Abstract

The inhibiting or retarding hydrate formation, growth and/or agglomeration in a fluid comprising water and gases, is accomplished by addition of at least one hydrosoluble homopolymer or copolymer derived from at least one nitrogen-containing monomer selected from cationic monomers, for example those containing at least one quaternary ammonium moiety, amphoteric monomers, for example those containing at least one quaternary ammonium moiety and at least one carboxylate or sulphonate moiety, and various neutral monomers, said hydrosoluble homopolymer or copolymer being neutral or anionic, or consisting of a polyampholyte. The homopolymer, copolymer or mixture of polymers optionally mixed with an alcohol is generally incorporated into the fluid to be treated at a concentration of 0.05% to 5% by weight with respect to the quantity of water in the medium.