Surfactants in Upstream E&P

Book excerpt: This edited book explores the use of surfactants in upstream exploration and production (E&P). It provides a molecular, mechanistic and application-based approach to the topic, utilising contributions from the leading researchers in the field of organic surfactant chemistry and surfactant chemistry for upstream E&P. The book covers a wide range of problems in enhanced oil recovery and surfactant chemistry which have a large importance in drilling, fracking, hydrate inhibition and conformance. It begins by discussing the fundamentals of surfactants and their synthesis. It then moves on to present their applicability to a variety of situations such as gas injections, shale swelling inhibition, and acid stimulation. This book presents research in an evolving field, making it interesting to academics, postgraduate students, and experts within the field of oil and gas.