Zingiberales Extract ZE: A Locally Sourced Natural Compound as Gas Hydrate Inhibitor

Abstract

Gas hydrates are impediments to flow of gas and oil and its avoidance and mitigation is key to oil and gas operators. Mitigation via chemical controls is more suitable for marine environments. The effectiveness of 2wt% of an extract from the plant order, Zingiberales has been compared to that of Mono-Ethylene Glycol in a simulated offshore laboratory mini flow loop of 0.5-inch ID. The results from final pressure shows the value of ZE to be 107 psi while that of the MEG was 99 psi. The ∆P for ZE was 43 psi while that of MEG was 51 psi. The difference in ∆P was 8psi more than that of MEG. The Inhibition Capacity (%) values showed ZE to have performed better with a value of 62.28% while that of MEG was 55.26%. ZE had an Inhibition Capacity that was 7.02% more than that of MEG which is mostly imported and is termed a toxic alcohol, meaning that it is both human and environmentally hazardous. ZE therefore should be considered for development as a gas hydrate inhibitor.