Development of a viscosity prediction model and investigation into drag reduction in weakly magnetized waxy crude oil

The present study investigates the low magnetization of marine waxy crude oil. Through variance analysis and nonlinear regression analysis, a four-parameter and five-factor model was established to predict the magnetized viscosity of waxy crude oil. The mean absolute relative error of this model is 4.97 %, indicating its suitability for predicting the viscosity of magnetized waxy crude oil with an intensity below 100 mT. The prediction model for magnetized viscosity provides a theoretical basis for predicting key parameters in magnetization transport pressure drop and establishing the wax deposition model under magnetization conditions. By coupling the flow field and magnetic field, a pressure drop model for transporting magnetized waxy crude oil was established to predict the drag reduction effect in magnetized transportation. It is anticipated that magnetization can potentially reduce the drag rate of an oceanic oil pipeline by 8 %–10 %.