초록 ▼

A self-breaking, foamed, oil-in-water emulsion contains a water-immiscible organic solvent for paraffins and asphaltenes, an aqueous nonformation-damaging component, an inert gas, and surface active agents selected to promote a stable foamed emulsion despite contact of the treating fluid with the hy

A self-breaking, foamed, oil-in-water emulsion contains a water-immiscible organic solvent for paraffins and asphaltenes, an aqueous nonformation-damaging component, an inert gas, and surface active agents selected to promote a stable foamed emulsion despite contact of the treating fluid with the hydrocarbon and aqueous environment in the reservoir. Under conditions of agitation, the treating fluid is a stable foamed emulsion which undergoes spontaneous breakdown into two liquid phases under quiescent conditions. The treating fluid is injected and/or circulated as a stable foamed emulsion to dissolve paraffin and asphaltene-containing deposits from various substrata, such as a subterranean reservoir penetrated by a well, the well itself, or an industrial vessel or conduit. When injection or circulation is stopped, the foamed emulsion spontaneously breaks down so that the treating fluid can be readily pumped from the well.

대표청구항 ▼

A foamed oil-in-water emulsion for cleaning paraffin deposits from subterranean locations penetrated by a wellbore, said foamed emulsion comprising an organic solvent for paraffins, said solvent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydrocarbons of low volatility and highly aromati

A foamed oil-in-water emulsion for cleaning paraffin deposits from subterranean locations penetrated by a wellbore, said foamed emulsion comprising an organic solvent for paraffins, said solvent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydrocarbons of low volatility and highly aromatic hydrocarbons, and a non-acidic aqueous liquid containing not less than 2,000 ppm by weight of dissolved ionic components selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride and potassium chloride, and sufficient of a surface active agent selected to maintain the stability of said foamed emulsion under conditions of agitation while allowing said foamed emulsion to degas and separate into two substantially continuous liquid phases under relatively quiescent conditions.