Method for inhibiting hydrate formation
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorGordon T. Rivers
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Abstract
A sterically hindered quaternary ammonium composition is prepared by contacting a solvent having hydroxyl functionality, a halohydrin, and a sterically hindered tertiary amine, under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a sterically hindered quaternary ammonium compound. The reaction proceeds with excellent yield. The resulting compounds are particularly useful for inhibiting formation of hydrates in hydrocarbon reservoirs and pipelines. Novel compositions of matter include sterically hindered quaternary ammonium compounds conforming to the formulas C27H58XNO2 and C29H63XNO2, wherein X is a halogen.
Claims20
A method of inhibiting hydrate formation in oil exploration and/or production equipment comprising:
- detecting a reduction of flow rate for fluid passing through the oil exploration and/or production equipment;
- determining whether temperature and/or pressure within the oil exploration and/or production equipment are sufficient for hydrate formation;
- and
- if the temperature and/or pressure within the oil exploration and/or production equipment are sufficient for hydrate formation, then contacting the fluid within the oil exploration and/or production equipment with a sterically hindered quaternary ammonium composition conforming to the general formula:
- wherein the general formula includes R groups R1, R2, R3, and R4, R1 has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms;
- wherein R2, R3 and R4 each have from 3 to 6 carbon atoms;
- wherein any R groups having the same number of carbon atoms may be the same or different;
- wherein each R group may be linear or branched;
- wherein each R group may have one or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds;
- and wherein X is a halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine;
- under conditions such that the formation of hydrates in the fluid is inhibited in comparison with a similar fluid without the sterically hindered quaternary ammonium compound.
The method of claim 20 wherein the sterically hindered tertiary amine is selected from the group consisting of compounds conforming to the general formula
- wherein R2, R3 and R4 each independently have from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, may be linear or branched, and may have one or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds.
A method of inhibiting hydrate formation in oil exploration and/or production equipment comprising:
- detecting a reduction of flow rate for fluid passing through the oil exploration and/or production equipment;
- determining whether temperature and/or pressure within the oil exploration and/or production equipment are sufficient for hydrate formation;
- and
- if the temperature and/or pressure within the oil exploration and/or production equipment are sufficient for hydrate formation, then contacting the fluid within the oil exploration and/or production equipment with a sterically hindered quaternary ammonium compound comprising contacting a solvent having hydroxyl functionality, a sterically hindered tertiary amine, and a halohydrin, under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a sterically hindered quaternary ammonium compound.
A hydrate inhibitor comprising a sterically hindered quaternary ammonium composition conforming to the general formula:
- wherein the general formula includes R groups R1, R2, R3, and R4, R1 has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms;
- wherein R2, R3 and R4 each have from 3 to 6 carbon atoms;
- wherein any R groups having the same number of carbon atoms may be the same or different;
- wherein each R group may be linear or branched;
- wherein each R group may have one or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds;
- and wherein X is a halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.