Method for spearation crude oil emulsions

1. A method for breaking an emulsion of oil and water comprising contacting the emulsion with a demulsifier comprising a terpene alkoxylate

wherein the terpene alkoxylate has the following formula (VIII):

wherein R 6 is methyl, n is about 15 to 20, and m is about 3 to 7.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising dispensing the demulsifier in a suitable solvent prior to contacting the demulsifier with the emulsion.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of glycols, glycol ethers, alcohols, water, hydrocarbons, aromatic solvents, fatty acid methyl esters, and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the emulsion is a water-in-oil emulsion.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the demulsifier further comprises one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of alkylsulfosuccinates, alkylphosphonic acids, salts of alkylsulfosuccinates, salts of alkylphosphonic acids, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers, ethoxylated fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol, and modified alkanimides.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the further surfactant is an alkyl phosphonic acid or salt of the formula R 1 PO 3 MM 1 (I); phosphinic acid and salts of the formula R 1 R 2 POM (IX); alkyl phosphoric acids and salts of the formula R 1 OPO 3 MM 1 (X); and dialkyl phosphoric acids and salts of the formula (R 1 O)(R 2 O)POOM 1 (XI);

wherein R 1 and R 2 are may be the same or different alkyl groups and may be branched or linear; M and M 1 can be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkali metal such as sodium or potassium, and an ammonium salt.