Application of technology for treating paraffinic oil with a pour point depressant injected into the gas lift line

UDK: 622.692.4

DOI: 10.24887/0028-2448-2025-7-126-129

Key words: offshore oil and gas fields, oil and gas transportation, gathering and treatment system of oil and gas

Authors: A.G. Akhmadeev (Vietsovpetro JV, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vung Tau); Pham Thanh Vinh (Vietsovpetro JV, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vung Tau); Nguyen Huu Nhan (Vietsovpetro JV, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vung Tau); A.A. Popov (Vietsovpetro JV, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vung Tau); A.I. Mikhailov (Zarubezhneft JSC, RF, Moscow)

The oil produced at the fields of Vietsovpetro JV has an increased paraffin content and a high pour point, which leads to risks in the operation of the oil and gas production, collection and transportation system: the wax formation in the tubing (pump pipes), treatment equipment and oil pipelines; a decrease in well flow rates and pipeline throughput; an increase in transportation pressure and impassability of oil pipelines. During the late stage of field development and related problems (a decrease in oil production and the temperature of the extracted products, the formation of wax) negatively affects oil production, which leads to high risks in field operation. A widely used method of combating wax in well tubing, equipment and oil pipelines is the treatment of oil with reagents – pour point depressants and wax inhibitors. This method is not always feasible for downhole treatment of products. The article analyzes the factors influencing the process of well product preparation, and on this basis proposes a technological solution for treating paraffin oil with a depressant additive by feeding it into gas-lift lines of wells at the offshore facilities of Vietsovpetro JV to ensure a safe and efficient production and transportation process. Pilot tests of the technical solution showed its effectiveness, which consists in reducing the oil freezing point and increasing the inter-cleaning period compared to feeding the reagent to the wellhead. In addition, an economic effect is achieved due to the lack of need to install downhole equipment for reagent supply.

References

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