Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to hydroxyalkylurethanes obtained from the reaction of amines and alkylene carbonates and their use in gas hydrate inhibitor compositions to effectively inhibit gas hydrate formation in a crude hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: A methane transportation system is provided. The system may include a methane source configured to dispense methane at a first location, and an underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle may include a propulsion system configured to transport the underwater vehicle underwater from the first location to a second location and a vessel defining a storage chamber configured to receive water and the methane from the methane source. The storage chamber of the vessel may have a pressure exceeding one atmosphere and a temperature during transport from the first location to the second location sufficient to form methane clathrate in the storage chamber. The system may further include a methane receiver configured to receive the methane released from the storage chamber at the second location. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: An offshore methane hydrate production assembly (1), having a tubing (41) extending into a subsea well (5) that extends down to a methane hydrate formation (7) below the seabed (3). A submersible pump (45) is arranged in the tubing (41). A methane conduit (35,35) extends down from a surface installation (49). A well control package (15) landed on a wellhead (13) is positioned at the upper end of the subsea well (5). Moreover, an emergency disconnection package (25) is arranged between the methane conduit (35,135) and the well control package (15). The tubing (41) is suspended from the well control package (15). Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating components of a gas. A feed gas stream is passed into a vessel. The feed gas stream includes methane, carbon dioxide, and water. The feed gas stream is cooled in the vessel such that a portion of the methane and a portion of the carbon dioxide condense and a portion of the water desublimates, resulting in a product stream and a depleted gas stream exiting the vessel.

Abstract: Clathrate hydrates and methods of their production and separation are described herein. Methods of using the clathrate hydrates for energy storage are also described herein. Further described herein are hydrogen storage devices.

Abstract: A sink is configured to attach to a bottom surface of a flowline that is configured to flow a mixture of at least two immiscible fluids. One of the immiscible fluids is water. The water is more dense than the other of the at least two immiscible fluids. An outlet formed at a bottom portion of the sink. A valve system is connected to the opening. The valve system is configured to open the outlet in response to the water occupying at least a portion of the sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating an aqueous solution from a subterranean formation of an oil and gas operation. The aqueous solution can be removed from the subterranean formation and treated in a heated centrifugal separator. The heated centrifugal separator can separate the kinetic hydrate inhibitor from the aqueous solution, and then the aqueous solution can be reintroduced into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to vehicles with reduced emissions. More particularly, this disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses related to vehicles with reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The carbon dioxide emissions may be stored in a carbon dioxide clathrate.

Abstract: Saturated and unsaturated carboxylic fatty acids and alkylamine salts, alkyl esters and alkyl amide derivatives of these fatty acids are effective in improving the lubricity of hydrate inhibitor formulations, thereby effectively reducing the level of wear on moving parts of a pump under a load during pumping of the hydrate inhibitor formulation, for instance into an umbilical for a subsea hydrocarbon production operation.

Abstract: A method of treating natural gas to remove contaminants is described. An input natural gas is mixed with water causing formation of CO2 hydrates and CH4 hydrates. A natural gas having a reduced CO2 concentration, and a water-hydrate mixture comprising the CO2 hydrates and CH4 hydrates, is output. The water-hydrate mixture is exposed to CO2 gas forming a CO2—CH4 gas mixture and a residual hydrate mixture. The CO2—CH4 gas mixture is recycled to remove CH4. The residual hydrate mixture is treated to produce H2O which can be recycled for use in forming the water-hydrate mixture, and gaseous CO2 for use in use in stripping CH4 from the CH4 hydrates of the water-hydrate mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and a method for manufacturing a natural gas hydrate. Provided is the device for manufacturing a natural gas hydrate comprising: an ice slurry generation unit for preparing ice slurry having 13-20% of ice at normal pressure; a first pipe, having one end connected to the ice slurry generation unit for withdrawing the ice slurry from the ice slurry generation unit, and in which a high-pressure pump for increasing pressure on the ice slurry is interposed; a hydrate preparation reactor, which is connected to the other end of the first pipe so as to receive the pressurized ice slurry, and to which natural gas is supplied and mixed, for generating natural gas hydrate slurry; a second pipe, having one end connected to the hydrate preparation reactor, for withdrawing the natural gas hydrate slurry; and a dehydrating portion, which is connected to the other end of the second pipe, for dehydrating the natural gas hydrate slurry.

Abstract: Electrocoagulation may be used to reduce the concentration of hydrate inhibitors in produced water. For example, a method may include producing a fluid from a subterranean formation, the fluid comprising petroleum hydrocarbons and water, the water having an organic material that includes hydrate inhibitors dispersed therein, wherein the hydrate inhibitors are at a concentration of about 30 ppm or greater in the water; separating the petroleum hydrocarbons from the water and the organic material; and separating at least some of the organic material from the water via electrocoagulation to yield an effluent water and a coagulated organic material.

Abstract: A method for treating a flow of fluid hydrocarbons containing water includes introducing the flow of fluid hydrocarbons into a first separator and separating at least free water from said flow of fluid hydrocarbons, wherein a remainder of said fluid hydrocarbon flow is introduced into a system converting free/condensed water in the fluid hydrocarbon flow in said system to gas hydrates, and providing at least a first fluid flow and a second fluid flow, wherein said first fluid flow is a liquid phase including gas hydrates, said first fluid flow is recycled into the first separator, and wherein the second fluid flow has a content of dry gas and/or condensate/oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ionic liquid compound that inhibits a formation of a gas hydrate. The compound of the present invention changes an equilibrium temperature and pressure of a gas hydrate in small quantity into a lower temperature and/or a higher pressure, and simultaneously retards the formation of the gas hydrate under the same environment. Thus, the compound of the present invention is used in oil and natural gas industries to effectively inhibit or delay the formation of the gas hydrate under the condition having a low temperature and a high pressure.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting hydrates in a fluid comprising water and gas comprising adding to the fluid an effective hydrate-inhibiting amount of a composition comprising one or more copolymers of N-alkyl(alkyl)acrylamide monomers and one or more cationic monomers selected from acid and alkyl chloride quaternary salts of N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylates and N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylamides.

Abstract: The operation of a plant for producing a gas hydrate is stabilized by making the gas phase within a downstream step have the same equilibrium composition as that of the gas phase within a generation step. The gas phase within a mixed-gas hydrate generation step is circulated to the gas phase within a downstream step located downstream of the mixed-gas hydrate generation step, and the gas phase within each step is thereby made to have the same equilibrium composition as that of the gas phase within the generation step.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an LS methane hydrate containing a plurality of methane hydrate crystals and lignosulfonate. The disclosure also provides a method of making an LS methane hydrate by combining methane gas, liquid or solid water, and LS at controlled temperature and starting pressure for a time sufficient to form LS methane hydrate. The disclosure further provides a method of producing energy from an LS methane hydrate by providing an LS methane hydrate directly to a combustion chamber, whereby methane in the methane hydrate and LS are converted to energy in the combustion chamber and water in the methane hydrate is converted to steam. The disclosure additionally provides a method of releasing methane from an LS methane hydrate by heating an LS methane hydrate.

Abstract: Inhibiting gas hydrate formation while transporting hydrocarbon fluids may include providing a kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor, adding the kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor to a fluid capable of producing gas hydrates, and transporting the fluid that comprises the kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor. Generally a kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor may include a heterocyclic compound comprising nitrogen, e.g., poly(vinyl pyrrolidone).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus comprising a reactor body to which gas and water are supplied to create a gas hydrate; an upper cover which is engaged to an upper portion of the reactor body, a scraper mounted rotationally within the reactor body, and a motor for providing a driving force to the scraper. It is possible to remove gas hydrate particles attached to at least one of an inner surface of the reactor body and an inner surface of the upper cover, by a rotary driving of the scraper. According to the invention, it is possible to prevent a material hindering a heat transfer by attaching on a wall surface of the reactor, through a process of scraping out gas hydrate particles, when the scraper which is rotationally driven about a center axis of the reactor is close to the inner surface of the reactor.

Abstract: Controlling the formation of crystalline hydrates in various fluid systems, most notably, gas and oil transmission pipeline systems by contacting the systems with certain polymers or polymers associated with solid particles. The polymers useful are chelating polymers capable of interacting with charged gaseous molecules such as carbon dioxide, by removing the carbon dioxide, or more practically by scavenging for the carbon dioxide, to prevent the methane or ethane hydrate structures from forming since they require carbon dioxide to stabilize their structures.

Abstract: Anti-agglomerants for gas hydrates, comprising alkoxylated and/or acylated non-quaternary nitrogen-containing compounds, method for inhibiting the agglomeration of gas hydrates in a conduit, and compositions comprising the gas hydrate anti-agglomerant, a corrosion inhibitor and/or a paraffin deposition inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a specific group of alkoxylated and/or acylated non-quaternary nitrogen-containing compounds as anti-agglomerants for gas hydrates. The invention also relates to a method for inhibiting the agglomeration of gas hydrates in a conduit, and compositions comprising the gas hydrate anti-agglomerant, a corrosion inhibitor and/or a paraffin deposition inhibitor.

Abstract: A gas hydrate is produced by injecting guest molecules into voids in a layer of which temperature and pressure condition allows the guest molecules to cause to form hydrate, in a form of emulsion where liquid of the guest molecules is dispersed in water as minute particles having a size of less than a size of voids, and thereby dispersing the guest molecules uniformly into the voids in the layer.

Abstract: A method for reducing one or more additives in a gaseous hydrocarbon stream (40) such as natural gas, comprising the steps of: (a) admixing an initial hydrocarbon feed stream (10) with one or more additives (20) to provide a multiphase hydrocarbon stream (30); (b) passing the multiphase hydrocarbon stream (30) from a first location (A) to a second location (B2); (c) at the second location (B2), passing the multiphase hydrocarbon stream (30) through a separator (22) to provide one or more liquid streams (50) comprising the majority of the one or more additives, and a gaseous hydrocarbon stream (40) comprising the remainder of the one or more additives; and (d) washing the gaseous hydrocarbon stream (40) in a decontamination unit (24) with a washing stream (60), wherein the washing stream (60) comprises distilled water, to provide an additive-enriched stream (70) and an additive-reduced hydrocarbon stream (80).

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a successive gas hydrate manufacturing method, without hydration after generating gas hydrate slurry, capable of operating with a higher conversion rate and relatively low hydrate generation pressure and reducing a product cost by decreasing the number of processing steps for removing heat of reaction, for which the total exothermic value downs due to no need of latent heat according to a phase change rather than the case of generating a gas hydrate directly from a water solution, as well as making gas diffusion easier during reaction of generation and maximizing a contact area between water and gas to increase a gas capture rate and shorten the total hydrate generation time.

Abstract: Provided is a process and an apparatus for producing at low cost gas hydrate pellets having an excellent storability. A gas hydrate generated from a raw-material gas and raw-material water is dewatered and simultaneously molded into pellets with compression-molding means under conditions suitable for generating the gas hydrate while the gas hydrate is generated from the raw-material gas and the raw-material water that exist among particles of the gas hydrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for continuously producing and pelletizing gas hydrates. The apparatus includes a gas supply unit, a water supply unit and a reactor. Gas and water are respectively supplied from the gas supply unit and the water supply unit into the reactor. The gas and water react with each other in the reactor. The reactor includes a dual cylinder unit which forms a gas hydrate in such a way as to squeeze a slurry of reaction water formed by the reaction between the gas and water. The dual cylinder unit includes an upper cylinder, a lower cylinder and a connection pipe which connects the upper cylinder to the lower cylinder. The connection pipe has passing holes through which the reaction water in the reactor flows into and out of the connection pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a gaseous clathrate has a closed reaction vessel to which are fed a reaction gas and a reaction liquid while an interior of the vessel is maintained at a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature so that the gaseous clathrate is formed in the vessel. An outlet nozzle on the vessel defines a flow passage opening into the vessel and having an inner wall surface extending between an inner inlet end inside the vessel and an outer outlet end. The passage extends along an axis, is rotation-symmetrical about the axis, and is of decreasing flow cross section from its inner end to its outer end. The inner wall surface is curved in an S-shape from the inner end to the outer end so that pressure in the vessel forces the formed clathrate out through the passage with increasing compression as the flow cross section decreases.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and a method for manufacturing a natural gas hydrate. Provided is the device for manufacturing a natural gas hydrate comprising: an ice slurry generation unit for preparing ice slurry having 13-20% of ice at normal pressure; a first pipe, having one end connected to the ice slurry generation unit for withdrawing the ice slurry from the ice slurry generation unit, and in which a high-pressure pump for increasing pressure on the ice slurry is interposed; a hydrate preparation reactor, which is connected to the other end of the first pipe so as to receive the pressurized ice slurry, and to which natural gas is supplied and mixed, for generating natural gas hydrate slurry; a second pipe, having one end connected to the hydrate preparation reactor, for withdrawing the natural gas hydrate slurry; and a dehydrating portion, which is connected to the other end of the second pipe, for dehydrating the natural gas hydrate slurry.

Abstract: Process for the removal/reduction of the hydrogen sulfide contained in natural gas which comprises: a) feeding natural gas and water to a reaction vessel maintained under thermodynamic conditions favorable for the formation of H2S hydrates and substantially at the production pressure of natural gas; b) discharging the H2S hydrates, from the bottom of the reaction vessel; c) optionally melting the hydrates and re-injecting water and/or gas comprising hydrogen sulfide and/or the hydrates as such into the same production field or into a geologically equivalent structure; and d) optionally feeding the remaining natural gas to a conventional softening process.

Abstract: A gasification apparatus is provided which enables gas hydrate pellets to be transported and gasified in the same vessel and enables a gas to be generated by pellet decomposition in a controlled amount. The apparatus is free from bridging. The apparatus includes a heat-in-saluted vessel main body and, disposed therein, a tubular structure which is open at the top and bottom. This tubular structure holds therein gas hydrate pellets obtained by compression-molding a gas hydrate produced by the hydration reaction of a raw-material gas with raw-material water. The tubular structure becomes wider in diameter from the upper opening toward the lower opening. A channel for passing a heat carrier therethrough has been disposed between the lower end of the tubular structure and the inner bottom surface of the vessel main body.

Abstract: A method for reducing one or more additives in a gaseous hydrocarbon stream (40) such as natural gas, comprising the steps of: (a) admixing an initial hydrocarbon feed stream (10) with one or more additives (20) to provide a multiphase hydrocarbon stream (30); (b) passing the multiphase hydrocarbon stream (30) from a first location (A) to a second location (B2); (c) at the second location (B2), passing the multiphase hydrocarbon stream (30) through a separator (22) to provide one or more liquid streams (50) comprising the majority of the one or more additives, and a gaseous hydrocarbon stream (40) comprising the remainder of the one or more additives; and (d) washing the gaseous hydrocarbon stream (40) in a decontamination unit (24) with a washing stream (60), wherein the washing stream (60) comprises distilled water, to provide an additive-enriched stream (70) and an additive-reduced hydrocarbon stream (80).

Abstract: Method for reducing loss of flow due to hydrate solids deposits and wax deposition in a pipeline without the aid of chemicals and system for transporting a flow of wellstream hydrocarbons containing water, using a main pipeline and a cold-flow reactor connected to the main pipeline or within or forming a part of the pipeline, wherein at least a portion of the wellstream is fed to the cold-flow reactor. Also provided is a method for preventing hydrate nucleation and growth in a pipeline and preventing hydrate agglomeration as well as for preventing wax deposition. The provided method eliminates the use of energized equipment for melting, grinding or scraping hydrate solids from inside of pipelines or flowlines. Generating dry hydrates to be mixed with main flow of a wellstream is also described.

Abstract: New tertiary amine salts are useful as gas hydrate inhibitors in oil and gas production and transportation. These tertiary amine salts give very good separation from an emulsion, are economic and have reduced toxicity concerns.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for continuously producing and dehydrating gas hydrates. The apparatus includes a gas source, a water source, a reactor, a spinning wheel, and a centrifugal separator. The gas source and the water source are connected to the reactor. Gas and water are respectively supplied from the gas source and the water source into the reactor and react with each other in the reactor to form gas hydrate slurry. The spinning wheel and the centrifugal separator are provided in the reactor. The spinning wheel supplies the formed gas hydrate slurry to the centrifugal separator. The centrifugal separator dehydrates the gas hydrate slurry. Water removed from the gas hydrate slurry by the dehydration of the centrifugal separator is re-supplied into the reactor.

Abstract: A gas hydrate slurry dewatering apparatus adapted to feed a raw as into a cylindrical main body of dewatering column so gas to attain pressuriation and so suction any gas from the interior of a drainage chamber disposed around the cylindrical main body so as to attain depressurization. An internal tube (8) as a constituent of a dewatering apparatus (6) in which the gas hydrate slurry (S) is introduced is provided with a separating section (7). A drainage chamber (10) is formed by the internal tube (8) and, disposed with a given spacing therefrom, an external tube (9). An exhaust blower (B2) and a drainage pump (P2) are connected to the drainage chamber (10). A gas feed blower (B3) for a raw gas (G1) is connected to the internal tube (8). A differential pressure detector (x1) is provided for detecting any pressure difference between the interior of the internal tube (8) and the interior of the drainage chamber (10).

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for forming gas hydrates from a two-phase mixture of water and a hydrate forming gas. The two-phase mixture is created in a mixing zone which may be wholly included within the body of a spray nozzle. The two-phase mixture is subsequently sprayed into a reaction zone, where the reaction zone is under pressure and temperature conditions suitable for formation of the gas hydrate. The reaction zone pressure is less than the mixing zone pressure so that expansion of the hydrate-forming gas in the mixture provides a degree of cooling by the Joule-Thompson effect and provides more intimate mixing between the water and the hydrate-forming gas. The result of the process is the formation of gas hydrates continuously and with a greatly reduced induction time. An apparatus for conduct of the method is further provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for producing hydrocarbons from production fluids that have water as an external phase. An exemplary embodiment provides a method that comprises producing a production fluid having water as the external phase and injecting an amount of a thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor into the production fluid, wherein the amount is adjusted to allow hydrate formation to occur while retaining liquid water as the external phase. The water and thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor may be separated from the production fluid and a purified hydrocarbon stream may be produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to using gas hydrate (clathrate and semi-clathrate) together with a catalytic formulation, including catalyst and anti-foaming agent, to separate specific gases from a gas mixture. In particular, compound hydrate is formed from a mixed gas feedstock to concentrate one or more desired gas species in the hydrate phase and the remainder in the gas phase. The hydrate is then separated from the gas phase and dissociated to produce a gas stream concentrated in the desired species. Additives that both accelerate the growth of hydrate and facilitate dissociation and separation are added to improve the rate of reaction and, at the same time, eliminate hard-to-break foam produced by the catalyst, thereby enhancing the total throughput of the complete process. The addition of some materials can also result in changes in the density of the hydrate product, which can be useful for optimizing the separation of hydrate from unreacted liquid and/or rejected gas.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for inhibiting hydrate formation blockage in a flow line used to transport hydrocarbon containing fluids. Water is added to a hydrocarbon containing fluid to produce a water cut enhanced hydrocarbon containing fluid. Salt may be added to the hydrocarbon containing fluids as well. Hydrate formation blockage is inhibited from forming within the flow line by the addition of the water and/or the salt. Sufficient water may be added such that the hydrocarbon containing fluid is converted from a water in oil emulsion to a water continuous emulsion. A system for preventing the formation of hydrate blockage in conduits is also provided. The system includes a flow line for transporting a hydrocarbon containing fluid and a water injection conduit fluidly connected to the flow line to add water to the flow line to increase the water cut of a hydrocarbon containing fluid flowing through the flow line.

Abstract: A gas hydrate production apparatus capable of reacting a raw gas with a raw water to thereby form a slurry gas hydrate and capable of removing water from the slurry gas hydrate by means of a gravitational dewatering unit. The gravitational dewatering unit is one including a cylindrical first tower body; a cylindrical dewatering part disposed on top of the first tower body; a water receiving part disposed outside the dewatering part; and a cylindrical second tower body disposed on top of the dewatering part, wherein the cross-sectional area of the second tower body is continuously or intermittently increased upward from the bottom.

Abstract: Provided is a process and an apparatus for producing at low cost gas hydrate pellets having an excellent storability. A gas hydrate generated from a raw-material gas and raw-material water is dewatered and simultaneously molded into pellets with compression-molding means under conditions suitable for generating the gas hydrate while the gas hydrate is generated from the raw-material gas and the raw-material water that exist among particles of the gas hydrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the fast formation of a gas hydrate. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for the formation of a fed-batch-type gas hydrate, the method including a first step i) of injecting a fresh aqueous solution containing a potential feed hydrate into a reactor, a second step ii) of feeding gas into the reactor in which the fresh aqueous solution containing the potential feed hydrate is injected in the first step, so as to pressurize said gas, and a third step iii) of injecting a surfactant solution into the reactor in which the gas is pressurized in the second step, as well as to a method for the formation of a batch-type gas hydrate, in which the first step is switched in sequence with the third step.

Abstract: The operation of a plant for producing a gas hydrate is stabilized by making the gas phase within a downstream step have the same equilibrium composition as that of the gas phase within a generation step. The gas phase within a mixed-gas hydrate generation step is circulated to the gas phase within a downstream step located downstream of the mixed-gas hydrate generation step, and the gas phase within each step is thereby made to have the same equilibrium composition as that of the gas phase within the generation step.

Abstract: Pellet damaging is prevented at the time of pellet charging into a storage tank. There is provided a method of storing a gas hydrate in which pellets obtained by compression molding of powdery gas hydrate are conveyed into a storage tank by the use of a slurry liquor, which method includes pouring a liquid for impact absorption in advance into the storage tank so that the impact on the pellets charged in the storage tank is absorbed by the liquid for impact absorption.

Abstract: A method, system, and method for developing the system, for producing hydrocarbons from a plurality of hydrocarbon containing reservoirs is described. The system includes at least one conventional hydrocarbon reservoir and at least one natural gas hydrate reservoir. The system also includes a production facility, including water separation apparatus, which is in fluid communication with the at least one hydrocarbon reservoir and the at least one natural gas hydrate reservoir. The production facility can separate hydrocarbons and water concurrently received from the first conventional hydrocarbon and the second natural gas hydrate reservoirs. The at least one hydrocarbon reservoir and the at least one hydrate reservoir can be concurrently developed. Or else, the at least one hydrate reservoir can be developed later in time and then fluidly connected to the production facility.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for production of a gas hydrate, wherein the process comprises a gas hydrate production step, a cooling step, a depressurizing step and a re-cooling step. In the cooling step, the temperature (T) required for the cooling of the gas hydrate is adjusted to a temperature equal to or higher than a cooling limit temperature (t1+t2) (which is a sum of an equilibrium temperature (t1) of the gas hydrate and a temperature for correction (t2)) and equal to or lower than the freezing point (0° C.).

Abstract: The composition of raw mixed gas and the gas composition of produced mixed gas hydrate are uniformed as rapidly as possible. The process for producing a mixed gas hydrate comprises the gas hydrate forming step of reacting a mixed gas (g) with water (w) to thereby obtain a gas hydrate in slurry form; the dewatering step of removing the water (w) from the gas hydrate slurry (s); the palletizing step of forming the gas hydrate after water removal into pellets; the freezing step of chilling the gas hydrate pellets (p) to the freezing point or below to thereby freeze the same; and the pressure reduction step of depressurizing the frozen gas hydrate to storage pressure, wherein the mixed gas (g) fed to the gas hydrate forming step is diluted by diluent gas (m) as a constituent of the principal components of the mixed gas (g).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for stabilizing gas and particularly gas hydrates at low pressures and for safe storage and transportation of the gas. The invention also provides minimization of the decomposition of the gas in hydrate form.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of the formula 1 in which A is a C2- to C4-alkylene group x is from 1 to 100 R1 is C1-C30-alkyl, C2-C30-alkenyl, C7-C30-alkylaryl R2 is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic radical which contains at least one structural unit of the formula 2 ?and y is from 0 to 100, with the proviso that y is from 1 to 100 when R2 is of the formula 2, and their use in amounts of from 0.01 to 2% by weight for preventing the formation of gas hydrates in aqueous phases which are in contact with a gaseous, liquid or solid organic phase.