Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) scavengers at the oil and gas industry

For the modern oil and gas production, it is characteristic a significant increase in the number of fields and wells, where produced fluids contain large amounts of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) relict as well as biogenic. The dissolved H2S in produced water is a stimulant of extensive corrosion damages of metal oilfield equipment, which leads to accidents, frequent unscheduled shutdowns of equipment, its repair and, ultimately - a huge material and financial losses for oil and gas companies. In connection with the above, the problem of removal of H2S from the produced fluids and marketable products is very relevant for the oil and gas companies.



Hydrogen sulphide oil and gas production

Corrosion inhibitors DEFENDER

Corrosion inhibitors DEFENDER

Multifunctional Corrosion Inhibitors for oil and gas industry


Reasons the necessity to purify the oil from the H2S

The necessity to purify the oil from the H2S is due to the following reasons as well:

  • H2S is toxic, has an unpleasant odor and high volatility, its presence in the oil creates environmental problems during transportation and storage of the raw materials, especially as a result of overflow;

  • H2S is cause of the most dangerous (local) types of corrosion of main processing and support equipment and pipelines for storage, transportation and processing of oil, gas condensate and gas, namely pitting;

  • H2S, reacting with iron ions to form a large quantity of iron sulfide ("black powder"), which is deposited in the oil well production equipment and clogs it;

  • H2S creates corrosion and biological problems in the purification of waste water;

  • H2S poisoning the catalysts used in reforming and platforming units (sulfided platinum and it thus reduces the total number of active sites of the catalyst);

  • H2S is flammable, which, along with its high toxicity, pose a threat to the environment, human and animal life. Thus, the need to reduce the H2S content in the oil, gas and petroleum products is obvious and requires maximum efforts of refineries.


    Thus, the need to reduce the H2S content in the oil, gas and petroleum products is obvious and requires maximum efforts of refineries.

Washing and anticorrosive fluids WINCOR

Washing and anticorrosive fluids WINCOR

removal of asphalt-resin-paraffin,  mineral, mechanical depositions, corrosion products, protection of metal equipment from carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide corrosion at enterprises of the oil-and-gas production and processing branches of industry.



Methods of H2S removal from production, preparation, transportation and processing of oil and gas

For H2S removal from production, preparation, transportation and processing of oil and gas is usually used several methods.


Heating or alkali neutralization reagents

For example, crude oil from the H2S is removed by heating or alkali neutralization reagents; when gas purification is often used stationary installation, in which gas is passed through H2S absorbent solutions with subsequent regeneration.

Non-regenerative H2S scavengers

Directly on the fields of H2S removal is the most appropriate using chemical method with non-regenerative H2S scavengers. These scavengers react with the mercaptans and H2S contained in the produced fluids (like water and oil, or gas phase) to form a water-soluble, stable, non-toxic products.



Application technologies and injection points non-regenerative H2S scavengers in the production and preparation system for oil and gas

Application technologies and injection points non-regenerative H2S scavengers in the production and preparation system for oil and gas depend on the individual characteristics of the object where they apply. Optimal doses of scavengers depend on the amount of H2S, which is in the fluids to be purified, but usually at least 5 ÷ 8 ppm of a reagent per 1 ppm of H2S. The brands' range of non-regenerative H2S scavengers, which could be found in today's market is wide enough. But, despite the apparent diversity, an active part of the majority of them are balanced compositions of derived light amines, ethanol amines, alcohols, glycols and aldehydes. World experience shows that the usage of effective non-regenerative H2S scavengers can significantly reduce the hydrogen sulphide amount in the produced fluids as well as in marketable products of oil and gas companies, which allows companies to solve economic, environmental and social issues with minimum material and financial costs.