The crippling results asphaltene and paraffin wax accumulation can have on the production of a well is well understood by anyone in the oil extraction sector. The accumulation of organic deposits is usually termed as paraffin. It is one of the elements found in most crude oils. This solution sticks together and solidifies upon cooling down. These crystals accumulate on the production equipment making them unable to function. At this point, downhole paraffin removal must be done.
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.
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.
There are incidences where a number of strategies may be used together to eliminate the wax issue. Forecasting the solidification of wax, possible points of occurrence, and when total blockage will take place is now possible, thanks to technological advancements. Among the methods of predicting is the gas chromatography.
Before choosing a method to use to get rid of a wax problem, it is usually important to study the deposit to determine its nature. Whereas most organic deposits in oil extraction operations are made of wax or paraffins, these are not the only components in the deposits. Deposits usually contain a combination of asphaltenes and paraffins. Besides paraffins and asphaltenes, other components found in the deposits include scale, salt crystals, gums, silt, sand, resins, and clay.
This means that supposing one chooses to use chemicals in removing the deposits, the selected chemical should be capable of removing more than paraffin alone. Nowadays, many chemicals that are used in the process often need to be used alongside heat for them to work properly. The amount of heat required is determined by the kind of chemical in use.
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.
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.
There are incidences where a number of strategies may be used together to eliminate the wax issue. Forecasting the solidification of wax, possible points of occurrence, and when total blockage will take place is now possible, thanks to technological advancements. Among the methods of predicting is the gas chromatography.
Before choosing a method to use to get rid of a wax problem, it is usually important to study the deposit to determine its nature. Whereas most organic deposits in oil extraction operations are made of wax or paraffins, these are not the only components in the deposits. Deposits usually contain a combination of asphaltenes and paraffins. Besides paraffins and asphaltenes, other components found in the deposits include scale, salt crystals, gums, silt, sand, resins, and clay.
This means that supposing one chooses to use chemicals in removing the deposits, the selected chemical should be capable of removing more than paraffin alone. Nowadays, many chemicals that are used in the process often need to be used alongside heat for them to work properly. The amount of heat required is determined by the kind of chemical in use.
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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