Cold Flow: A Review of a Technology to Avoid Wax Deposition

Merino‐Garcia, Daniel; Correra, S.

doi:10.1080/10916460600809741

Cited by 71 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Although the composition of these deposits is very complex, it is well known that normal paraffins are major constituents, which precipitate from the bulk liquid phase as the crude oil cools down in the pipeline during transportation [2,3]. Preventive measures to minimize wax deposition problems involve heat insulation of subsea pipelines and the use of paraffin inhibitors [3,5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The precipitation of solid deposits during the production and transportation of crude oils, especially from offshore reservoir facilities, represents a serious operational and economic issue [1,2,3,4]. Although the composition of these deposits is very complex, it is well known that normal paraffins are major constituents, which precipitate from the bulk liquid phase as the crude oil cools down in the pipeline during transportation [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Paraffin Wax Inhibitors: An Experimental Comparison of Bench-Top Test Results and Small-Scale Deposition Rigs for Model Waxy Oils

et al. 2015

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The performance of paraffin inhibitors from several chemical families was evaluated using two model waxy oils in bench-top tests such as cloud point and pour point, and in small-scale deposition rigs using a cold finger and a flow loop. In addition, rheological characterization of the inhibited systems was conducted to provide additional insights into the function of the paraffin inhibitors. Similarities and differences in the response of the model oils to the paraffin inhibitors are discussed along with the correlations between the results from bench-top tests and the observed wax deposit inhibition performance.The model waxy-oils were formulated using blends of commercially available waxes dissolved in a paraffinic solvent or a mixture of paraffinic and aromatic solvents. The wax blends were chosen to represent a broad range of carbon number distributions including one highly polydisperse distribution with an extended distribution of high carbon number waxes exceeding C50. Candidate paraffin inhibitors were initially evaluated for their impact on cloud point and pour point in these model oils. Subsequent testing of the inhibited systems included rheological characterization over a range of temperatures, cold finger deposition tests and flow loop deposition tests in a pipe-in-pipe geometry. All results are compared to the baseline results for the uninhibited model waxy oils.While changes in cloud point and pour point gave a good indication that a particular paraffin inhibitor was impacting the wax crystallization process, this did not guarantee a significant reduction in deposits of the inhibited system. Moreover, the experimental conditions used in the small-scale deposition tests also affected the observed performance of paraffin inhibitors, indicating that temperature gradients (i.e., oil temperature and coolant temperature) must be optimized to achieve the highest discriminating power. This study highlights the degree of correlation and the areas of departure between bench-top test results and the main objectives of deposit reduction, and yield stress reduction in flowing systems. It also discusses the advantages and risks of using only the bench-top test results for the selection of paraffin inhibitors.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Paraffin Wax Inhibitors: An Experimental Comparison of Bench-Top Test Results and Small-Scale Deposition Rigs for Model Waxy Oils

et al. 2015

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“…WAT is also called the cloud point [7,106]. Lately, some researchers have shown the advantage of calculating wax disappearance temperature (WDT) compared to WAT.…”

Section: Wat Determination (Astm Standard D5773-04 2005)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Paraffin deposition in hydrocarbon production systems is a major challenge for the development of oil and gas fields in cold environments or in deep waters [4][5][6] where nucleation and adhesion of the wax to the wall of the pipe occur [7]. Paraffin deposition in oil production is a critical problem that is difficult to control in terms of productivity and production operating costs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Solvents Based on Biomass for Mitigation of Wax Paraffin in Indonesian Oilfield

et al. 2019

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This paper presents a review of the expectations and challenges of using biomass in the prevention and slowing of paraffin wax deposition that takes place during the crude oil production process. The inhibition of the deposition process involves the use of solvents from biomass that are generally available around the crude oil production field. The processes used to scale down the precipitation of wax include mixing crude oil with the manufacturer's solvent composed of toluene and xylene. The goal is to assess solvents sourced from biomass that are capable to slow down the wax deposition process. Wax appearance temperature is an important characteristic to evaluate the possible wax precipitation of a given fluid. Wax precipitation can be reduced by using some chemical additives, often called the pour point depressant. This additive is expected to be produced from local biomass which can compete with solvents currently produced on the market.

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“…It will cause a lot of difficulties by blocking of transport equipments and pipelines. This can eventually decrease or in worst condition block the flow in the production line (Sanjay, Simantha, and Kulwant 1995;Merino-Garcia and Correra 2008;Al-Yaari 2011;Taraneh et al 2008;Alghanduri, et al 2010;Zhu, Walker, and Liang 2008;Elsharkawy, Al-Sahhaf, and Fahim 2000;Aiyejina et al 2011). The flowability of crude oil is determined by the viscosity/ surface tension of crude oil.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on the role of Nocardia farcinica in enhancing the flow rate of crude oil

Patel

Lakshmi

2016

Bioremediation Journal

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Microbial degradation of paraffin wax is an efficient method of removing wax deposition from pipelines and enhancing the flow rate of crude oil. The present study was carried out to isolate a potential paraffin-degrading organism from oil wells of Gujarat. Screening for bacteria-utilizing paraffin wax as the sole source of carbon was carried out using 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol (DCPIP) dye as redox indicator. The selected organism was identified as Nocardia farcinica by 16S rRNA sequencing. Nocardia farcinica showed 100% degradation of heneicosane, 65.99% degradation of docosane, and 50.59% degradation of tricosane, the major components of paraffin wax, in 8 days, which was observed by gas chromatography. Eicosane (86%) and heneicosane (80%) were utilized more by the selected organism compared with octacosane (61%) and triacontane (58%) (DCPIP dye method). Gas chromatographic analysis revealed that the selected organism degraded 50% of paraffin crude oil in 10 days. To determine the ability of the selected organism to enhance flow rate, parameters such as viscosity (cps), surface tension (d/cm 2 ), pour point ( C), and flow rate (min/2 ml) were determined, and the result showed significant reduction in all the parameters after the addition of Nocardia farcinica. The viscosity and surface tension of crude oil were reduced by 22 and 6.30 points, respectively, after the addition of Nocardia farcinica. Pour point and flow rate were reduced by 2 and 11 points, respectively, when compared with control. The above findings indicate that Nocardia farcinica isolated from crude oil plays a major role in enhancing the flow rate of crude oil.

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Cold Flow: A Review of a Technology to Avoid Wax Deposition

Cited by 71 publications

References 14 publications

Evaluation of Paraffin Wax Inhibitors: An Experimental Comparison of Bench-Top Test Results and Small-Scale Deposition Rigs for Model Waxy Oils

Evaluation of Paraffin Wax Inhibitors: An Experimental Comparison of Bench-Top Test Results and Small-Scale Deposition Rigs for Model Waxy Oils

Review of Solvents Based on Biomass for Mitigation of Wax Paraffin in Indonesian Oilfield

Study on the role of Nocardia farcinica in enhancing the flow rate of crude oil

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