Saturday, July 6, 2019

Wax And Asphaltene Removal Methods

By Joseph Johnson


If you have ever worked in an oil production industry, then chances are that you are used to elimination of various residual products. Paraffin deposits tend to build up over time, and if left unchecked can pose a serious problem for the entire system. In some cases, the problem may become too serious necessitating a halting of services until the wax and asphaltene removal is done.

The best time to act is when you start to notice the buildup taking shape. Acting early will help ensure that the recovery system as well as the oil transfer system are still in great condition. Keep in mind that this system is quite comprehensive, and comprises of various flow lines, tubing, pipes, and not to forget the oil itself. Given that a slow buildup can in the end cripple operations, you should ensure that you are well-versed with numerous elimination methods.

The transfer comprises of tubing, pipes, flow lines, and of course the oil that is under production. As mentioned, the buildup can become serious to a point where production no longer takes place due to a breakdown of the system used to recover the oil. The good news, however, is that you do not have to worry about the buildup as it can easily get removed.

All you need to do is learn the methods that are used in removing the unwanted deposits. Currently, there are various methods in existence which can help with this particular problem. You can use combination treatments, mechanical, chemical, scraping, coiled tubing, hot water, hot oiling, or thermal methods to get rid of your unwanted deposits. All these are valid methods which have already been tried and tested in various areas.

As it stands, many industries prefer to use chemical solvents to clean up. However, chemicals do pose a challenge in that you cannot start using chemical solutions before you have an idea of the kind of deposits that are present. A closer look at your wells may reveal that you are dealing with much more than a deposit problem as there could be an underlying issue as well.

As stated earlier, different techniques are applied in the cleaning process. You are advised to take some time to consider the problem at hand before settling on the most efficient chemical solution. Make sure that it can get rid of as many deposits as possible. If no solution can do this for you, then combine two or three methods to guarantee that the issue will not recur soon.

Any solvent being considered for use in this particular process should be able to remove all the other deposits, and not paraffin alone. Some chemical treatments currently in use to help with paraffin elimination will require heat for them to work. You will need additional equipment for you to apply heat into this system. If you factor all the expenses, you will realize that it is better to find a chemical solvent that can function even in low temperatures.

As you ponder on the method to use, place a lot of priority on safety precautions. You cannot afford to take safety for granted. Any method that will be used should be safe for the workers and for the equipment used. Do not use a solution that will corrode your equipment making it inefficient.




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