🎯 Course Description:
This 5-day advanced course provides in-depth knowledge on crude oil characterization and analysis techniques used in petroleum laboratories. Participants will learn how to evaluate crude oil properties critical for refining, trading, and quality control.
The course covers physical and chemical testing, chromatographic methods, and advanced instrumentation to assess API gravity, sulfur content, viscosity, and hydrocarbon composition. Emphasis is placed on sampling accuracy, data interpretation, and compliance with international standards.
👥 Who Should Attend:
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Petroleum laboratory analysts and chemists
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Quality assurance and control specialists
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Production and process engineers
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Refinery and trading personnel
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Technical supervisors in oil & gas laboratories
🗓️ Day 1: Introduction to Crude Oil and Sampling
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Welcome and Course Overview |
| 09:00 – 10:30 | Crude Oil Composition and Types – Light, medium, heavy; sweet vs sour |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:45 – 12:15 | Sampling Techniques for Crude Oil – Ensuring representative samples |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | API Gravity and Density Testing – Methods and interpretation |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Workshop: Sampling and measuring API gravity |
🗓️ Day 2: Physical Properties and Stability
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Viscosity and Pour Point – Measurement and significance |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:15 | Sulfur and Metals Content – Detection methods, impact on refining |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | Wax and Asphaltene Content – Testing and handling |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Lab Session: Measuring viscosity, sulfur, and wax content |
🗓️ Day 3: Hydrocarbon Group Analysis
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Saturates, Aromatics, Resins, Asphaltenes (SARA) Analysis |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:15 | Chromatographic Techniques for Crude Analysis – GC and HPLC |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | Interpretation of Chromatograms and Data Integration |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Workshop: SARA fractionation and GC analysis |
🗓️ Day 4: Chemical and Elemental Analysis
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Sulfur Speciation and Total Sulfur Testing |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:15 | Trace Metals and Contaminants Analysis – ICP-MS, XRF |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | Acidity (TAN) and Salt Content Measurement |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Lab Exercise: Elemental and acidity testing |
🗓️ Day 5: Quality Assurance, Reporting, and Troubleshooting
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Quality Control and Standardization in Crude Oil Analysis |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:15 | Data Validation and Reporting Best Practices |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 03:00 | Troubleshooting Analytical Challenges and Case Studies |
| 03:00 – 03:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:15 – 04:30 | Final Q&A, Group Presentations, Feedback & Certification |
📂 Course Materials Provided:
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Crude oil sampling and testing SOPs
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SARA analysis procedures
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Chromatography and elemental analysis guides
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Data reporting templates
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Case studies on crude oil quality issues
