ORGANIC DEPOSITS IN PRODUCTION SYSTEM

1
ORGANIC DEPOSITS IN PRODUCTION SYSTEM METHODS
OF ITS REMOVAL

• BY
• Kulwant Singh
• Delcom Services Sdn Bhd

2
EQUILIBRIUM STATE OF HYDROCARBONS

• Crude Oil Gas exists in a state of equilibrium
  in the reservoir.
• During production, change of temperature
  pressure disturbs the equilibrium leading to
  separation of heavy components of crude oil.

3
Composition of Organic Deposits

• WAX (PARAFFIN MICROCRYSTALLINE)
• ASPHALTENES
• FORMATION FINES (SAND, SILT, CLAY ETC.)
• CORROSION PRODUCTS
• SCALES
• OIL (trapped in deposit matrix)
• MOISTURE

4
Location of Deposits
5
Effect of Deposits

• Resistance to flow increases, which leads to
• Loss of production
• Increased pump pressure (cost of production
  increases)
• Process up set (emulsion formation)
• Effluent quality

6
Example of Estimated Effect

• For a 12 pipeline , a smooth 5 deposit buildup
  reduces throughput by 10 requiring 30 increase
  in operating pressure.
• If buildup is uneven, throughput can drop by 35
  requiring 140 increase in operating pressure.

7
Mechanism of Deposition

• SOLUBILITY EFFECT
• COLLODIAL EFFECT
• AGGREGATION EFFECT
• ELECTROKINETIC EFFECT
• WETTABILITY EFFECT
• OTHER FACTORS
• (type of flow/nature of surface/density/viscosity
  /particulate matter)

8
Factors Responsible for Deposits
9
Methods of Removal

• MECHANICAL
• THERMAL
• CHEMICAL
• COMBINATION (THERMOCHEMICAL/INSITU HEAT
  GENERATION)

10
Mechanical Methods

• PIGGING
• WAX CUTTING / SCRAPPING

11
Thermal

• HOT OIL CIRCULATION
• HOT WATER / STEAM CIRCULATION

12
Chemical

• SOLVENTS
• DISPERSANTS
• CRYSTAL MODIFIERS

13
Thermochemical

• HOT SOLVENT WITH/WITHOUT SURFACTANTS WETTING
  AGENTS
• IN SITU GENERATION OF HEAT USING ORGANIC
  ACID-BASE COMBINATION

14
Benefits of In Situ Generation of Heat Method

• No loss of heat energy
• Possible to attain large temperature range
• Designing of specific solutions
• Product (ester ) compatible with produced fluid
• Product (ester ) acts as
• Wax morphology modifier ( from crystalline to
  amorphous)
• Non emulsifier/demulsifier/desludging agent
• Wax / Asphaltene dispersant
• Corrosion Inhibitor

15

• THE END