Monday, July 8, 2019

Wax And Asphaltene Removal Techniques

By Joseph Johnson


Any person working in the oil industry ought to be well versed with removal of oil residuals such as asphaltene. The reason being that their build-up often tends to have a crippling effect on the entire oil production process. It makes sense for one to be well-versed with the elimination methods as statistics indicate that close to eighty percent of total global oil is highly prone to precipitating paraffin deposits. For more information about wax and asphaltene removal, ensure you read through this artifact.

It is important for you to know techniques to use in case you are faced with such problems. Global statistics indicate that eighty-five percent of the oil being produced today is highly prevalent to the precipitation of deposits. A simple look at these statistics can easily send any person running away for the up hills. This is more, when allowed to continue building up, as they are likely to cripple the entire production process.

As such, there is a need to ensure that the buildup is eliminated as often as possible. Its elimination will require you to have the oil transfer system and the accompanying recovery system given a thorough checkup. When combined, the entire system comprises of the oil being transferred through flow lines, pipes, and the tubing. You do not have to worry about the deposits crippling your operations as you can easily remove them.

Removal of unwanted deposits calls for one to possess latest information on the industry accepted techniques and processes. At the moment, there are numerous methods already in use in oil production areas. They include thermal, mechanical, hot oiling, chemical, hot water, scraping, combination treatments, and coiled tubing. Each method is effective in its own unique way, but you will need to learn how it works before implementing it.

Paraffin wax is the general term used to refer to all deposits encountered when investigating any oil buildup. But the reality is that, paraffin is not the only deposit you will find. Silt crystals, gums, and clay are other deposits that are commonly found and require elimination.

In many cases, any heavy organic deposit that you come across when extracting oil will automatically be referred to as wax or paraffin. Even though paraffin tends to be the major component in all the deposits, you will normally end up with a blend of asphaltene and paraffin. The deposits are unique in that they contain clay, resins, sand, silt, scale, gums, and salt crystals.

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.

Ensure that you also consider the safety of the people who will deal with the elimination of such deposits. Some chemicals will require you to apply a caustic reagent. Such a solution should be avoided as the reagent can pose a health hazard to your personnel as well as to the oil drilling equipment that they are trying to clean.




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