Terminalia Catappa Leave Extract (TCLE) as Green Hydrate Inhibitor for Deep Water Operations

Abstract

Abstract The formation of gas hydrates poses a significant obstacle to the efficient and safe transportation of hydrocarbons in offshore pipelines. As the oil and gas industry expands into deeper and more challenging environments, the risk of gas hydrate-induced flow assurance issues escalates. Various inhibition methods have been adopted such as the low dosage inhibitors (LDIs) like the kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHI), anti-agglomerants (AAs), thermodynamic hydrate inhibitors (THIs) etc., but these synthetic chemicals are contributing to environmental concerns and prompting a crucial need for sustainable alternatives. This study explores the inhibitory properties of natural extracts from the Terminalia catappa leaves. The extract was got via Soxhlet extract of dry terminalia catappa leaves (TCLE) and screened in a locally fabricated laboratory mini flow loop. Assessment of effectiveness of TCLE was made using a conventional inhibitor, Monoethyleneglycol (MEG). Pressure decline in the mini flow loop rapidly indicates formation of gas hydrates and is used as a basis of assessing the inhibitory capacities of the inhibitors. Final pressure reading at the end of 120 minutes for TCLE used in concentrations of 0.01-0.03wt% are 104, 98 and 123 psi respectively while those of 1-3wt% MEG for the same time interval are 105, 99 and 120 psi. The changes in pressure values at the end of the experiment for 0.01-0.03wt% TCLE were 46, 52 and 27 psi respectively while1-3wt% MEG had change in pressure values of 45, 51 and 30 psi respectively. The results show that 0.01 and 0.02wt% TCLE competed favourably with 1-2wt% MEG having just 1 psi difference in pressure and outperformed MEG in 0.03wt% with a pressure difference of 3 psi. This is in spite of the fact that TCLE was used in smaller concentrations (0.01-0.03wt%) compared to the concentration of MEG (1-3wt%). TCLE can be harnessed and further developed as an eco-friendly and effective solution for inhibiting gas hydrate formation, mitigating the operational disruptions, safety hazards associated with the transport of hydrocarbons through offshore pipelines, and also promoting the industry’s growing commitment to greener practices.