A method of producing a fluid from a hydrocarbon well, the fluid comprising an emulsion of water and oil and where the proportion of water (water cut) varies over time. The method comprises: determining whether the water cut of the produced fluid is within the oil/water inversion range; and when the water cut is within the oil/water inversion range, adding water to the produced fluid in order to increase its water cut to above the oil/water inversion range. Thus, the fluid produced transitions from the water-in-oil phase to the oil-in-water phase without (at least significantly) entering the inversion phase.

A method of producing a fluid from a hydrocarbon well, the fluid comprising an emulsion of water and oil and where the proportion of water (water cut) varies over time. The method comprises: determining whether the water cut of the produced fluid is within the oil/water inversion range; and when the water cut is within the oil/water inversion range, adding water to the produced fluid in order to increase its water cut to above the oil/water inversion range. Thus, the fluid produced transitions from the water-in-oil phase to the oil-in-water phase without (at least significantly) entering the inversion phase.

A treatment composition for use in treating production fluids in or from a subterranean formation is provided. The treatment composition can be used for viscosity control in subsea umbilical fluid delivery applications, wherein the treatment composition exhibits desirable viscosity, flash point and/or pour point values.

A process for preparing a drag reducing polymer which is to be added to a liquid hydrocarbon. The liquid hydrocarbon has an asphaltene content of at least about 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26°. The drag reducing polymer can comprise the residues of a monomer having at least one heteroatom. Treatment of the liquid hydrocarbon with the drag reducing polymer allows a reduction in pressure drop associated with turbulent flow of the liquid hydrocarbon through a conduit.

A process for preparing a drag reducing polymer which is to be added to a liquid hydrocarbon. The liquid hydrocarbon has an asphaltene content of at least about 3 weight percent and an API gravity of less than about 26°. The drag reducing polymer can comprise the residues of a monomer having at least one heteroatom. Treatment of the liquid hydrocarbon with the drag reducing polymer allows a reduction in pressure drop associated with turbulent flow of the liquid hydrocarbon through a conduit.

A drag reducing composition comprises a sealed temporary container; and a drag reducing agent and up to 20 weight percent of a dispersing fluid disposed in the sealed temporary container. The drag reducing agent comprises polyolefin particles having a particle size of about 10 to about 2,000 microns; and the dispersing fluid comprising water, an alcohol, a hydrocarbon, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

A drag reducing composition comprises a sealed temporary container; and a drag reducing agent and up to 20 weight percent of a dispersing fluid disposed in the sealed temporary container. The drag reducing agent comprises polyolefin particles having a particle size of about 10 to about 2,000 microns; and the dispersing fluid comprising water, an alcohol, a hydrocarbon, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

A device for reducing friction of a viscous fluid flow in a conduit is disclosed. The device comprises a body positionable to define at least a segment of a flow path for the viscous fluid in or contiguous with the conduit, a cavity in the body for retaining lubricating fluid, and at least one port in the body for delivering lubricating fluid to the cavity. A fluid outlet arrangement from said cavity delivers lubricating fluid to the flow path to form a downstream lubricating film at the conduit surface. The fluid outlet arrangement comprises a substantially continuous opening or ring of close spaced openings, effective collectively to reduce the pressure variation and therefore velocity variation of the delivered lubricating fluid along said outlet arrangement.

A device for reducing friction of a viscous fluid flow in a conduit is disclosed. The device comprises a body positionable to define at least a segment of a flow path for the viscous fluid in or contiguous with the conduit, a cavity in the body for retaining lubricating fluid, and at least one port in the body for delivering lubricating fluid to the cavity. A fluid outlet arrangement from said cavity delivers lubricating fluid to the flow path to form a downstream lubricating film at the conduit surface. The fluid outlet arrangement comprises a substantially continuous opening or ring of close spaced openings, effective collectively to reduce the pressure variation and therefore velocity variation of the delivered lubricating fluid along said outlet arrangement.

A droplet dispersion mechanism performs a first droplet generation process of supplying gas to a chemical liquid, and dispersing the chemical liquid into droplets to acquire chemical liquid droplets. A droplet dispersion mechanism performs a second droplet generation process of supplying gas to a chemical liquid, and dispersing the chemical liquid into droplets to acquire chemical liquid droplets. A droplet mixing mechanism performs a droplet mixing process of mixing the chemical liquid droplets and the chemical liquid droplets to acquire a processing liquid in a form of droplets. A discharge nozzle performs a discharge process of externally discharging the processing liquid received from the droplet mixing mechanism.