Transfer of Oilfield Production Chemical Technology to the Renewable Energy Sector

Abstract The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is accelerating, which has necessitated the oil and gas industry to investigate which technologies traditionally used in the oilfield can be used in the renewable energy sector. In oil and gas production, chemicals are used to preserve the integrity of production tubing, pipelines, and vessels; prevent inorganic scale deposition; and maintain the flow assurance of the hydrocarbons so that they can be transported from the reservoir to the refinery. Examples of chemicals used for these purposes include corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) scavengers, kinetic hydrate inhibitors, demulsifiers, and paraffin inhibitors. Because certain renewable energy industries face challenges similar to those experienced by the oil and gas industry, there is an opportunity for the renewable energy sector to adopt the proven chemical solutions used in oil and gas production. For example, in geothermal energy production, scale deposition, corrosion, and H2S contamination are common problems. Similarly, corrosion poses a significant risk in carbon capture and storage (CCS) applications and for hydrogen transport, and there is the potential for gas hydrates to form in CCS pipelines. All these issues are routinely encountered in the oil and gas industry and can be mitigated through the application of production chemicals. This paper examines how certain oilfield chemicals perform under conditions experienced in the renewable energy industry and investigates how they can be used in this sector.