Enhanced flowability and upgrading potential of waxy crude oils via immobilized recombinant enzyme consortia

Waxy oils present significant flow assurance challenges due to their high wax content, which leads to increased viscosity and elevated wax appearance temperature (WAT). In the current work, we report the first investigation of immobilized recombinant enzyme consortia applied to two Malaysian waxy crude oils to improve their flow properties and refining potential. A set of nine enzymes, selected based on a modified alkane degradation pathway, was used to evaluate their effect on pour point suppression, viscosity reduction, and compositional upgrading. Waxy oil A, with higher wax content and WAT, showed a viscosity reduction of up to 39% following enzymatic treatment, while waxy oil B exhibited a 2 °C decrease in pour point and viscosity reductions between 24 and 31%. Further treatment with enzyme–solvent formulations significantly enhanced these effects, particularly for waxy oil B, which achieved a viscosity reduction of up to 83%. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed a shift in hydrocarbon distribution, indicating an increase in short-chain fractions that contribute to improved flowability. Simulated distillation demonstrated a corresponding enhancement in light distillate yields, including naphtha, kerosene, and light gas oil. These findings demonstrate the potential of engineered, immobilized biocatalysts as an effective green alternative for improving crude oil transportability and refining efficiency under mild operating conditions.

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