Thursday, May 30, 2019

Asphaltene And Paraffin Solution; A Look At Concerns Caused In Oil And Gas Wells

By Jeffrey Myers


It is common for paraffin and asphaltene to be mentioned together, although these are elements that are distinctly diverse in terms of their composition. They also tend to differ in their behavior as well as the conditions that cause deposition. In order to find a permanent asphaltene and paraffin solution and address the concerns causing deposition, it is important to look at each element uniquely.

The cost of treating chemical solutions is not easy on the wallet, though it is significantly economically attractive as compared to the cost of leaving paraffin and asphaltene problems unaddressed. These issues can negatively impact the lease and well profitability and cause a myriad of operational concerns. Apart from decreased production, they can also damage formations and cause gas and oil well companies immeasurable losses.

To understand the problem at hand, you need to first get well acquainted with its nature and its triggers. Paraffins contain various molecular weight alkane and waterlogged hydrocarbons present in crude oil. Whether a paraffin structure is in its usual form or it is branched, it can be C100 in size or greater. Normal paraffins are seen to have a higher melting point when compared to their branched equals of similar size.

Longer structures have more carbon and this gives them molecules that are larger in size and a higher melting point. In return, they are the first to emerge from a solution. The deposits of paraffin at the bottom will have higher molecular weight and for an issue to be addressed, the deposits must first be carefully analyzed.

Deposition can occur because of changes in temperature-pressure conditions or any other disturbance in the equilibrium. Skilled experts can help to conduct field tests that can assist in establishing whether a specific deposit is paraffin. Asphaltenes on the other hand have greater molecular weight, heavy metals and intricate structures containing O, N, S.

Asphaltenes are responsible for giving crude oil its color. For this reason black-oil crudes often contain more levels of asphaltene. This element has polar molecules that absorb to formation surfaces and increase the water flow. To find solutions, you must also understand that while asphaltene a colloidal dispersion and is insoluble in crude oil, paraffin is soluble.

Deposits of paraffins melt while deposits of asphaltenes decompose and turn into a coke-like deposit. Issues with both of these elements can cause immense problems in the operations of oil and gas well companies. Apart from causing equipment bottlenecks, they also cause restricted flows and increased cost of energy.

Skilled professionals understand that asphaltenes and paraffins are not globally present in regions that produce oil. This means that they can trigger different problems on fluids, even if they are sourced from one formation. Because of these variations it is necessary for you to get customized solutions for your specific problem. You can get assistance before the formation of buildups and skilled experts can implement preventative measures. You can also get help addressing existing problems if you deem this necessary. A proper service will improve your overall production, enhance tubular and equipment life and assist in preventing costly remediation processes.




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