Downhole removal of h2s and co2

Abstract

A process for the removal of acid gas from fluid produced from a subterranean formation into a subterranean well includes the steps of producing fluid from the subterranean formation into an area selected from the group consisting of the subterranean well, a production tube in the well, an annular space defined therebetween, and combinations thereof so as to produce a production fluid containing acid gas; and introducing an aqueous solution of an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of Na 2 CO 3 , NaOH, and combinations thereof into the area so as to contact the aqueous solution with the fluid as the fluid travels from a down-hole production tube to a surface well facility so as to contact the active ingredient with the acid gas and thereby remove the acid gas from the production fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for the removal of acid gas from fluid produced from a subterranean formation into a subterranean well comprising the steps of:
 producing fluid from the subterranean formation into an area selected from the group consisting of the subterranean well, a production tube in the well, an annular space defined therebetween, and combinations thereof so as to produce a production fluid containing acid gas; and   introducing an aqueous solution of an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of Na 2 CO 3 , NaOH, and combinations thereof into said area, so as to contact the aqueous solution with the fluid as the fluid travels from a down-hole production tube to a surface well facility so as to contact said material with said acid gas and thereby remove said acid gas from the production fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solution is introduced via coil tubing to a specified depth in said area. 
     
     
         3 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solution is sprayed from a location along the production tube in order to cover a width of said area. 
     
     
         4 . The process as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the solution is sprayed from multiple locations along the production tube in order to cover the width of said area. 
     
     
         5 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the introducing step reacts the solution with said acid gas to produce sodium salts in a water solution and a hydrocarbon product which is substantially free of acid gases. 
     
     
         6 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said aqueous solution does not reach said subterranean formation of said well. 
     
     
         7 . The process as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said aqueous solution is kept from said subterranean formation by maintaining pressure in said area lower than formation pressure. 
     
     
         8 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the solution is introduced in an amount such that the active ingredient is stoichiometrically prevented from reaching the formation. 
     
     
         9 . The process as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising the steps of determining an amount of acid gas in the fluid, and selecting an amount of the active ingredient such that the active ingredient is less than what would be required to fully react with the amount of acid gas, whereby the active ingredient is stoichiometrically prevented from reaching the formation. 
     
     
         10 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the solution is introduced at a ratio of 1 mole of active ingredient per mole of acid gas. 
     
     
         11 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein products of the introducing step are water soluble in a water production stream. 
     
     
         12 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the producing step and the introducing step are continuous processes.