Flow Assurance

Contact Information

Global Nalco Locations
Local Sales Offices
Energy Services Contacts

 

Asia Pacific Regional Support Centers

2 International Business Park #02-20
The Strategy Tower 2
Singapore 609930
Tel: +65 6505 6868
Fax: +65 6316 1172

 

18 Waterfront Pl.,
168 Daduhe Rd.
Shanghai 200062, PRC
Tel: +86-21-6183-2500
Fax: +86-21-6183-2400

FREEFLOW® Low Dosage Hydrate Inhibitor Program

Nalco introduced its first low dosage hydrate inhibitors to the market in 1998. These products, which are used to prevent the formation of hydrates in subsea and downhole equipment, can be used continuously or for start-up/shut in conditions. Since their debut in deepwater production, operators have used FREEFLOW products in more than 100 projects worldwide.

FREEFLOW products have dramatic advantages over their traditional counterparts, methanol and ethylene glycol in operation costs, safety and well life. Unlike commodity inhibitors, typical dose rates of FREEFLOW products are one to two percent based on water production. One of the major advantages of FREEFLOW products is that they substantially reduce hydrate inhibitor chemical consumption. Lower dose rates also equate to fewer deliveries and smaller pump and storage requirements offshore, which can lead to millions of dollars saved each year.

FREEFLOW Hydrate Inhibitors have a substantially improved environmental profile when compared to methanol or glycols. While methanol and ethylene glycol are toxic, difficult to handle and store offshore and are potentially hazardous, using FREEFLOW products virtually eliminates those concerns for operators. These inhibitors also extend well life because they can be applied beyond the treatment range for traditional commodity chemicals. Methanol and ethylene glycol reach their maximum pumping capacity down umbilicals when water cuts reach 20-30 percent, but FREEFLOW inhibitors can increase well life by working up to 50-60 percent and beyond, depending on the FREEFLOW chemistry used.

We offer custom solutions based on these technology platforms:

Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitors 

Polymer based inhibitors that work up to 23ºF subcooling and do not require a hydrocarbon phase. Nalco has used FREEFLOW products extensively in the US, Canada, North Sea, Middle East, South America, Commonwealth of  Independent Sates and Asia/Pacific.

Anti-Agglomerate Inhibitors

Traditionally, surfactant based inhibitors that work over 40+ºF subcooling at dosages of approximately 1% (based on water cuts). Nalco has used its FREEFLOW Anti-Agglomerate Inhibitors in projects throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Canada and Africa.