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.
Over 85 percent oils in the world are prone to deposits of crystalized paraffin. When left for longer periods without treatment, the crystals stop oil from flowing eventually by plugging flow lines totally. These plugging is not only restricted to flow lines, but also happen on tubing and pipes used in production and the well itself. The process often occurs slowly over long periods of time.
Therefore, before starting an oil extraction process, one should plan on how to deal with the issue of wax build-up. Although the issue could cause complete blockage to operations, it is relatively easy to remove the wax build-up. Various techniques of wax build-up removal have been developed over the years. Thermal treatment, scrapping, mechanical methods, coiled tubing, chemicals, hot oiling, and hot water are examples of these methods.
In other instances, methods can be combined and used in dealing with the issue in a more effective manner. Technological advancements have made prediction of the occurrence of wax crystallization to points of completely stopping oil flow possible. Among the methods used in predicting this is gas chromatography.
It is critical to research and establish the nature of the deposits prior to settling for a removal method. Wax or paraffins are not the sole components found in the deposits, even though they account for the biggest part of the organic deposits. They often contain asphaltenes and paraffins combined. Other components like salt crystals, sand, gums, resins, scale and clay also exist in the deposits apart from asphaltenes and paraffins.
That means that in case one decides to use chemicals to remove the deposit, the chemical chosen should be able to remove more than just paraffins. Most chemicals that are used in these operations today usually require to be used together with heat in order for them to be effective. Different chemicals require different amounts of heat.
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.
Finally, it is vital for one to consider their safety as well as that of the environment. Mostly, caustic reagents are the ones that are used in chemical treatments. The reagents are often hazardous and very harsh to both the workers and the equipment used. Both human health and the environment are at risk from the toxic chemicals that are contained in caustic chemical treatments.
Over 85 percent oils in the world are prone to deposits of crystalized paraffin. When left for longer periods without treatment, the crystals stop oil from flowing eventually by plugging flow lines totally. These plugging is not only restricted to flow lines, but also happen on tubing and pipes used in production and the well itself. The process often occurs slowly over long periods of time.
Therefore, before starting an oil extraction process, one should plan on how to deal with the issue of wax build-up. Although the issue could cause complete blockage to operations, it is relatively easy to remove the wax build-up. Various techniques of wax build-up removal have been developed over the years. Thermal treatment, scrapping, mechanical methods, coiled tubing, chemicals, hot oiling, and hot water are examples of these methods.
In other instances, methods can be combined and used in dealing with the issue in a more effective manner. Technological advancements have made prediction of the occurrence of wax crystallization to points of completely stopping oil flow possible. Among the methods used in predicting this is gas chromatography.
It is critical to research and establish the nature of the deposits prior to settling for a removal method. Wax or paraffins are not the sole components found in the deposits, even though they account for the biggest part of the organic deposits. They often contain asphaltenes and paraffins combined. Other components like salt crystals, sand, gums, resins, scale and clay also exist in the deposits apart from asphaltenes and paraffins.
That means that in case one decides to use chemicals to remove the deposit, the chemical chosen should be able to remove more than just paraffins. Most chemicals that are used in these operations today usually require to be used together with heat in order for them to be effective. Different chemicals require different amounts of heat.
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.
Finally, it is vital for one to consider their safety as well as that of the environment. Mostly, caustic reagents are the ones that are used in chemical treatments. The reagents are often hazardous and very harsh to both the workers and the equipment used. Both human health and the environment are at risk from the toxic chemicals that are contained in caustic chemical treatments.
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