Anyone in the oil extraction industry understands how paraffin wax and asphaltene build-up can have some serious crippling effects on the production of a well. The term paraffin is used to refer to waxy build-up of organic material. Most crude oils usually contain paraffin solution as one of the components. When this solution cools down, it crystalizes and clumps together. These clumped crystals then accumulate on production equipment, rendering downhole paraffin removal important.
More than 85 percent of the oil in the world is prone to crystalized paraffin deposits. When these crystals are left for a long period of time without being treated, they eventually stop the flow of oil by plugging flow lines and tubing completely. The plugging is not limited to tubing and flow lines, but also extends to the well itself and all pipes involved in the production. This process usually happens gradually over a long period of time.
It is for this reason that prior to starting oil extraction processes, a strategy for handling the issue of wax accumulation should be developed in advance. Removal of the wax is comparatively easy even though it can be a stumbling block to production. Over time, there have been several inventions of ways of eliminating wax accumulation. Hot water utility, chemicals, hot oiling, coiled tubing, scraping, thermal treatment and mechanical ways are all examples of methods developed over time.
In some cases, a combination of methods may be used to deal with the problem more effectively. Advancements in technology have made it possible to predict when the crystallization of wax will happen to a point that oil flow will be stopped completely. Gas chromatograph is one of the methods used in the prediction.
Before one selects a technique to use in getting rid of wax issues, it is often essential for them to examine the deposits to determine their nature. Although organic deposits in extraction of oil are mostly made of paraffin and wax, these components are not the only ones in the deposit. Paraffin and asphaltenes are often contained in the deposits. Apart from asphaltenes and paraffin, substances like clay, resins, sand, gums, salt crystals, and scale are also contained in the deposits.
The chemical one decides to settle for must be able to get rid of more than paraffins alone. A number of chemicals presently used in the process require to be used in conjunction with heat for them to act efficiently. The amount of heat needed depends on the chemical that is being used.
The addition of heat into the operation usually requires additional expense in the form of additional equipment, labor, and energy consumption. These expenses can be reduced by using a chemical solvent that can work effectively at low temperatures. A variety of solvents have been invented that can be used at a low temperature while maintaining a high level of efficiency.
Lastly, safety is a very important consideration. In most cases, chemical treatments usually require the use of caustic reagents. These reagents are usually very harsh and can be hazardous to both the equipment in use and the workers. The toxic chemicals contained in the chemical treatments pose risk to both the environment and human health.
More than 85 percent of the oil in the world is prone to crystalized paraffin deposits. When these crystals are left for a long period of time without being treated, they eventually stop the flow of oil by plugging flow lines and tubing completely. The plugging is not limited to tubing and flow lines, but also extends to the well itself and all pipes involved in the production. This process usually happens gradually over a long period of time.
It is for this reason that prior to starting oil extraction processes, a strategy for handling the issue of wax accumulation should be developed in advance. Removal of the wax is comparatively easy even though it can be a stumbling block to production. Over time, there have been several inventions of ways of eliminating wax accumulation. Hot water utility, chemicals, hot oiling, coiled tubing, scraping, thermal treatment and mechanical ways are all examples of methods developed over time.
In some cases, a combination of methods may be used to deal with the problem more effectively. Advancements in technology have made it possible to predict when the crystallization of wax will happen to a point that oil flow will be stopped completely. Gas chromatograph is one of the methods used in the prediction.
Before one selects a technique to use in getting rid of wax issues, it is often essential for them to examine the deposits to determine their nature. Although organic deposits in extraction of oil are mostly made of paraffin and wax, these components are not the only ones in the deposit. Paraffin and asphaltenes are often contained in the deposits. Apart from asphaltenes and paraffin, substances like clay, resins, sand, gums, salt crystals, and scale are also contained in the deposits.
The chemical one decides to settle for must be able to get rid of more than paraffins alone. A number of chemicals presently used in the process require to be used in conjunction with heat for them to act efficiently. The amount of heat needed depends on the chemical that is being used.
The addition of heat into the operation usually requires additional expense in the form of additional equipment, labor, and energy consumption. These expenses can be reduced by using a chemical solvent that can work effectively at low temperatures. A variety of solvents have been invented that can be used at a low temperature while maintaining a high level of efficiency.
Lastly, safety is a very important consideration. In most cases, chemical treatments usually require the use of caustic reagents. These reagents are usually very harsh and can be hazardous to both the equipment in use and the workers. The toxic chemicals contained in the chemical treatments pose risk to both the environment and human health.
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