APPLICATION OF CARBONATES AND THEIR DERIVATIVES IN FORMULATIONS FOR GAS HYDRATE INHIBITORS

In gas hydrate inhibitor formulations used to prevent or inhibit the formation of gas hydrates in multi-phase fluids, such as hydrocarbon production fluids, conventional solvents can be largely replaced by at least one organic carbonate solvent, such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and/or glycerol carbonate. The gas hydrate inhibitors in these formulations may be, but are not necessarily limited to, polyesteramides, polyvinylpyrrolidones, and the like. The use of an organic carbonate in the gas hydrate inhibitor formulation can improve the capability of the formulation for inhibiting or preventing gas hydrate formation in a multi-phase fluid.