Imperial Chemical Industries Limited

Croda International, Inc.

Edward George Scovell

Neil Grainger

Terence Cox

Glyn R John

Bernard Tury

Michael S Howarth

David John Watson

Kevin L Birkett

Petroleum additive formulations include a petroleum additive dissolved in a carrier fluid including at least one compound of the formula (I): (R)-Ph-(CH)&#x2014;COO&#x2014;(AO)&#x2014;Rwhere; Ris Cto Calkyl; AO is alkyleneoxy; n is 0 or from 1 to 100; m is 0, 1 or 2; and Ph is a phenyl group, which may be substituted with groups (R); where each Ris independently Cto Cor alkoxy; and p is 0, 1 or 2. Further, crude petroleum or petroleum refinery streams can be treated by adding a petroleum additive dissolved in a carrier fluid of the formula (I) to the product stream. Desirably the carrier fluid is or includes iso-propyl benzoate and/or 2-ethyl hexyl benzoate.

Oil production additive formulations

Drilling, completing or workover of a well, particularly an oil and/or gas well, is carried out using a fluid which includes a continuous phase including an ester of the formula (I): (R)-Ph-(CH)&#x2014;COO-(AO)-Rwhere R, AO, n, m, Ph, Rand p have defined meanings and particularly where the esters are alkyl or alkenyl benzoate esters. These esters are beneficial by having a range of viscosities, especially extending to low viscosities, and attractive toxicological and environmental profiles for use in drilling, completion and/or workover of wells.

Drilling fluids and method of drilling

Stimulation, particularly fracturing or acidising, of hydrocarbon wells having bores leading to hydrocarbon bearing uses a fluid including a continuous phase of or including a compound of the formula (1): (R)&#x2014;Ph&#x2014;(CH)&#x2014;COO&#x2014;(AO)&#x2014;Rwhere R, AO, n, m, Ph, Rand p having defined meanings and particularly where the esters are alkyl or alkenyl benzoate esters. These esters are beneficial by having a range of viscosities, especially extending to low viscosities, and attractive toxicological and environmental profiles for use in well stimulation.

Method of oil/gas well stimulation

A process which comprises contacting the surface of a metal with an alkyl or acyl substituted catechol. The contacting may be effected using the substituted catechol alone or in a suitable medium for example as a solution or emulsion. The contacting is effective in providing corrosion inhibition even with lightly rusted iron surfaces.

Corrosion inhibition

Fluoromethylpyridines of the formula: ##STR1## wherein the group F.sub.n H.sub.3-n C-- may be ortho, meta or para to the ring nitrogen atom, n is 1, 2 or 3, m is 1 to 4, X is Cl, Br, I or F and, when m is 2, 3 or 4 the substituents represented by X may be the same or different, at least one X being ortho or para to the F.sub.n H.sub.3-n C-- group, are prepared by reacting a compound of the formula: ##STR2## wherein Y is Cl, Br, I or F and m is 1 to 4, with potassium fluoride in a polar aprotic solvent under substantially anhydrous conditions. These fluoromethylpyridines are useful as intermediates for herbicides. 3,4,5-trifluoro-2-trifluoromethylpyridine and 2,6-difluoro-3-difluoromethylpyridine are novel compunds.

Process for the preparation of fluoromethylpyridines

Corrosion inhibition of metals (especially iron, zinc, copper, tin and aluminium and in particular mild steel and the zinc surface of galvanized steel) is provided by treatment with an optionally substituted 2-hydroxy-5-alkylbenzaldoxime wherein the 5-alkyl group contains from 7 to 13 carbon atoms. The benzaldoxime may be applied directly or as a solution in an organic solvent or as an aqueous emulsion. The benzaldoxime may be formulated in a surface coating composition.

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Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

Edward George Scovell