Sunday, August 10, 2014

Paraffin Removal Oil Wells And Their Importance

By Tanisha Berg


Immediately when paraffin-based crude oils were introduced, accumulation of asphaltenes in the flow lines of a well has been the major inhibiting factor towards a smooth flow of the crude oil. Every year, there have been many wells that experience substantial production losses due to asphaltenes build up to an extent that some have been abandoned altogether. For this reason paraffin removal oil wells is very critical to the productivity of any well.

Even though millions of dollars have been channeled towards research aimed at finding a cure to this problem, a universal solution has not been found as of yet. This has been the case mainly because an effective control of asphaltenes is normally hampered by the uncertainty of the composition of the deposit especially because of the difference in molecular structure of the various crude oils.

For us to ensure that there is no accumulation of asphaltenes, one can physically remove the buildup. In this approach, the one operating the plant will use available cutting equipment and flow line scrappers to remove unwanted components. The advantage of this method is that there will be no stoppage of the production process as the removal is being done. In this way production continues normally as well l as eliminating unwanted materials.

Thermal technique is yet another method that can be used to eradicate asphaltenes. As the name suggests, this technique involves melting of the impurity material so that it can be easily extracted from the well. Even though this method is very simple to use and relatively cheap, if the right temperature and requirements are not observed, the results may be displeasing to the operator of the well.

If the unwanted materials are obstructed and cannot be easily reached as would be the case in pipes. Mechanical and thermal technique cannot be used. In this case hot water or steam will be thrust at a high pressure carrying away the impurities

Another advantage of using water to clean or remove asphalts along crude oil transportation lines is that water is not risky to the health of human beings and also animals and also when being released to the water bodies it is easily treated unlike chemicals which may pose a great danger the operators of crude oil plants and also aquatics after being released from the pipes.

Well stimulation is still another viable method that can be used to eliminate impurities. This method makes use of plant based materials to breakdown the asphaltenes. As such, this technique has received a worldwide acclamation for making use of biodegradable ingredients unlike other methods that use very harmful and toxic ingredients such as acids that cause harm to the environment.

Clearly, as a well operator, you will be spoilt of choice when searching for a method to use in dealing with asphaltenes in your well. You should however weigh all the methods available and only choose the one that best addresses your situation. In so doing, you will be able to completely eliminate impurities in your well and thus making it operate at optimum levels.




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