Succinimide-based copolymers and use as hydrate inhibitors

Abstract

Copolymers having General Formula (I): in which R1 is chosen from divalent C4-C7 aliphatic groups and divalent C4-C7 heteroaliphatic groups, optionally substituted with one or more C1-C6 aliphatic groups, heteroatoms independently chosen from O, N, and S, or combinations thereof, where: the divalent C4-C7 heteroaliphatic groups include one or two heteroatoms independently chosen from O, N, and S, and the maximum number of heteroatoms in R1 is two; x is a molar fraction range chosen from 0.05 to 0.95; and y is a molar fraction range chosen from 0.05 to 0.95, where the summation of x and y equals 1. Methods for inhibiting formation of clathrate hydrates in a fluid capable of forming the clathrate hydrates. The methods include contacting the fluid with at least one copolymer of General Formula (I) under conditions suitable for forming the clathrate hydrates.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.