Imperial Chemical Industries Limited

Croda International, Inc.

M-i Drilling Fluids UK Limited

Institut Francais Du Pe'trole

Stepan UK Limited

Neil Grainger

Edward George Scovell

Terence Cox

Hanamanthsa Shankarsa Bevinakatti

Benjamin Herzhaft

Alyn Jenkins

Annie Audibert Hayet

Mathieu Pepin

Neil David Feasey

Tracey Joanne Wardell

Michael Blezard

Mark White

Quaternary ammonium compounds and compositions comprising the compounds are disclosed. The compositions are valuable as gas hydrate inhibitors in the oil and gas exploration, recovery and processing industries. The compounds and compositions may have improved biodegradability and reduced toxicity when compared with benchmark materials. Quaternary ammonium compounds of the present disclosure have the formula (I) in which R is Calkyl, Caryl, or Calkyl-Caryl; Ris hydrogen or a group of formula &#x2014;C(&#x2550;O)X; and Ris hydrogen or a group of formula &#x2014;C(&#x2550;O)Y, provided that Rand Rare not both hydrogen; X and Y are each independently a hydrogen, Calkyl or Calkenyl group, and Z is a Calkyl or Calkenyl group; each D is independently Calkylene; and Ais an anion. 

Quaternary ammonium compounds and gas hydrate inhibitor compositions

The invention relates to novel demulsifiers for use in the demulsification of oils from water and vice versa, including the demulsification of crude oil from sea water or brine. In particular, the present invention relates to novel demulsifiers which are environmentally friendly, or 'green', and which can be used without restriction on-site in offshore oil drilling fields, for example in the North Sea. The novel demulsifiers are based on the reaction product of alkoxylated polyols or polyol esters with dicarboxylic acids.

Demulsifiers

The present invention relates to a corrosion inhibitor for use in the oil and gas exploration, recovery and processing industries. In particular, the invention relates to a quaternary ammonium compound suitable for use as such a corrosion inhibitor, to the manufacture of the quaternary ammonium compound, to compositions containing it, and to methods of using it. Quaternary ammonium compounds of the invention have the formula (I) in which R is Calkyl, Calkenyl, aryl, aralkyl; X, Y, and Z are each independently hydrogen, or R1CO&#x2014;, provided that at least one of X, Y and Z is R1CO, where R1 is Calkyl or alkenyl containing 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds; D is Calkylene; E is Calkylene; p, q and r are each, independently, integers from 0 to 20, with the proviso that p+q+r is from 3 to 20; and Ais an anion. 

Quaternary ammonium corrosion inhibitor

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

A well drilling method comprises removing the drilling cuttings using an aqueous drilling fluid such as a foam including a foaming agent which includes at least one mono-(aliphatic hydrocarbyl) phosphate ester. More specifically, the drilling fluid takes the form of a potassium and/or alkanolamine and/or alkylalkanolamine salt, the foam also comprising a foam stabiliser.

Well drilling method and drilling fluid

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.

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Stockton on Tees, United Kingdom

Neil Grainger