Flow improver additives for gas condensate

This paper describes synthesis and evaluation of polymeric additives for improving the flow properties of gas condensate. The additives were prepared by the free-radical initiated polymerization of methacryl esters with styrene and acrylic or methacrylic acid. Polymerization was performed by initiator azo-bis isobutyronitrile in toluene or xylene at 80 degrees C. The influence of additives structure, composition and molar weight, as well as gas condensate properties on its flow properties was studied. Gas condensate samples from the fields of Kalinovac, Stari Gradac and Molve located in the northern Croatia were used for evaluation of the prepared additives. It was found that the additives efficiency was considerably influenced by their properties and by condensate n-paraffin content and distribution. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.