochemical (RPF).

• Research and Developemnent Division of NNPC.

4.CRUDE SPECIMEN FOR CONSIDERATION

The following crudes have been highlighted for crude assay consideration.

A.NIGERIA CRUDE

1. Bonny Light

2. Forcados blend

3. River Brass

4. Escravos crude
B.FOREIGN CRUDE.

1. Venezuela LARGOMA Crude

2. ARABIAN LIGHT

3. KUWATI Crude

S/N CRUDE OIL CATEGORY STATUS SULPHUR %

1 Bonny light Naphthenic Nigerian crude <.5
2 Escravos Naphthenic Nigerian crude <.5
3 Forcados Naphthenic Nigerian crude <.5

5 Arabian light Paraffinic Foreign crude >1

6 Venezuela Paraffinic Foreign crude >1
Lagomar
7 Kuwaiti Crude Paraffinic Foreign crude >1

5.0 DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF CRUDE ASSAY.

Based on the various crude assay obtained from both the two major types of
crude, Nigerian and foreign crude, we intend to study the yield profile product of
the light and heavy end. This will enable us to reach a conclusion on the
percentage yield of the following products

S/N Product FOREIGN CRUDE(% YEILD NIGERIA CRUDE(% YEILD

consideration VOLUME) VOLUME)
1 Base oils
2 Asphalts
3 Waxes
4 0thers(lpg, ,
Kerosene,Gas oil)

6.0 CONCLUSION.

Findings obtained from the crude assays will enhance our judgmental values
and will assist us in proffering recommendations on the suitability (and also
possibly how feasible it is) of the Nigerian crude towards base oil and asphalt
production.