Use of anti-agglomerants in high gas to oil ratio formations
View Patent ↗The present invention generally relates to one or more compositions and methods for inhibiting the formation of gas hydrate agglomerates in a fluid. The fluid may be contained, for example, in an oil or gas pipeline or refinery.
1. A method for inhibiting gas hydrate agglomeration in a produced fluid, the produced fluid comprising a produced hydrocarbon and produced water, the method comprising adding an effective amount of an anti-agglomerant compound and a process liquid hydrocarbon to the produced fluid to inhibit gas hydrate agglomeration, wherein the process liquid hydrocarbon comprises a recycled and conditioned produced hydrocarbon, wherein the recycled and conditioned produced hydrocarbon is conditioned by cooling the produced hydrocarbon to 3° C. or below thereby removing components forming a solid at about 3° C.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the produced fluid is produced from a subsea reservoir.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the produced hydrocarbon comprises a hydrocarbon gas, a hydrocarbon liquid, or a combination thereof.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the produced hydrocarbon comprises a low-boiling, C 1 -C 5 hydrocarbon gas.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the process liquid hydrocarbon further comprises a refined hydrocarbon.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the refined hydrocarbon comprises fuel oil, diesel, kerosene, gasoline, or a combination thereof.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the refined hydrocarbon comprises diesel.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the recycled and conditioned produced hydrocarbon is produced from a subsea reservoir, conditioned, and recycled to the produced fluid.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein an effective amount of the anti-agglomerant compound is from about 0.1 vol % to about 10 vol % based on the volume of produced water in the produced fluid.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the effective amount of the anti-agglomerant compound is from about 0.1 vol % to about 5 vol %.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the effective amount of the anti-agglomerant compound is from about 0.1 vol % to about 3 vol %.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the produced fluid comprises at least about 55% by volume water.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the produced fluid comprises at least about 60% by volume water.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the produced fluid comprises at least about 70% by volume water.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the recycled and conditioned produced hydrocarbon is added to the produced fluid in an amount to provide a water cut of 70% or less.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the recycled and conditioned produced hydrocarbon is added to the produced fluid in an amount to provide a water cut of 60% or less.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the recycled and conditioned produced hydrocarbon is added to the produced fluid in an amount to provide a water cut of 50% or less.
18. The method of claim 12 wherein the produced fluid comprises at least about 65% by volume water.