Influence of Inhibitors Based on Surfactants on Processes of Hydrates and Asphalt-Resin-Paraffin Deposits Formation: Experimental Studies

This article presents the results of studies on the combined analysis of the processes involved in the formation of asphalt-resin-paraffin deposits (ARPD) and gas hydrates in oilfield systems. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of surfactant-based inhibitors in preventing the formation of these deposits. Model systems composed of kerosene, paraffin, and aqueous solutions of inhibitors were used as the objects of research. Experimental investigations were carried out using a range of methods and equipment, including the TPZ-LAB-22 automated device for determining the low-temperature properties of liquids, the Rheotest RN 4.1 rotational viscometer for measuring viscosity, the EASYDROP interfacial tension analysis system, and the "cold finger" setup for simulating paraffin deposits. Gas hydrate formation conditions were evaluated using the GHA-350 gas hydrate autoclave. The results showed that paraffin has the natural properties of a kinetic inhibitor of hydrate formation, increasing the degree of supercooling by 7.7% and the nucleation time by 7.8%. Addition of ARPD inhibitor consisting of copolymer of propylene oxide with ethylene oxide and diaminethane (45%) and methanol (55%) at the concentration of 0.055% contributed to decrease of paraffin deposits weight by 20%, as well as additional increase of supercooling degree by 18.3% and nucleation time by 15.9%. The complex approach to evaluation of inhibitor efficiency confirmed high efficiency of the selected inhibitor in preventing ARPD and gas hydrate formation. These results serve as a foundation for developing integrated technologies to prevent asphaltene-paraffin deposition and hydrate formation, improving operational efficiency and equipment reliability in hydrocarbon production.

Influence of Inhibitors Based on Surfactants on Processes of Hydrates and Asphalt-Resin-Paraffin Deposits Formation: Experimental Studies Keywords:

Gas hydrates , Asphalt-resin-paraffin deposits , Inhibitors , Hydrate nucleation kinetics , Paraffin crystallization temperature