Methodology for Evaluating H<sub>2</sub>S Scavenger Performance in Crude Oil

Andre Luiz Castro Bonfim; Alvaro Augusto Oliveira Magalhaes

doi:doi:10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20

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Methodology for Evaluating H₂S Scavenger Performance in Crude Oil

Andre Luiz Castro Bonfim^*

, Alvaro Augusto Oliveira Magalhaes

Published in Petroleum Science and Engineering (Volume 9, Issue 2)

Received: 24 September 2025 Accepted: 11 October 2025 Published: 30 December 2025

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Abstract

The exploration and production of oil in Brazil are increasingly focused on deeper reservoirs and water columns, significant technological challenges related to material selection and corrosion control. The presence of H₂S in crude oil undermines the integrity of industrial equipment and the quality of derived products, contributing to environmental and occupational issues that lead to heightened costs and risks associated with the operation of these industrial units. One of the solutions is the continuous injection of liquid H₂S scavengers to mitigate this contaminant in industrial fluids. Testing yields important information regarding the performance of these products; however, the multitude of variables present in these tests complicates the ability to draw conclusive and reproducible observations. Furthermore, the impact of new products on subsequent processes following the injection point complicates the execution of field tests, and the careful implementation of these tests directly disrupts the normal operational and production routine. This article aims to present a detailed methodology for comparing the performance of H₂S scavengers composed of different active materials in a predominantly organic medium at temperatures reaching up to 130°C, conditions resembling those encountered at the onset of production from new oil-producing wells with water content of less than 1 %(v/v). Consequently, the methodologies described allow for the assessment, comparison, and differentiation of the H2S scavenging capacity of various commercial H₂S scavengers used in the oil industry, enabling their classification according to efficiency. Additionally, it consolidates in single test conditions that are closer to field application and capable of evaluating mixtures of water and oil in proportions ranging from 0 to 100 %(v/v), aqueous solutions with salinity up to 200 g/L in NaCl, temperatures between 30°C and 250°C, and pressures from atmospheric pressure up to 1034 kPa. The methodology allowed for obtaining, in addition to information on H₂S scavenging capacity, an indication of the reaction time and rate required to achieve the minimum H₂S content in both gas and liquid phases, facilitating the optimization of treatment protocols in oil platforms, onshore and offshore, subsea and topside, terminals, tanks, and pipelines. Among the commercial H₂S scavengers evaluated in this study, the one based on ethoxylated compounds (ETO-C) demonstrated superior performance compared to the MEA-triazine-based product (TRI-C) under the same experimental conditions.

Published in	Petroleum Science and Engineering (Volume 9, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20
Page(s)	141-156
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

H₂S Scavenger, Hydrogen Sulfide, Crude Oil, H₂S Scavenging Capacity, MEA-Triazine, Ethoxylated Compounds

References

[1]	Beltrão, R., Sombra, C., Lage, A., Netto, J., Henriques, C., Challenges and New Technologies for the Development of the Pre-salt Cluster, Santos Basin, Brazil, Offshore Technology Conference, May 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/OTC-19880-MS
[2]	Amosa, M., Mohammed, I., and Yaro. S., Sulphide scavengers in oil and gas industry–a review. Nafta 61.2 (2010): 85-92.
[3]	Gentil, V., Corrosão. “Corrosion, title translated from Portuguese,” 4th Edition. Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil, LTC, 2003. xv, 341 p. ISBN 85-216-1341-5.
[4]	British Standards Institution, BSI BS EN ISO 15156-1, Petroleum and natural gas industries - Materials for use in H2S-containing environments in oil and gas production Part 1: General principles for selection of cracking-resistant materials, UK: BSI, 2009.
[5]	Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA). “Report to congress on hydrogen sulfide air emissions associated with the extraction of oil and natural gas”. United States: Research Triangle Park, October 1993, http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/gasregulation/authorizations/2012_applications/sierra_ex12_97/Ex._21_-_EPA_Hydrogen_Sulfide_Report_-_p.pdf
[6]	Occupational Safety And Health Standards, OSHA 1910, Part 1910, Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances, 1910.1000 - Air contaminants, TABLE Z-2,, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210, USA: OSHA, 2006.
[7]	Kelland, M., Production Chemicals for the Oil and Gas Industry. 2nd Edition. Florida, USA: Ed. CRC Press, 2009, pp. 363–373. ISBN-13: 978-1439873793. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420092974
[8]	Edmondson, J. and Betz Laboratories, Method of scavenging hydrogen sulfide, US Patent 4680127, 14 jul. 1987.
[9]	Hardy, J. and Georgie, J., Hydrogen sulphide scavenging method. WO Patent 048284, 1 dez 2003.
[10]	Porz, E. and Aktiengesellschaft, H., Process for scavenging hydrogen sulfide using glyoxal. US Patent 5085842, 4 feb 1992.
[11]	Souza, V., Estudo de sequestrantes de H₂S para sistemas de produção de óleo e gás. “Study of H2S scavengers for oil and gas production systems, title translated from Portuguese”, Master’s Thesis, COPPE/UFRJ, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Program, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil, 2012.
[12]	Bonfim, A., Avaliação de Sequestrantes de H2S para indústria de petróleo, “Evaluation of H2S Scavengers for the Oil Industry title translated from Portuguese”, Master’s Thesis, COPPE/UFRJ, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Program, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brazil, 2013. https://w1.solucaoatrio.net.br/coppe-uni/pub/ThesisViewAll.do?method=viewAll&id=10001055&pg_query=8262369583197805&pg_range=5
[13]	UOP163, A. S. T. M. "Hydrogen Sulfide and Mercaptan Sulfur in Liquid Hydrocarbons by Potentiometric Titration." American Society for Testing and Materials: West Conshohocken, PA, USA 1 (2010).
[14]	Skoog, D., West, D., Holler, F., Crouch, S., Fundamentos da Química Analítica, Translate 8th Edition, “Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry title translated from Portuguese”, Ed. Thomson: São Paulo/SP, Brazil, 2007. ISBN: 9788522104369.
[15]	Mendez, C., Magalhaes, A., Altoe, P., Costa, E., H₂S Scavengers Injection: A Novel Evaluation Protocol to Enhance the Integrity of Production Lines." OTC 20168. Paper presented at the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, May 2009. https://doi.org/10.4043/20168-MS

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APA Style

Bonfim, A. L. C., Magalhaes, A. A. O. (2025). Methodology for Evaluating H2S Scavenger Performance in Crude Oil. Petroleum Science and Engineering, 9(2), 141-156. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20

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ACS Style

Bonfim, A. L. C.; Magalhaes, A. A. O. Methodology for Evaluating H2S Scavenger Performance in Crude Oil. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2025, 9(2), 141-156. doi: 10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20

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AMA Style

Bonfim ALC, Magalhaes AAO. Methodology for Evaluating H2S Scavenger Performance in Crude Oil. Pet Sci Eng. 2025;9(2):141-156. doi: 10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20

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@article{10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20,
  author = {Andre Luiz Castro Bonfim and Alvaro Augusto Oliveira Magalhaes},
  title = {Methodology for Evaluating H2S Scavenger Performance in Crude Oil},
  journal = {Petroleum Science and Engineering},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {141-156},
  doi = {10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pse.20250902.20},
  abstract = {The exploration and production of oil in Brazil are increasingly focused on deeper reservoirs and water columns, significant technological challenges related to material selection and corrosion control. The presence of H2S in crude oil undermines the integrity of industrial equipment and the quality of derived products, contributing to environmental and occupational issues that lead to heightened costs and risks associated with the operation of these industrial units. One of the solutions is the continuous injection of liquid H2S scavengers to mitigate this contaminant in industrial fluids. Testing yields important information regarding the performance of these products; however, the multitude of variables present in these tests complicates the ability to draw conclusive and reproducible observations. Furthermore, the impact of new products on subsequent processes following the injection point complicates the execution of field tests, and the careful implementation of these tests directly disrupts the normal operational and production routine. This article aims to present a detailed methodology for comparing the performance of H2S scavengers composed of different active materials in a predominantly organic medium at temperatures reaching up to 130°C, conditions resembling those encountered at the onset of production from new oil-producing wells with water content of less than 1 %(v/v). Consequently, the methodologies described allow for the assessment, comparison, and differentiation of the H2S scavenging capacity of various commercial H2S scavengers used in the oil industry, enabling their classification according to efficiency. Additionally, it consolidates in single test conditions that are closer to field application and capable of evaluating mixtures of water and oil in proportions ranging from 0 to 100 %(v/v), aqueous solutions with salinity up to 200 g/L in NaCl, temperatures between 30°C and 250°C, and pressures from atmospheric pressure up to 1034 kPa. The methodology allowed for obtaining, in addition to information on H2S scavenging capacity, an indication of the reaction time and rate required to achieve the minimum H2S content in both gas and liquid phases, facilitating the optimization of treatment protocols in oil platforms, onshore and offshore, subsea and topside, terminals, tanks, and pipelines. Among the commercial H2S scavengers evaluated in this study, the one based on ethoxylated compounds (ETO-C) demonstrated superior performance compared to the MEA-triazine-based product (TRI-C) under the same experimental conditions.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Methodology for Evaluating H2S Scavenger Performance in Crude Oil
AU  - Andre Luiz Castro Bonfim
AU  - Alvaro Augusto Oliveira Magalhaes
Y1  - 2025/12/30
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20
DO  - 10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20
T2  - Petroleum Science and Engineering
JF  - Petroleum Science and Engineering
JO  - Petroleum Science and Engineering
SP  - 141
EP  - 156
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-4516
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20
AB  - The exploration and production of oil in Brazil are increasingly focused on deeper reservoirs and water columns, significant technological challenges related to material selection and corrosion control. The presence of H2S in crude oil undermines the integrity of industrial equipment and the quality of derived products, contributing to environmental and occupational issues that lead to heightened costs and risks associated with the operation of these industrial units. One of the solutions is the continuous injection of liquid H2S scavengers to mitigate this contaminant in industrial fluids. Testing yields important information regarding the performance of these products; however, the multitude of variables present in these tests complicates the ability to draw conclusive and reproducible observations. Furthermore, the impact of new products on subsequent processes following the injection point complicates the execution of field tests, and the careful implementation of these tests directly disrupts the normal operational and production routine. This article aims to present a detailed methodology for comparing the performance of H2S scavengers composed of different active materials in a predominantly organic medium at temperatures reaching up to 130°C, conditions resembling those encountered at the onset of production from new oil-producing wells with water content of less than 1 %(v/v). Consequently, the methodologies described allow for the assessment, comparison, and differentiation of the H2S scavenging capacity of various commercial H2S scavengers used in the oil industry, enabling their classification according to efficiency. Additionally, it consolidates in single test conditions that are closer to field application and capable of evaluating mixtures of water and oil in proportions ranging from 0 to 100 %(v/v), aqueous solutions with salinity up to 200 g/L in NaCl, temperatures between 30°C and 250°C, and pressures from atmospheric pressure up to 1034 kPa. The methodology allowed for obtaining, in addition to information on H2S scavenging capacity, an indication of the reaction time and rate required to achieve the minimum H2S content in both gas and liquid phases, facilitating the optimization of treatment protocols in oil platforms, onshore and offshore, subsea and topside, terminals, tanks, and pipelines. Among the commercial H2S scavengers evaluated in this study, the one based on ethoxylated compounds (ETO-C) demonstrated superior performance compared to the MEA-triazine-based product (TRI-C) under the same experimental conditions.
VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Andre Luiz Castro Bonfim

Petrobras Research Center (CENPES), PETROBRAS, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-1026-8418
Alvaro Augusto Oliveira Magalhaes

Petrobras Research Center (CENPES), PETROBRAS, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6436-0633

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APA Style

Bonfim, A. L. C., Magalhaes, A. A. O. (2025). Methodology for Evaluating H2S Scavenger Performance in Crude Oil. Petroleum Science and Engineering, 9(2), 141-156. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20

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ACS Style

Bonfim, A. L. C.; Magalhaes, A. A. O. Methodology for Evaluating H2S Scavenger Performance in Crude Oil. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2025, 9(2), 141-156. doi: 10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Bonfim ALC, Magalhaes AAO. Methodology for Evaluating H2S Scavenger Performance in Crude Oil. Pet Sci Eng. 2025;9(2):141-156. doi: 10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20,
  author = {Andre Luiz Castro Bonfim and Alvaro Augusto Oliveira Magalhaes},
  title = {Methodology for Evaluating H2S Scavenger Performance in Crude Oil},
  journal = {Petroleum Science and Engineering},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {141-156},
  doi = {10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pse.20250902.20},
  abstract = {The exploration and production of oil in Brazil are increasingly focused on deeper reservoirs and water columns, significant technological challenges related to material selection and corrosion control. The presence of H2S in crude oil undermines the integrity of industrial equipment and the quality of derived products, contributing to environmental and occupational issues that lead to heightened costs and risks associated with the operation of these industrial units. One of the solutions is the continuous injection of liquid H2S scavengers to mitigate this contaminant in industrial fluids. Testing yields important information regarding the performance of these products; however, the multitude of variables present in these tests complicates the ability to draw conclusive and reproducible observations. Furthermore, the impact of new products on subsequent processes following the injection point complicates the execution of field tests, and the careful implementation of these tests directly disrupts the normal operational and production routine. This article aims to present a detailed methodology for comparing the performance of H2S scavengers composed of different active materials in a predominantly organic medium at temperatures reaching up to 130°C, conditions resembling those encountered at the onset of production from new oil-producing wells with water content of less than 1 %(v/v). Consequently, the methodologies described allow for the assessment, comparison, and differentiation of the H2S scavenging capacity of various commercial H2S scavengers used in the oil industry, enabling their classification according to efficiency. Additionally, it consolidates in single test conditions that are closer to field application and capable of evaluating mixtures of water and oil in proportions ranging from 0 to 100 %(v/v), aqueous solutions with salinity up to 200 g/L in NaCl, temperatures between 30°C and 250°C, and pressures from atmospheric pressure up to 1034 kPa. The methodology allowed for obtaining, in addition to information on H2S scavenging capacity, an indication of the reaction time and rate required to achieve the minimum H2S content in both gas and liquid phases, facilitating the optimization of treatment protocols in oil platforms, onshore and offshore, subsea and topside, terminals, tanks, and pipelines. Among the commercial H2S scavengers evaluated in this study, the one based on ethoxylated compounds (ETO-C) demonstrated superior performance compared to the MEA-triazine-based product (TRI-C) under the same experimental conditions.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Methodology for Evaluating H2S Scavenger Performance in Crude Oil
AU  - Andre Luiz Castro Bonfim
AU  - Alvaro Augusto Oliveira Magalhaes
Y1  - 2025/12/30
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20
DO  - 10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20
T2  - Petroleum Science and Engineering
JF  - Petroleum Science and Engineering
JO  - Petroleum Science and Engineering
SP  - 141
EP  - 156
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-4516
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pse.20250902.20
AB  - The exploration and production of oil in Brazil are increasingly focused on deeper reservoirs and water columns, significant technological challenges related to material selection and corrosion control. The presence of H2S in crude oil undermines the integrity of industrial equipment and the quality of derived products, contributing to environmental and occupational issues that lead to heightened costs and risks associated with the operation of these industrial units. One of the solutions is the continuous injection of liquid H2S scavengers to mitigate this contaminant in industrial fluids. Testing yields important information regarding the performance of these products; however, the multitude of variables present in these tests complicates the ability to draw conclusive and reproducible observations. Furthermore, the impact of new products on subsequent processes following the injection point complicates the execution of field tests, and the careful implementation of these tests directly disrupts the normal operational and production routine. This article aims to present a detailed methodology for comparing the performance of H2S scavengers composed of different active materials in a predominantly organic medium at temperatures reaching up to 130°C, conditions resembling those encountered at the onset of production from new oil-producing wells with water content of less than 1 %(v/v). Consequently, the methodologies described allow for the assessment, comparison, and differentiation of the H2S scavenging capacity of various commercial H2S scavengers used in the oil industry, enabling their classification according to efficiency. Additionally, it consolidates in single test conditions that are closer to field application and capable of evaluating mixtures of water and oil in proportions ranging from 0 to 100 %(v/v), aqueous solutions with salinity up to 200 g/L in NaCl, temperatures between 30°C and 250°C, and pressures from atmospheric pressure up to 1034 kPa. The methodology allowed for obtaining, in addition to information on H2S scavenging capacity, an indication of the reaction time and rate required to achieve the minimum H2S content in both gas and liquid phases, facilitating the optimization of treatment protocols in oil platforms, onshore and offshore, subsea and topside, terminals, tanks, and pipelines. Among the commercial H2S scavengers evaluated in this study, the one based on ethoxylated compounds (ETO-C) demonstrated superior performance compared to the MEA-triazine-based product (TRI-C) under the same experimental conditions.
VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

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