Dispersed water from crude oil obtained from ten different producing wells in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria were analyzed based on American Standard for Testing and Materials to determine the effects of the physicochemical properties on crude characteristics and the production equipment. Results shows: pH (7.51-8.60), salinity (11174.00 - 21469.00 mg/l), conductivity (12698.00 - 24396.00 µS/cm), sulphate (3.00 - 23.00 mg/l), Total hardness (20.00 - 46.00 mg/l), water cut (12.10-58.83 %). The pH, salinity and conductivity of the dispersed water from all the crude samples were within specification as recommended by American Petroleum Institute. The sulphate concentration of the dispersed water from crude samples 1, 9 and 10 were above specification. Also the total hardness of the dispersed water from crude samples 1, 3 and 6 were above the maximum allowable limit of 40.00mg/l set by American Petroleum Institute. High sulphate content in Crude oil increases the hydrogen sulphide concentration due to activities of sulphate reducing bacteria which is harmful to both the environment and production equipment. High concentration of magnesium and calcium ions in crude oil can lead to scale formation. Scales can and do coat perforations, casing, production tubulars, valves, pumps, and down hole completion equipment.

Keywords: Dissolved water; brine, emulsion, hydrophobic, oil recovery, demulsification.