Cleaning and Wetting Agent

Cleaning and Wetting Agents for Oilfield Applications
Cleaning and wetting agents are specialized surfactant blends used in oilfield operations to remove hydrocarbon deposits, drilling mud residues, and mineral scales from wellbores, pipelines, and surface equipment. These dual-function chemicals work by reducing surface tension and improving water penetration into organic/inorganic deposits, enabling efficient removal through emulsification and dispersion. Key components like alcohol alkoxylates provide temperature-stable detergency (up to 150°C), while alkyl glucosides offer environmentally friendly wetting properties with high salt tolerance. Their synergistic action ensures thorough cleaning without damaging metal substrates or elastomers.

UNPChemicals' EUMET Series Cleaning & Wetting Agents
The EUMET series combines advanced alcohol alkoxylate chemistry and plant-derived alkyl glucosides to deliver high-performance cleaning solutions for challenging oilfield environments. These formulations excel in removing asphaltene/sludge deposits in sour wells, cleaning produced water tanks, and preparing metal surfaces for coatings or inspections. EUMET products maintain effectiveness in high-salinity (300,000 ppm TDS) and low-pH conditions, while their biodegradable components meet OSPAR and EPA standards for offshore use. The series includes low-foaming variants for pump circulation systems and high-penetration grades for porous deposits.

Oilfield Cleaning & Wetting Agents

Cleaning and wetting agents are essential surfactant-based formulations used in oilfield maintenance to remove stubborn hydrocarbon deposits, mineral scales, and drilling fluid residues from wells, pipelines, and processing equipment. These specialized chemicals combine detergency and surface activity to penetrate, emulsify, and disperse contaminants while promoting water contact with metal surfaces. UNPChemicals' EUMET series leverages optimized blends of alcohol alkoxylates (for high-temperature stability) and alkyl glucosides (for eco-friendly performance) to deliver superior cleaning efficiency across diverse oilfield applications, from downhole tubing cleaning to tank bottom sludge removal, while meeting stringent environmental regulations.

Why are cleaning/wetting agents critical for oilfield operations?

These agents are vital for maintaining production efficiency and equipment integrity by preventing deposit buildup that restricts flow, increases corrosion risk, and reduces heat transfer efficiency. The EUMET series specifically addresses challenges like paraffin accumulation in cold climates and asphaltene precipitation in mature wells, with field data showing 30–50% reduction in mechanical cleaning frequency when used preventively.

How do alcohol alkoxylates enhance cleaning performance?
Alcohol alkoxylates provide temperature-resistant (up to 180°C) cleaning power by disrupting hydrogen bonds in hydrocarbon deposits. Their tunable ethylene oxide/propylene oxide (EO/PO) ratios in EUMET formulations allow customization for heavy oil (low EO) or water-soluble contaminants (high EO), achieving >90% deposit removal in lab tests per ASTM G121 standard.

What advantages do alkyl glucosides offer?
Derived from renewable starch and fatty alcohols, alkyl glucosides in EUMET products deliver excellent wetting and low toxicity, enabling use in sensitive environments like offshore platforms. They stabilize emulsions in high-salinity brines (tested to 250,000 ppm TDS) and degrade naturally (OECD 306: >80% in 28 days), complying with OSPAR and Gulf of Mexico discharge standards.

Can these agents be used with other production chemicals?
Yes, EUMET agents are compatible with common corrosion inhibitors, biocides, and scale removers. Pre-tests are recommended for systems containing H₂S scavengers or demulsifiers—our technical team provides compatibility charts based on fluid analysis to prevent additive interference or precipitation.

How are these agents typically applied?
Three methods are common: 1) Circulation: Pumping 1–3% solutions through pipelines (4–12 hours); 2) Soaking: Immersing equipment in heated (50–70°C) solutions for 6–24 hours; 3) Foam cleaning: For vertical tubing, using nitrogen-generated foam carriers. EUMET includes additives to stabilize foam for extended contact time in deviated wells.

What metrics verify their effectiveness?
Key indicators include: 1) Interfacial tension reduction (<1 mN/m, measured by spinning drop); 2) Contact angle improvement (<10° on carbon steel); 3) Deposit removal efficiency (per NACE TM0198); and 4) Corrosion rate (<0.05 mm/yr, ASTM G31). EUMET typically achieves 85–95% cleaning efficiency in HP/HT well trials.