Electromagnetic heating of cnt and cnt based derivatives dispersions and solutions or cnt and cnt based derivatives containing coatings or metals for oil and gas equipment for remediation or prevention of solids formation in wellbores

Abstract

A method for heating/removing and/or preventing solids in onshore or subsea pipe or wellbore tubular includes pumping a solution or suspension containing carbon nanotubes (CNT) and/or CNT based derivatives into the pipe or wellbore to a position proximate the solids and applying electromagnetic energy or electric current at one or more selected frequencies to the pipe proximate the solution. The pipe or wellbore tubular itself may be pre-coated with carbon nanotube containing material and exposed to radio frequency energy, microwaves, and electric current upon formation of solids therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for heating and/or removing and/or preventing solids in a pipe or wellbore tubular, comprising:
 pumping a solution or suspension containing at least one of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and CNT based derivatives into the pipe or wellbore tubular to a position proximate the solids; and   applying at least one of electromagnetic energy and electric current at one or more selected frequencies to the pipe or wellbore tubular proximate the solution.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a frequency of the at least one of electromagnetic energy and electric current is 13.56 Megahertz. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a concentration of the carbon nanotubes and/or CNT based derivatives in the solution or suspension is in the range of 10 milligrams per liter to 90% by weight 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solids comprise at least one of hydrates, wax, asphaltenes and paraffins. 
     
     
         5 . A method for fusing solids in a subsea pipe or a wellbore tubular, comprising:
 coating a surface of the pipe or wellbore tubular with a material having carbon nanotubes (CNT) and/or CNT based derivatives suspended therein; and   applying at least one of electromagnetic energy and electric current at one or more selected frequencies to a portion of the pipe or wellbore tubular having solids therein.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein a frequency of the at least one of electromagnetic energy and electric current is 13.56 Megahertz. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the material comprises carbon nanotubes (CNT) and/or CNT based derivatives bonded directly to a surface of the pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the solids comprise at least one of hydrates, wax, asphaltenes and paraffins.