Time-dependent nucleation of methane hydrate in a water-in-oil emulsion: effect of water redistribution

Nucleation is a key step in preventing gas hydrate formation during oil and gas production. Oil can sharply affect the hydrate nucleation with changing the activity of nucleation centers (mainly at the water–oil interface) over time. The spontaneous emulsification of water-in-oil emulsions in the course of aging can lead to a decrease in the size of water drops and, consequently, facilitate the hydrate nucleation and alter hydrate mitigation during the shut-in period