Abstract:
Compositions and methods of synthesis of anionic surfactants by alkoxylation of a Guerbet alcohol (GA) having 12 to 36 carbon atoms using butylene oxide, and optionally propylene oxide and/or ethylene oxide followed by the incorporation of a terminal anionic group are described herein. The GA of the present invention is made by a facile and inexpensive method that involves high temperature base catalyzed dimerization of alcohols with 6 to 18 carbon atoms. The large hydrophobe ether surfactants of the present invention find uses in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications where it is used for solubilization and mobilization of oil and for environmental cleanup. Further, the hydrophobe alkoxylated GA without anionic terminal group can be used as an ultra-high molecular weight non-ionic surfactant.
Abstract:
Process for producing aqueous polyacrylamide concentrates by polymerizing an aqueous solution comprising at least acrylamide thereby obtaining an aqueous polyacrylamide gel, comminuting said aqueous polyacrylamide gel and mixing it with an aqueous liquid, wherein the manufacturing steps are allocated to two different locations A and B and the process comprises the step of transporting an aqueous polyacrylamide concentrate hold in a suitable transport unit from a location A to a location B. Modular, relocatable plant for manufacturing aqueous polyacrylamide, wherein the units of the plant are located at two different locations A and B.
Abstract:
Process of fracturing subterranean, oil- and/or gas-bearing formations by injecting an aqueous fracturing fluid into a wellbore at a rate and pressure sufficient to penetrate into the formation, and to initiate or extend fractures in the formation, wherein the aqueous fracturing fluid is obtained by mixing at least an aqueous base fluid and an aqueous polyacrylamide concentrate having a concentration of 3.1 to 14.9% by weight of polyacrylamides, relating to the total of all components of the aqueous polyacrylamide concentrate, and wherein at least a part of the aqueous fracturing fluid injected additionally comprises a proppant.
Abstract:
Process for producing aqueous polyacrylamide concentrates by polymerizing an aqueous solution comprising at least acrylamide thereby obtaining an aqueous polyacrylamide gel, comminuting said aqueous polyacrylamide gel and mixing it with an aqueous liquid, wherein the manufacturing steps are allocated to two different locations A and B and the process comprises the step of transporting an aqueous polyacrylamide concentrate hold in a suitable transport unit from a location A to a location B. Modular, relocatable plant for manufacturing aqueous polyacrylamide, wherein the units of the plant are located at two different locations A and B.
Abstract:
Process of providing polyacrylamides to a site-of-use comprising at least the steps of mixing a polyacrylamide powder at a manufacturing site with an aqueous liquid, thereby obtaining a homogeneous aqueous polyacrylamide concentrate, transporting said concentrate in a transport unit from the manufacturing site to the site-of-use, and removing the homogeneous aqueous concentrate from the transport unit at the site-of-use. Process of treating subterranean, oil and/or gas bearing formations by injecting an aqueous treatment fluid into at least one wellbore, wherein the aqueous treatment fluid is manufactured by mixing at least an aqueous base fluid with said homogeneous aqueous polyacrylamide concentrate at the site-of-use.
Abstract:
Process of fracturing subterranean, oil-and/or gas-bearing formations by injecting an aqueous fracturing fluid into a wellbore at a rate and pressure sufficient to penetrate into the formation, and to initiate or extend fractures in the formation, wherein the aqueous fracturing fluid is obtained by mixing at least an aqueous base fluid and an aqueous polyacrylamide concentrate having a concentration of 3.1 to 14.9% by weight of polyacrylamides, relating to the total of all components of the aqueous polyacrylamide concentrate, and wherein at least a part of the aqueous fracturing fluid injected additionally comprises a proppant.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for the production of crude oil from subterranean, oil-bearing formations comprising at least the following steps of providing an aqueous surfactant composition comprising water and a surfactant mixture, injecting said surfactant composition into the subterranean, oil-bearing formation through at least one injection well, thereby reducing the crude oil-water interfacial tension to less than 0.1 mN/m, and withdrawing crude oil from the formation through at least one production well, wherein the surfactant mixture comprises at least a surfactant (A) having the general formula R1—O—(CH2CH(R2)O)a—(CH2CH(CH3)O)b—(CH2CH2O)c—R3—Y−M+ (I) and a solubility enhancer (B) having the general formula R4—O—(CH2CH(CH3)O)x—(CH2CH2O)y—R3—Y−M+ (II), wherein R1 to R4, a, b, c, x, y, Y and M have the meaning as defined the the description and claims. The invention further relates to said aqueous surfactant composition and methods for preparing the same as well as the use of solubility enhancer (B) for enhancing the solubility of anionic surfactant (A).
Abstract:
Compositions and methods of synthesis of anionic surfactants by alkoxylation of a Guerbet alcohol (GA) having 12 to 36 carbon atoms using butylene oxide, and optionally propylene oxide and/or ethylene oxide followed by the incorporation of a terminal anionic group are described herein. The GA of the present invention is made by a facile and inexpensive method that involves high temperature base catalyzed dimerization of alcohols with 6 to 18 carbon atoms. The large hydrophobe ether surfactants of the present invention find uses in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications where it is used for solubilization and mobilization of oil and for environmental cleanup. Further, the hydrophobe alkoxylated GA without anionic terminal group can be used as an ultra-high molecular weight non-ionic surfactant.