Applied Chemistries

1. The Magic of Oilfield Chemistry Many oilfield workers are interested in the ins and outs of the chemistry behind their jobs. Still, they aren't often privy to this information due to a lack of understanding or because it isn't a topic that often comes up in conversation. In this article, we'll discuss three aspects of oilfield chemistry, all of which are vital to understanding how oilfields work and why they work as well as they do. What is oilfield chemistry? Though you might think oil and water don't mix, that's not true. Water is critical in completing many operations required to get oil out of the ground. At the same time, it can be difficult to separate oil from water at room temperature (which explains why most people use detergents); heating that mixture causes fascinating chemical reactions. Boiling points are determined by phase changes, which occur when a substance changes from one phase (solid, liquid, or gas) to another. When you drop a piece of ice into boiling water, for example, it melts and turns into liquid because the boiling point is 100 degrees Celsius at normal atmospheric pressure—and then boils away because its vaporization point is lower than 100 degrees Celsius. What is a surfactant? Surfactants are added to water to lower its surface tension. In oil, surfactants reduce interfacial tension to facilitate wetting and droplet formation. In recent years, certain surfactants have been introduced into drilling fluids, called in-situ or reactive

2. chemicals, because they can perform more than one function. A surfactant is a surface-active agent that lowers the interfacial tension between two immiscible liquids by adsorbing at one liquid interface and dissociating at another. Because it adsorbs onto solid surfaces and liquids simultaneously, the surfactant can be used as a lubricant and wetting agent in situations where only partial miscibility exists. What are the different types of surfactants? In an oilfield context, a surfactant is a substance used to reduce surface tension and improve penetration. The role of a surfactant is to make it easier for fluids (oil or water) to penetrate other surfaces (such as rocks or soil). There are generally two types of surfactants: wetting agents and emulsifiers. Wetting agents increase adhesion between fluid and surface, while emulsifiers inhibit coalescence. The choice often depends on whether you're dealing with water-wet or oil-wet applications. There are different types of both wetting agents and emulsifiers; each acts differently depending on what you're trying to accomplish. How does it work? The answer to that question is similar to asking, How does an oil well work? The water, sand, and other fluid layers underground are under such high pressure that they exert tremendous force on those above them. It's like living at sea level and then traveling to higher elevations. You can go as high as Mt. Everest and still breathe because there's still oxygen coming in, but what if you were submerged under water? That's exactly how deep-well oil extraction works: As oil is pumped out, fresh air (or a different fluid) enters the space left behind. How do I use it? Although new oilfields are popping up, many old oilfields are nearly depleted. But with a little chemistry, you can coax every last drop of oil out of an old field by introducing some fresh water to reduce pressure and making it easier for pressure to force oil through pipelines. While water may not sound very exciting in and of itself, there's something magical about what happens when you mix it with crude oil—with a little help from nature's most abundant element: oxygen. Oxygen reacts with iron and carbon compounds in sedimentary rock to form iron oxide (rust), which clogs pipes and slows production. Where can I buy it from? To a chemist, oil is more than black gold; it's magic! It's not just any type of magic, though, it's called alchemy, and to master it, it takes lots of knowledge about chemistry and engineering. Since we use a variety of different labs (gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and infrared spectroscopy (IR)), you must know each to

3. create our oil formulations. We will cover some basic principles behind each lab test to help explain how we formulate for your industry. The Importance of Oilfield Chemistry for the Energy Industry The oil and gas industry needs oilfield chemistry to ensure that the wells, pipelines, and refineries are in working order and there are no issues with the chemicals used by this industry. There are several instances where these chemicals need to be maintained at certain concentrations and low or high temperatures, depending on the task at hand. If these chemicals are not in the right place at the right time, it could lead to severe consequences for those who work in this area of expertise. If you’re unsure what you should use or when it’s best to use a certain chemical formulation, don’t hesitate to call us! We provide Chemical Processing Services at Applied Chemistries and would love to assist with your next project! Safety The energy industry is very competitive, which is why companies are always trying to develop new ways to increase their profits. They're doing that by finding safer and more efficient ways to extract oil and gas. On top of that, as regulations become stricter on environmental pollutants like sulfur and carbon dioxide emissions, it's also important for energy companies to find cleaner methods of producing energy. As a result, one of the biggest areas where innovation occurs in the oil industry is in chemistry—from well stimulation agents (which help get more oil out) to drilling fluid

4. chemistries (used for fracturing rock during drilling operations), everything about extracting fossil fuels from beneath our feet involves some form of chemistry or another. Compliance Inadequate safety measures in an oil field can have devastating results. Maintaining proper compliance and regulatory standards has become more important than ever as energy companies work toward minimizing or mitigating environmental impact and are required to monitor, measure, and report on their activities. As a result, industrial chemistry (specifically oil field chemistry) has become a more critical component of business operations. Industries require various chemicals to ensure efficiency; however, they must also protect employees and follow regulations—oil field chemistry is essential in achieving both objectives. Innovation The energy industry has seen significant development in recent years. Technological advances have given birth to new forms of energy like wind, solar, geothermal, and nuclear power. At the same time, other technologies allow us to tap into traditional energy sources in more efficient ways. And while each new technology opens up a world of opportunity for all industries, it's especially important to oil companies. There are a few reasons why this is so. First, there's an increase in the availability of oil due to fracking: It takes a lot less pressure than drilling straight down, which means that oil can be found near its source rather than deep underground or on top of some mountain somewhere. Second, this form of drilling also allows for higher production rates: One well can produce over 20 times as much oil as an old-fashioned one. Thirdly, this method requires less space because it doesn't require a large rig on top; instead, wells are drilled from single pads with smaller rigs near them. Fourthly –and this is big– fracking creates jobs: Fracking employs almost two million people in America alone! Money Let's face it, one of, if not THE major reason that most people want to work in an energy company is for money. If you're reading an article on oil field chemistry jobs, you must be interested in a career that offers great pay and plenty of opportunities. The average salary in Canada is around $65k, but when working with a major energy company such as Suncor or Petro Canada, that number skyrockets to over $100k. Even entry-level roles can lead to a healthy paycheck after just one year! Long-term sustainability All parties involved in oilfield extraction benefit from implementing smart, sustainable strategies. From a business perspective, it makes good sense to conserve natural resources and avoid the waste that leads to higher costs down the road. From an

5. energy perspective, we're all on a tight deadline: scientists predict our current fossil fuel supply will run out within two or three generations. Since fossil fuels are integral to transportation and electricity production, steps toward sustainability also have immense environmental implications. Oil field chemistry is a crucial step toward ensuring long-term sustainability. The Different Types of Industrial Materials Choosing the best industrial materials to use can sometimes seem like an overwhelming task, especially if you're not entirely sure what these materials are or how they differ from one another. To help you out, we've put together this comprehensive guide on the different types of industrial materials and their various applications in today's world. Whether you're starting a new business or trying to improve your current operation, you'll learn which materials will best suit your needs and why to save you money and time in the long run. Plastic In addition to promoting a healthy, safe work environment, plastic materials are durable, low-maintenance, and easy to clean. Plastic has been used in many industries throughout history but is most prevalent in transportation and food service. Plastic's lightweight and flexibility makes it an excellent material for car parts like bumpers, doors, locks, and engine covers. Likewise, its durability makes it ideal for truck wheels and engine blocks. It's also used for non-transportation applications like shower curtains and plastic hangers in department stores.

6. Ceramic Often used in cookware, tile, and table settings, ceramic is a popular material for industrial work. Its widespread use is its versatile nature: it's heat-resistant and scratch-resistant, so it holds up well to daily wear and tears. Ceramic is also a great insulator, which can keep liquids hot or cold for long periods. Though there are many types of ceramics with varying densities (i.e., fine china versus stoneware), most ceramics will retain their shape no matter how much pressure you put on them. Another plus: ceramic is nonporous and semi-permeable, so it doesn't hold onto odors as much as other materials do. Metal A type of industrial material that is a natural element. Metals are used in everything from construction to healthcare and various other industries. The different types of metals include ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Ferrous metals are made of iron, which can be combined with carbon, whereas non-ferrous do not contain iron. Ceramic Fiber A strong, lightweight material that's increasingly used in applications where weight is a primary concern. Its main drawback is its lack of resistance to heat. In high-temperature applications, you'll find ceramic fiber mixed with carbon fiber or aramid—other materials with high heat tolerance—to form hybrid composites. Glass The most common type of industrial material, Glass, is transparent and available in many different forms and styles. Glass has excellent optical qualities, which allow it to transmit a wide range of wavelengths while blocking others, allowing for applications such as windows light bulbs and fiber optic cables. Other uses include aquariums, food storage containers, solar panels, fiber optics, and bulletproofing. Not all Glass is created equal – borosilicate glasses are best for commercial use due to their thermal shock resistance. Concrete We commonly see concrete on building foundations and sidewalks. It combines sand, gravel, and a cement binder to make a sturdy substance that holds its shape. But in a construction environment, concrete can be used for any number of materials: from durable table bases to support columns. Wood This is a biodegradable resource that can be used in many industrial applications. Wood is used so frequently that it makes up about 25% of all industrial materials worldwide. Some industries also use timber to transport goods and commodities. The lumber industry is very competitive, but there are plenty of opportunities to work

7. with sawmills, logging companies, and even those who do custom carpentry work on houses or public buildings. Stone This material is used to make walls, foundations, and structures. Stone can be cut into any shape and size you need for your project. It can withstand wet conditions, and its high density makes it an excellent heat insulator. It does tend to crack when placed under heavy pressure or in areas prone to freeze and thaw. Polymers Most polymers have names ending in the polymer (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.). Polymers are long chains of monomers joined by covalent bonds, and they tend to be strong but can melt when heated. They tend to be good insulators and strong despite their flexibility. An example is polyethylene, commonly used in plastic bags and some clothing materials. Other common polymers include nylon, rubber, and StyrofoamTM. Rubber Chamber Rubber is one of those very basic materials we usually take for granted. It's used in a variety of ways, too: shoes, tires, bumpers—the list goes on and on. No matter what type you're working with, it all comes from trees. And just like wood, several different tree types can be used to make rubber. Textiles Cotton, linen, rayon, and wool fabrics are made from natural materials to grow and harvest (i.e., they don't require a lot of processing to be made into usable products). Depending on how these fibers are treated and woven, spun, or knitted together, they can be incredibly versatile. For example, wool fabric is highly insulating yet breathable; some types are water-resistant.