Solid formulations suitable for oilfield applications
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.
1 . A solid formulation comprising a primary surfactant, at least one binding agent and at least one dispersant.
2 . The solid formulation of claim 1 , wherein the primary surfactant is selected from amphoteric surfactants.
3 . The solid formulation of claim 1 , wherein the primary surfactant is selected from (C8-C18)alkyl amidopropyl betaines.
4 . The solid formulation of claim 1 , wherein the primary surfactant is or contains lauramidopropyl betaine.
5 . The solid formulation of claim 1 , wherein the binding agent is selected from the group consisting of C16-C24 fatty alcohols, C16-C24 fatty alcohol ethoxylates, fatty acid alkanolamides, fatty acids, natural waxes and resins, high molecular weight polyethylene glycols, polyethylene waxes, mineral and petrolatum waxes, microcrystalline waxes, and mixtures thereof.
6 . The solid formulation of claim 1 , wherein the dispersant is a polymeric surfactant selected from the group consisting of hyper branched polymers, poly fatty acid esters, ethylene oxide block copolymers of poly fatty acid, polymers based on polyisobutylene succinic anhydride, and mixtures thereof.
7 . The solid formulation of claim 1 , comprising a weighting agent.
8 . The solid formulation of claim 1 , comprising at least one secondary surfactant, said secondary surfactant being different from the primary surfactant, said secondary surfactant being selected preferably chosen from the group consisting of amphoteric, anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants.
9 . The solid formulation of claim 8 , wherein the secondary surfactant is an amphoteric surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl amidopropyl sultaines, (C8-C18)alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl amphohydroxypropyl sulfonates, alkyl ampho(di)acetates, and mixtures thereof.
10 . The solid formulation of claim 8 , wherein the secondary surfactant is an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of acyl taurates, acyl sarcosinates, alkyl ether carboxylic acids, alkyl or alkyl ether phosphate esters, fatty acid isethionates, acyl glutamates, fatty acids, lecithins, linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, and mixtures thereof.
11 . The solid formulation of claim 8 , wherein the secondary surfactant is a non-ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of fatty acid (C12-C18)alkanolamides, alkyl ethoxylates, sorbitan esters, glyceryl fatty acid esters, glycol fatty acid esters, alkyl polyglucosides, and mixtures thereof.
12 . The solid formulation of claim 1 , comprising at least one chelating agent, and/or at least one antioxidant selected from vegetable waxes and natural soap bases.
13 . The solid formulation of claim 1 , comprising at least one further active ingredient selected from the group consisting of
scale inhibitors;
halite inhibitors;
corrosion inhibitors;
biocides; and
mixtures thereof.
14 . A process of preparation of the solid formulation of claim 1 , wherein the primary surfactant is added to a molten composition comprising the binding agent and the dispersant, and eventually the weighting agent, the secondary surfactant, the chelating agent, the antioxidant, the further ingredient and/or the active ingredient.
15 . The use of the solid formulation of claim 1 , for gas well deliquification applications.
16 . The use of the solid formulation of claim 13 , as a carrier for the controlled release of the active ingredient.
17 . The solid formulation of claim 1 , wherein said primary surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkyl amidopropyl sultaines, (C8-C18)alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl amphohydroxypropyl sulfonates, alkyl ampho(di)acetates, and mixtures thereof.
18 . The solid formulation of claim 7 , wherein said weighting agent is selected from the group consisting of barium sulphate, calcium carbonate, dolomite, water-soluble salts of alkali metals, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium sulphate, sodium sulphate, sodium citrate and potassium citrate, and mixtures thereof.
19 . The solid formulation of claim 12 , wherein said chelating agent is citrates or iminosuccinates; wherein said at least one antioxidant selected from vegetable waxies and natural soap bases is butylated hydroxy anisole, butylated hydroxy toluene, tertiary butyl hydroxyquinone, gallic acid esters, pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, or mixtures thereof.
20 . The solid formulation of claim 13 , wherein said inhibitor is suitable for oilfield applications and is polycarboxylates phosphonates, polysulfonates and its copolymers, succinates, citrates or end capped vinyl copolymers; wherein said halite inhibitor is suitable for oilfield applications and is hexacyanoferrates, nitrilotrialkanamides or sulfonated polycarboxylate copolymers; wherein said corrosion inhibitor is phosphate esters; and wherein said biocide is THPS.