Method for decomposing asphaltene using a supported catalyst

1. A method for decomposing an asphaltene particle, the method comprising contacting the asphaltene particle with a catalyst which comprises from about 3 to 7% Cu (by weight) and from about 15 to 25% (by weight) tungsten oxide with a zirconium oxide support and wherein the particle size of the catalyst is between from about 5 to about 10 nm.

2. A method for decomposing an asphaltene particle, the method comprising contacting the asphaltene particle with a catalyst which contains 5% (by weight) Cu and 20% (by weight) tungsten oxide with a zirconium oxide support wherein the particle size of the catalyst is between from about 5 to about 10 nm.

3. A method for decomposing asphaltene in heavy oil in an underground reservoir, the method comprising:

(A) introducing into the underground reservoir a fluid comprising a catalyst selected from the group consisting of:

(i) from about 3 to about 7% Ni with a magnesium oxide support; and

(ii) from about 15 to about 25% tungsten oxide with a zirconium oxide support

or a mixture thereof; and

(B) decomposing asphaltene in the presence of the catalyst.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) 5% (by weight) Ni with a magnesium oxide support;

(b) 20% (by weight) tungsten oxide Mo with a zirconium oxide support;

(c) 5% (by weight) Ni and 5% (by weight) Mo on a magnesium oxide support; and

(d) 5% Ni (by weight) and 20% (by weight) tungsten oxide with a zirconium oxide support

and mixtures thereof.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the fluid introduced into the underground reservoir is steam.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the fluid introduced into the underground reservoir does not contain a hydrocarbon solvent.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the catalyst breaks down one or more carbon/sulfur bonds, carbon/hydrogen bonds, carbon/oxygen bonds or carbon/carbon bonds in the asphaltenes.

8. The method of claim 3 , wherein one or more of the following are produced from the decomposition of asphaltene in the presence of the catalyst: methyl naphthalene; 1-methyl, 4-propyl benzene; 1-methyl, 3-propyl benzene; o-cymene; 2-syn methyl, cis-decalin; 2-ethyl-1,4-dimethyl benzene; 1-methyl, 3-propyl cyclohexane; 1 -methyl-2-propyl cyclopentane; 1-methyl, 3-ethyl cyclohexane; 2,3-dimethyl pentane; n-hexane; and 1-methyl, 3-ethyl cyclopentane.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the asphaltenes are solubilized in methyl-naphthalene; 1-methyl, 3-propyl benzene; 1-methyl, 4-propyl benzene or o-cymene or a combination thereof.

10. A method of decreasing the viscosity of heavy oil in an underground reservoir, the method comprising:

(A) introducing into the underground reservoir a fluid comprising a catalyst selected from the group consisting of:

(i) from about 3 to about 7% Ni with a magnesium oxide support; and

(ii) from about 15 to about 25% tungsten oxide with a zirconium oxide support

or a mixture thereof; and

(i) decomposing asphaltene in the presence of the catalyst

wherein the viscosity reduction of the heavy oil is greater than when asphaltene in the heavy oil is not decomposed in the presence of the catalyst.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of:

(e)5% (by weight) Ni with a magnesium oxide support;

(f) 20% (by weight) tungsten oxide Mo with a zirconium oxide support;

(g)5% (by weight) Ni and 5% (by weight) Mo on a magnesium oxide support; and

(h) 5% Ni (by weight) and 20% (by weight) tungsten oxide with a zirconium oxide support

and mixtures thereof.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the catalyst is introduced into the underground reservoir in steam.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the steam introduced into the underground reservoir does not contain a hydrocarbon solvent.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein hydrocarbons are produced in the underground reservoir and wherein the asphaltene is at least partially solubilized by the produced hydrocarbons.