Selecting the right formulation depends on crude oil composition, operating and field conditions, and the chemistries employed, says Madhav Kolli, Global Director for Energy & Resources at Indovinya.
In oil production, separating oil and water is one of the most critical stages of the process. Though we normally don’t expect oil and water to mix, sometimes crude will form an emulsion stabilized by naturally occurring solids, salts, and surface‑active organic compounds present in the crude. This emulsion must be broken so that the oil meets the required quality for transportation and refining.
“Emulsions form in different ways depending on the type of field and crude oil properties. While salinity, temperature, and many other factors can make the demulsification task extremely diverse and challenging, it is even more so on offshore platforms, which often operate at higher production rates and face inherent logistical constraints. Regardless of the environment, demulsification is a critical step,” explains Madhav Kolli, Global Director for Energy & Resources at Indovinya, the chemical specialties and surfactants division of Indorama Ventures.
A Key Role in Oil Production
Demulsifiers are chemical additives designed to break emulsions, allowing for the efficient separation of oil and water. This step is essential to optimize production, as a highly effective solution can often mean lower chemical consumption, improved crude oil quality, and improved operational efficiency and better management of produced water. KEMELIX® has a long-standing track record of performance across a wide range of crude oil separation applications. Additionally, it helps extend equipment life and reduce operational costs.
Selecting the right product requires considering several variables: the crude oil’s API gravity (a density indicator), the percentage of basic sediment and water (BS&W), and even the salinity of the mixture.
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each oil field has its own chemical characteristics, which demand detailed compatibility and performance testing. The ideal demulsifier is one that, under specific process conditions, shows high compatibility with the system and ensures efficient separation—contributing to overall production optimization,” says Luis Salazar, Global Leader for Technology & Innovation, Energy & Resources at Indovinya.
Formulations for Challenging Conditions
The most advanced demulsifier formulations stand out for their stability and performance under extreme conditions—such as low temperatures, high water cuts, or crudes with a high fraction of asphaltenes and resins (natural emulsifying agents). These operate across three main functions: primary emulsion breaking, treating, and drying.
From a functional perspective, Droppers (primary emulsion breakers) promote water droplet coalescence, accelerating separation. Treaters improve the oil–water interface. Finally, Dryers (drying agents) induce the flocculation of small emulsion droplets. These components work cooperatively, and a single demulsifier component may perform multiple functions simultaneously.
This combination results in a more complete and efficient separation, helping to reduce chemical consumption. “The proper use of demulsifiers goes beyond operational efficiency—it ensures a cleaner, safer, and more cost‑effective process, supporting the sustainability of the entire production chain,” highlights Salazar.
According to him, choosing the most suitable product must therefore consider the characteristics of the crude oil and the specific field conditions, which can vary significantly in temperature, residence time, and origin (onshore or offshore).
About Indovinya’s Demulsifier Line – KEMELIX®
KEMELIX® is a portfolio of 20 optimized demulsifier products designed for use in high-performance formulations that help destabilize oil emulsions, ensuring the quality of the separated phases (oil and water) and promoting higher productivity in oil recovery. In addition to primary function (Droppers, Treaters, and Desalters) we also provide traditional properties like Relative Solubility Number (RSN) to help with product selection. Guidance can also be provided based on regional differences and crude oil API gravity. Below are two KEMELIX®products that are widely used across crude oils with different API grades.
KEMELIX® 3627X
- Ensures high-quality oil and water phases and boosts productivity.
- Increases oil production.
- Reduces maintenance and operational costs.
- Delivers excellent performance in low-retention systems.
KEMELIX® D510
- Ensures high-quality oil and water phases and boosts productivity.
- Provides desalting properties.
- Offers high synergy with Droppers.
- Acts as an efficient drying agent.
Through deep technology and formulation expertise, Indovinya supports the oil industry in selecting demulsifier solutions that deliver reliable separation performance across a wide range of operating conditions.
Learn more: https://indovinya.indoramaventures.com/markets/energy-resources/oilfield-technology/
Indovinya will showcase its technical expertise in demulsifiers at the AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo, where the company will present five technical sessions focused on high performance and efficient solutions for the oil industry. The event reinforces Indovinya’s commitment to advancing highvalue‑ technologies through close collaboration with customers and industry partners.
Learn more: https://indovinya.indoramaventures.com/aocs-annual-meeting-expo-2026/
About Indorama Ventures
Indorama Ventures PCL, listed in Thailand (Bloomberg: IVL.TB), is one of the world’s leading sustainable petrochemicals producers, with a manufacturing footprint serving local and regional customers across Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. Our ~25,000 employees reimagine chemistry to create safe, responsible materials that sustain life-critical industries and improve the lives of billions of people. Our segments—Combined PET, Fibers, Indovinya, and Indovida—produce indispensable chemistry serving essential markets, including food & beverages, textiles, pharmaceuticals, home & personal care, automotive, and agrochemicals. The company’s diverse businesses generated revenue of $13.6 billion in 2025. Indorama Ventures is listed in the Dow Jones Best-In-Class Indices, recognising our ambition to lead change and shape a future in which materials are more innovative and circular.
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Gabriela Destro | external.communication@br.indorama.net
