Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to an apparatus for pumping suspended polymer liquids that reduces the formation of polymeric deposits at the seal contact surfaces and filters out deposits that do form. This allows for an oil drag reducing agent (DRA) to be delivered continuously from topside through an umbilical to subsea produced fluids flowlines to increase oil production and/or flow of gas/oil by reducing friction loss due to turbulent flow in the flowlines.

Abstract: A polymer composition has been developed that comprising an oil-in-water emulsion comprising an aqueous phase comprising water and an emulsifying surfactant having a cloud point of less than 80° C. and a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of greater than or equal to 8, and an oil phase comprising a high molecular weight oil-soluble polymer, wherein the oil-soluble polymer comprises a copolymer derived from reaction of a hydrophobic monomer and an ionizable monomer in a weight ratio from about 999:1 to about 80:20. Methods of using the compositions for drag reduction and corrosion inhibition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting and controlling the amount of cationic species in a water stream in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is carried out by adding a solution containing a pre-determined quantity of a fluorescent tracer to the sample of water stream to obtain a solution comprising a complex. The fluorescence emission spectra of the solution is measured for detecting the presence or absence of the cationic species based on the attenuation and shift of the emission peak in the range of 640 nm to 655 nm.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for decreasing viscosity, yield stress, or viscosity and yield stress of an asphaltene precipitate-containing aqueous mixture. More specifically, the method comprises applying an effective amount of a water-soluble polymer to an asphaltene precipitate-containing aqueous mixture. The water-soluble polymers comprise polyanion, polycation, and polar water-soluble polymer components. The present invention also relates to water-soluble asphaltene dispersants.

Abstract: A method for detecting and controlling the amount of cationic species in a water stream in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is carried out by adding a solution containing a pre-determined quantity of a fluorescent tracer to the sample of water stream to obtain a solution comprising a complex. The fluorescence emission spectra of the solution is measured for detecting the presence or absence of the cationic species based on the attenuation and shift of the emission peak in the range of 640 nm to 655 nm.

Abstract: A dewatering process comprises dispersing an anionic polymer flocculant in a slurry comprising water and oil sands fine tailings to form flocs comprising fines bridged by the anionic polymer flocculant. A cationic polymer flocculant is subsequently dispersed in the flocculated slurry to further flocculate the flocs and form floc aggregates. The floc aggregates comprise flocs bridged by the cationic polymer flocculant. The floc aggregates are then compressed to remove water and form a dewatered compact. A system is also provided for the dewatering processes using inline mixtures and a filter press.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for flocculating solids are provided. The solids may be suspended in an organic liquid medium and a water in oil emulsion may be added to the liquid medium. The water in oil emulsion includes an emulsion polymer capable of flocculating the solids suspended in the organic liquid medium. The emulsion polymer may be added to the organic liquid medium in an inactive form and the polymer may subsequently become activated upon contacting the organic liquid medium. Once activated, the polymer may flocculate the suspended solids.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for decreasing viscosity, yield stress, or viscosity and yield stress of an asphaltene precipitate-containing aqueous mixture. More specifically, the method comprises applying an effective amount of a water-soluble polymer to an asphaltene precipitate-containing aqueous mixture. The water-soluble polymers comprise polyanion, polycation, and polar water-soluble polymer components. The present invention also relates to water-soluble asphaltene dispersants.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for flocculating solids are provided. The solids may be suspended in an organic liquid medium and a water in oil emulsion may be added to the liquid medium. The water in oil emulsion includes an emulsion polymer capable of flocculating the solids suspended in the organic liquid medium. The emulsion polymer may be added to the organic liquid medium in an inactive form and the polymer may subsequently become activated upon contacting the organic liquid medium. Once activated, the polymer may flocculate the suspended solids.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a method for improving the froth quality and bitumen recovery in primary bitumen extraction processes by coagulant addition in the underwash feed water. Preferred coagulants are cationic or amphoteric polymers. Coagulant addition in the underwash feed water reduces the solids content reporting to the primary bitumen froth in a primary separation vessel (PSC). This treatment program can also be combined with dispersant addition in the dilution make-up feed water into a PSC. Preferred dispersants are low molecular weight anionic polymers.

Abstract: A dewatering process comprises dispersing an anionic polymer flocculant in a slurry comprising water and oil sands fine tailings to form flocs comprising fines bridged by the anionic polymer flocculant. A cationic polymer flocculant is subsequently dispersed in the flocculated slurry to further flocculate the flocs and form floc aggregates. The floc aggregates comprise flocs bridged by the cationic polymer flocculant. The floc aggregates are then compressed to remove water and form a dewatered compact. A system is also provided for the dewatering processes using inline mixtures and a filter press.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions of matter, methods of their synthesis, and methods of their use in polymerization reactions. The compositions include polyfunctional initiators used to make star polymers when polymerized with monomers. The polyfunctional initiators are synthesized out of a multifunctional core with at least two functional groups and two or more initiator units bonded to the functional groups. The initiator units have two electron-withdrawing groups bonded to a central carbon atom and an azo group between the central carbon atom and the functional group. The polyfunctional initiators are particularly effective because when they decompose to form the radical core of a star polymer, the electron-withdrawing groups prevent the corresponding radical from forming any linear polymer contamination and only desired star polymers result.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a method for improving the froth quality and bitumen recovery in primary bitumen extraction processes by coagulant addition in the underwash feed water. Preferred coagulants are cationic or amphoteric polymers. Coagulant addition in the underwash feed water reduces the solids content reporting to the primary bitumen froth in a primary separation vessel (PSC). This treatment program can also be combined with dispersant addition in the dilution make-up feed water into a PSC. Preferred dispersants are low molecular weight anionic polymers.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions of matter, methods of their synthesis, and methods of their use in polymerization reactions. The compositions include polyfunctional initiators used to make star polymers when polymerized with monomers. The polyfunctional initiators are synthesized out of a multifunctional core with at least two functional groups and two or more initiator units bonded to the functional groups. The initiator units have two electron-withdrawing groups bonded to a central carbon atom and an azo group between the central carbon atom and the functional group. The polyfunctional initiators are particularly effective because when they decompose to form the radical core of a star polymer, the electron-withdrawing groups prevent the corresponding radical from forming any linear polymer contamination and only desired star polymers result.