Additive to decrease the pour point of paraffin inhibitors
Included are compositions, methods, and systems for producing and using winterized paraffin inhibitor solutions. An example composition comprises a paraffin inhibitor solution; and an additive comprising a first portion and a second portion; wherein the first portion is selected from the functional groups consisting of sulfo, phosphate, phosphonate, ester, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and any combination thereof; wherein the second portion is selected from the functional groups consisting of linear alkyl, branched alkyl, alkyl phenyl, ethoxylated branched alkyl, propoxylated branched alkyl, and any combination thereof.
1. A method for reducing paraffin deposition comprising:
preparing a winterized paraffin inhibitor solution by introducing an additive to a paraffin inhibitor solution;
wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, nonylphenol, and any combination thereof;
wherein the paraffin inhibitor solution comprises a paraffin inhibitor that is a solute of the winterized paraffin inhibitor solution; and
contacting a hydrocarbon fluid with the winterized paraffin inhibitor solution.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting the hydrocarbon fluid with the winterized paraffin inhibitor solution occurs in a wellbore or a conduit located on a ground surface.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting the hydrocarbon fluid with the winterized paraffin inhibitor solution occurs at a temperature below a pour point of the paraffin inhibitor solution.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising statically storing the winterized paraffin inhibitor solution without mixing for a time of at least about 1 hour prior to the contacting the hydrocarbon fluid with the winterized paraffin inhibitor solution.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the additive is present in the winterized paraffin inhibitor solution in a concentration in a range of about 1% (w/w) to about 40% (w/w).
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the paraffin inhibitor solution comprises a paraffin inhibitor that is a comb shape polymer.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the paraffin inhibitor comprises a linear side chain.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the paraffin inhibitor comprises a branched side chain.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the winterized paraffin inhibitor solution comprises a pour point of at least 2° F. less than the paraffin inhibitor solution.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the paraffin inhibitor comprises a polymer backbone having at least two three-way branch points.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the paraffin inhibitor comprises a side chain with a carbon number greater than ten.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the paraffin inhibitor comprises a polymer backbone and a sidechain connected to the polymer backbone by a polar group.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the paraffin inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylacrylate), poly(alkylmethacrylate), alkylacrylate/alkylmethacrylate copolymers, an ester derivative, an amide derivative, an imide derivative, a maleic anhydride/(meth)acrylate copolymer derivative, and any combinations thereof.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the element of preparing a winterized paraffin inhibitor solution by introducing an additive to a paraffin inhibitor solution further comprises adding the additive to the paraffin inhibitor solution prior to injection of the paraffin inhibitor solution into a wellbore or transport equipment.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the element of preparing a winterized paraffin inhibitor solution by introducing an additive to a paraffin inhibitor solution further comprises adding the additive to the paraffin inhibitor solution simultaneously with the injection of the paraffin inhibitor solution into a wellbore or transport equipment.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the element of preparing a winterized paraffin inhibitor solution by introducing an additive to a paraffin inhibitor solution further comprises adding the additive to a wellbore or transport equipment in which the paraffin inhibitor solution has already been injected.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon fluid is disposed in a wellbore, and wherein the winterized paraffin inhibitor fluid is pumped in the wellbore.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon fluid comprises dissolved wax.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon fluid is disposed in a pipeline, and wherein the winterized paraffin inhibitor fluid is pumped in the pipeline.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the additive is present in the winterized paraffin inhibitor solution in a concentration in a range of about 1% (w/w) to about 20%(w/w).