Foamers

Eugene Dakin Ph.D., P.Chem

Professional Chemist

Chemical Cylinders

Foamer Chemistry

Foamers are great at removing water from wells which maximizes well production. Foamers are usually used when excess water or condensate is produced with a low pressure well. The following diagrams show the difference between a non-producing well without a foamer, and a producing well with a foamer.

	In a non-producing well, the production string is full of water. This water exerts pressure on the bottom of the string. When the pressure exerted by the water is greater than the formation pressure, production stops.
	Introducing foamer to the water lowers the pressure exerted by the water at the bottom of the production string. The formation pressure is now greater than the pressure exerted by the water, and well production resumes.

There are many different types of foamers. Each type is designed for a specific type of well.

The following program has been developed for certain Oilfield Companies, and is not available to the general public. The following screen shot shows a few details of the program.

There are many considerations that need to be determined before implementing a foaming program. The above information is for general informational use only.

Considerations required for selecting the proper foamer and implementing a foaming program are:

1) Concentration of condensates

2) Distance between well and separator (fast-crash ability)

3) Salt concentration (Sodium, Calcium, et al)

4) Potential production rates

5) Foamer injection rate

6) Oil/water separation parameters

7) Production string length

8) Foamer freeze point (winter months)

Foam : a blend of a gas in a solid or liquid.