Foaming Agent Composition and Method for Removing Hydrocarbon Liquids from Subterranean Wells

Abstract

A composition containing a quaternary organosilane foaming agent capable of foaming various liquids in order to remove the liquids from subterranean wells is described. For instance, the composition can be used to remove hydrocarbon condensate liquids from a gas well or an oil well. Of particular advantage, the composition can foam liquids containing substantial amounts of hydrocarbons.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A composition for removing liquids from gas and oil wells, comprising a foaming agent comprising a quaternary organosilane having the following formula:
   Y 1 Y 2 Y 3 Si-A-Q + R 1 R 2 R 3 X −   (I)
   wherein   Y 1 , Y 2 , Y 3  represent independently from each other R or RO with each R representing independently from each other a C 1-4  alkyl group,   A represents a C 1-4  alkanediyl or a C 2-4  alkenediyl group,   Q represents a nitrogen or phosphorous atom,   R 1 , R 2  and R 3  represent independently from each other a C 1-28  alkyl group with at least one alkyl group having at least eight carbon atoms, and   X represents chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide, acetate or tosylate;   a non-aqueous solvent combined with the quaternary organosilane; and   an additive contained in the composition, the additive comprising a corrosion inhibitor, a scale inhibitor, a hydrogen sulfide scavenger, or mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains less than about five percent by weight water. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein composition is substantially free of water. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the quaternary organosilane comprises 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein Y 1 , Y 2 , Y 3  are each RO. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the non-aqueous solvent comprises an organic solvent. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the organic solvent comprises an alcohol, a benzene derivative, a ketone, an ester-based solvent, a polar acetate, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the non-aqueous solvent is present in the composition in an amount of from about twenty-five percent to about seventy-five percent by weight of the composition, and the quaternary organosilane foaming agent is present in the composition in an amount of from about twenty-five percent to about seventy-five percent by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the additive is present in the composition in an amount less than about five percent by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises the hydrogen sulfide scavenger, and the hydrogen sulfide scavenger comprises a glyoxal or comprises 1,3-dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantion. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises the corrosion inhibitor, and the corrosion inhibitor comprises an amidoamine, a quaternary amine, an amide, a phosphate ester, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises the scale inhibitor, and the scale inhibitor comprises a phosphate, a phosphate ester, a phosphoric acid, a phosphonate, a phosphonic acid, a polyacrylamide, a salt of acrylamido-methyl propane sulfonate/acrylic acid copolymer, a phosphinated maleic copolymer (PHOS/MA), a salt of a polymaleic acid/acrylic acid/acrylamido-methyl propane sulfonate terpolymer, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the non-aqueous solvent is present in the composition in an amount of from about twenty-five percent to about seventy-five percent by weight of the composition;   the quaternary organosilane foaming agent is present in the composition in an amount of from about twenty-five percent to about seventy-five percent by weight of the composition;   the additive is present in the composition in an amount less than about five percent by weight of the composition; and   the composition contains less than about five percent by weight water.   
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the quaternary organosilane comprises 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the non-aqueous solvent comprises an alcohol, a benzene derivative, a ketone, an ester-based solvent, a polar acetate, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the additive comprises the hydrogen sulfide scavenger, and the hydrogen sulfide scavenger comprises a glyoxal or comprises 1,3-dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantion. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the quaternary organosilane foaming agent comprises non-polymeric quaternary organosilane. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the non-polymeric quaternary organosilane has a molecular weight of less than about 900.