Microwave radiation in closed vessels was used for the separation of heavy crude oil emulsions for further oil characterization. Operational conditions were studied and the following parameters were evaluated: water content, density, viscosity, N, S, V, Ni, and Cl. Using the proposed procedure it was possible to reduce the water and Cl content in crude oil to values lower than 1% and 300 mu gg-1, respectively. It was possible to determine important crude oil properties without interferences caused by excessive water and salt concentrations. The proposed procedure is relatively fast and it was possible to obtain a suitable condition for water and salt removal from heavy crude oil emulsions without using demulsifiers or toxic reagents.