Abstract
The hydrate inhibitors played a significant role in preventing hydrate formation in the drilling fluid systems.However,the disposal of these inhibitors was the primary concern for the drilling industries,as Thermodynamic Hydrate Inhibitors(THIs)are not eco-friendly,and Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitors(KHIs)are troublesome to dispose of due to their long polymeric structures.Hence,an attempt had been made to evaluate the Sarcosine,an amino acid,as a biodegradable,green hydrate inhibitor for water-based drilling fluid systems.Initial screening of Sarcosine in the THF-water hydrate(structure-II)system showed that it behaved as a zwitterionic,dual-function inhibitor.It had better inhibition characteristics in delaying induction time and improving rheological and filtration properties than PVCap and PVP while used in formulated mud compositions.The water-based mud used in this work was prepared by mixing carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC),polyanionic cellulose(PAC),xanthan gum(XG),and potassium chloride(KC1)with distilled water.For Sarcosine content water-based mud systems,coefficients of determination(R2)values were dependable,while low-temperature(2 C)rheological values were fitted in Herschel-Bulkley model.These experimental investigations showed that the Sarcosine might be used for the drilling of gas hydrate-bearing formations.
NSTL