A Drag Reducing Agents (DRA) is a tailormade surfactant system which can reduce drag (resistance) in the transportation of aqueous fluids. DRA reduce the friction by changing the flow profile from turbulent to laminar.

Traditional drag reducers are based on polymers, which have the drawback of being shear sensitive and thus permanently loose their effect after passing e.g. pumps.

In the oilfield area DRA surfactants can e.g. be applied in heating systems (service bundles) and in water injection systems.

Surfactants as drag reducers
Akzo Nobel has developed a surfactant based system which forms threadlike micellar structures that reduce the turbulent flow during sea water injection

The DRA system can give you:

• Increased capacity in the range of
  30-50% in existing pipeline
• Reduced investment in pipeline system. The diameter can be
  reduced still having the same capacity

The system is disordered by high shear forces, as within a pump, but the fragments quickly rearrange themselves in the wormlike structures in the flow line after passing the pump.

Our product – Beraid DR-IW
Beraid DR-IW is a zwitterionic/anionic DRA for use in water injection. The DRA effect can be tailor made for use in seawater and/or produced water in the temperature range 0-50ºC.

Environmental aspects
Our DRA system is readily biodegradable in sea water and can get approval for use in the North Sea.

Ecotoxicological data:
EC50 48 hours Algea 1-10 mg/l

Biodegradation:
Readily biodegradable >60% BOD,
28 days, Closed Bottle Test (OECD 306).

Partition coefficient (log PoW) < 2.2

Drag reducing tests
The effects of Beraid DR-IW have been investigated in DR-tests at the testing facilities at Rogaland Research - Ullrigg Drilling and Well Center, Norway (today IRIS, International Research Institute of Stavanger). Tests were carried out in a 5.5” pipe loop.

Summary of results:

• Drag reduction was demonstrated to commence at a dose level of
  60 ppm of surfactant (active substance).
• Up to 77 % pressure drop was measured at constant flow rate.