US 7,846,879 B2 · Esterquat acidic subterranean treatment fluids and methods of using esterquats acidic subterranean treatment fluids

Abstract

The present invention relates to acidic treatment fluids that comprise an acid fluid and an ester-containing quaternary ammonium compound (“esterquat”) and methods of their use. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of inhibiting metal corrosion during a subterranean treatment operation comprising using an acidic treatment fluid comprising an acidic fluid and an esterquat. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of reducing sludge formation during a subterranean treatment operation formation comprising the step of using an acidic treatment fluid comprising an acidic fluid and an esterquat. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of inhibiting the formation of emulsions during a subterranean treatment operation comprising using an acidic treatment fluid comprising an acidic fluid and an esterquat. Another embodiment of the present invention provides an acidic subterranean treatment fluid comprising an acidic fluid and an esterquat.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An acidic subterranean treatment fluid comprising an acidic fluid and an esterquat

wherein the esterquat comprises a reverse esterquat having the general formula:
{R(4-m)N+—[(CH2)n—C(O)—O}p—R′]mpX−, wherein
R represents a linear or branched chain saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, aryl, arylalkyl, alkyl amide, hydroxy alkyl, or a mixture thereof, wherein (when there is more than one R group) they may be the same as one another or each may be different from one another;
m is an integer in the range from 1 to 3;
p is an integer of at least 1;
R′ represents a linear or branched chain saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, aryl, arylalkyl, alkyl amide, or a mixture thereof;
n is an integer in the range from 1 to 6;
and,
X−represents an anionic counter ion, examples of which include, but are not limited to, a halide, sulfate, methosulfate, or methophosphate, and wherein the subterranean treatment fluid has a pH of less than about 4 and further comprises crude oil.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Esterquat acidic subterranean treatment fluids and methods of using esterquats acidic subterranean treatment fluids

Life of this patent

Esterquat acidic subterranean treatment fluids and methods of using esterquats acidic subterranean treatment fluids

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13