New Gas Hydrate Inhibitors for Deepwater Drilling Fluids

摘要

Low density gas hydrate suppressive drilling fluids have been developed for deepwater applications. These fluids utilize low molecular weight organic compounds for gas hydrate inhibition. Fluid densities as low as 9.1lb/gal can be designed for fluids with gas hydrate suppression greater than 30 deg F relative to water. These fluids are especially suited for use when low fracture gradients are encountered while drilling intervals where gas hydrate formation in the drilling fluid is possible. In addition, these additives provide greater gas hydrate suppression to drilling fluids than that provided by conventional thermodynamic gas hydrate inhibitors.