Development of a New Model for the Formation of Wax Deposits through the Passage of Crude Oil within the Well

Wax deposits related to flow assurance are a costly problem in oil production in many fields around the world. Modeling of this process is the main tool for creating and optimizing methods to deal with this problem. This paper considers a new empirical model for the formation of these deposits, based on the results of an array of laboratory studies, theoretical data and technological calculations are presented. The created technique takes into account the conditions of oil flow, data from laboratory studies, and the water cut of the product. The experience of the industrial operation of the technique showed a high convergence of the calculated and actual deposit profiles. Based on a comparison of the calculated and actual deposit profiles, it was concluded that the standard deviation of maximum wax thickness is 6.0%, and the depth with the greatest wax thickness is 3.5%, which is a fairly high result. The use of this technique makes it possible to optimize the depth of mechanical cleaning of the well, the installation of heating cables, as well as the parameters of hot flushing, which increases their efficiency and reduces the cost of combating the formation of wax deposition.

Automated summary

This paper presents a new empirical model for addressing wax deposits in oil production. The model considers oil flow conditions, laboratory data, and product water cut. Industrial operation experience showed a high convergence between calculated and actual deposit profiles, with a standard deviation of maximum wax thickness of 6.0% and a depth with the greatest wax thickness of 3.5%. The use of this technique optimizes well cleaning, heating cable installation, and hot flushing parameters, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.