Gas Well Deliquification Workshop Sheraton Hotel, February 17 20, 2013 Correlating Laboratory Approaches to Foamer Product Selectione Shane Rorex, R&D Group Leader Foamers/Defoamers
Outline Definition of Dynamic Surface Tension (DST) Measuring DST of various foamer chemistries on two synthetic brines Correlating DST with foam test results Conclusions 2
Dynamic Surface Tension (Bubble Pressure Method) The dynamic surface tension can be measured as the relationship between the maximum pressure inside the capillary tube, the hydrostatic pressure inside the capillary, and the inner radius of the capillary. The relationship can be expressed using the equation below: After foam testing, the dynamic diffusion behavior and surface tension of each σ = P max P 0 r of the three surfactants were 2 tested and observed using the bubble pressure method. These measurements were taken using a σ = surface tension dynes/cm P max = maximum pressure in the capillary P 0= hydrostatic pressure in the capillary 3
Dynamic Surface Tension (DST) Dynamic Surface Tension (DST) of various foamer chemistries is important for selecting a foamer based on dynamic diffusion behavior Dynamic Surface Tension (DST) has been helpful in determining effective foamer chemistries prior to conducting field testing. Dynamic Surface Tension (DST) is not a substitute for conducting foam tests on live fluids 4
Dynamic Surface Tension (DST) Dynamic Surface Tension (DST) measurements were performed using a Kruss BP100 bubble pressure tensiometer 5
Foam Testing Procedure Hamilton Beach Malt Mixer Pour 200 ml of produced fluid or synthetic brine into blender cup A pre-determined volume of foamer is added to represent the treatment rate tested Blending is carried out for 30 seconds, and the foam is transferred to a 1,000 ml graduated cylinder Foam height is observed and reported in ml Half-life is the time at which 100 ml of the produced fluid have separated back out of the foam. Half-life is observed and reported in seconds Feb. 27 - Mar. 2, 2011 2011 Gas Well Deliquification Workshop 6
Synthetic Brines tested from Field Water Analyses Brine #1 Haynesville Shale Brine #2 Grand Junction, CO 7
Brine #1- Haynesville Shale Ammonium Lauryl Ether Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 8
Brine #1- Haynesville Shale Cocamidopropyl betaine showed the best performance for Brine #1 These surfactant molecules diffused to the liquid/air interface rapidly Surface tension for brine #1 was the lowest when used with cocamidopropyl betaine 9
Foam Test Results (Foam Height/Half-Life) Brine #1- Haynesville 10
Brine #1- Haynesville Shale Cocamidopropyl betaine showed the best performance on foam tests Cocamidopropyl betaine produced a superior foam height when used on Brine #1. Cocamidopropyl betaine produced the most stable foam represented by the longest half-life 11
Brine #2- Grand Junction, CO 12
Brine #2 Grand Junction, CO Ammonium Lauryl Ether Sulfate demonstrated the best performance for Brine #2 C12 Olefin Sulfonate was similar in performance These surfactant molecules diffused to the liquid/air interface rapidly compared to the other surfactants Surface tension for brine #2 was the lowest when used with Ammonium Lauryl Ether Sulfate 13
Foam Test Results (Foam Height/Half-Life) Brine #2 Grand Junction, CO 14
Brine #2 Grand Junction, CO C12 Olefin Sulfonate produced a slightly higher foam height Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate produced the most stable foam represented by the longest half-life Both surfactants compared very closely on performance as demonstrated by dynamic surface tension and foam testing 15
Conclusions Dynamic Surface Tension (DST) measurements on synthetic brine can be correlated to foam testing results In addition to aiding in product selection, Dynamic Surface Tension (DST) measurements can also be for new product formulation. 16
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