If there is any one market that is showing an upward trend in terms of production, transactions, infrastructure and development, it is Oil and Gas industry. This sector plays a key role in deciding the fate of the world economy. This sector is accelerated by the uniform increase in drilling oil production, which is directly proportional to the demand for oilfield chemicals.

Oilfield chemical are specialty formulations utilized in oilfields applications and drilling well sites. The efficiency and productivity of the oil field machineries and application areas depends on well site operations that cost-effectively maximizes recovery of oil and gas reserves and minimizes the impact on the environment. Oil field chemicals impart unique capabilities and functionality to the operational sites for well drilling completion and intervention services. Oilfield chemical majorly caters to three sub sectors, viz. Upstream, Midstream and Downstream.

Since Oil and Gas industry involves huge investment in terms of capital, manpower and technology, smooth operations of every functional unit is always expected. It has been observed in recent times the increasing demand of easy and more convenient mechanisms for drilling and extracting applications. The rate at which oil field chemicals are taking over mechanical prospects proves about their conventionality as well as prudential performance on their utilization. Operating machines and mechanisms were subjected to their extreme points just for drilling application which would often lead to shortage of time for calibrating and adjusting the formulations in order to achieve optimal results. But using oilfield specialty chemicals under same limited resource has ensured maximum recovery of the crude products, increasing the working output and efficiency.

Let us look at the advantages of the using these chemicals:

• Improvement in the production at drilling sites and refinery processes
• Provides protection to metallic surfaces from highly corrosive agents that comes out during crude oil extraction, increasing their performance and longevity
• Nearly cent percent extraction of crude from the storage tanks which is usually prone to sludge formation at the bottom
• Using these specialty chemicals proves to be cost effective compared to maximum mechanical efforts
• Saves time and assures monetary benefits for the owners and stakeholders.

Upstream are the on field sites where drilling and extraction of crude oil take place. Looking for potential sites, drilling, and extracting the raw product comes under the upstream working categories. Range of Chemicals that find applications in the upstream are:

• Drilling & Completion Fluid Additives: Deflocculants, Defoamers, pH Controllers, Scale Inhibitors, PHPA LT and PHPA HT, Surfactants
• Cementing Additives: Accelerators, Dispersants, Extenders, Retarders etc.
• Simulation Fluid Additives: Bactericides, Breakers, Mutual Solvents, Polymeric Viscosifiers
• E&P Chemicals: Biocides, De-oilers, Demulsifiers, Scale Inhibitors, Corrosion Inhibitors, Surfactants, Polyelectrolytes, Wax Inhibitors
• Water Injection Chemicals: Calcium Carbonate Scale Inhibitor, Biocides, Corrosion Inhibitors, Defoamers, Flocculation Aid

Another major part of oil and gas industries is midstream. This part involves the transportation of crude oil to various refineries through various oil channels, pipelines, oil-tankers etc.

Midstream chemicals that find applications in this particular sectors are:

• Crude Tank Farms: De-watering Agent, Sludge Breaker, Solid Setting Agents, Tank Cleaning Additives, Crude Oil Tankage, Dehydration, Hydrotesting Inhibitor, Degassing Chemical
• Pipeline Chemicals: Crude Pipeline Corrosion Inhibitor, Hydrotesting Corrosion Inhibitor, Pipeline Cleaning Chemicals

Oil field Downstream: This part involves refining and purification of crude oil for end user applications through various processing and methods. The end use products that follows after refining / purification are petrol, diesel, kerosene, fuel, natural gases, LPG and different other types of petro-chemicals.

Downstream chemicals that find applications in this particular sectors are:

• Pipelines: Viscosity Reducers, Biocides, Drag Reducers, Flow Improvers, Scale Inhibitors, Corrosion Inhibitors, etc.
• De Salter: Demulsifier, Metal Remover Aid, Antiscalants etc.
• Crude Pre-Heat: Antifoulant, Corrosion Inhibitors
• Primary Units: Antifoam, Neutralizing Amine etc.
• Secondary Units: DHDT, FCCU, DCU, Visbreaker
• Auxiliary Units: Merox Unit, ATU, Sour Water Stripper
• Finished Fuel Additives: Octane Boosters, PPD, Lubricity improver etc.