Production Maximization

Contact Information

Global Nalco Locations
Local Sales Offices
Energy Services Contacts

 

Nalco Company
WPS Headquarters 
1601 W. Diehl Road
Naperville, IL 60563-1198
630-305-1000  Phone
630-305-2900  Fax

Nalco Energy Services Headquarters 
7705 Highway 90-A
Sugar Land, TX  77478
281-263-7000  Phone

 

 

Foam Control for Production Optimization

Gas in produced crudes can cause foaming under several different conditions. For example:

  1. When crude oil is being pumped through a heat exchanger, it undergoes turbulence. The light ends vaporize sooner than the heavier fractions. In the attempt of these vapors to escape before they can overcome the natural viscosity of the heavier fractions, foaming can occur. 
  2. Water in hydrocarbon under high pressure and temperature can cause severe foaming when released to atmospheric conditions as it tries to escape as a vapor.

Foam reduces the overall capacity of treating equipment and can make the goal of achieving pipeline or saleable oil difficult to obtain. Uncontrolled foam can lead to production tank overflow that translates to lost revenues and extra expenditures for cleanup operations. By maintaining control over foam, dehydration equipment will function more efficiently. Production losses are reduced and the volume of production transported to refineries is increased.

Antifoams are chemicals which, when added to a foaming system, will orient at the surface and break the film that stabilizes the foam. The use of chemical antifoams is the most popular method for foam control and has been used extensively globally. Total cost of operations and ROI are greatly improved by the proper selection of an antifoam program. Contact your Nalco representative for more information on Nalco’s antifoams.