Antifreeze proteins and gas hydrate inhibition

Abstract

Gas hydrates are ice-like solid compounds of small gas molecules and water which form at low temperature and high pressure and are the major flow assurance problem in the global oil and gas industry. In this chapter the use of antifreeze proteins as gas hydrate inhibitors is explored. A variety of methods for hydrate management are mentioned and test methods for low dosage hydrate inhibitors are considered in detail. A review of current research into antifreeze proteins as hydrate inhibitors follows. Based on the current state-of-the-art it is concluded that antifreeze proteins may be effective hydrate inhibitors; however, testing needs to be performed on more realistic reservoir fluids than has currently been done. Economic production of antifreeze proteins in large amounts is also a necessary step to allow their adoption in the field. Finally the mechanism of inhibition of antifreeze proteins, at least for hydrates, is not well understood. This could be a fruitful area of future research.