Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Foamers for unloading high-condensate gas wells
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Application No.: US14774146Application Date: 2014-03-05
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Publication No.: US09963629B2Publication Date: 2018-05-08
- Inventor: Nicholas S. Pendleton , Christopher D. Smith
- Applicant: Stepan Company
- Applicant Address: US IL Northfield
- Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
- Current Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
- Current Assignee Address: US IL Northfield
- Agency: Dilworth IP LLC
- International Application: PCT/US2014/020902 WO 20140305
- International Announcement: WO2014/158918 WO 20141002
- Main IPC: C09K8/584
- IPC: C09K8/584 ; C09K8/536 ; C11C3/00 ; C11C3/10

Abstract:
Foamable compositions useful for deliquifying gas wells, particularly gas wells having at least 40 vol. % of a hydrocarbon condensate, are disclosed. The compositions comprise, in addition to the condensate, an aqueous brine and 250 to 10,000 ppm of a monounsaturated betaine or sulfobetaine. A method for deliquifying the production line of a natural gas well is also disclosed. The method comprises introducing into a gas well a monounsaturated betaine or sulfobetaine to form a foamed composition, and removing at least a portion of the foamed composition from the production line. Certain betaines and sulfobetaines are remarkably effective in producing foams useful for gas well deliquification, particularly gas wells characterized by high or very high condensate levels. The inventive compositions and method provide a cost-effective way to enable thousands of gas wells to be utilized more productively.
Public/Granted literature
- US20160040056A1 FOAMERS FOR UNLOADING HIGH-CONDENSATE GAS WELLS Public/Granted day:2016-02-11
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