Deposition in the Formation

Streaming Potential, Cooling and Pressure Drop. When crude oil moves from the
formation into the wellbore, there is a significant pressure drop and cooling due
to the expansion of oil and gas at the face
of the formation.

Treatment with Cool Fluid. Often heavy hydrocarbon buildup in the formation is further induced by the sudden cooling of the formation due to certain workover operations, such as acidizing or other operations that introduce a cold fluid into the formation.

Hot Fluid Treatment. Damage to the
formation could be caused by hot oiling
or hot water treatment.

Solvent Treatment. Formation damage could also be caused by common solvents that have been saturated with paraffins.

Deposits in the Tubing and Production Lines. After the oil and gas leave the formation and move up the well, the pressure and temperature will continue to drop and wax may be deposited in the tubing, flowlines, storage tanks, and equipment.

Why Your Well Needs PARC400®

The deposition of paraffin and asphaltene in oil wells are among the most common problems leading to the deterioration of oil and gas production; however, they are among the easiest to remedy with proper treatments. An increase in production of 10%, 30% or even 100% after proper treatment is not uncommon in wells having paraffin and asphaltene problems.

Some wells that have wax problems may also have a combination of other problems; thus paraffin treatments alone may not be sufficient to optimize production. Wells where paraffin problems are the primary reason for production deterioration have the best chance of production increase after treatments.

When increased production is possible, it is usually experienced after the removal of wax buildup that has been deposited in the formation (formation damage). The removal of those deposits precipitated in the formation restores permeability and again allows the free flow of petroleum.

There are several causes leading to the deposition of paraffin and asphaltene in the formation. Some of those causes occur naturally, others are induced by well specific production practices. Natural causes include streaming potential (due to the flow of the oil); and temperature drop at the face of the formation, due to the expansion of the fluids as they enter the well bore.