Title:
A GAS LIFT METHOD WITH SURFACTANT INJECTION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2002092963
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for optimizing gas lift operations in the production of crude oil. A surfactant is injected with the lift gas into the an oil well such that the surface tension between the lift gas and the formation fluid being produced is reduced and/or a lift gas-formation fluid foam is formed. The reduction in surface tension and/or foam formation increases the efficiency of the lift gas for lifting the formation fluid to the surface. The surfactant is selected to minimize corrosion. Exemplary surfactants include those in the group consisting of ethoxylated alcohols and all salts thereof, ethoxylated alkyl phenols and all salts thereof, ethoxylated amines and all salts thereof, alkyl ether sulfates and all salts thereof, all betaines and all salts thereof, all sultaines and all salts thereof, perfluorinated polyurethanes, and mixtures thereof.
Inventors:
RAMACHANDRAN SUNDER (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2002/015531
Publication Date:
November 21, 2002
Filing Date:
May 15, 2002
Export Citation:
Assignee:
BAKER HUGHES INC (US)
RAMACHANDRAN SUNDER (US)
RAMACHANDRAN SUNDER (US)
International Classes:
C09K8/584; C09K8/594; E21B43/12; (IPC1-7): E21B43/12; E21B43/22
Foreign References:
| US2168116A | 1939-08-01 | |||
| US3750753A | 1973-08-07 | |||
| US4016932A | 1977-04-12 | |||
| US4501673A | 1985-02-26 | |||
| US4457375A | 1984-07-03 | |||
| US4813484A | 1989-03-21 | |||
| EP0014267A1 | 1980-08-20 | |||
| US3963377A | 1976-06-15 | |||
| US5871048A | 1999-02-16 |
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