Development of reverse water–hydrocarbon emulsions for chemical treatment in oilfield applications

UDK: 541.1:622.276

DOI: 10.24887/0028-2448-2025-11-114-120

Key words: reverse emulsions, phase inversion, chemical reagents, paraffin deposit solvents, cleaning solutions, ultrasonic treatment, emulsifiers, stability

Authors: R.M. Karimov (Ufa State Petroleum Technological University, RF, Ufa); K.A. Fathullin (Ufa State Petroleum Technological University, RF, Ufa; Kresol-Nefteservice LLC, RF, Ufa); Ch.I. Nurmukhamedov (Ufa State Petroleum Technological University, RF, Ufa); R.R. Tashbulatov (Ufa State Petroleum Technological University, RF, Ufa); V.S. Kuznetsov (Ufa State Petroleum Technological University, RF, Ufa)

The results of experimental studies on the development of a technology for producing reverse water–hydrocarbon emulsions of the «water-in-oil» (w/o) type are presented as an alternative to costly hydrocarbon solutions widely used for solving technological problems and mitigating complications in oilfield operations. Using «water–diesel fuel» model systems, it was shown that mechanical mixing does not ensure emulsion stability, whereas ultrasonic treatment enables to obtain the formation of stable systems with a water phase content of up to 90 %. The optimal emulsification conditions were achieved at a treatment frequency of 19 kHz. Microscopic analysis confirmed the formation of nanoemulsions; however, only a small portion of the mixture was emulsified, leading to the appearance of intermediate layers  the lower opaque layer remained stable for weeks, while the upper layer was unstable. Among the tested emulsifiers, SPAN-80 (HLB 4,3) demonstrated the best performance, providing minimal dosage and high emulsion stability. A nearly linear dependence of the required emulsifier dosage on the water phase fraction was established, with a characteristic inversion point observed at a diesel-to-water ratio of 3:7. The obtained results clearly confirm the feasibility of creating cost-effective and environmentally friendly chemical reagent solutions based on w/o emulsions to improve the efficiency and ecological safety of well, pipeline, and tank treatments.

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