CASE HISTORY

GHI-7182 Gas Hydrate Inhibitor

An inherent problem with natural gas production or transmission is the formation of gas hydrates. Historically, methanol has been injected into the gas stream to combat hydrate formation. BJ Chemical Services has developed a hydrate inhibitor that is a safe, effective, competitively priced alternative method of preventing hydrate formation. Gas hydrates form when water molecules crystallize around natural gas guest molecules. The co-crystallization process has been recognized for several years. It is well characterized and occurs with the right combination of temperature and pressure. Gas hydrates may form any place where water coexists with natural gas at temperatures as high as 80 F. Long gas transmission lines are particularly vulnerable to hydrate blockage during extended cold weather periods. Sub-sea pipelines may have hydrate problems continually due to the cooling effect of seawater at depth. There are a few methods of preventing hydrate formation. The obvious thermodynamic solutions such as removing the water, heating the system, and lowering the pressure are often not practical. Another thermodynamic method, the addition of sufficient amounts of ethylene glycol or methanol to decrease hydrate stability effectively lowers the temperature of hydrate formation. Inhibition with chemicals requires relatively large amounts of ethylene glycol or methanol. In addition, these materials are inconvenient and hazardous due to chemical toxicity and flammability. This method of treatment can also be quite expensive. Kinetic inhibitors delay the formation of hydrates. They are usually water-soluble polymers and are effective at concentrations typically ten to one hundred times less than ethylene glycol or methanol concentrations. These high molecular weight polymers require a polar carrier solvent. Methanol, ethylene glycol, or water (or a mixture of these liquids) is typically used as a carrier. In a situation where the carrier is allowed to evaporate, i.e., hot spots in a gas pipeline, the solid polymer will plate out of solution and may cause problems by itself. Recognizing the above-mentioned potential problem, BJ Chemical Services has developed GHI-7182 gas hydrate inhibitor, a low molecular weight, liquid, hydrocarbon-soluble kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor. Unlike polymeric type additives, GHI-7182 gas hydrate inhibitor will not precipitate even after complete removal of polar carrier. GHI-7182 gas hydrate inhibitor can be injected as a solution into any available liquid hydrocarbon, thereby avoiding any addition of water to the gas system.

The Problem
A major foreign offshore oil and gas producer had historically experienced gas hydrate formation in unprotected gas lines. The gas was gas-lift gas being injected down the annulus of nine offshore wells. Casing pressures ranged from 400 to 1,500 psi. Prior to treatment, hydrates formed in the gas lift manifold and at the wellheads. Hydrate formation was visually observed in metering sight glasses at each wellhead. The operator was injecting 8 to 10 gallons of methanol per day to prevent hydrate formation. Due to inherent safety, handling, and environmental hazards an effective alternative was needed.

The Solution
The operator gave GHI-7182 gas hydrate inhibitor a 21-day field trial. The inhibitor was initially injected at a rate of 7 gallons per day for a 24-hour period to saturate the system with adequate inhibitor. Thereafter, the injection rate was decreased to determine the minimal treatment level for hydrate control. At a rate of 1-gallon per day, hydrate crystals formed in three wells after three days. The treatment rate was then increased to 1.7 gallons per day and the system operated without crystal formation for the remainder of the trial.
BJ Chemical Services 5005 Mitchelldale, Suite 200 Houston, Texas 77092 Phone: 713-860-6800 www.bjservices.com Page 1 of 2

CASE HISTORY
GHI-7182 Gas Hydrate Inhibitor

The Benefit
The operator deemed the field trial a success. This resulted in the replacement of the methanol with GHI-7182 gas hydrate inhibitor. The following advantages over methanol were cited as reasons for the switch:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Significantly less volume injected - 8 to 10 gpd methanol vs. 1.7 to 2 gpd of GHI-7182 gas hydrate inhibitor. Reduced freight costs. Low toxicity of GHI-7182 gas hydrate inhibitor. Higher flash point of GHI-7182 gas hydrate inhibitor.

There was also less product loss due to evaporation and handling. Exposure to chemicals was reduced, and the treatment was competitively priced.

BJ Chemical Services 5005 Mitchelldale, Suite 200 Houston, Texas 77092 Phone: 713-860-6800 www.bjservices.com Page 2 of 2