Patent ID: 7381689

Claim:
A method for inhibiting formation of gas hydrate plugs in conduits containing a mixture of hydrocarbons and water, the method comprising: adding at least one compound to the mixture in an effective amount for inhibiting formation of gas hydrates, the at least one compound having a formula selected from: where: R 1 is an alkyl having from 4 to 5 carbon atoms; R 2 is hydrogen or an alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R 4 is selected from —(CH 2 ) t —, —[CH 2 —(CHR 6 ) t ]—,—(CH 2 -CHR 6 O) u —(CH 2 ) t — and combinations thereof, wherein t is an integer 2 to 4, u is 0 or an integer, R 6 is hydrogen or an alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R 5 is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms; A is N or P; and X − is a carboxylate anion.