IMPDCP-2018 Solving a Major Upstream Problem for PEMEX

The chemical treatment service for the dehydration and desalination of crude oil on offshore platforms and at the Dos Bocas Maritime Terminal (TMDB) represents one of the most significant achievements of the Mexican Petroleum Institute (IMP), generating results that have contributed to solving a major problem for PEMEX.

The treatment is carried out with the IMPDCP-2018 deemulsifier and desalter, which reduces the oil’s water and salt content in compliance with internationally agreed upon quality standards.This innovation has managed to solve the issue in a very short period. As industrial trials attest, levels between national and international specifications established for the commercialization of crude oil, which is 0.5 percent volume of water and less than 50 pounds of salt per thousand barrels (PTTB), were obtained.  The continuous application of the IMP-DCP-2018 product managed to stabilize the dehydration process (with the latest figures reaching 0.1 percent water and less than 10PPTB of salt) in record time, despite various obstacles such as operational movements and acid stimulation, which cause destabilization and critical low temperature variations. 

It should be noted that finding solutions for the dehydration of crude oil both in offshore platforms and in the TMDB was a top-priority for PEMEX.

Among the main achievements of this project are the following: 

• Conditioning crude oil to meet water percentage (less than 0.50 percent volume) and salinity (less than 50PTTB) quality specifications. 

• Avoiding PEMEX Clients incurring for non-compliance with quality specifications.

• Improving PEMEX's image in the international market by supplying crude oil which meets  contractual specifications. 

• To be an active part of PEMEX's new strategy as a leading company in the global energy sector.

• Maintaining IMP's image as a highly prestigious research center.

Thanks to its technical capacity and scientific know-how, which has helped the sector overcome a wide range of challenges such as those mentioned above, IMP is highly regarded as the technological wing of the oil and gas industry in Mexico.

The Mexican Petroleum Institute (IMP) has 54 years of experience in generating expertise and technological capabilities for the hydrocarbons sector. Its goal is to maximize value generation in exploration, production and transformation processes.