Novel Copolymers for Use as Oilfield Demulsifiers
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsMatthew Hilfiger, Michael P. Squicciarini, Christine Ann Blundell, Darryl M. Stepien, Patrick J. Breen
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Abstract
Lactone/alkylene oxide polymers are useful as demulsifiers to break emulsions, e.g. water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions, particularly oilfield emulsions. These polymers are random or block polymer made from addition reactions of a hydroxyl- and/or amine-containing base compound with at least one lactone monomer and at least one alkylene oxide monomer.
Claims20
A method of breaking an emulsion comprising oil and water, the method comprising:
- adding to the emulsion comprising oil and water an effective amount of a polymer to break the emulsion, where the polymer comprises a random or block polymer made from addition reactions of a hydroxyl- and/or amine-containing base compound with at least one lactone monomer and at least one alkylene oxide monomer.
A method of breaking an emulsion comprising oil and water, the method comprising:
- adding to the emulsion comprising oil and water from about 5 to about 1000 ppm, based on the emulsion, of a polymer to break the emulsion, where the polymer comprises a random or block polymer having a weight average molecular weight of the polymer ranges from about 2000 to about 1,500,000 g/mol made from addition reactions of a hydroxyl- and/or amine-containing base compound with at least one lactone monomer and at least one alkylene oxide monomer.
A method of breaking an emulsion comprising oil and water, the method comprising:
- adding to the emulsion comprising oil and water from about 5 to about 1000 ppm, based on the emulsion, of a polymer to break the emulsion, where the polymer comprises a random or block polymer made from addition reactions of a hydroxyl- and/or amine-containing base compound with at least one lactone monomer and at least one alkylene oxide monomer, where:
- the at least one lactone monomer is selected from the group of lactones of formula (I) having 3 to 7 carbon atoms in the central ring
- where n is at least 1 and R′ are independently any hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aromatic group;
- and
- the at least one alkylene oxide monomer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide and mixtures thereof;
- and
- the hydroxyl- or amine-containing base compound is selected from the group consisting of methanol;
- propylene glycol;
- glycerol;
- pentaerythritol;
- sucrose;
- glucose;
- sorbitol;
- fructose;
- maltitol;
- polyvinyl alcohol;
- polysaccharides selected from the group consisting of starch derivatives, hydroxyl ethyl cellulose (HEC), carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) and cyclodextrin;
- polyesters;
- polyethers;
- polyacids;
- polyamides;
- hydroxylamines;
- polyethyleneimines;
- peptides;
- and combinations thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.