Influence of petroleum fractions on the process of methane hydrate self-preservation

The dissociation of methane hydrate doped with a petroleum fraction (resins, asphaltenes, or oils) by its cryogenic mixing with pure hydrate particles has been studied at temperatures below 0°C. An oil fraction of petroleum (a mixture of saturated, aromatic and polar compounds) was close to crude oil in terms of efficiency with respect to the self-preservation of methane hydrate. The effect of asphaltenes on hydrate dissociation was negligible, whereas resinous substances occupied an intermediate position between the fractions of oils and asphaltenes in the degree of influence.