Title : Mitigation of wax for flow assurance of crude oil: A case study
Abstract:
Waxy crude oil presents challenges that can range from minor operational inconveniences to severe production constraints, significantly impacting both production performance and overall project economics. The severity of wax-related issues often increases as a field matures. Excessive wax deposition can lead to production decline, frequent shutdowns, and reduced well productivity due to tubing blockages.
To evaluate and address these challenges, comprehensive laboratory analyses were conducted on crude oil samples from a western offshore field. The studies included pour point determination, Wax Appearance Temperature (WAT) measurement, SARA (Saturates, Aromatics, Resins, and Asphaltenes) analysis, wax morphological characterization and cold finger testing.
The addition of a flow improver to the crude oil resulted in a significant reduction in pour point and achieved a paraffin inhibition efficiency of 76%. Morphological analysis further demonstrated that an appropriate dosage of flow improver substantially altered the structure and orientation of wax crystals, disrupting their lattice formation and promoting their dispersion within the crude oil. Details of the study and conclusion have been mentioned in the paper.
Keywords: Crude oil, Wax Crystal morphology, Wax inhibition
