Study of the efficiency of demulsifiers application in combination with corrosion inhibitors for cost reduction purposes

Consumption of corrosion inhibitors and demulsifiers in different oil fields can range from 60 to 100 % of total amount of oilfield chemicals used during oil production and treatment processes. Thereby, it is very important to study the effects of corrosion inhibitors on demulsification process and to select efficient combinations of demulsifiers and corrosion inhibitors to achieve a synergetic effect. The paper presents the results of studies aimed at determination of the effects of corrosion inhibitors TN-IK-8 and SNPKh-6201A on the performance of demulsifiers Khimtekhno-118A2, TN-DE-10A, Khimtekhno-118M3, TN-DEIK-5, TN-DE-16 and TN-DE-2A during breaking of oil emulsions of Devonian and Carboniferous deposits. Research findings enabled determination of various combinations of corrosion inhibitors and demulsifiers at appropriate dosages and settling temperatures. It was found that the sequence in which chemicals are added in many cases influences the efficiency of demulsification process, and should be selected for each particular demulsifier and inhibitor brand product. To reduce the consumption and, consequently, demulsifier costs, the most beneficial combinations of demulsifiers and corrosion inhibitors were selected for application in oil gathering systems. Application of certain combinations of corrosion inhibitors and demulsifiers in the oil gathering system can ensure 2 to 31 % reduction in demulsifier consumption while maintaining appropriate demulsifier performance. Final recommendations for possible percent reduction of demulsifier dosages when combined with corrosion inhibitors can be provided after pilot tests.

References

1. Tronov V.P., Promyslovaya podgotovka nefti (Field oil treatment), Kazan’: Fen Publ., 2000, 416 p.

2. Akhmetshina E.I. et al., Study of compatibility of demulsifiers and corrosion inhibitors (In Russ.), Interval, 2005, no. 6, pp. 46–48.

3. Ibragimov G.Z., Khisamutdinov N.I., Spravochnoye posobiye po primeneniyu khimicheskikh reagentov v dobyche nefti (Handbook on the use of chemical reagents in oil production), Moscow: Nedra Publ., 1983, 312 p.

4. Volkov A.A. et al., Some aspects relating to breaking of stable water-in-oil emulsions (In Russ.), Neftepromyslovoye delo, 2013, no. 5, pp. 40–42.