The Impact of the Composition of the Crude Oils on the Wax Crystallization

Abstract:

One of the major problems in petroleum industry is wax precipitation and deposition. The component’s compositional and structural analysis of the crude oils is key factors to be studied to mitigate wax formation and precipitation tendency for the betterment of the crude oil flowability. In this work, the compositions and structures of two Malaysian and Sudanese crude oil samples were determined to investigate their effects on wax precipitation. The GC/MS was used to analyze hydrocarbon components. For this work, high pressure micro differential scanning calorimetry (HPμDSC) is used to determine the wax crystallization point and solubility curve. Results showed a linear relationship between wax appearance temperature (WAT) and weight percentage of component in the crude oil having > 14 carbon atoms. In addition, the effect of temperature on the amount of wax precipitation has also been investigated. Keywords: N-paraffin, Wax appearance temperature, Wax precipitation, High pressure micro differential scanning calorimetry

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 625)
• Pages: 196-200
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.625.196
• Online since: September 2014
• Authors: Arya Hosseinipour*, Khalik M. Sabil, Andhy Arya Ekaputra, Azuraien B. Japper, Lukman B. Ismail
• Keywords: High Pressure Micro Differential Scanning Calorimetry, N-Paraffin, Wax Appearance Temperature, Wax Precipitation

References

[1] Elsharkawy, A., T. Al-Sahhaf, and M. Fahim, Wax deposition from Middle East crudes. Fuel, 2000. 79(9): pp.1047-1055.

DOI: 10.1016/s0016-2361(99)00235-5

[2] Roenningsen, H.P., et al., Wax precipitation from North Sea crude oils: 1. Crystallization and dissolution temperatures, and Newtonian and non-Newtonian flow properties. Energy & Fuels, 1991. 5(6): pp.895-908.

DOI: 10.1021/ef00030a019

[3] Sulaimon, A., G. Falade, and W. DeLandro, A proactive approach for predicting and preventing wax deposition in production tubing strings: A Niger Delta experience. Journal of Petroleum and Gas Engineering Vol, 2010. 1(2): pp.26-36.

[4] Zhu, T., J.A. Walker, and J. Liang, Evaluation of Wax Deposition and Its Control During Production of Alaska North Slope Oils, 2008, University of Alaska.

DOI: 10.2172/963363

[5] Machado, A.L., E.F. Lucas, and G. González, Poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)(EVA) as wax inhibitor of a Brazilian crude oil: oil viscosity, pour point and phase behavior of organic solutions. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2001. 32(2): pp.159-165.

DOI: 10.1016/s0920-4105(01)00158-9

[6] Kadir, A., A. Aziz, and I. Ismail. Determination of crystallization of waxy crude and the influence of diluents. in Proceedings of Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering 1997. 1997. Faculty of Chemical & Natural Resources Engineering, UTM Skudai.

[7] Kelland, M.A., Production chemicals for the oil and gas industry. 2009: CRC PressI Llc.

[8] Zain, Z., et al. Evaluation of CO2 Gas Injection for Major Oil Production Fields in Malaysia-Experimental Approach Case Study: Dulang Field. in SPE Asia Pacific Improved Oil Recovery Conference. (2001).

DOI: 10.2118/72106-ms

[9] Agil, N.A., et al. Utilizing Acidized NH2 for Mitigating Formation Damage and Improving Oil Recovery: Case Study of Penara Field, Malaysia. in SPE/DOE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery. (2008).

DOI: 10.2118/113039-ms

[10] Abd Karim, R., et al. Successful Application of Six Key Elements in Integrating People and Technology Toward Quality Achievements of Angsi Field Development Team. in SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. (2006).

DOI: 10.2118/102804-ms

[11] Aminuddin, M. and U. Maung, The Drilling and Completion of the First Monobore Well in PeninsularMalaysia. IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology, (2000).

[12] Hunt, A., Uncertainties remain in predicting paraffin deposition. Oil and Gas Journal, 1996. 94(31).

[13] A.P., A.T.O. a.R., Production Operation : Well Completions, Workover, and Stimulation. Oil and Gas Consultants International, Inc., 1989 2(Second edition): pp.11-19.

[14] Srivastava, S., et al., Phase-transition studies in n-alkanes and petroleum-related waxes—A review. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 1993. 54(6): pp.639-670.

DOI: 10.1016/0022-3697(93)90126-c

[15] Snyder, R., et al., Thermally induced mixing in partially microphase segregated binary n-alkane crystals. The Journal of Physical Chemistry, 1993. 97(28): pp.7342-7350.

DOI: 10.1021/j100130a037

[16] Ismail, L., R.E. Westacott, and X. Ni, On the effect of wax content on paraffin wax deposition in a batch oscillatory baffled tube apparatus. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2008. 137(2): pp.205-213.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2007.04.018

[17] Sanjay, M., B. Simanta, and S. Kulwant, Paraffin problems in crude oil production and transportation: a review. Old Production & Facilities, 1995. 10(1): pp.50-54.

DOI: 10.2118/28181-pa

[18] Hammami, A. and M.A. Raines, Paraffin Deposition From Crude Oils: Comparison of Laboratory Results to Field Data, in SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition1997, Society of Petroleum Engineers: San Antonio, Texas.

DOI: 10.2118/38776-ms

[19] Baltzer Hansen, A., et al., Wax precipitation from North Sea crude oils. 3. Precipitation and dissolution of wax studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Energy & Fuels, 1991. 5(6): pp.914-923.

DOI: 10.1021/ef00030a021

[20] Senra, M., et al., Role of n-alkane polydispersity on the crystallization of n-alkanes from solution. Energy & Fuels, 2007. 22(1): pp.545-555.

DOI: 10.1021/ef700490k

[21] Guo, X., et al., Crystallization of long-chain n-paraffins from solutions and melts as observed by differential scanning calorimetry. Macromolecules, 2004. 37(15): pp.5638-5645.

DOI: 10.1021/ma035848x

[22] Coutinho, J.A. and V. Ruffier-Meray, Experimental measurements and thermodynamic modeling of paraffinic wax formation in undercooled solutions. Industrial & engineering chemistry research, 1997. 36(11): pp.4977-4983.

DOI: 10.1021/ie960817u

[23] Alcazar-Vara, L.A. and E. Buenrostro-Gonzalez, Experimental study of the influence of solvent and asphaltenes on liquid–solid phase behavior of paraffinic model systems by using DSC and FT-IR techniques. Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry, 2012. 107(3): pp.1321-1329.

DOI: 10.1007/s10973-011-1592-8

[24] Coto, B., et al., A new method for the determination of wax precipitation from non-diluted crude oils by fractional precipitation. Fuel, 2008. 87(10): p.2090-(2094).

DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2007.12.012

[25] Han, S., et al., Method to determine the wax solubility curve in crude oil from centrifugation and high temperature gas chromatography measurements. Energy & Fuels, 2010. 24(3): pp.1753-1761.

DOI: 10.1021/ef901195w

[26] Pauly, J., et al., Prediction of solid–fluid phase diagrams of light gases–heavy paraffin systems up to 200 MPa using an equation of state–GE model. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 2000. 167(2): pp.145-159.

DOI: 10.1016/s0378-3812(99)00316-7

[27] Ji, H. -Y., et al., Wax phase equilibria: developing a thermodynamic model using a systematic approach. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 2004. 216(2): pp.201-217.

DOI: 10.1016/j.fluid.2003.05.011

[28] Tang, X., et al. An Innovative In-situ Natural Gas Lifting Approach to Produce High Pour Point Oil with High Output: A Case Study. in SPE International Production and Operations Conference & Exhibition. (2012).

DOI: 10.2118/156269-ms