Friction losses
Assess reduced flow resistance in pipelines and transportation systems.
Technology for heavy and extra-heavy crude oil
NX5. Flow improver.
Friction reducer.
A flow improver and friction reducer for crude oil transportation, considering hydraulic, operational and economic performance.
Understanding the technology
Optimize hydraulics.
Expand the possibilities.
NX5 is intended to improve fluid behavior and reduce friction losses during the transportation of heavy and extra-heavy crude oil.
Its assessment considers pressure, flow rate, dilution and energy. The aim is to identify how much system performance could be recovered through greater hydraulic efficiency.
Quin&Col has prior experience applying NX5 in PDVSA operations during 2023 and 2024. We market this technology in Venezuela through our exclusive partnership with Polynex S.A., Colombia. Each new application is designed according to asset conditions.
Crude oil quality remains the criterion.
NX5 does not replace the role of diluent in meeting a density or API gravity specification. Opportunities to optimize dilution must be verified while maintaining the required quality.
NX5 does not replace the role of diluent in meeting a density or API gravity specification. Opportunities to optimize dilution must be verified while maintaining the required quality.
An integrated asset perspective
One technology.
Variables that matter.
The potential for improvement depends on crude oil behavior, infrastructure and operating strategy.
Pressure requirements
Identify improvements in differential pressure under comparable conditions.
Dilution
Assess optimization opportunities while maintaining crude oil specifications.
Pumping energy
Analyze the effect on equipment energy consumption and operating variables.
Hydraulic capacity
Identify available capacity in systems constrained by transportation limitations.
Operational flexibility
Expand operating options within the limits defined for the asset.
Surface application
Treatment tailored
to each crude oil and system.
The optimum dosage is determined by overall system performance, not simply by the quantity of product injected.
01Where it is applied
The surface injection strategy is adapted to the facility's configuration.
- Flowlines and transportation pipelines.
- Gathering systems.
- Well pads and surface infrastructure.
- Injection points defined by technical assessment.
02How dosage is determined
The brochure provides an indicative range of 100–750 ppm. The final concentration depends on the fluid and the efficiency assessment.
- Crude oil characteristics, water and sediment content.
- Hydraulic configuration and pumping conditions.
- Application point and dosing capacity.
- Relationship between chemical consumption and operational value.
03How performance is validated
The application should be compared against a system baseline, documenting conditions that may influence the outcome.
- Pressure, flow rate and diluent records.
- Dosage and consumption monitoring.
- Energy and crude oil quality assessment.
- Progressive adjustment and technical assessment.
Technical monitoring
Results must
be measurable.
Recommended variables for characterizing the operation and assessing treatment performance.
| Variable | What is assessed |
|---|---|
| Pressure and ΔP | Inlet and outlet pressure; hydraulic losses between reference points. |
| Flow rate | Crude oil flow, total fluids and transportation conditions. |
| Diluent | Consumption and dilution ratio while maintaining the required specification. |
| Energy | Current, frequency, power or electricity consumption, depending on available instrumentation. |
| Crude oil quality | API gravity, basic sediment and water (BS&W), and agreed operational parameters. |
| NX5 dosage | Concentration in parts per million (ppm) and daily consumption. |
Specific benefits depend on the fluid, hydraulic configuration and operating conditions. They are determined through technical assessment and field validation.
Connecting capabilities
Let's discuss the potential
of your operation.
Share your system conditions and let us arrange a technical assessment of NX5.