INTRODUCTION TO OILFIELD CHEMICALS

Prepared By : Sabry Abaza

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EMULSION

• The most important objective of any oil production facility is

the separation of water and other foreign materials from the
produced crude.
• There are three types of oil in water mixtures:
1.Free water- dispersed as large drops that readly settle out
under gravity (150 micron).
2.Emulsified water – dispersed in oil as very small droplet and
will not separate from oil.
3.Soluble water – water that is dissolved in the crude oil and
will not segregate, negligible: 0.001 wt%.
 EMULSION
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• An Emulsion is a mixture of two immiscible liquids, one

of which is dispersed as droplets (emulsified) in the
other.
• Types of Emulsion:
• Water-in-Oil - (W/O) - Oil –in- Water (O/W)- Multiphase
Emulsions
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EMULSION
• The operation consequences of not removing this water would
be:
• 1. Export oil specifications would not be met.
• 2. The water with its associated salt would result in increased
corrosion of pipework, pumps and downstream production
equipment.
• 3. Unnecessary expense would be involved in pumping or
transporting a valueless product by pipeline or tanker.
• 4. Water would occupy vital oil capacity in storage and transport
facilities.
• 5. Crude refining costs would be higher and therefore the crude
would be of lower value.
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EMULSION
• The success of treating emulsified oil depends on:
1.An adequate quantity of the most effective chemical.
2.Sufficient agitation to cause thorough mixing of the
chemical with the emulsion.
3.Where necessary, the addition of heat to facilitate
breaking of the emulsion.
4.Proper handling and separation of the gas before settling.
5.Sufficient time to permit settling of the released water.
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EMULSION
• Principal function of chemical demulsifier:

• The principal function of chemical demulsifiers is to

weaken or destroy the stability of t interfacial films of the
droplets.

.
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PARAFFIN
• Both crude oil and gas condensate contain paraffinic
components known as wax. Paraffins are naturally occurring
organic molecules composed of carbon and hydrogen.
• The key problems caused by wax that concern offshore and
deep water operators are:
• Deposition — Wax deposits restrict flow and reduce
throughput onshore as well as offshore. The differences
offshore are the increase remediation costs and the
increased dollar impact of flow restrictions in offshore
production, where wells typically have higher production
rates than onshore wells
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PARAFFIN
• Viscosity — Offshore operations in deeper water
encounter cold temperatures, especially in the case of
subsea flowlines and tiebacks. The viscosity of paraffinic
crude oils below the wax appearance temperature can
increase greatly, causing flow problems.
• Re-start — Temporary shutdowns are a concern in deep
water operations with paraffinic crudes because of the
chance that the oil will gel in a subsea flowline or pipeline.
The re-start of a plugged subsea line may be operationally
or economically
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PARAFFIN
• Areas of Paraffin Deposition:
• There are four areas where paraffin deposition will occur:
• Formations/Perforations – Tubing – Flowlines - Tank
Bottoms
• Paraffin Identification Field Tests:
• Centrifuge Tube Test - Hot Xylene Test - Melt Test - Pentane
Solubility Test.
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PARAFFIN
• Problem Resolution Options:
1.Melting the Deposits
2.Scraping (Wirelining)
3.Pigging
4.Chemical Treatment
• Chemical Application Methods
• Batch Treatment - Continuous Treatment - Squeeze
Application.
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CORROSION
• Corrosion is possibly the most important and costly cause of problems
encountered in oil production systems. Corrosion requires special
consideration during the design and fabrication of production
equipment and the operation of the process.
• Corrosion is the deterioration of a substance, usually a metal, due to
a reaction with its environment.
•  Corrosion Can Cause Many Oilfield Problems: 
1. Rapid perforation of metal
2. Obstruction of flow
3. Formation plugging by corrosion products
4. Loss of injectivity from plugging
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CORROSION
• Types of Corrosion: 
1.Uniform corrosion
2.Galvanic or bimetallic corrosion
3.Concentration cell corrosion
4.Pitting corrosion
5.Intergranular corrosion
6.Stress corrosion
7.Erosion/corrosion, impingement, cavitation
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CORROSION
• The four main ways in which corrosion can be avoided are
through the use of:
1. Appropriate corrosion resistant materials for construction.
2. Coatings, linings, etc.
3. Cathodic protection.
4. Chemical corrosion inhibitors.
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CORROSION
• Corrosion Inhibitors:
• An inhibitor is a substance, which when added to a system,
slows down or even stops a chemical reaction. A corrosion
inhibitor, therefore, is a substance, which when added to a
corrosive environment, effectively decreases the corrosion
rate of metals within it.One commonly used classification
relates to whether the inhibitors are inorganic or organic
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SCALE
• Scale is that hard deposit of the inorganic mineral constituents of water
which precipitate from the water. Scale may adhere to metal and other
surfaces in the oil and gas production system, or may be deposited as
sludge.
• Scale production can occur as a result of the following:
1. Mixing of incompatible waters (often formation water with injection
seawater)
2.Changes in physical conditions (changes in temperature and pressure,
normally decreases as fluid is brought to the surface)
3.Changes in chemical equilibrium (e.g. pH increase through loss of CO2)
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SCALE
• The major problems caused by scale formation are:
1.Reduced oil production
2.Well plugging
3.Reduction in pipe carrying capacity
4.Impedance of heat transfer
5.Increase in operational safety hazards
6.Localization of corrosion attack
7.Increases in operational costs
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SCALE

• The main areas that can experience scale problems are:

• Reservoir Perforations at the Well Bore- Well Tubulars -

Downhole Safety Valve-Choke - Production Flow Lines -
Production Separators – Water Lines – Effluent Treatment
Systems.
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SCALE
• Control of Scale Deposition:
• There are four general methods for preventing
scale precipitation:
1.Control of physical variables. This is usually not
applicable to oil production systems.
2.Removal of scale forming species. This is usually not
utilized in oil production systems However, although
very expensive, sulfate removal plants are available
and have been installed in several sea water injection
systems.
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SCALE

3. Avoidance of incompatible waters. This is possible in

certain circumstances.

4.Use of Scale Inhibitors. This is the best method for

the prevention of scale deposition in oil production
systems.
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FOAM
Foam is the dispersion of a relatively large volume of gas in
a relatively small volume of liquid.
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FOAM
• Foams cause problems by: 
1.Reducing unit capacity, which limits the throughput to below
design capacity.
2.Interrupting operation of units, which is costly when production is
involved.
3.Contaminating separated gases or liquids, with associated loss of
desired product.
4.Causing downstream problems due to entrained contaminants.
5.Causing safety hazards, fire, pollution, and spillage.
6.Reducing the life of process equipment.
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FOAM
• Problem Areas in Oil Field Systems:

• Problems may occur in either aqueous or hydrocarbon

systems:

• Aqueous areas include (Deaerators , Gas scrubbers ,

Effluent systems , Glycol regenerators )

• Hydrocarbon systems include(2- or 3-phase separators-

Crude treatment vessels- Gas compressors )
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FOAM

• Antifoams are chemicals, which when added to a

foaming system, will orient at the surface and break
the film that stabilizes the foam. The usually low
surface tension of antifoams produces high surface
activity and great spreading power, resulting in unique

performance by these materials in many applications.

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CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION
•Consequences:
1. Deters Product Performance.
2. Plugging of Umbilical and Down hole Injection Lines.
•Prevention:
1. Assure that all transfer hoses are traced and properly
labeled.
2. Always use dedicated hoses/pumps and check chemical
identification before transferring to a base tank.
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CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION

Neat Chemical Neat Chemical + Water

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INJECTION SYSTEM

• Setting up a reliable injection system is a critical step

in a successful chemical program. Having a straight
forward, serviceable system will guarantee consistent
day-to-day operations.

• The best chemicals and the best technology will not

work unless a reliable chemical injection system is in
place.
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INJECTION SYSTEM
• Chemical Tanks:

1. The chemical tank must be vented or pressure blanketed to avoid

vapor locking the chemical pump. Make sure the chemical being
used can be vented to the atmosphere and not cause either
personnel safety issues or degradation of the chemical because
of the oxygen or water vapor in the atmosphere.

2. The chemical tank must be clearly labeled and the fill line tagged
to avoid loading errors.
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INJECTION SYSTEM
• Suction Lines:

1. The suction line should be as short as possible and as large in diameter

as practical. This will help maintain a positive suction line pressure and
reduce the amount of heat aging of chemicals in steam traced lines.

2. A filter (commonly a Y-strainer) should be used on the suction line just

before the chemical pump. The filter or strainer should be 80-100 mesh
on most applications. Small solids, such as tank mill scale can easily
cause a pump failure.
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INJECTION SYSTEM
• Chemical Pumps
1. Electric positive displacement pumps are the most reliable
pumps, but improvements have been made on gas driven
pumps. The gas driven pumps are much easier to install. A
diaphragm style gas driven pump is now available which
eliminates a major weakness with seal failures on this type
of pump.
2. The suction inlet of the chemical pump should be located
lower than the chemical tank. This will insure positive
pressure at the pump suction.
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INJECTION SYSTEM

3. The chemical pump should be sized at 40% to 60%

of the pumping rate. This will allow adequate chemical
rate changes without dropping below 20% of the
pumping range. Most chemical pumps are not reliable
below 20% of their range.
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INJECTION SYSTEM
4. Each chemical pump should have a Kenco (site glass)
type rate gauge dedicated to measuring the flow of that
injection system.
5. The Kenco (site glass) type rate gauge should be
vented with the outlet of the vent pipe above the top of
the chemical storage tank. This will prevent accidental
chemical spills.
6. The chemical pumps should have isolation valves on
both the suction and discharge lines to allow pump
service and replacement without chemical spills.
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INJECTION SYSTEM
• Discharge Line :

1. A pressure gauge should be located on the discharge line of each

pump. This provides a clear indication that the pump is functioning
and it also indicates that the injection line is clear of obstructions.

2. A check valve should be located on the discharge line before the

injection point or before the chemical line is joined to a slipstream
line. This will prevent a process leak in the event of a chemical line
or chemical pump failure.
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INJECTION SYSTEM

A check valve should also be located on any slipstream

line before the line is joined with the chemical line. This
will prevent the chemical from back flowing down the
slipstream line if the injection point becomes blocked.
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INJECTION SYSTEM

3 . A Y-strainer, located near the injection point, provides

additional protection to the chemical injector. The use of a
strainer (80 to 100 mesh) is recommended when using a
fine orifice spray nozzle (smaller than 0.0125 inch (0.6mm)
diameter). Strainers are also a good idea on systems using
carbon steel injection lines handling water based products.
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INJECTION SYSTEM

4. Pumps should have an internal pressure relief or a

pressure relief valve should be fitted between the pump
discharge and the pump suction to prevent over pressuring
the piping if the discharge line is isolated or become
blocked. The valve should be set to bypass the pump at
about 50 - 100 psi (5-10 Bar) above the maximum normal
operating pressure of the discharge system.