A Novel Biochemical-Based Paraffin Wax Removal Program Providing Revenue Generation and Asset Enhancement

Abstract

New biochemically-derived products for the removal of paraffin wax from oil wells do not require additional capex nor heat and do not utilize bacteria. They contain inactivated microbial cells, biosurfactants and biosolvents, and other components harvested as microbial byproducts that emulsify and dissolve paraffin from rock pores and from the well surfaces over wide temperature, salinity, depth, and pH ranges. Additionally, they increase oil recovery by remediating near-wellbore formation damage, reducing interfacial tension, altering rock surfaces and changing their wettability, and reducing oil viscosity. The product application is environmentally superior to well treatments using hot oil/water and aromatic solvents and is economical due to low capital and operating costs required for product synthesis. Specifically, product preparation is achieved using a modular fermentation system that is installed near the points of application. This insures highly efficient and low-cost production and logistics, as well as reducing time from generation to application which maximizes potency. With sufficient space, water, and electricity, the initial manufacture of the dispersal products can occur within a few weeks. The treatment products utilized were initially developed and tested in laboratory studies, which showed that dispersion rates of the relevant paraffin samples were comparable to those achieved with toluene. The paraffin dispersal products exhibit a very high level of efficacy and safety when deployed in the Appalachian and Permian Basins. The potency of these products has led to outstanding paraffin removal results as indicated by reduced well failures in both vertical and horizontal wells and by visual observation of sucker rods removed from the wells. In addition, tank sludge and wax deposits in pipelines can be removed through either residual product flowing from the well or through direct application. Growth of detrimental bacteria and formation of biofilms are inhibited by the product application thereby reducing corrosion risk. Specifically, details of an almost two-year 70-well study in the Appalachian Basin are reported in which no well failures were observed due to paraffin buildup and 95% of the wells exhibited an enhanced oil recovery effect during the paraffin remediation treatments. This resulted in an approximate 50% average increase in sustained production rate over baseline. Analysis of the results forecasts a substantial increase in future production, thereby significantly enhancing the value of the producing wells. Importantly, longer times between required treatments and the increased recovery rates have transformed the paraffin maintenance program into a documented revenue generator for the operator.