Cleaning the well from wax deposition by high-frequency and ultra high-frequency electromagnetic exposure

Abstract

According to information over the world, production of high content paraffin oil is followed by a serious problem causing challenges in operation of wells. The problem is wax deposition on the inner surface of oil field equipment. The problem decreases system production and efficiency of operation of pumps, the failure of wells, control devices and oil collection and transportation systems. Wax deposition can lead to a complete closure of lifting pipes and annular channels in the interconnecting space, which causes the necessity of workovers to eliminate the wax deposition. This article describes the geophysical bases of the influence of high-frequency and ultra high-frequency electromagnetic fields for the heating and removal of wax from wells. Results of experimental studies of dielectric losses in wax samples of some oil fields are presented. Their dependence on frequency and temperature, as well as on the content of resins and asphaltenes in samples is established. The possibility of experimental determination of the melting point of wax by the data of dielectric studies is shown. Calculation studies of heating and melting the wax plugs in the oil pipeline were carried out under the influence of the type of electromagnetic waves capable of propagating in it as in a round waveguide. It is believed that the source of electromagnetic waves is moving. That allows overheating of the medium at some points and melts solid deposits along the entire length of a plug. Results of numerical studies allow monitoring the dynamics of heating and elimination of a wax plug by electromagnetic action.

Keywords

• wax deposits
• oil pipeline
• well
• high-frequency and ultrahigh-frequency method
• temperature
• dielectric loss
• frequency