The production process of oil and gas requires varying chemical compounds at different stages. These chemical additives improve the efficiency of production, pro tecting infrastructure such as wells and pipes. Production chemicals are used at different stages, often requiring a combination of additives to ensure the smooth flow of oil.
In what stages are production chemicals applied?
At the oil field
The chemicals used within oil fields are needed for drilling and cementing. Crude oil is prone to the deposition of asphaltenes, wax hydrates, and scale and must be checked during outflow. Moreover, the separation of natural gas and water from the oil occurs during this phase, and production chemicals are needed for treatment.
During transportation
Oil is transported either through pipeline systems or tankers. Applied chemicals help with the oil flow in pipelines by reducing drag.
Post-production
Here, chemicals help to prevent bacteria formation, scale formation, wax deposition, and H2S formation. They keep the petroleum stable as it is ferried from the drilling point to the refinery for conversion to products.
5 types of chemicals
Scale and deposit control chemicals
These chemicals protect pipelines, valves, pumps, and any other channel through which petroleum flows from restriction by scale formation. They are also used to prevent scale formation in water treatment systems. Oil field scale includes calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, and iron sulfide. The antiscalants will prevent extreme effects such as increased temperature, increased hardness, and increased dissolved solids.
Microbial control chemicals
Biocides are used to manage aerobic and anaerobic, sulfate-reducing, and acid-producing bacteria in the oil reservoir system. They protect the system from microbial-facilitated corrosion and will handle effects such as scale, acid formation, slime, and emission of harmful gases.
Corrosion inhibitors
Corrosion is one of the major challenges causing the deterioration of oil and gas industry assets. It results from the action of water, carbon dioxide, microbial activity, and hydrogen sulfide. Oil and gas corrosion inhibitors will be applied in the refinery, in the pipeline, gas plants, barges, and reinjection wells. The use of these inhibitors will ultimately extend the life of your assets, such as the pipelines and storage tasks, ultimately leading to lowered costs.
Emulsion control chemicals
Oil in its natural state is an emulsion of gas, water, and oil. Production chemicals help to separate these components and keep them separated at tank bottoms, disposal wells, and in water treatment.
H2S mitigation chemicals
H2S occurs naturally in crude oil and is also generated in refineries. Oil and gas production chemicals applied in storage tanks, pipelines, and other transportation assets absorb and oxidize the gas, leaving it in a state that can be filtered and removed if still in the petroleum.
Chemicals used in the production of petroleum are many, each with its purpose along the system. They are often not used in isolation, as the assets may be at risk of multiple challenges at the same time, requiring a blend of chemical solutions. Be careful to get your production chemicals from a reliable and trusted supplier such as Flatirons Chemicals, so you are assured safety and effectiveness of the products.