2nd Edition

Production Chemicals for the Oil and Gas Industry

By Malcolm A. Kelland Copyright 2014
    454 Pages 259 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Production chemistry issues result from changes in well stream fluids, both liquid and gaseous, during processing. Since crude oil production is characterized by variable production rates and unpredictable changes to the nature of the produced fluids, it is essential for production chemists to have a range of chemical additives available for rectifying issues that would not otherwise be fully resolved. Modern production methods, the need to upgrade crude oils of variable quality, and environmental constraints demand chemical solutions. Thus, oilfield production chemicals are necessary to overcome or minimize the effects of the production chemistry problems.

    Production Chemicals for the Oil and Gas Industry, Second Edition discusses a wide variety of production chemicals used by the oil and gas industry for down-hole and topside applications both onshore and offshore. Incorporating the large amount of research and applications since the first edition, this new edition reviews all past and present classes of production chemicals, providing numerous difficult-to-obtain references, especially SPE papers and patents. Unlike other texts that focus on how products perform in the field, this book focuses on the specific structures of chemicals that are known to deliver the required or desired performance—information that is very useful for research and development.

    Each updated chapter begins by introducing a problem, such as scale or corrosion, for which there is a production chemical. The author then briefly discusses all chemical and nonchemical methods to treat the problem and provides in-depth descriptions of the structural classes of relevant production chemicals. He also mentions, when available, the environmental properties of chemicals and whether the chemical or technique has been successfully used in the field. This edition includes two new chapters and nearly 50 percent more references.

    Control of Naphthenate and Other Carboxylate Fouling
    Introduction
    Naphthenate Deposition Control Using Acids
    Low-Dosage Naphthenate Inhibitors
    References

    Corrosion Control during Production
    Introduction
    Methods of Corrosion Control
    Corrosion Inhibitors
    Film-Forming Corrosion Inhibitors
    References

    Gas Hydrate Control
    Introduction
    Chemical Prevention of Hydrate Plugging
    Gas Hydrate Plug Removal
    References

    Wax (Paraffin Wax) Control
    Introduction
    Wax Control Strategies
    Chemical Wax Removal
    Chemical Wax Prevention
    References

    Demulsifiers
    Introduction
    Methods of Demulsification
    Water-in-Oil Demulsifiers
    References

    Foam Control
    Introduction
    Defoamers and Antifoams
    References

    Flocculants
    Introduction
    Theory of Flocculation
    Flocculants
    References

    Biocides
    Introduction
    Chemicals for Control of Bacteria
    Biocides
    Biostats (Control "Biocides" or Metabolic Inhibitors)
    Summary
    References

    Hydrogen Sulfide Scavengers
    Introduction
    Nonregenerative H2S Scavengers
    Summary
    References

    Oxygen Scavengers
    Introduction
    Classes of Oxygen Scavengers
    References

    Drag-Reducing Agents
    Introduction
    Drag-Reducing Agent Mechanisms
    Oil-Soluble DRAs
    Water-Soluble DRAs
    References

    Chemicals for Hydrotesting
    Introduction
    Hydrotesting Formulations
    References

    Foamers for Gas Well Deliquification
    Introduction
    Properties and Classes of Foamers
    References

    Appendix 1: OSPAR Environmental Regulations for Oilfield Chemicals
    Index

    Biography

    Malcolm A. Kelland obtained a first class honors degree in chemistry and a DPhil in organometallic chemistry from Oxford University, UK. He worked at RF-Rogaland Research (now the International Research of Stavanger, IRIS), Norway, from 1991 to 2000 mostly on production chemistry projects. He moved to the University of Stavanger (UiS), Norway, in 2001, where he is currently professor of inorganic chemistry. His current research is in designing and testing more environmentally friendly LDHIs as well as other projects on new scale inhibitors and other crystal growth inhibitors in and outside the oil industry. He is also the chief scientific officer for Eco Inhibitors, a spin-off company from UiS that consults on oilfield chemicals and licenses several new LDHIs.

    "… covers the multitude of problems facing the production chemist in the oil industry … very readable … It is fine reference book for experienced personnel and an excellent source of information for newcomers."

    —E. J. Vase, Chromatographia 2010, 72, July (No. 1/2)