Non-emulsifiers

What we offer for non-emulsification?

Our knowledge and experience in emulsion control and prevention results in this chemistry class being effective in a wide range of challenging conditions such as:

• Changing salt concentrations
• Varying temperatures and pressures
• Higher water content
• Turbulent conditions
• High solid loadings.

We have products compatible with wide range of mud compositions. We are happy to work with you, to provide product selection guidance and recommend dose rates and formulation advice to help customise a solution to suit. Get in contact with one of our experts for more information.

Where are non-emulsifiers used?

1. Matrix acidizing stimulation and in fracture acidizing stimulation
2. Used when newly drilled wells are completed.

Acidizing stimulation

Why are non-emulsifiers needed in acidizing stimulation?

Acidizing is a type of stimulation treatment in which acid is pumped into the well to dissolve limestone, dolomite and calcite to restore or improve permeability of the reservoir rocks. During this process, stable acid/oil sludge or viscous emulsions can form and block the flow of crude oil through the rock formation.

Non-emulsifiers help control the interfacial tension between the acidic fluid and the crude oil, preventing emulsion formation. Our highly effective range of non-emulsifiers can be added to the acid fluid to prevent the formation of emulsions and destabilize those that already exist. Products can be used in both matrix and fracture acidizing. In this application, the non-emulsifiers must be compatible with high acid conditions.

Completion

In completion, dense fluids are used. Saturated brine solutions including calcium chloride, sodium chloride, calcium bromide and sodium bromide are pumped down the well. These brine solutions can form highly viscous emulsions which can reduce oil production. Non-emulsifiers help control the interfacial tension between the completion fluid and the crude oil, preventing emulsion formation. In this application, the non-emulsifiers must be soluble in the high salt content fluids.

Our non-emulsifier recommendations for completion

Brine tables
The following tables show an exhaustive list of the solubilities of non-emulsifiers across a number of different brines. We recommend that the products shown in the table below are used as blends.

Demulsification performance testing is carried out using the same principles as a bottle test (an industry standard demulsifier test) on a range of crude oils with different parameters. 

Evaluating the transmission level by Turbiscan through the crude oil sample over time can determine several parameters. These are:

• Speed of demulsification
• Amount of acid released in comparison to the amount of acid added and
• Clarity of the produced acid.

Figure 1: Light transmission level through a sample vial containing crude oil. Samples are compared quantitatively to assess demulsification performance.

Case study

Similar to demulsifiers, it is well known in the oil industry that the effectiveness of non-emulsifiers is very oil specific. A customer based in Colombia approached us for technical expertise to analyse the performance of the non-emulsifier range on a sample of crude oil. Considering the amount of acid out over one hour, higher clarity of acid and the quickest start times the following products were recommended for trial.

Properties of the oil tested
API at 25°C	10°C
Water content	1.3%
Viscosity at 60°C	9540 cP
Asphaltene content	11.9%
Pour point	15°C

	Non-emulsifier properties (L-low, M=medium, H=high)
Product	Amount of acid out	Acid clarity	Speed of spitting
Kemelix™ 3216X	M	H	H
Kemelix™ D501	L	H	H
Kemelix™ D503	H	L	H
Kemelix™ D506	H	M	H
Kemelix™ D511	H	L	H