Acrolein Provides Benefits and Solutions to Offshore Oilfield Production Problems

摘要

Offshore production systems can be negatively impacted by numerous problems attributed to bacterial activity, associated hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and biogenic iron sulfides (FexSy), and mercaptan (R-SH) production. Examples of these problems include microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), under-deposit corrosion due to FexSy deposition, equipment fouling due to biomass accumulation, impaired oil-water separation leading to poor water quality and overboard oil-in-water problems, and not achieving pipeline specification due to excess H2S and/or R-SH content. Acrolein provides a distinctive all-in-one chemical solution to resolving these problems. The key to this solution is four- fold: Acrolein scavenges H2S, it scavenges R-SH, it is a potent microbiocide, and it dissolves FexSy. This paper details the usage of acrolein in the context of an offshore application with respect to the issues and problems unique to an offshore environment. Acrolein treatment programs can provide effective production odor control and achieve pipeline specifications from both an H2S and R-SH scavenging perspective. The unique dual solubility of acrolein in oil and water enables it to penetrate and remove oil-coated FexSy solids and sessile bacteria from production systems. Due to its low minimum inhibitory concentration, acrolein provides cost-effective biocide treatment not only in batch applications but also in continuous treatment programs. Well-established application protocols using a closed delivery system minimize potential chemical exposure, an important HSE consideration. Acrolein's high order of reactivity and biodegradability lends itself well to usage in a sensitive offshore environment. A series of case histories are presented that highlight the benefits of using acrolein in offshore systems to mitigate related production problems. Multiple benefits can be realized with the application of one product.