Elemental sulfur deposition and mitigation in sour gas petroleum reservoirs

摘要

There is an inherent problem of controlling elemental sulfur (S8) formation and deposition issues in sour gas pipeline production operations [1]. This can be attributed to the scant knowledge available on Ss source formation mechanisms via thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) and reactions in sour-gas reservoirs [2]. Reactions of reduced hydrogen sulfur (H2S), elemental sulfur (Ss), and their intermediate sulfur compounds such as polysulfide (S-N~(2-)) are difficult to control, because of their variable non-linear behavior, exotic thermodynamic stability, and reactions in sour gas reservoirs. During natural gas production operations, Ss may occur in pipelines through desublimation and reduction-oxidation (redox) transformation of sulfur species in natural gas, where it changes into a solid state thereby (i) reducing the quality of natural gas (NG) produced per day, (ii) plugging pressure control devices and compressors, and (Hi) eventual shutdown of natural gas plants. One of the most difficult problems facing operators and engineers in the hydrocarbon industry is how to economically control and prevent its deposition in natural gas pipelines M. Recent solubility's studies have shown heavy diesel oil (HDO) to be the solvent of choice to treat Ss deposition in gas reservoirs.