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.
An excess of 85 percent of the oil wells are affected by solidified paraffin deposits. They eventually stop the oil flow by totally clogging the tubing and flow lines if they are neglected for a long time without being treated. Clogging additionally extends to the well itself as well as pipes apart from the flow lines and tubing. This happens slowly but becomes imminent after a long time.
As such, before any oil extraction process begins, plans must be made on how to deal with the problem of wax build-up. Even though the problem can be a real bottleneck to production operations, removal of the wax buildup is relatively easy. A wide range of methods for removing wax build-up have been invented over the years. Some of them include using hot water, hot oiling, chemicals, coiled tubing, mechanical methods, scraping, and thermal treatment.
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.
Last but not least, it is critical to consider safety. Chemical treatments often demand the use of caustic agents in most instances. These reagents can be hazardous to both the pieces of equipment being used as well as the laborers. Additionally, they are often harsh to human health and even the environment because they contain poisonous chemicals.
An excess of 85 percent of the oil wells are affected by solidified paraffin deposits. They eventually stop the oil flow by totally clogging the tubing and flow lines if they are neglected for a long time without being treated. Clogging additionally extends to the well itself as well as pipes apart from the flow lines and tubing. This happens slowly but becomes imminent after a long time.
As such, before any oil extraction process begins, plans must be made on how to deal with the problem of wax build-up. Even though the problem can be a real bottleneck to production operations, removal of the wax buildup is relatively easy. A wide range of methods for removing wax build-up have been invented over the years. Some of them include using hot water, hot oiling, chemicals, coiled tubing, mechanical methods, scraping, and thermal treatment.
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.
Last but not least, it is critical to consider safety. Chemical treatments often demand the use of caustic agents in most instances. These reagents can be hazardous to both the pieces of equipment being used as well as the laborers. Additionally, they are often harsh to human health and even the environment because they contain poisonous chemicals.
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