Multiple Recovery and Re-Use of Commercial Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitors from Produced Water and Rich Glycol

Abstract

Kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs) offer an alternative to traditional thermodynamic hydrate inhibitors (THIs) for the prevention of gas hydrates. KHIs have several advantages over THIs, such as lower required volumes, easier logistics and reduced CAPEX. However, KHIs are once through chemicals leading to increased OPEX, are mostly non-biodegradable and therefore cannot be discharged to sea or disposal wells in fear of aquifer pollution. KHIs can also lead to fouling of process equipment, especially at elevated temperatures. To resolve these issues, a new KHI polymer removal method using a solvent extraction-based technique has been developed. In this approach, an immiscible extraction fluid is mixed into the KHI containing aqueous phase where the KHI polymer partitions into the extraction fluid, which can then be separated from the aqueous phase. In some cases, the KHI separated this way can be re-used. This process has the potential to solve problems with KHI produced water treatment/disposal, including where KHI is used in combination with MEG, reducing the costs and process fouling and protecting the environment. A new joint industry project (JIP) is underway with the aim of developing the concept into a commercial process for removal and possible re-use of KHIs upstream of PW treatment or MEG Regeneration systems. The first phase of this project is lab scale evaluation of the solvent extraction method for simulated removal and re-use of two commercial KHI formulations for a real gas-condensate field case. Both the removal efficiency and hydrate inhibition performance of 4 cycles of re-injected/re-used KHI has been successfully demonstrated. Removal of KHI from a real MEG system case was also successfully demonstrated. In the second phase of the JIP, lab scale tests were used to screen extraction and separation equipment and identify optimum process conditions. The upcoming third phase of this JIP is dedicated to demonstrating the selected process concept(s) on pilot scale in a flow loop. In this proceeding we will give highlights of the early laboratory test results from a produced water case where two field qualified KHIs are removed from PW and reused 4 times, still showing adequate hydrate inhibition performance. Successful pilot tests will confirm the operability of this process in the field.