Paraffin Deposition and Prevention in Oil Wells

SHELL DEVELOPMENT CO.

R, M, JOfiDA
HOUSTON, TEX.

ABSTRACT formed to study the quantitative relationship between sur-

Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/JPT/article-pdf/18/12/1605/2220978/spe-1598-pa.pdf/1 by guest on 28 August 2021

The mechanism oj paraflin deposition and prevention
has beett stndied in the laboratory asing an apparatas
whiclt provides a qaatttitative means O} stadying par-
afin deposition on metal andplastic sw-jaces, The amoant,
hardness, adhesion, per cent wax and mean molecular
weight of parafin deposits appear to be governed by
surface rotghness alone, all other cottditions being con-
stant. Tests o! varioas plastic couiings indicate that most
smooth, nonpurafini< plastics are capable of redticing
parafin deposits in oil wells, bnt fiexible, highly polar,
nonparafitric plastics are more suitable jor providing long
term resistance to paraflin deposition in oil wells ij the
flow stream contains abrasive materials,
INTRODUCTION
The problem of paraffin deposition is one of long
standing in the oil industry,’ Crude oils often contain
paraffins which precipitate and adhere to the liner, tub-
ing, sucker rods and surface equipment as the tempera-
ture of the producing stream decreases in the normal
course of flowing, gas lifting or pumping. Heavy par-
affin deposits are undesirable because they reduce the
effective size of the flow conduits and restrict th? pro-
duction rate from the well. Where severe paraflin de-
position occurs, removal of the deposits by mechanical,
thermaI or other means is required, resulting in costly
down time and increased operating costs,
The troublesome paraflins are normal hydrocarbons
face roughness and the physical and chemical nature of
paraffin deposits.
LABORATORY TEST PROCEDURES
The cold spot test apparatus consists of a flat cir-
cular plate mounted on a curved tube and positioned in
a vessel containing a wax-oil solution (Fig. l). The ap-
paratus is arranged so that the temperature of the cen-
tral portion of the circular plate can be varied by means
of a circulating liquid stream; the test equipment in-
cludes provisions for maintaining a constant wax-oil so-
lution temperature and stirring speed. In the paraffin dep-
osition studies, the modified cold spot tester was used
as follows. The cold spot probe consisted of a flat cir-
cular plat 2 in. in diameter and 1/8-in. thick positioned
in the wax-oil solution kept at constant temperature. As
in Hunt’s earlier experiments,” a cold liquid was cir-
culated through a !ube connected to the circular plate
so that the liquid impinged on one side of the plate cool-
ing the plate from the center outward, causing paraffin
to deposit on the side of the plate exposed to the wax-
oil solution.
COOLING
LIOUIO INLET
COOLING LIQUID
II II
RETURN
COVER
i

HOT
~UTLET
WATER

ranging from approximately C,&I,,. to C,,J% mixed

with small amounts of branched paraffins, monocyclic
paraffins, polycyclic paraffins and aromatics? The amount
of paraffins found in crude oils varies from less than
1 to more than 30 per cent. Many publications are avail-
able which deal with this problem, and perhaps the most WAX - OIL
SOLUTION
significant findings in recent literature are contained in ClfJ::+~R

L
a publication by Hunt’ who developed the “cold spot
tester”, a really useful means of investigating paraffin PARAFFIN
deposition. Hunt’s observations led to many generalized DEPOSIT
conclusions concerning the effect of surface roughness %
on paraffin deposits. He ascertained that there was an
MAGNETIC
observable qualitative correlation between the severity of HOT WATER
k ST RRING BAR
paraffin deposition and the roughness of the surfaces INLET

which he tested (cold rolled steel, stainless steel and

several plastics). Because of the number of meaningful
observations made by Hunt, his cold spot tester was
modified somewhat and extensive tests were per-
Original mmuacrint receiwd in society of Petroleum Engineers OITW
May 26, 1966. Revised manumript of sPE lfi98 received Sept. 22, 1966.
iKht 1966 Am;e&an Institute of MininR, Metnllurgicnl, nnd
%RKm Engineers, . ; l%. l—AtmAxcmtmT OF COLO SPOT I]ABAVHN TESTHI
‘References given at end d tmrwr, (%tsF. VIEW).

DECEMBER, 1966 16ss

 In the particular system used to obtain data contained
in this paper, variables are (1) wax-oil soIution tempera-
ture, (2) wax-oil solution composition, (3) cIoud point
temperature (a function of Step 2), (4) wax-oil solution
stirring speed, (5) deposition surface temperature, (6)
deposition surface material, and (7) deposition surface
rough ness factor. *
To provide a transparent system, a refined parafih-
rctined petroleum solvent wax-oil solution was used. These
selected parameters were fixed throughout the experi-
ments: (1) wax-oil solution composition: 25 per cent
by weight solution of refined petroleum wax in refined
petroleum solvent, (2) wax-oil solution temperature: 41C,
(3) cloud point temperature: 3t3C (a function of Step 1).
and (4) magnetic stirrer rot ation: 300 rprm
The variables chosen were deposition surface tempera-
of cold spot temperature is shown in Fig. 4. As might
be predicted, the weight of the pamffin deposit increased
as the temperature of the deposition surface decreased
within the temperature limits shown. However, if the
entire system was cooled until a heavy wax-oil slurry
was obtained, the wax particles were no longer sticky
and no adhesion was observed. This may explain in part
why paraffin deposits occur in limited sections of oilwell
tubing or Row lines (upstream of the deposition zone, the
oil is above the cloud point temperature so no solid par-
affin exists; downstream of the zone, the paraffin is cooled
sufficient y so that it does not have adhesive properties).
The average alkane distribution of the samples of para-
ffin deposited at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10C beIow cloud point
on the mill scale surface are shown compared with the
parent wax in Fig. 5, The alkane distribution shows that
the mean carbon number of the material removed from

Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/JPT/article-pdf/18/12/1605/2220978/spe-1598-pa.pdf/1 by guest on 28 August 2021

ture, deposition surface material and deposition surface
the mill scale is 29 compared with a mean carbon num-
roughness factor.
ber of 27 for the parent wax. This shift in mean carbon
Once a condition of investigation was established, a number becomes more important in data presented later.
series of 16-hour runs were made with the cold spot
temperature equal to 2, 4, 6, 8 and 1DC below cloud
point temperature, Fresh solutions were used for each
test; equilibrium in this test appara!us was observed to
be reached after about four hours, following which no
change in any of the physical or chemicaI characteristics
of the deposit was observed. At the conclusion of the
test the paraffin deposit was removed; the weight, per
cent wax, alkane distribution, adhesion and texture of
the deposit were measured and reccwded.

TEST RESULTS

The first series of tests was performed to investigate

paraffin deposition on 1020 steeI surfaces which were
coated with mill scale. Selection of mill scale surfaces
requires some care. Mill scale is composed of a mix-
ture of iron oxides, and its exact composition and rough-
ness depends on the fabrication process, the temperature
at which the steel is formed, tempered or otherwise
treated and the length of time the steel is exposed to
elevated temperatures.’ Strictly speaking, no two mill (X75) OF STEELWITH MILL SCALK
FIG. 2—PHOTOMICROGIIAtIH
scales are identical. Observations of mill run pipe showed NESS~AU’OR, 30 ‘L’(I
lh~[s.n (ROUGII 40JL) .
that some mill scale surfaces are surprisingly smooth
and uniform, whereas others are rough and patchy. For
test purposes, a single sheet of 1020 hot rolled steel
with an intermediate-roughness mill scale was selected,
and all cold spot probes were manufactured from this
stock. The roughness factor of mill scale on this par-
ticular sheet was measured to be 30 to 40 microns (Fig.
2),
In the first series of tests, paraffin was deposited at
cold spot temperatures of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10C below cloud
point on mill scale steel probes. The paraffin first ap-
peared in the form of small white specks which col-
lected in crevices in the mill scale surfaces. Other specks
of paraffin were observed to stick to the initially en-
trapped specks and, as the process continued, an un-
broken layer was observed to form (Fig. ‘3). Further
confirmation of this deposition mechanism was obtained
by the use of high speed motion picture cameras equip-
ped with close-up attachments. When the films were
viewed at a magnification of 18 diameters, this process
was very clearly observable. A plot of the weights of
parafTur collected on the mill scale steel as a function
*This factor is an average of the measured distances htwean the
peak and valleys of the contour of the deposition surfaces taken per- FIG. 3—PARAFFIN SPECKS COLLECTING IN Ctmwrxs ox GROUND
pendicular to the face of the disc, rerrorkd as microns and obtained
. br focus methcds with a microscope equipped with a graduated mov. STEEL SURFACE (OUTER REGION OF WHITEMASS): CENTER
able stage. PORTION OF DEPOSIT HAS FORMED INTO CONTINUOUS LAYER.

1606 JOURNAL OF PETROLJLIIM fFECIiNO I,OCY

 .

After the mill scale base line was established, four tests lines, workover tools, scrapers and other abrasive de-
were made to examine paraffin deposition on steel sur- vices through tubing.
faces of varied roughness factors, These test conditions Paraffin deposhion tests were made on each of these
follow. four surfaces at spot temperatures 10C
of 2, 4, 6, 8 and
1. Polished steel—roughness factor less than 5 microns. below cloud point. Fig, 6 shows the weightsof each
This represents an ideal surface seldom found in practice. deposit compared with the mill scale base line as related
2. Sandblasted steel—roughness factor, 20 microns. to spot temperature. The relative positions of these curves
Such a surface may be similar to steel tubing in an oil show that the severity of the deposition appears to be
well where a high content of fine sand exists in the oil direc!ly controlled by the roughness factor. The practical
stream. value of thisknow]edge
is apparent. When paraffin prob-
3. Corroded steel—roughness factor, 50 microns. This lems are known to exist in oil wells and a choice of
represents a condition of oilfield steel where active cor- tubing is available, tubing with the smoothest wall should
rosion is taking place, be chosen. Also, it should be realized that if workover,
wireline survey or other entry operations damage the
4. Rough ground steel—roughness factor, 60 to 70 walls of the tubing, paraffin accumulations will be more
microns. Such a surface is designed to simulate h~avily severe thereafter. Further, corrosion of the inner walls
scored surfaces such as might result from passing wire
of the tubing is capable of increasing the severity of

Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/JPT/article-pdf/18/12/1605/2220978/spe-1598-pa.pdf/1 by guest on 28 August 2021

paraffin deposition if the corrosion either pits the metal
badly 01 leaves irregular corrosion products on the tub-
ing.
Alkane distributions of the sample deposited on aR
five steel surfaces are shown in Fig. 7. The curves show
that the rougher surfaces collect a higher molecular weight
wax and that a form of fractionation occurs. This is
important to oilwell operations, Since the melting point
Ml LL SCALE of the wax deposits increases with molecular weight, the
(30-40*) rougk,er surfaces collect higher molecular weight para-
ffins and thermal methods of removal would require more
heat to strip the paraffin deposits from the wells with
rougher tubing, other factors being equal t
The surface roughness had a pronounce deffecton the
amount of deposit, per cent wax in a deposit, the tex-
ture, hardness and adhesion of the deposits (Table I).
Generally, the rougher the surface, the higher the per
cent wax in a deposit; the harder the deposit, the more
severe the adhesion of the paraflln. The sandblasted steel

350
ROUGH GROUND
{60-70/

I 36 34 30
},4 96.8 93,2 8::6 86.0 8%!4 ;
COLD SPOT TEMPERATURE
(cLOUtJ poINT Temperate RE=38”c)

FIG 4-WI;ICIITS OF PARAFFIN MI LI...%ALIII STEEL

DI;IVJSITLUI ON
CORROOEO
AS A hINCTIOX OF DEPOSITION TJWPW+AIVIW
SIJRFACX
(ROIICNNMS FACTOII, 30 T040tI, ).
(50pl
MILL
SCALE
(30-40@

/ /

“+/[: o
38
1664
36
9i:8
34
93:2
32
89:6
30
86.0
‘<:
28 “C
62,4 ‘F
COLD SPOT TEMPERATURE
iCLOUO POINT TEMPER AT URE.38”C)

FIG, 6-WEIGHTS OF PARAFFIN’ DEPOSITED ON POLISHED, SAND-

BLASTED,MILL.SCALED, CDERODEDAND ROUCH.GROUNDSTEEL AS A
FIG. 5—AVERAGE ALKANE f)ISTaIBUTION OF PARAFFIN DEPOSITED FUNCTION OF DEPOSITION SURFACE TEMPERATURE (ROUGHNESS
ON MILL-SCALED STmr, COMPARED WITH PARENT ‘WAX. FACTORS IN PARENTHESES).

DECEMBER, 1966 1607

 .

16 TABLE1—PARAFFINDEPOSITIONDATAFOR STEEL SURFACES

— PARENT WAX
ROW hness
—— PARArFIN 0CP051T ON
POLISHED STEEL Faclor Per Cent Wax Texture Adhesion
Id
Deposiiim Surface (rnimons] in Deposit of Deposit
---- rnrms I IN IOLP1351r ofi .—-—... . —. ——— ——-—- . of... Deposit
—-
MIIL-5CALED51LE1 Polished steel :.5 28 Mushy None
-,-- PbRAFFIN OLPOSIT ON Sandblasted steel 59 Hard, grainy str0n9
12 - 30 tO 40 35 Hard, grai,ly strong
SANDBLASTED STEEL Mill.xale finish
------ PARAFFIN DEPOSIT ON steel
&
CORROOEO STEEL Corroded steel so 67 Hard, shiny Severe
; ,0
‘---- PARAFFIN DEPOSIT ON Raugh-srcwnd steel 60 to 70 80 Hard, shiny Severe
r

;8 -

: posit on polished steel dificred from that in the other

:6 tests and provides an insight to means of paraffin dep-
5
.
osition prevention. When the polished steel surface was
4 - used, the paraffht was observed not to adhere to the sur-
face, but to slide otl’ in a continuing cycle. As a spot
2 -
of paraffin would appear and start to increase in size,
the veIocity of the wax-oil solution was sulllcient to cause
1 I the spot to s[ide OR the polished surface, to disperse and

Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/JPT/article-pdf/18/12/1605/2220978/spe-1598-pa.pdf/1 by guest on 28 August 2021

0
18 20 22 24 26 32 34 3’2 38
CAR80N%8% subsequently dissolve in the wax-oil solution. As the
spot left the center of the circular plate, a second spot was
Fm. 7—AVERAGE ALKAXE DISTRIIIMIOM OF PARAFFI M l)ImWMIl
OS l% LISHNJ,.MILI..%ALsm, SANDIII,ASLXD,(bRnOI)EI)
observed to form which, in turn, would slide ofl after
A XI) fhN:clI-
~1101.>11 STW. S[!ifPAcKs ( :OVI>ARKLI
\\”lTIl I’AII[.;XT \\TAx. a given interval. This was followed by a third, fourth,
fifth, etc., and the process was observed to continue as
long as the test conditions were not altered. [n one case,
is anomalous in the stmount of wax in a deposit. This the process was allowed to continue for three weeks
suggests that the roughness factor should take into ccm- and the size of the spot, the direction of movement across
sideration the average number of convolutions per unit the plate and Frequency of removal remained unchanged.
surface area in addition relict’ as
to simply the average Fig. 9 shows tbe spot removal scquencc with [he cold
well as the sensitivity to direction of fluid flow if the spot temperature set at 32C. The “weight of deposit”
pattern of surface roughness is anisotropic. A compari- depicted in Fig. 6 refers (in the case of polished steel
son of the size of paraffin deposits on the five steel surfaces) to the maximum weight of the parat%n ac-
surfaces is presented in Fig, t+ which shows the deposits cumulation taken just before the spot was swept away
obtained at’ 10C below cloud point temperature on each in tbe cycle described. In Fig. 6 and SLlbSfXfLICTit illu-
surface. The different textures of the deposits can also hc strations such data are shown as dashed lines.
seen in Fig. 8. This phenotnenon [ends to confirm what some other in-
f)uring these tests, the behavior of the parafflrt cie- vest igators have ohscrved: i.e., that a smooth surfacc

FIG. &PARAFFIX DJWOSITEDAT SPOT ‘hmsv:rtArurmOF lffC ox POLISHIW STEW (lJPIWR LEFT); SANDMASTr,Ir STEEL (fJPPIm
.
CKXTSR) : MILL-SCALED STEEL [ UPPHR RICHT); CORRODSO Smrx. {I. OWI.XI.KFT) : h-w Rotxn-(rfftnmn .STI; I..1. ( 1,01} km R Iaflr).

1s08 ‘ JO IJRNAL OF PEln OLEUM TECIINOLOCY


FIG %—PARAFFIN DEPOSIT FORMING AT SPOT TEMIWRATIIEE OF 32C ON Sm-sorH ST~XT,
RKAI:II
I:R llAWMI’N SIZE AXII %AR’IXD TO MovI; TOWARD ToP OF DISC ( CEXWR) ; lhmr SPm
A~n SK(:OX1)
sIw”r (Ixswsn ( :Kl;SCltK~-SIIAI]
which can be maintained in a smooth condition is ideal
for preventing adhesion of paraffin, a factor which be-
comes important in the study of plastic coatings as a
means of preventing paraffin deposition. This also tends
to confirm the theory of paraffin deposition mechanism
discussed earlier; that is, deposition starts with wax par-
ticles caught in surface irregularities. Because there were
no irregularities in the smooth steel of sufficient size
to trap paraffin, no build-up was obtained. In no other
tests on steel surfaces did sliding of the wax deposit
occur; time lapse motion picture photography was used
[Osubstantiate this.
TESTS C)N PLASTIC-COATED STEEL SURFACES
Since the introduction of internal plastic tubing and
line pipe for corrosion control many years ago, large
amounts of plastic-coated pipe have been used in 011fields
for control of paraffin deposits; Exactly why this means
was initially chosen is not known. It can be surmised
that when plastic pipe was used to combat corrosion, a
reduction in paraffin deposition was observed. Many Suc-
cessful applications of paraffin reduction with plastic coat-
ings are on record. An almost equal number of failures
of plastic to prevent paraffin deposition are known to
exist. This problem has not been examined systematical-
ly. and the amount of published data on this subject is
limited.
Behavior of the wax during tests using the polished
steel probe suggested that smooth plastic surfaces be
studied next, and a series of tests was planned
ecLlted. lvla!Iy plastics from most commercially
sources were tested, and data reported herein are con-
sidered to he typical only of performance of properly
formulated, applied and cured coatings. Considerable
variation was found in the behavior of any given type
of plastic obtained from different sources. Most often,
erratic behavior cotrld be related to errors during heat-
cure of the plastics.
The three most common types of coatings
are based on (1) phenol-formaldehyde formulations,
epoxy-phenol ic forrnulat ions, and (3) polyurethane for-
mulations, AII of these coatings contain fillers for abrasion
DECEMBER, 1966
Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/JPT/article-pdf/18/12/1605/2220978/spe-1598-pa.pdf/1 by guest on 28 August 2021
SURFACE ( I.EFT); S~or Hi+s
HAS BRCJKI:X I Y I’w{I
l;lJ \lJlilm; ~iAss) IS I’AKTIAIJ.Y FnK\ll’1) ( Illlx’1) .
resistance, color coding, stress relief and film hardness.
The formulations also contain solvents to aid in viscosity
reduction during application. The coatings are usuallY
applied to clean, white, blasted metal and are baked to
obtain maximum adhesion. Some formulators use over-
lays of one coating over another, such as an epoxy-
phenolic placed over a phenol-formaldehyde.
The phenol-formaldehyde base ,coatings are the most
highly cross-linked, hardest and most brittle of the plas-
tic coatings in use, They have the greatest permeation
resistance to water and gases and a high resistance to
destruction by chemicals. Epoxy-phenolic coatings are
more flexible than the phenol-formaldehyde, and impact
resistance of these coatings is improved at some sacri-
fice of permeation resistance to water and gases. The
urethanes are characterized by toughness and flexibility
as well as by good abrasion resistance, but at a larger
sacrifice of resistance to permeation by liquids and
gases.”
The first coating tested was of the phenol-formalde-
hyde type. This coating produces a very high gloss sur-
face and the ones used in the tests had surface rough-
nesses lower than 2 microns. The coatings were tested
in their as-received condition, and then after a sand-
blasting. For this experiment, 100 mesh sand was used
as the blast material and controlled time, distance and
blast angle were maintained. This is not necessarily rep-
resentative of conditions in oil wells which produce sand.
Sand scour of tubing depends on flow rates, flow regime.
sand particle size, type of sand and sand particle configur-
and ex- ation. Whether a sand-producing oil well will abrade the
available tubing can best be determined by field measurements and
observations. However, for the purpose of comparative
tests, the sand blast conditions chosen appeared to be
satisfactory.
The tests showed the smooth phenol-formaldehyde to
have excellent resistance to paraffin deposition. The same
phenomenon of spot sliding was observed as in the ear-
lier tests with the smooth polished steel surface. It was
available not possible to cause the wax to adhere to the plastic
(2) surfaces under the test conditions described, a phenome-
non which illustrates the potential benefits of smooth
coatings for paraffin control.
1609
 .

The sandblasted” plastic surface, however, resulted in TABLE 2—PARAFFIN DEPOSITION DATA FOR PHENOL-FORMALDEHYDE
COATINGS
deposits of an extremely severe nature. A comparison of Roughnes$Facter Per Cent Wax Text.re Adhesion
the amount of wax deposited on the smooth and sand- Deposition Surface
—-——— ——.
(microns)
.—-—-
in Deposit
.- —-— .- -.—— .--—
of Deposit
—
of Deposit
-—-.
blasted plas[ic as a function of spot temperature is shown Smooth phenol. <2 35 Mushy None
in Fig. 10. Table 2 and Fig. 11 show the measured prop- Io,nmldehyde !xme
plastic
erties of the deposits on the smooth and sandblasted plas- Sandblasted phenol- 70 to 80 50 Hard, shiny Severe
tic and the average alkane distributions of the recovered Fo&dehyde ham

parafms, respectively. It is of more than casual interest

to note that the mean carbon number of the deposit re- TABLE 3—PARAFFIN DEPOSITION DATA FOR EPOXY-PHENOLIC
moved from the sandblasted phenol-formaldehyde coat- AND POLYURETHANE COATINGS
ing increased to 31. Roughnew Factor PrIr Cent Wax Texluroof Adhe+lon
Depo$itlon Surface (mictons) In Deposit DePoslt of Deposll
Epoxy-phenolic and polyurethane coatings were tested ___ -.. —.— ——
~oothepoxy.phenolfc- ‘-—— <5 32 Mushy None
in a similar manner (Figs. 12 and 13). Characteristics of base plastic
Sandblasted ewxy- 50 te 65 58 Herd, Severe
the paraffin recovered from both of these surfaces in phenollc buse plastic shiny
their smooth and sandblasted condition appear in Table Smooth polyurethane <3 36 soft, None
base pbJ%tk shiny
3, and the alkane distributions of the recovered deposits Sandblasted PolY- 15 42 soft, Occasional,
granny very weak
in Figs. 14 and 15. urethane bmeplastic

Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/JPT/article-pdf/18/12/1605/2220978/spe-1598-pa.pdf/1 by guest on 28 August 2021

350
Examination of all data relating to the plastic coatings
SANDBLASTEDPHENOL- show that the more flexible coatings appear to be less
FORMALDEHYDE
(70-ea~l severely deformed by abrasion, resulting in the situation
/
300
where (in the case of the polyurethane) there was littIe
difference between the as-received and abraded plastic
In
surface performance. Photomicrographs of the smooth
z and abraded polyurethane surfaces, as well as the rough-
< 25o
c
~ MILL SCALE
ness measurements obtained. confirm this.
A
-J
(30-40#) Additional plastics were obtained for testing. Tetra-
s fluoroethylene provides a zero micron surface roughness
200
~“ and it was first thought that this would provide a superior
in
~
surface for paratlin control; however, in the tests, mate-
rials such as tetrafluoroethy lene, polyethylene and poly-
g [50
propylene collected massive deposits of paraffin of ex-
.
0 SMOOTH PHENOL-
treme hardness (compared with deposits recovered from
F FORMALDEHYDE the plastics previously mentioned) and maximum adhesion.
: 100 Because the tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene and poly-
;,
3 propylene are themselves paraffinic materials, they appeur
to possess a high chemical attraction for parwffin, either
50 through hydrogen bonding or a form of co-crystal izatiom
with the end result that the deposits arc massive anLl
extremely tenacious, These three materials appear to hc
0 J_——~ entirely unsuitable for paratlin control in oil wells anti
3e 36 34 32 28 “c
100 4 968 93.2 89.6 I%o 82.4 i 8°F
COLD SPOT TEMPERATURE 300
(CLOUD POINT TEMPER AT URE=38”C) SANDBLASTED
EPOXY- PHENOLIC
]:IC, lo-–\ VIucll Ts OF PARAFFIX ~IwosI rho ox hfr I.1..S[:A[.w, (50 65P)
Sri-m.. SXIOOTH I> Ii EXOI.-FOR\IAI.IIEIJYDK COAT] \c Asu $.4xD-
/“
tu..+srm I) HKY(II,-170R*IAI. DKIIYDK CIMTIXC AS A FIIXI:-rIUS Im
I)[;POSITI(lX %WF.ACI.; ‘riW+XA’TURL

,4 -— ——. ..-— .—..

—
—-
PARIIO WAX
A -. .-..

!2 -

----

. ,0 [
z
:
.
.
~a -
z:
.
●. 6
:
:

1
<.

~
2- I 26 “C
.4 9S.B 93.2 8:26 86.0 8!64 76.8°F
COLO SPOT TEMPERATURE
01 !
,8 20
//
22
t
2* 26 28
,
30
I
32 34 36
I
(CLOUD POINT TEMPERATURE =38*C)
CARBON r+”M6ER
F]c. 12—\VEIGHTS OF PAaAmiN DEPOSITED ON WLL-SCALF3
FIC. II—AVERAGE ALKANE DISTIUBUTIONSOF PARAFFINS DEPOSIT- STEEL, SMOOTH EPOXY.PHENOLIC COATING AND SANDBLASTED
EDON SMOOTH AND SAATIBLASTED PHEISOL-FORMALDEHYDE IIASE IIPOXY-PHENOLIC AS A FUNCTION OF DEPOSITION
PLASTIC SI:FIFACIjSCOMPAREDWITH PARENT WAX. SURFACETEIIIPRRATURE.
.
1610 10 URYAL OF PETROLEUM TECH NO LOS?Y

:
are, in t’act, capable of causing massive paraffin deposi-
tions to occur.
The main conclusion from these studies suggests that
any smooth, nonparaflinic plastic is capable of controlling
paraffin deposition, but flexible, highly polar, nonparaf-
fmic plastic coatings would provide longer paraffin pre-
vention in oil wells which contain sand or other abrasives
such as corrosion products. However, other factors also
need be considered. Because of the reduced resistance
of the more flexible coatings to permeation, high tem-
perature and chemicaIs, the presently available coatings
may not provide all desired properties, Thus, there ap-
pears to be a need to develop high-gloss, flexible coatings
with better resistance to permeation, temperature and
other deterrents,
CORRELATION OF
the amount and nature of the paraffin deposit, other
factors being equal, is obtained by plotting the weights
of the paraffin deposits formed at 10C below cloud point
against roughness factors for all of the tests performed.
This relationship is shown in Fig. 16 and the distribu-
tion of the data points appears to suggest a linear re-
lationship between amount of deposit and rougtmess fac-
tor withh the range of test conditions.
Data in Fig. 16 are shown with a least-squares fit,
and with confidence limits of the slope as well as the
data points and with regression in the ordinate values,
using a Student-T value of 1.812. For these data, Pear-
son’s.coefficient is equal to 0.95, indicating that only 5
per cent of random error exists. Reliability of the meas-
urements, indicated by the statistical analysis, might be
expected inasmuch as 250 separate experiments were
DATA conducted to obtain the small amount of data reported

Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/JPT/article-pdf/18/12/1605/2220978/spe-1598-pa.pdf/1 by guest on 28 August 2021

herein.
Additional verification that surface roughness governs
TESTING NATURAL CRUDE 011.S
Th. cold spot paraffin test apparatus with which all
of the tests in this investigation were performed was used
to evaluate a crude paraffin crude oil system, All previous

MILL SCALE
(30 -40#

7
‘,
,~ ‘\
SANDBLASTED ,’ ‘. [
POLYURETHANE ,#~ ‘\
(15,U) /
\ ‘\\ I
/“

,,;;<;OO,.
i J’, A
“,,—.—..+.-———,
U .,=.=O
..::,
,4
. .. . . .
>._,,_=_._i,.:.=..._J6
,., /
POLYURETHANE
.,~ / (<3p ) I’)c. 15—AVERAGE ALKANE I)wrRmurIoNsoF pARAFFIXS DEPOSIT.
,.-<’<’ ID ux %IOOTH AiW SAN131)LASTEJI I)[)J.YURETIIANP B.ASC I) I, ASTICS
*..*., 0
/
I I I I I
34
4 93.2
9%?3 8:26
.COLO SPOT TEMPERATuRE
8?s00 8?24 ;
I o uNCOATED STEEL
/

f%. 13—~mwTs
(CLOUO POINT =36”C)

CJF PARAFFIN DSPOSETELI

ON MILL.SCALEDSTEFX Y
350
t
o PL4STIC cOATED

UPPER $;N:~o$:CE
STEEL

LIMIT
/42 /
AXD or+ SbIoorri AND SANDBI.ASTED POLYURETHANE BASE PLASTIC %
;300
z UPPER CONFIDENCE LIMIT
: OF ORDINATE VALUE FCR
s t ANy A8SICISSA VALUE

LEAST SQUARES
o
z FIT
2
LOWER CONFIDENCE LIMIT
.2200
OF SLOPE
!+
$
z LOWER CONFIDENCE LIMITOF
z ORDINATE VALUE FORAN7
~ 150 0
ABSCISSA VALUE
o
~

~ 100
t 1~

! I , I 1 , s ,
0 to 20 so 70 so
ROUGH&S FA80R, Ml%ONS

Fm 16-WEIGHTSOF PARAFFIN DEPOSITEDAT SPOT TEMPERATURE

FJC. 14—AVERAGE ALKANE DISTRIBUTIONSOF PARAFFINS DEPOSIT. OF 28C AS A OF DEPOSITION SURFACEROUGEJNSSSFAC-
FUNCTION
ED ON SMOOTH AND SANDBLASTEDEPOXY-PIiENOLIC BASE PLASTIC TOR FOR VARIOUS SMOOTH AND SANDBLASTEDUNCOATEDAND
SUBFACFACOMPAREJ3‘WITH PARENT ‘WAX. PLASTIC-COATEDSTEEL .%aFAcJx,
DE CEM3JEa, 1966 1611
tests were performed with the refined wax-oil solution 400,
to provide a transparent system. To evaluate the Suit- MILL -SCALEO STEEL
ability of the test apparatus for examining naturally prq- (30-40@

duced paraffins for the purpose of predicting and pre- 350 -

venting paraffin deposition. parafiin from a Montana pro-
ducing well was dissolved in the parent crude oil, pro-
viding a wax-oil solution with a cloud point temperature ~ 300 -
at 4 lC (that observed in the oil well itself). Tests were z
a
run to investigate (1) the severity of deposition on mill K
U
scaled steel surfaces, and (2) the effect of smooth plas- ~ 250 -
tic coatings. The crude wax-oil system is opaque and. 5
therefore, does not permit continuous viewing of the
~“
paraffin deposition phenomena. All measurements with g 200 -
this system are taken by carefully removing the cold a
u
spot probe from the wax-oil troth at the conclusion of n
L
each test.
; 150-
Paraffin deposited severely on mill scaled steel with z

Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/JPT/article-pdf/18/12/1605/2220978/spe-1598-pa.pdf/1 by guest on 28 August 2021

w
the system (Fig. 17), The accumulation was somewhat iii
grainy and adhesion was severe; this is consistent with 3 100-
field experience. When a smooth plastic surface was used,
paraffin deposition was reduced substantially and the
same phenomenon of sliding deposits appeared to occur.
50 -
This suggested that the paratlht problem in this sample
well could be controlled with smooth plastic coatings,
SMOOTH PHENOL-
which subsequent field tests verified. , FORMAL QEHYOE (c,2/J)
o~~
Later, extensive field testing in several dozen wells 42 40 38 36 34 32 ●C
107.6 104.0 100.4 96.8 93.2 69.6 “F
(details are the subject of a future report) showed that COLD” SPOT TEMPERATuRE
substantial reductions in paraffin deposits were obtained (CLOUD POINT TEMPERATURE =41*C )
by using properly selected and applied smooth plastics.
and by making every effort to maintain smoothness by ]:Ic. 17—\~iilGH’rS OF ~’AK.kFFIX ]]lHK)S1’rli[) FSMIM (:1{1:1)1: (~11, {1X

keeping well entry with wireline tools at a minimum
and using flexible plastics in wells where abrasive condi-
tions exist.
CONCLUSIONS
1. ParafIin deposits collect on the surface of sucker
rods and tubulars in oil wells and flow lines when these
surfaces and the adjacent production stream are cooled
below the cloud point temperature of the produced hy-
drocarbon stream. This causes wax to precipitate from
solution and collect in irregularities on the surfaces. Be-
cause the freshly precipitated wax is sticky, these par-
ticles cling to one another to build a continuous layer
of paraffin. The maximum thickness of this layer is gov-
erned by such factors as fluid flow ve[ocity, heat trans-
fer and cohesive strength of the paraffin.
2. When the temperature of the tubing or flow line
and the contained oilwell production stream is depressed
sufficiently, the wax particles cure to a state where they
are no longer sticky. Although some particles may be
trapped in irregularities on the metal surfaces, paraffin
MH,L-%AI.EOSTEW. AND SMOOTH PHI: Nf~I.-F{}RMAI,OI:IiYIJI: (lIJATIxc.
plastic increases as the surface temperature decreases until
other forces in the system prevent further growth.
5. Paraffin deposition is less severe on surfaces which
have been coated with a smooth nonparaffinic plaslic.
When abrasive conditions exist in oil wells because 01
sand, corrosion products or other solids, brittle plastics
tend to deform more severely than the there flexible plas-
tics. The more flexible plastics with a highly polar non-
paraffinic base are not deformed so badly by abrasives
and provide better resistance to paratlhr depositions even
in wells where materials in the flow stream can cause
abrasion. In wells where abrasive conditions do not exist.
the higher gloss brittle plastics may provide somewhal
better paraffin control than do the other plastic coatings
because of their higher resistance to permeation, high
temperatures and chemicals.
REFERf?NCES
L ReistIe, C. IL: “P~ ridlin and Congmling Oil, Probhvns”. fhI/L,
USBM (1932),
2, \Varth, A. H.: The Chentisiry und Technology 01 Vaze.r, ?IKI

build-up does not occur and the paraffin is transported
as a sludge in the system.
3. ParafRn deposition on metallic or nonparaffinic plas-
tic surfaces at a given temperature is governed by sur-
face roughness, The amount, hardness, adhesion, per cent
wax and mean molecular weight of the deposits increase
as the surface roughness increases.
4. For any given surface roughness, the amount of
paraffin which accumulates on the metal or nonparafhic
Ed., Reinhold I>uhli+ing Corp., New York. N. Y. 11956).
3. Hnrrt, E. B., Jr.: “laboratory Study of Paraffin Dquwition-’,
Jour. Pet. Tech. (Nov., 1962) 1259-1269.
4. The Making, Shaping m~ Trwing o/ Wrd, U. S. .krl ( krp.,
M Ed. ( 1957).
5. Jessen, F. W. and Howell, J. N,: “fHTect of Flow Rn!e on PiIr
dh Accunrn lotion in Plrrstic, StWl WI ~:mrt~dPip[’”i ~’rnns..
AIME (1958) 213, 8044.
6. Bnrgbncher, J. A.: “Labor~tory Iknlmtion of Protective CoisI.
ings for Offshore Ma rim Errvi mnnmrts”. NA CL South CentmI
Region. 19th Annursl Conference ( 1965).

1612 JOIIRXALOF FETSSOLEIIM

WR~HXO1.OG~