Abstract: A method for reducing the effects of biological contamination in a hydrocarbon-containing system comprising the steps of continuously adding a formulation comprising tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine or a tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salt to the system for one day or more; monitoring the efficacy of the continuous treatment by an assessment of the extent to which there is any effect on the environment that is attributable to metabolic activity of active microbes present in the system; wherein the tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine or tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salt is added at a concentration of from 1 to 30 ppm based on the total volume of aqueous fluid added to the system, and wherein the formulation is added to the system at a stage to minimize incompatibility with any other chemicals that are added to the aqueous fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of a surfactant as a corrosion inhibitor, wherein the surfactant is selected from derivatives of alkyl polyglucosides and derivatives of terpene alkoxylates, and mixtures thereof, provided that the derivatives are not sulfosuccinates. Also provided is a method of preventing or reducing corrosion of a metal component that is in contact with, or will be in contact with, an aqueous fluid, wherein the method comprises providing a surfactant and applying the surfactant to the metal component or adding the surfactant to the aqueous fluid that is in contact with, or will be in contact with, the metal component, wherein the surfactant is selected from derivatives of alkyl polyglucosides and derivatives of terpene alkoxylates, and mixtures thereof, provided that the derivatives are not sulfosuccinates.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously dissolving iron sulphide and killing or inhibiting bacteria comprising the steps of continuously adding or shot dosing to a hydrocarbon-containing system, an aqueous fluid comprising a formulation comprising tris(hydroxymethyl) phosphine or tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium salt.

Abstract: The invention provides a foam control formulation in the form of a microemulsion, the formulation comprising: (a) from 5 to 70% w/w of primary surfactant, this surfactant having an HLB of from 1 to 12 and/or a cloud point of from 20 to 70° C.; (b) from 2 to 40% w/w of water-insoluble organic carrier liquid; and (c) water. Also provided is the use of this formulation to prevent and/or reduce foam in a fluid system, or as a processing aid to control foam production in a fluid system. The formulation may be used in an aqueous fluid system, such as an oilfield.

Abstract: The invention provides a synergistic surfactant composition comprising: (a) from 5 to 95 wt % of a first surfactant which is selected from derivatives of alkyl polyglucosides and mixtures thereof; and (b) from 5 to 95 wt % of a second surfactant which is selected from: amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. This surfactant composition may be used to generate foam that is used for unloading a liquid from a hydrocarbon reservoir. It may be that the liquid unloading of foam generated using the surfactant composition is greater than that of foam generated from the first and second surfactants when they are foamed individually.

Abstract: The invention provides a synergistic surfactant composition comprising: (a) a first amphoteric surfactant, which is selected from C8-C22 sultaines, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof; and (b) a second amphoteric surfactant, which is selected from C8-C22 betaines and salts thereof, C8-C22 propionates and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. This surfactant composition may be used to generate foam that is used for unloading a liquid from a hydrocarbon reservoir. It may be that the liquid unloading of foam generated using the surfactant composition is greater than that of foam generated from the first and second surfactants when they are foamed individually.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to the use of a compound selected from C2-C30 alkyl phosphonic acids, salts thereof, esters thereof, and mixtures thereof, to inhibit corrosion of a metal component by an aqueous fluid containing dissolved gases in an industrial hydrocarbon system.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously dissolving iron sulphide and killing or inhibiting bacteria comprising the steps of continuously adding or shot dosing to a hydrocarbon-containing system, an aqueous fluid comprising a formulation comprising tris(hydroxymethyl) phosphine or tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium salt.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to the use of a compound selected from C2-C30 alkyl phosphonic acids, salts thereof, esters thereof, and mixtures thereof, to inhibit corrosion of a metal component by an aqueous fluid containing dissolved gases in an industrial hydrocarbon system.

Abstract: The invention provides a synergistic surfactant composition comprising: (a) a first amphoteric surfactant, which is selected from C8-C22 sultaines, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof; and (b) a second amphoteric surfactant, which is selected from C8-C22 betaines and salts thereof, C8-C22 propionates and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. This surfactant composition may be used to generate foam that is used for unloading a liquid from a hydrocarbon reservoir. It may be that the liquid unloading of foam generated using the surfactant composition is greater than that of foam generated from the first and second surfactants when they are foamed individually.

Abstract: The invention provides a foam control formulation in the form of a microemulsion, the formulation comprising: (a) from S to 70% w/w of primary surfactant, this surfactant having an HLB of from 1 to 12 and/or a cloud point of from 20 to 70° C.; (b) from 2 to 40% w/w of water-insoluble organic carrier liquid; and (c) water. Also provided is the use of this formulation to prevent and/or reduce foam in a fluid system, or as a processing aid to control foam production in a fluid system. The formulation may be used in an aqueous fluid system, such as an oilfield.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of a surfactant as a corrosion inhibitor, wherein the surfactant is selected from derivatives of alkyl polyglucosides and derivatives of terpene alkoxylates, and mixtures thereof, provided that the derivatives are not sulfosuccinates. Also provided is a method of preventing or reducing corrosion of a metal component that is in contact with, or will be in contact with, an aqueous fluid, wherein the method comprises providing a surfactant and applying the surfactant to the metal component or adding the surfactant to the aqueous fluid that is in contact with, or will be in contact with, the metal component, wherein the surfactant is selected from derivatives of alkyl polyglucosides and derivatives of terpene alkoxylates, and mixtures thereof, provided that the derivatives are not sulfosuccinates.

Abstract: A method for reducing the effects of biological contamination in a hydrocarbon-containing system comprising the steps of continuously adding a formulation comprising tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine or a tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salt to the system for one day or more; monitoring the efficacy of the continuous treatment by an assessment of the extent to which there is any effect on the environment that is attributable to metabolic activity of active microbes present in the system; wherein the tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine or tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salt is added at a concentration of from 1 to 30 ppm based on the total volume of aqueous fluid added to the system, and wherein the formulation is added to the system at a stage to minimize incompatibility with any other chemicals that are added to the aqueous fluid.