Deepwater Operations 2013: NALCO Champion presents hydrate inhibitor case study

Offshore staff

GALVESTON, Texas – NALCO Champion is highlighting the capabilities of its fourth-generation anti-
agglomerate, low-dose hydrate inhibitor on the exhibition floor at the Deepwater Operations
conference in Galveston Texas. The company says that the product is designed to improve
overboard water quality and hydrate control.  

Recently, an operator of a deepwater project in the Gulf of Mexico asked NALCO Champion to provide
an alternate low-dose hydrate inhibitor (LDHI) to deliver hydrate inhibition for its production system
while improving produced water quality. The operator had been using a conventional LDHI product that
did not meet the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System standard for discharge into the
environment.

NALCO Champion says it developed SFPEC6798A, a fourth-generation anti-agglomerate LDHI, for the
purpose. When laboratory-tested under field conditions, the new chemistry showed improved hydrate
performance and exceptional water quality at the same injection rate as the incumbent LDHI.

A topside trial of SFPEC6798A demonstrated the effect of the new LDHI upon water quality in the
system. While maintaining the incumbent LDHI at the recommended dose rate, 500 gal/day, SFPEC6798A
was injected on top of the incumbent LDHI at 100 gal/day. Oil and grease readings indicated that the
SFPEC6798A would not impact water quality.

Based on the success of the topside trial and supporting laboratory test data, the product was qualified
for field deployment. Following continuous downhole injections of SFPEC6798A, system water quality
improved significantly.

11/6/2013