Composition and method for pipeline conditioning & freezing point suppression
AssigneeClearwater International, LLC
InventorsAlan Sweeney, Brian Hallett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method for dewatering, pressure testing, hydrotreating, suppressing methane hydrate formation and suppressing solution freezing point in pipeline operations have been disclosed, where the solution used in the operations includes an effective amount of a metal formate salt. The metal formate salt solutions have a low viscosity, have a high density, have a low metals corrosivity, are non-volatile, have a low solubility in hydrocarbons, are readily biodegradable, have a low toxicity, are non-hazardous, have a low environmental impact, have a freezing point depression property forming water/formate eutectic point mixtures, and have a water-structuring and water activity modification property.
Claims81
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The method of claim 52, wherein the metal ion formate salt is a compound of the formula (HCOO−)nMn+ and mixtures thereof, where M is a metal ion and n is the valency of the metal ion.
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A method for hydrotesting pipelines comprising the step of:
- filling a pipeline with an aqueous composition including an effective amount of a metal ion formate salt, where the effective amount is sufficient to reduce an amount of bulk water and/or an amount of residual water in the pipeline below desired amounts and to reduce a freezing point of the aqueous composition to a desired sub-freezing point temperature,
- pressurizing the pipeline to a desired test pressure, and
- discharging the aqueous composition directly into the environment after the pressurizing step, without further processing or treatment.
An improved system for use in conditioning and/or pressure testing pipelines comprising an aqueous composition comprising an effective amount of a metal ion formate salt, where the aqueous composition fills a pipeline or portion thereof, where the pipeline or portion thereof is pressurized to a desired test pressure, where the effective amount is sufficient to reduce an amount of bulk water and/or an amount of residual water in the pipeline below desired amounts and/or to depress a freezing point of the aqueous composition to a temperature below an operating temperature of a pipeline to be conditioned or tested, where the operating temperature of the pipeline is below the freezing point of pure water, and where the aqueous composition is directly discharged into the environment without further processing or treatment.
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