Rhodia Operations

Energysolutions, LLC

Kevan Hatchman

David James Wilson

Chris Jones

Gareth Collins

Alan Christopher Fellows

Christopher Raymond Jones

Pierre-Emmanuel Dufils

The present invention relates to a solid formulation of soap stick type comprising a primary surfactant, at least one binding agent and at least one dispersant that may especially be an amphoteric surfactant, optionally with additives. The present invention also relates to uses of said formulation, especially for oilfield applications, e.g. for gas well deliquification applications.

Solid formulations suitable for oilfield applications

The invention provides the use of a surfactant as a corrosion inhibitor, wherein the surfactant is selected from derivatives of alkyl polyglucosides and derivatives of terpene alkoxylates, and mixtures thereof, provided that the derivatives are not sulfosuccinates. Also provided is a method of preventing or reducing corrosion of a metal component that is in contact with, or will be in contact with, an aqueous fluid, wherein the method comprises providing a surfactant and applying the surfactant to the metal component or adding the surfactant to the aqueous fluid that is in contact with, or will be in contact with, the metal component, wherein the surfactant is selected from derivatives of alkyl polyglucosides and derivatives of terpene alkoxylates, and mixtures thereof, provided that the derivatives are not sulfosuccinates.

Corrosion inhibitors

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 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.

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.

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Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Kevan Hatchman