Experimental Research on Selection of Wax Inhibitor for Flow Assurance in Subsea Petroleum Production System

doi:10.32390/ksmer.2013.50.5.631

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2013 Vol.50, Issue 5 Preview Page Next Page

Research Paper

Experimental Research on Selection of Wax Inhibitor for Flow Assurance in Subsea Petroleum Production System 해저 석유생산시스템에서 유동안정성 확보를 위한 왁스억제제 선정 실험연구: 이록상·강판상·임종세
Rok-Sang Lee, Pan-Sang Kang and Jong-Se Lim

October 2013. pp. 631-640

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Abstract

Wax inhibitor for flow assurance can control the wax deposition effectively if it is properly selected in a subsea petroleum production system in low-temperature environments. In this paper, wax inhibitors are classified according to the mechanism and main purpose. In addition, a method is proposed to select an appropriate wax inhibitor. The selection method is as follows. In stage 1, properties and composition of produced oil are measured. In stage 2, maximum concentration of the wax inhibitor is set for confirming the effectiveness of the wax inhibitor. In stage 3, wax inhibitors considered to maximum concentration are tested to select the effective wax inhibitor depending on its main purpose. In stage 4, the most effective wax inhibitor is chosen by stage 3. In stage 5, The test is conducted to determine the optimal concentration. For application of the proposed method, we carried out the test with produced oil samples. As the results of test, MMA for lowering the pour point of an oil sample, TW for lowering the rate of wax deposition and xylene for removing the deposited wax were selected.

Keywords

Petroleum Production

Subsea System

Flow Assurance

Wax Inhibitor

해저 저온환경의 석유 생산시스템에서 왁스 집적 제어를 위한 유동안정성 확보 방법 중 왁스억제제 주입법은 적합한 물질을 선정할 경우 효과적으로 왁스집적을 제어할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 작용 메커니즘 및 주요 사용목적에 따라 왁스억제제를 분류하고 왁스억제제 선정방법을 제안하였다. 선정방법은 총 5단계로 1단계는 분석대상 오일시료의 물성과 성분을 파악하고, 왁스억제 효과 확인을 위해 최대 농도를 2단계에서 설정한다. 3단계는 최대 농도에 따라 사용목적에 적합한 왁스억제제 선정 실험을 수행하며, 결과를 통해 4단계에서 적합한 왁스억제제를 선정한다. 5단계는 왁스억제 최적농도 선정을 위한 평가를 수행한다. 선정방법을 실제 생산된 오일시료에 적용한 결과, 석유 유동점을 낮추는 경우는 유동점강하제인 MMA, 왁스집적속도를 낮추는 경우는 분산제인 TW, 집적된 왁스제거를 위한 경우는 용매제인 Xylene이 선정되었다.

키워드

석유생산

해저시스템

유동안정성 확보

왁스억제제

References

Ahn, S., Wang, K.S., Shuler, P.J., Creek, J.L. and Tang, Y., 2005, “Paraffin Crystal and Deposition Control By Emulsification,” paper SPE 93357 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry held in Houston, U.S.A., Feb. 2-4.
Allan, K.J., Wylde, J.J., Slayer, J.L. and Abbate, M., 2010, “Successful Application of LDHI and Paraffin Inhibitor Provides a Step Change in Flow Assurance Management in a Subsea Network in the Gulf of Mexico,” paper SPE 133406 presented at the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Resources Conference held in Port of Spain, Trinidad, June 27-30.
ASTM, 2012, “D6749 Standard Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products,” Book of standards volume, Vol. 05.03.
Bacon, M.M. and Romero-Zerŏn, L.B., 2011, “Optimizing Paraffin and Naphthene Wax-Treatment Options Using Cross-Polarized Microscopy,” paper SPE 140838 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry held in Woodlands, U.S.A., Apr. 11-13.
Bai, Y. and Bai, Q., 2005, Subsea Pipelines and Risers, 2nd Ed., Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, Netherlands, pp. 389-392.
Bailey, J.C. and Allenson, S.J., 2009, “Paraffin Cleanout in a Single Subsea Flowline Using Xylene,” paper OTC 19566 presented at the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, U.S.A., May 5-8.
Becker, J.R., 2000, “Oilfield Paraffin Treatments : Hot Oil and Hot Water Compared to Crystal Modifiers,” paper SPE 63123 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Dallas, U.S.A., Oct. 1-4.
Bucaram, S.M., 1966, “An Improved Paraffin Inhibitor,” paper SPE 1544 presented at the SPE 41^st Annual Fall Meeting held in Dallas, U.S.A., Oct. 2-5.
Charles, J.G. and Marcinew, R.P., 1986, “Unique Paraffin Inhibition Technique Reduces Well Maintenance,” J. of Canadian Petroleum Technology, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 40-44.
Chen, W., Zhao, Z. and Yin, C., 2010, “The Interaction of Waxes with Pour Point Depressants,“ Fuel, Vol. 89, No. 5, pp. 1127-1132.
Dobbs, J.B., 1999, “A Unique Method of Paraffin Control in Production Operations,” paper SPE 55647 presented at the SPE Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting held in Gillette, U.S.A., May 15-18.
Frenier, W.W., Ziauddin, M. and Venkatesan, R., 2010, Organic Deposits in Oil and Gas Production, SPE, Richardson, U.S.A.
Jennings, D.W. and Newberry, M.E., 2008, “Application of Paraffin Inhibitor Treatment Programs in Offshore Developments,” paper OTC 19154 presented at the Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, U.S.A., May 5-8.
Joseph, P.W. and Eugene, S., 2009, “Methacrylate Copolymer Pour Point Depressants,” European Patent Specification, Patent No. 07821949.0.
Kulkarni, M.M. and Iyer, K., 2005, “Effects of Pour-point Depressants on Indian Crude Oils,” paper SPE 95976 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Dallas, U.S.A., Oct. 9-12.
Kang, P.S., Yu, S.R. and Lim, J.S., 2012, “Experimental Research on Characteristics of Wax Deposition,” Proc. of the 2012 Korean Society for Energy Engineering, KOSEE, Busan, Korea, p. 107.
Lee, J.H., Park, S.S., Joo, W.S., Shin, C.H. and Lee, Y.S., 2009, “Potentialities and Value of Gas Hydrate as an Energy Resource,” J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 46, No. 4, pp. 490-497.
Lim, J.S., 2010, “Flow Assurance Technology in Petroleum Production System,” J. of Petroleum, Vol. 26, pp. 68-85.
Lim, J.S., Back, S.Y., Kang, P.S., Yu, S.R., Kim, H.S. and Park, J.H., 2012, “Wax Appearance Temperature Measurement of Opaque Oil for Flow Assurance in Subsea Petroleum Production System,” J. of the Korean Society of Marine Engineering, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 185-194.
Lim, J.S., Kang, P.S. and Yu, S.R., 2013, “Flow Assurance Technologies for Mitigating Wax Deposition in Subsea Petroleum Production System,” J. of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 278-296.
Manka, J.S., Magyar, J.S. and Smith, R.P., 1999, “A Novel Method to Winterize Traditional Pour Point Depressants,” paper SPE 56571 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Houston, U.S.A., Oct. 3-6.
Newberry, M.E. and Barker, K.M., 1985, “Formation Damage Prevention Through the Control of Paraffin and Asphaltene Deposition,” paper SPE 13796 presented at the SPE Production Operations Symposium held in Oklahoma City, U.S.A., Mar. 10-12.
Peyton, K.B. and Wang, S.L., 2001, “Composition and Method for Lubricant Wax Dispersant and Pour Point Improver,” United States Patent, Patent No. 6,174,843 B1.
Poole, G., Brock, G., Szymczak, S. and Casey, G., 2008, “Successful Pipeline Clean Out-Lessons Learned From Cleaning Paraffin Blockage From a Deepwater Pipeline,” paper SPE 115658 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Denver, U.S.A., Sep. 21-24.
Rønningsen, H.P., Bjørndal, B., Hansen, A.B. and Pedersen, W.B., 1991, “Wax Precipitation from North Sea Crude Oils. 1. Crystallization and Dissolution Temperature, Newtonian and Non-newtonian Flow Properties,” Energy & Fuels, Vol. 5, pp. 895-908.
Straub, T.J., Autry, S.W. and King, G.E., 1989, “An Investigation Into Practical Removal of Downhole Paraffin by Thermal Methods and Chemical Solvents,” paper SPE 18889 presented at the SPE Production Operations Symposium held in Oklahoma City, U.S.A., Mar. 13-14.
Tung, N.P., Phong, N.T.P., Long, B.Q.K., Thuc, P.D. and Son, T.C., 2001, “Studying the Mechanisms of Crude Oil Pour Point and Viscosity Reductions When Developing Chemical Additives With Use of Advanced Analytical Tools,” paper SPE 65204 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry held in Houston, U.S.A., Feb. 13-16.
Venkatesan, R., Singh, P. and Fogler, H.S., 2002, “Delineating the Pour Point and Gelation Temperature of Waxy Crude Oils,” SPE J., Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 349-352.
Wylde, J.J. and Slayer, J.L., 2012, “Considerations and Lessons Learned on Development of Gas-Lift Paraffin Inhibitors of Subsea Wells in the Gulf of Mexico,” paper OTC 23206 presented at the Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, U.S.A., Apr. 30-May 3.
Yoo, J.H., Park, C.H. and Kim, H.T., 2011, “Utilization of Nanotechnology in Enhanced Oil Recovery,” J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 48, No. 6, pp. 794-801.
Zhang, F. and Wang, B., 1995, “Development of a Complex Type of Pour Point-Viscosity Depressant and Infrared Spectrum Research,” paper SPE 29011 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry held in San Antonio, U.S.A., Feb. 14-17.

Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
Publisher(Ko) :한국자원공학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
Journal Title(Ko) :한국자원공학회지
Volume : 50
No :5
Pages :631-640
DOI :https://doi.org/10.32390/ksmer.2013.50.5.631

[1] Ahn, S., Wang, K.S., Shuler, P.J., Creek, J.L. and Tang, Y., 2005, “Paraffin Crystal and Deposition Control By Emulsification,” paper SPE 93357 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry held in Houston, U.S.A., Feb. 2-4.

[2] Allan, K.J., Wylde, J.J., Slayer, J.L. and Abbate, M., 2010, “Successful Application of LDHI and Paraffin Inhibitor Provides a Step Change in Flow Assurance Management in a Subsea Network in the Gulf of Mexico,” paper SPE 133406 presented at the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Resources Conference held in Port of Spain, Trinidad, June 27-30.

[3] ASTM, 2012, “D6749 Standard Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products,” Book of standards volume, Vol. 05.03.

[4] Bacon, M.M. and Romero-Zerŏn, L.B., 2011, “Optimizing Paraffin and Naphthene Wax-Treatment Options Using Cross-Polarized Microscopy,” paper SPE 140838 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry held in Woodlands, U.S.A., Apr. 11-13.

[5] Bai, Y. and Bai, Q., 2005, Subsea Pipelines and Risers, 2nd Ed., Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, Netherlands, pp. 389-392.

[6] Bailey, J.C. and Allenson, S.J., 2009, “Paraffin Cleanout in a Single Subsea Flowline Using Xylene,” paper OTC 19566 presented at the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, U.S.A., May 5-8.

[7] Becker, J.R., 2000, “Oilfield Paraffin Treatments : Hot Oil and Hot Water Compared to Crystal Modifiers,” paper SPE 63123 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Dallas, U.S.A., Oct. 1-4.

[8] Bucaram, S.M., 1966, “An Improved Paraffin Inhibitor,” paper SPE 1544 presented at the SPE 41^st Annual Fall Meeting held in Dallas, U.S.A., Oct. 2-5.

[9] Charles, J.G. and Marcinew, R.P., 1986, “Unique Paraffin Inhibition Technique Reduces Well Maintenance,” J. of Canadian Petroleum Technology, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 40-44.

[10] Chen, W., Zhao, Z. and Yin, C., 2010, “The Interaction of Waxes with Pour Point Depressants,“ Fuel, Vol. 89, No. 5, pp. 1127-1132.

[11] Dobbs, J.B., 1999, “A Unique Method of Paraffin Control in Production Operations,” paper SPE 55647 presented at the SPE Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting held in Gillette, U.S.A., May 15-18.

[12] Frenier, W.W., Ziauddin, M. and Venkatesan, R., 2010, Organic Deposits in Oil and Gas Production, SPE, Richardson, U.S.A.

[13] Jennings, D.W. and Newberry, M.E., 2008, “Application of Paraffin Inhibitor Treatment Programs in Offshore Developments,” paper OTC 19154 presented at the Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, U.S.A., May 5-8.

[14] Joseph, P.W. and Eugene, S., 2009, “Methacrylate Copolymer Pour Point Depressants,” European Patent Specification, Patent No. 07821949.0.

[15] Kulkarni, M.M. and Iyer, K., 2005, “Effects of Pour-point Depressants on Indian Crude Oils,” paper SPE 95976 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Dallas, U.S.A., Oct. 9-12.

[16] Kang, P.S., Yu, S.R. and Lim, J.S., 2012, “Experimental Research on Characteristics of Wax Deposition,” Proc. of the 2012 Korean Society for Energy Engineering, KOSEE, Busan, Korea, p. 107.

[17] Lee, J.H., Park, S.S., Joo, W.S., Shin, C.H. and Lee, Y.S., 2009, “Potentialities and Value of Gas Hydrate as an Energy Resource,” J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 46, No. 4, pp. 490-497.

[18] Lim, J.S., 2010, “Flow Assurance Technology in Petroleum Production System,” J. of Petroleum, Vol. 26, pp. 68-85.

[19] Lim, J.S., Back, S.Y., Kang, P.S., Yu, S.R., Kim, H.S. and Park, J.H., 2012, “Wax Appearance Temperature Measurement of Opaque Oil for Flow Assurance in Subsea Petroleum Production System,” J. of the Korean Society of Marine Engineering, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 185-194.

[20] Lim, J.S., Kang, P.S. and Yu, S.R., 2013, “Flow Assurance Technologies for Mitigating Wax Deposition in Subsea Petroleum Production System,” J. of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 278-296.

[21] Manka, J.S., Magyar, J.S. and Smith, R.P., 1999, “A Novel Method to Winterize Traditional Pour Point Depressants,” paper SPE 56571 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Houston, U.S.A., Oct. 3-6.

[22] Newberry, M.E. and Barker, K.M., 1985, “Formation Damage Prevention Through the Control of Paraffin and Asphaltene Deposition,” paper SPE 13796 presented at the SPE Production Operations Symposium held in Oklahoma City, U.S.A., Mar. 10-12.

[23] Peyton, K.B. and Wang, S.L., 2001, “Composition and Method for Lubricant Wax Dispersant and Pour Point Improver,” United States Patent, Patent No. 6,174,843 B1.

[24] Poole, G., Brock, G., Szymczak, S. and Casey, G., 2008, “Successful Pipeline Clean Out-Lessons Learned From Cleaning Paraffin Blockage From a Deepwater Pipeline,” paper SPE 115658 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Denver, U.S.A., Sep. 21-24.

[25] Rønningsen, H.P., Bjørndal, B., Hansen, A.B. and Pedersen, W.B., 1991, “Wax Precipitation from North Sea Crude Oils. 1. Crystallization and Dissolution Temperature, Newtonian and Non-newtonian Flow Properties,” Energy & Fuels, Vol. 5, pp. 895-908.

[26] Straub, T.J., Autry, S.W. and King, G.E., 1989, “An Investigation Into Practical Removal of Downhole Paraffin by Thermal Methods and Chemical Solvents,” paper SPE 18889 presented at the SPE Production Operations Symposium held in Oklahoma City, U.S.A., Mar. 13-14.

[27] Tung, N.P., Phong, N.T.P., Long, B.Q.K., Thuc, P.D. and Son, T.C., 2001, “Studying the Mechanisms of Crude Oil Pour Point and Viscosity Reductions When Developing Chemical Additives With Use of Advanced Analytical Tools,” paper SPE 65204 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry held in Houston, U.S.A., Feb. 13-16.

[28] Venkatesan, R., Singh, P. and Fogler, H.S., 2002, “Delineating the Pour Point and Gelation Temperature of Waxy Crude Oils,” SPE J., Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 349-352.

[29] Wylde, J.J. and Slayer, J.L., 2012, “Considerations and Lessons Learned on Development of Gas-Lift Paraffin Inhibitors of Subsea Wells in the Gulf of Mexico,” paper OTC 23206 presented at the Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, U.S.A., Apr. 30-May 3.

[30] Yoo, J.H., Park, C.H. and Kim, H.T., 2011, “Utilization of Nanotechnology in Enhanced Oil Recovery,” J. of the Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering, Vol. 48, No. 6, pp. 794-801.

[31] Zhang, F. and Wang, B., 1995, “Development of a Complex Type of Pour Point-Viscosity Depressant and Infrared Spectrum Research,” paper SPE 29011 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry held in San Antonio, U.S.A., Feb. 14-17.

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