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 MULTI-CHEM® DEVELOPS ADVANCED ROCKING CELL SYSTEM FOR TESTING OF HYDRATE INHIBITORS UNDER BOTH SWEET AND SOUR CONDITIONS

 
 Multi-Chem®, a global provider of oilfield production chemicals, has developed the first system of highly advanced rocking cells for testing low dosage hydrate inhibitors (LDHIs) that are designed to withstand hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas, announced Vice President of Technology Danny Durham.
 The two six-cell modules are composed of the highly corrosion-resistant metal alloy HASTELLOY® so that LDHI testing can be conducted using H2S. The system is the first of its kind and offers deepwater, ultra deepwater and land-based operators the first opportunity to properly and safely simulate the conditions in a sour system without causing damage to the equipment.
The 12 test cells feature dual sapphire viewing windows and proximity sensors, and a center-ported configuration designed to eliminate the problems associated with more traditional end -ported designs, where hydrate formation can occur in the inlet tubing causing inaccurate results. This new design gives significantly more accurate pressure readings, essential to hydrate testing, while providing a relative viscosity measurement from the proximity sensors. Each individual cell window features ultra-bright rear-mounted lighting for clear viewing of the fluids.  
The system’s fully automated data acquisition and control software gives users the flexibility to pre-program various testing parameters and protocol changes, including the cells’ rocking angle and rocking rate. Two large monitoring screens help to track the conditions and progress of each individual cell during the test.
“The combination of the new design features, the data acquisition system and the quality of the materials used allows us to more accurately recreate the conditions of both sweet and sour systems as compared to other rocking cell designs,” said Zubin Patel, co-developer of the technology.
This technology was developed by Multi-Chem chemical and flow assurance experts Zubin Patel and James Russum.
Patel graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Midwestern State University and a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from the University of Southern California. He has six years of experience in the production chemicals industry where he specializes in LDHIs and flow assurance technologies; chemical development, testing and recommendations; and testing analysis.
James Russum earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Tennessee Technological University and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering with a minor in polymer chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Russum specializes in flow assurance, gas hydrates and hydrate control.

EFFLUENT WATER QUALITY

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There are a number of factors impacting the quality of produced water. Solids and surfactants can cause turbidity, solids provide surfaces for oil to adhere causing high oil content, reverse (oil in water) emulsions cause high oil content, FeS will cause the water to turn black. Produced water often contains sheen and WSO (water soluble organics), due to oil wet solids that de-aerators can’t separate. If the solids cause frequent filter changes, this might require use of a filtration aid, FeS dissolver, or a wetting agent. For injection wells, chemicals specially designed to aid Injectivity might be required.

A reverse emulsion or oil wet solids can cause the water to contain high amounts of oil, which could result in fines or system shut downs. Emulsions will cause high injectivity pressures and pump and equipment failures. Regulatory agencies monitor effluent water for oil and WSO content. Multi-Chem can evaluate the injection system and determine the most cost effective solution.

Multi-Chem Product(s):

Water Clarifiers

Wetting Agents

Emulsion Breakers

Mineral scale solids such as calcite (calcium carbonate), barite (barium sulfate) and iron sulfide (FeS) are quite common in oil and gas systems. These solids can become oil wet requiring costly intervention and increased costs. Multi-Chem's advanced chemical solutions will maximize flow through the production tubing.

Multi-Chem Product(s):

Corrosion Inhibitors

Scale Control Products

Wetting Agents

Mineral scale solids such as calcite (calcium carbonate) and barite (barium sulfate) are quite common in oil and gas systems. These solids can become oil wet, causing filters and injection wells to plug, requiring costly intervention. Scale increases operating expenses and decreases production. It increases wear on equipment and often causes injection pumps to fail prematurely. Multi-Chem's advanced chemical solutions will maximize flow through the production tubing.

Multi-Chem Product(s):

Iron Sulfide Dissolver Programs

Wetting Agents

The WSO content of water is regulated. Production companies that exceed the limit are fined or have their production systems shut down. Multi-Chem can put a treatment program in place which will keep WSO content under the limit.

Multi-Chem Product(s):

Wetting Agents

Water Clarifiers

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PRODUCTION CHALLENGES