Water/oil partitioning of water soluble oil constituents at diverse temperature and pressure conditions

Partition coefficients between oil and saltwater of water soluble oil constituents (such as BTEX and phenols) were measured at high pressure (up to 15.5MPa) and low temperature (4C). Parameters, such as pressure, temperature and salinity were varied to determine result sensitivity and to mimic conditions varying from seafloor to the surface at the MC252 spill site. Sensitivity to ‘live’ oil characteristics were investigated by charging the oil sample with methane at varying pressures.