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Foam - it may seem harmless and insignificant. However, in the demanding environment of oil and gas exploration, production, and processing, if foam cannot be effectively controlled, it could become a major and costly obstacle. As a manufacturer specializing in the production of high-performance specialty chemicals, we understand the crucial role that reliable defoamers play in ensuring the efficient, safe, and profitable operation of oil fields. This article will focus on the unique challenges and solutions related to "oilfield-specific defoamers". 

The high cost of the bubble in the oil and gas industry 

Throughout the entire life cycle of the oil field, the formation of bubbles occurs naturally, and the reasons for this include agitation, pressure changes, gas release, as well as the presence of surfactants inherent in crude oil, drilling fluid, produced water, and various process chemicals. 

1. Drilling and Completion: The foam in the drilling mud will reduce the control ability over static water pressure, hinder the efficiency of solid substance removal, lower the efficiency of the mud pump, and may lead to inaccurate liquid level measurement, thereby potentially endangering well control and drilling speed (drilling rate).

2. Production and Separation: The foam in separators, treatment agents, and stabilizers will significantly reduce the efficiency of the containers. It occupies the space originally intended for phase separation, causing liquids to enter gas pipelines (which may damage compressors) or gases to enter oil/water pipelines. This results in non-compliant products, increased consumption of demulsifiers, reduced output, and possible shutdowns during foam discharge.

3. Gas Treatment and Purification: The foam in methanol units, ethylene glycol dehydration units, and sulfur-containing vapor separators will severely damage gas-liquid contact and reduce absorption/separation efficiency. This leads to higher energy consumption, methanol loss, poor pollutant removal (such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide), and possible degradation of methanol solutions. Produced water treatment: The foam will hinder the effective separation of oil and solid substances from the produced water in flotation devices (IGF, DGF) and sedimentation tanks, thereby affecting the required water quality for discharge or reinjection and increasing treatment costs.

4. Transportation and Refining: Foam may cause pump cavitation, inaccurate measurement, tank overflow (existing safety hazards), and reduced pipeline efficiency during crude oil transportation and initial refining processing. 

Why do general-purpose defoamers often fail to achieve satisfactory results? 

The conditions in the oilfield environment are extremely harsh, which poses a great challenge to conventional defoamers: 

1. High temperature conditions: The underground environment and the processing procedures on the surface usually reach temperatures of 150°C (300°F) or higher.

2. High pressure situations: The underground and separator pressures require the use of defoamers that can still function effectively in high-pressure environments.

3. Complex chemical composition: The defoamer must be compatible with various corrosive and highly effective chemical substances (such as drilling mud additives (polymers, clays), corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, demulsifiers, hydrogen sulfide removers, acids and bases), and can function effectively in their presence.

4. Extreme salinity and pH values: The salinity range of produced water and various process fluids varies from fresh water to highly saline water, and the pH value ranges from strongly acidic to strongly alkaline.

5. Shear force: High pump speed and turbulent flow may cause physical degradation of unstable defoamers.

6. Long-term stability: The defoamer must remain stable over a long period of time and not undergo separation or degradation. 

Customized solution: Prominent features of an efficient oilfield defoamer

Our commitment lies in developing specially designed defoamers to address these specific challenges in the oil fields. The key characteristics of our high-performance defoamers include: 

1. Rapid dissipation and long-term control: The added foam will immediately and rapidly disperse, and at the same time, it can prevent the formation of foam for a long time, which is crucial for continuous operations.

2. Excellent thermal stability and chemical stability: It can maintain its efficacy even in high-temperature environments and in the presence of strong corrosive chemical substances, without degradation or residue formation.

3. Stable performance under different pH and salinity conditions: It can maintain reliable performance in water chemical changes encountered in different fields and processes.

4. Compatibility: The product design is compatible with common oilfield production chemicals and basic fluids (oil-based, water-based, synthetic-based mud), without causing adverse reactions or precipitation.

5. Shear stability: It can resist physical damage in high shear conditions encountered by pumps, throttling devices, and valves.

6. Efficiency: It achieves optimal foam control with the minimum amount of usage, thereby reducing operating costs.

7. Environmental and safety compliance: The developed formula fully considers environmental regulations (such as OSPAR, EPA) and the safety requirements of operators.