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.
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 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.
Additional expenses in form of energy consumption, labor and additional equipment are required when heat is added in the process. When chemical solvents that are able to work under low temperatures are used, then it is possible to reduce the expenses. High efficiency levels can be achieved with the use of the various low-temperature solvents that have been developed over the years.
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.
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.
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 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.
Additional expenses in form of energy consumption, labor and additional equipment are required when heat is added in the process. When chemical solvents that are able to work under low temperatures are used, then it is possible to reduce the expenses. High efficiency levels can be achieved with the use of the various low-temperature solvents that have been developed over the years.
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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