Oilfield cleaning and wetting agent: a technological tool for efficient cleaning and wetting

1. What is an oilfield cleaning and wetting agent?

Oilfield cleaning and wetting agent is a chemical agent specially used for cleaning oil pipes, equipment surfaces and formation rocks during oilfield exploitation, drilling, completion and production. Its main function is to improve cleaning efficiency, restore oil well production capacity and extend equipment service life by reducing surface tension, improving wettability and dispersing oil and solid particles. Oilfield cleaning wetting agents play an indispensable role in the oil industry, especially in complex geological conditions and high temperature and high pressure environments. Their performance directly affects the exploitation efficiency and economic benefits of oilfields.

The core role of oilfield cleaning and wetting agents lies in their surfactant properties, which can effectively reduce the oil-water interfacial tension, peel off oil from the equipment surface or formation rock, and remove it through emulsification, dispersion and other effects. In addition, wetting agents can also improve the spreadability of liquids on solid surfaces, enhance the cleaning effect, and thus improve the overall efficiency of oilfield operations.

2. Characteristics of oilfield cleaning and wetting agents

Oilfield cleaning and wetting agents have the following significant characteristics:

(1) High-efficiency cleaning ability

Can quickly decompose and remove oil, wax, asphalt and other sediments.

Remove oil from the surface of equipment or formation through emulsification, dispersion and other effects.

(2) Excellent wettability

Reduce surface tension and improve the spread of liquid on solid surface.

Enhance cleaning effect, especially under complex geological conditions.

(3) High temperature and high pressure resistance

Adapt to the extreme environment of oilfields and maintain chemical stability.

Still can exert excellent cleaning and wetting performance under high temperature and high pressure conditions.

(4) Environmental protection

Low toxicity, easy to degrade, meet environmental protection requirements.

Reduce the impact on the environment and ecology.

(5) Multifunctionality

Possess multiple functions such as cleaning, wetting, dispersion and corrosion protection.

Can be used compatible with other oilfield chemical additives (such as corrosion inhibitors and fungicides).

(6) Economic efficiency

Improve cleaning efficiency, reduce cleaning time and cost.

Extend equipment service life and reduce maintenance costs.

3. Classification of oilfield cleaning and wetting agents

Oilfield cleaning and wetting agents can be divided into many types according to chemical structure and functional characteristics. The following are two important types of wetting agents and their detailed descriptions:

(1) Alcohol Alkoxylate Fatty alcohol ether

Chemical structure: Fatty alcohol ether is a compound generated by the alkoxylation reaction of fatty alcohol with ethylene oxide (EO), propylene oxide (PO), etc.

Molecular formula:

R-O-(CH2CH2O)n-H

R: fatty alcohol chain (such as C12-C18).

n: ethylene oxide addition number (usually 2-20).

Characteristics:

Excellent surface activity, can significantly reduce surface tension.

Good wetting and emulsifying properties.

Hard water resistant, suitable for a variety of water conditions.

Application scenarios: used for oil pipe cleaning, formation wetting and emulsified oil recovery.

(2) Alkyl Glucoside

Chemical structure: Alkyl Glucoside is a natural surfactant generated by the condensation reaction of glucose and fatty alcohol.

Molecular formula:

R-O-(C6H10O5)n-H

R: fatty alcohol chain (such as C8-C16).

n: number of glucose units (usually 1-2).

Features:

Green and environmentally friendly, good biodegradability.

Excellent wettability and emulsification properties.

Low toxicity, low irritation, high safety.

Application scenarios: Suitable for oil field cleaning and wetting operations with high environmental protection requirements.

(3) Other types of wetting agents

Sulfonates: such as alkylbenzene sulfonates, have excellent emulsification and dispersibility.

Siloxanes: such as polyether modified siloxanes, have excellent wettability and high temperature resistance.

Fluorocarbons: such as fluorocarbon surfactants, have extremely low surface tension and excellent chemical resistance.

4. Application of oilfield cleaning and wetting agents

Oilfield cleaning and wetting agents are widely used in all aspects of the petroleum industry. The following are its main application scenarios:

(1) Oil pipe and equipment cleaning

Function: Remove oil, wax and solid deposits on the surface of equipment such as oil pipes, drill pipes, and storage tanks.

Advantages: Improve equipment operating efficiency and extend service life.

(2) Formation wetting and cleaning

Function: Improve the wettability of formation rocks and remove oil and blockages in pores.

Advantages: Improve crude oil recovery and restore oil well productivity.

(3) Drilling fluid additives

Function: As a wetting agent for drilling fluid, it improves the lubricity and stability of drilling fluid.

Advantages: Reduce drill bit wear and improve drilling efficiency.

(4) Fracturing fluid and oil displacement agent

Function: Adding wetting agents to fracturing fluid and oil displacement agent improves the spreadability and permeability of the fluid in the formation.

Advantages: Improve fracturing effect and oil displacement efficiency.

(5) Environmental cleaning

Function: Used in oilfield operations with high environmental protection requirements to reduce environmental pollution.

Advantages: Comply with environmental regulations and reduce ecological risks.

(6) Other applications

Oil sand mining: Used for oil sand separation and cleaning.

Oil pollution treatment: Used for oilfield wastewater treatment and oil pollution cleaning.

5. Future development trend of oilfield cleaning and wetting agents

As the oil industry's demand for high-efficiency and environmentally friendly technologies continues to increase, the development trend of oilfield cleaning and wetting agents is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

(1) Green and environmental protection

Develop more wetting agents with good biodegradability and low toxicity.

Reduce the impact on the environment and ecology.

(2) High performance

Improve the performance of wetting agents under extreme conditions such as high temperature, high pressure, and high salinity.

Develop new wetting agents that adapt to complex geological conditions.

(3) Multifunctionality

Develop composite wetting agents with multiple functions such as cleaning, wetting, corrosion inhibition, and sterilization.

Improve the comprehensive performance and application range of wetting agents.

(4) Intelligent application

Combined with intelligent oilfield technology, accurate delivery and effect monitoring of wetting agents can be achieved.

Improve the use efficiency and economic benefits of wetting agents.

Conclusion

As an important chemical agent in the oil industry, oilfield cleaning and wetting agents provide strong technical support for oilfield exploitation and production with their high-efficiency cleaning and wetting properties. With the continuous advancement of technology, wetting agents will play a more important role in improving oil field recovery, reducing mining costs, protecting the environment, etc. In the future, with the integration of green chemistry and intelligent technology, oil field cleaning wetting agents will usher in a broader development space.

Oilfield Chemicals Supplier

UNPChemicals is a professional oilfield chemical manufacturer, with products covering drilling, completion, oil production, gathering and transportation, etc., and has won the trust of customers with advanced technology, strict quality control and high-quality services. We are committed to personalized solutions to help oilfields develop efficiently.