On the Rheological Properties of Thermodynamic Hydrate Inhibitors Used in Offshore Oil and Gas Production

Abstract

A new thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor (THI), is being proposed based on the analysis of its rheological properties leading to improvement of the injection process. The method is based on the viscosity changes during the injection process. The experimental tests analysing the viscosity, shear stress related to drag force of the MEG and ethanol mixture allowed us to develop a better injectable THI. Considering the results that we obtained, it can be said that the mixture of MEG/EtOH is more convenient for transportation and injection process, and also to be stored on the platform. The use of ethanol and MEG mixture as THI is novel in this field. It turns out that the benefits of the mixture overcome the benefits of using them alone. This discovery opens a window for more improvements to natural gas hydrate suppression. The mixture could also change the formation of gas hydrates, thereby destabilizing the ice-like structure. Since the hydrate suppression process is stoichiometric—directly proportional to water production—it is necessary to inject large amounts of THI, thus improving the injection with the proposed mixture could lead to a more economical process.