Friday, June 9, 2017

Information On The Process Of Paraffin Removal

By Mary Williams


In the oil extraction industry, paraffin wax build-up is a familiar issue. Paraffin wax has a lot of crippling effects on the oil well production. They cause a lot of oil to precipitate, which over time, reduces the oil flow. With time, oil production might stop completely. Oil is among one of the most important natural resources on earth. Thus paraffin removal is important whenever it occurs.

Oil is mined and this is done by creating oil wells that are drilled into the surface of the earth. The design of a well assists in bringing the oil to the surface. Natural gas is brought to the surface together with the oil in some cases. Sometimes, separate wells for extracting natural gas may also be drilled. Before the location of the well identified, a study has to be done. This enables one to know the ideal location to drill the well before drilling starts.

The process is usually done by geologists. The location is chosen to optimize oil production. It is also chosen to confirm any existence of hydrocarbon. The point of injection is also to be determined. This point should be permeable to enable disposing of water or gas. A target is an end point of the well where the oil or gas can be disposed from.

The drilling can start after the determination of the suitable location for the drilling activity. Normally, the size of a well needed is restricted to the area. Steel pipes are put into the well. The pipes are usually smaller than the well. It is advisable to be careful and ensure safety. One way to ensure safety is to cast cement on the outside the casing.

The cement provides structural integrity of a well. It also eliminates possibilities of dangerous high pressure zones. Paraffin wax is among the heavy organics of crude oil. It is actually a mixture of kerosene and asphaltenes. Kerosene deposits usually contains a lot of silt, gums, resins, salt crystals and sand. Due to all these the paraffin has to be constantly and continuously removed from the oil wells.

There are several methods an individual can use in removal of kerosene. The method chosen should be safe. One of these methods involves extraction using chemical solvents. It involves using caustic reagents. The use of caustic reagents can be dangerous especially to workers at the oil sites. For instance, they can damage oil drilling equipment. Also, chemicals used can be poisonous specifically to the human health.

There are a range of techniques for eliminating the wax build ups. These methods include, Mechanical methods, scraping method, coiled tubing, thermal method, hot oiling, hot water, and chemical and wax solvents. There are cases when several of these methods are used in combination.

The nature of wax build up is a factor an individual has to put under consideration when choosing the best method to use. It is possible that if this problem occurs in a well, there are other problems too. Thus, the nature of an accumulation is very vital. It may give a hint of other problems not readily perceivable.




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