公开(公告)号：US20230020005A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-19

申请号：US17949433

申请日：2022-09-21

Applicant: STEPAN COMPANY

Inventor： Yongling Ginger REN ,  Aaron SANDERS ,  Jonathan MOHANDESSI

IPC: C09K8/035 ,  E21B21/06

Abstract: A demulsified composition comprising a clear oil phase comprising hydrocarbons, a clear brine phase comprising up to 5 wt. % of a diethanolamine-based C8-C18 alkanolamide demulsifying agent, and a water-wetted solid phase.

公开(公告)号：US20200182031A1

公开(公告)日：2020-06-11

申请号：US16781608

申请日：2020-02-04

Applicant: Stepan Company

Inventor： Aaron SANDERS ,  Gregory P. DADO ,  Brian HOLLAND ,  Xue Min DONG ,  E. Carolina ROJAS

IPC: E21B43/24 ,  E21B43/30 ,  C09K8/584

Abstract: Methods for making efficient use of steam in a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process for recovering heavy oils from tar sands and similar petroleum deposits are disclosed. The methods utilize a surfactant to generate steam foam in ways that maximize efficient use of steam. In some aspects, steam foam is used in water layers or gas caps that reside above steam chambers to prevent loss of steam from the steam chamber. The predominant use of relatively dry steam in SAGD processes makes it challenging to find ways to introduce surfactants and generate steam foam. However, decreasing the mobility of the steam by converting at least some of it to foam allows the wellbore and steam chambers above the injection site to be more fully developed, provides for more effective heat transfer to the heavy oil and rock, improves production, and allows recovery of the heavy oil with a minimum amount of steam usage.

公开(公告)号：US20230272267A1

公开(公告)日：2023-08-31

申请号：US18018139

申请日：2021-06-24

Applicant: Stepan Company

Inventor： Alhad PHATAK ,  Yonglin REN ,  Brian SEYMOUR-LOYA ,  Aaron SANDERS

IPC: C09K8/80

CPC classification number: C09K8/80 ,  C09K2208/28

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing method is disclosed. A small proportion of a nonionic surfactant is used in combination with an acrylamide polymer emulsion friction reducer, the proppant, and the base water to boost the viscosity of the fracturing fluid. The nonionic surfactant has a calculated HLB within the range of 10 to 17. The nonionic surfactants include selected aralkylated phenol ethoxylates, amine or amidoamine ethoxylates, mixed EO/PO alcohol alkoxylates, ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated amides, and alkylphenol ethoxylates. The nonionic surfactant boosts the viscosity of the fracturing fluid, promotes proppant transfer, and enables more-efficient hydrocarbon production.

公开(公告)号：US20210115315A1

公开(公告)日：2021-04-22

申请号：US17133320

申请日：2020-12-23

Applicant: STEPAN COMPANY

Inventor： Yongling Ginger REN ,  Aaron SANDERS ,  Jonathan MOHANDESSI

IPC: C09K8/035

Abstract: A method for demulsifying a recovered drilling fluid is disclosed. A recovered drilling fluid is first combined with dilution water and a diethanolamine-based C8-C18 alkanolamide demulsifying agent. The recovered drilling fluid comprises hydrocarbons, a brine having at least 25% total dissolved solids, an emulsifier, and undissolved oil-wetted solids. In a second step, the mixture is separated, or is allowed to separate, into three distinct phases, including a clear oil phase comprising the hydrocarbons, a clear brine phase, and a water-wetted solid phase. Compositions suitable for use as demulsifiers and demulsified compositions are also disclosed. The alkanolamide demulsifying agents enable rapid, clean separation of phases and efficient recovery of 80% or more of the oil phase from the recovered drilling fluid