Rhodia Operations

Rhodia UK Limited

Buzzz Pharmaceuticals Limited

Energysolutions, LLC

Chris Jones

Gareth Collins

Kevan Hatchman

Bruno Langlois

Gary Woodward

Allwyn Colaco

Floryan De Campo

Stephanie Edmunds

Alan Christopher Fellows

Dominique Labarre

James Wilson

Dru Bishop

Darren Green

Carole Rouault

Henry Wiggins

Mike Hails

Julie Hardy

Jean Molina

A method for reducing the effects of biological contamination in a hydrocarbon-containing system comprising the steps of continuously adding a formulation comprising tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine or a tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salt to the system for one day or more; monitoring the efficacy of the continuous treatment by an assessment of the extent to which there is any effect on the environment that is attributable to metabolic activity of active microbes present in the system; wherein the tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine or tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salt is added at a concentration of from 1 to 30 ppm based on the total volume of aqueous fluid added to the system, and wherein the formulation is added to the system at a stage to minimize incompatibility with any other chemicals that are added to the aqueous fluid. The treatment disrupts the microbial activity of active microbes in the hydrocarbon-containing system and can prevent or reduce detrimental effects arising from the presence of active microbes in the system.

Treatment method for a hydrocarbon-containing system using a biocide

The invention provides a foam control formulation in the form of a microemulsion, the formulation comprising: (a) from 5 to 70% w/w of primary surfactant, this surfactant having an HLB of from 1 to 12 and/or a cloud point of from 20 to 70&#xb0; C.; (b) from 2 to 40% w/w of water-insoluble organic carrier liquid; and (c) water. Also provided is the use of this formulation to prevent and/or reduce foam in a fluid system, or as a processing aid to control foam production in a fluid system. The formulation may be used in an aqueous fluid system, such as an oilfield.

Foam control formulations

The invention provides a synergistic surfactant composition comprising: (a) from 5 to 95 wt % of a first surfactant which is selected from derivatives of alkyl polyglucosides and mixtures thereof; and (b) from 5 to 95 wt % of a second surfactant which is selected from: amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. This surfactant composition may be used to generate foam that is used for unloading a liquid from a hydrocarbon reservoir. It may be that the liquid unloading of foam generated using the surfactant composition is greater than that of foam generated from the first and second surfactants when they are foamed individually.

Surfactant composition

The invention provides a synergistic surfactant composition comprising: (a) a first amphoteric surfactant, which is selected from C8-C22 sultaines, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof; and (b) a second amphoteric surfactant, which is selected from C8-C22 betaines and salts thereof, C8-C22 propionates and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. This surfactant composition may be used to generate foam that is used for unloading a liquid from a hydrocarbon reservoir. It may be that the liquid unloading of foam generated using the surfactant composition is greater than that of foam generated from the first and second surfactants when they are foamed individually.

The present invention relates to a transdermal patch comprising a pharmaceutical formulation, the formulation comprising ropivacaine or an opioid, a pharmaceutically-acceptable adhesive and optionally one or more excipients selected from the group consisting of carrier oils, penetration enhancers and hydrophilic materials. The present invention also relates to methods of preparation of such a pharmaceutical formulation, as well as the use of such a transdermal patch in the treatment of pain (e.g. nociceptive and/or neuropathic pain).

Transdermal patch comprising a ropivacaine formulation

The instant invention relates to the use of a compound selected from C2-C30 alkyl phosphonic acids, salts thereof, esters thereof, and mixtures thereof, to inhibit corrosion of a metal component by an aqueous fluid containing dissolved gases in an industrial hydrocarbon system.

Corrosion inhibitors

The present invention provides the use of a sulfosuccinate as a corrosion inhibitor. In particular, the sulfosuccinate may be used to inhibit the corrosion of a metal component that is, or will be, in contact with an aqueous fluid, in order to prevent or reduce corrosion of the metal component. The sulfosuccinate may be used to inhibit corrosion of a metal component in an industrial aqueous system, such as a hydrocarbon plant; a chemical plant; a water plant; or a paper manufacturing plant, and in particular in an oilfield system or a downstream oil-related system.

The current invention relates to families of scale-inhibitors having different UV/VIS absorption profiles and their application in a method for stimulating an oilfield comprising those families.

Families of scale-inhibitors having different absorption profiles and their application in oilfield

The current invention relates to a process for stabilising a phosphorus-containing compound aqueous composition, comprising the step of adding to the composition an efficient arsenic stabilizing amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia, ammonium salt, organic amino acid, peptide and polypeptide; application of the stabilized composition for treating an aqueous system optionally containing or in contact with metal sulphide scale, which method comprises adding to the system, separately or together, an efficient anti-scale amount of a stabilized aqueous composition or for treating a water system to kill or inhibit the growth of micro organisms comprising applying thereto or forming in situ an efficient inhibiting amount of the stabilized aqueous composition.

Stabilized biocidal composition

The scale inhibitors in a variety of aqueous systems, or a part or sample thereof, also including one or more dissolved interfering ions, are separated therefrom and analyzed, such scale inhibitors comprising a polymer containing at least one anionic functional group, e.g., a strong acid functional group or a phosphonate or phosphate ester, and such analysis including treating these aqueous systems with a cationic substrate or a free cation.

Analysis of polymeric scale inhibitors

The present invention relates to a method of preventing or alleviating the problems associated with corrosion and to novel formulations for use in such a method.

Corrosion inhibition

An aqueous composition for treating hydrocarbon wells contains (a) a scale inhibitor and (b) a viscoelastic surfactant, and further contains from 0 to less than 1% by weight of acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and mixtures thereof.

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Cheslyn Hay, United Kingdom

Chris Jones