TY - THES

T1 - Crude oil wax remediation using enhanced chemical formulations

AU - Al-Gaadabi, Marwan Qasem Abobakr

N1 - embargoed until 08-02-2026

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - In this thesis, a chemical approach was taken to improve the hot water treatment carried out in Aldorf, Bockstedt and Düste fields in Northern Germany. The existing hot water treatment (via annular injection) is incapable of fully removing the wax deposition in production wells and requires the aid of compatible solvents to improve the overall treatment. The thesis describes step by step the experimental development of chemical formulations enhanced with surfactants/dispersants. The compositions were chosen based on the wax solvency, flash point, toxicity, manufacturing costs and compatibility with elastomers of the PCPs. Moreover, a polymer recipe consisting of a special polymeric Asphaltene dispersants + ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) was investigated as a potential wax inhibitor for the type of crude oil produced. Experimental comparison of different readily biodegradable solvent is also presented as green alternative to conventional petroleum solvents. The developed solvents were tested using a modified cold finger experiment for comparison with conventional solvents. The created solvent (mixed with water) showed superior wax removing performance compared to pure solvents and fresh water at a lower temperature than the wax melting point. The wax inhibiting polymer recipe was tested using cross-polarized microscope for wax appearance temperature (WAT) and Rheometry for viscosity measurements. The novel polymer recipe showed comparable results in depressing the WAT and superior viscosity reduction compared to a commercial product. This polymer combination can also be integrated with the enhanced solvent formulation to create an effective wax inhibitor additive. The green solvent’s wax solvency results obtained were promising as well as providing cost effective green alternative to petroleum solvents. The presented chemical formulations can be used to enhance existing hot water treatment practices with low added costs. The treatment can eliminate the need of workover and frequent scrapping to reduce the overall operational costs.

AB - In this thesis, a chemical approach was taken to improve the hot water treatment carried out in Aldorf, Bockstedt and Düste fields in Northern Germany. The existing hot water treatment (via annular injection) is incapable of fully removing the wax deposition in production wells and requires the aid of compatible solvents to improve the overall treatment. The thesis describes step by step the experimental development of chemical formulations enhanced with surfactants/dispersants. The compositions were chosen based on the wax solvency, flash point, toxicity, manufacturing costs and compatibility with elastomers of the PCPs. Moreover, a polymer recipe consisting of a special polymeric Asphaltene dispersants + ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) was investigated as a potential wax inhibitor for the type of crude oil produced. Experimental comparison of different readily biodegradable solvent is also presented as green alternative to conventional petroleum solvents. The developed solvents were tested using a modified cold finger experiment for comparison with conventional solvents. The created solvent (mixed with water) showed superior wax removing performance compared to pure solvents and fresh water at a lower temperature than the wax melting point. The wax inhibiting polymer recipe was tested using cross-polarized microscope for wax appearance temperature (WAT) and Rheometry for viscosity measurements. The novel polymer recipe showed comparable results in depressing the WAT and superior viscosity reduction compared to a commercial product. This polymer combination can also be integrated with the enhanced solvent formulation to create an effective wax inhibitor additive. The green solvent’s wax solvency results obtained were promising as well as providing cost effective green alternative to petroleum solvents. The presented chemical formulations can be used to enhance existing hot water treatment practices with low added costs. The treatment can eliminate the need of workover and frequent scrapping to reduce the overall operational costs.

KW - Wachsablagerung

KW - Asphaltene

KW - chemische Lösungsmittel

KW - Dispergiermittel

KW - Heißwasserbehandlung

KW - grüne Lösungsmittel

KW - Tenside

KW - Cold finger

KW - Rheometer

KW - Kreuzpolarisiertes Mikroskop

KW - wax deposition

KW - asphaltenes

KW - chemical solvents

KW - dispersants

KW - hot water treatment

KW - green solvents

KW - surfactants

KW - cold finger

KW - Rheometer

KW - cross-polarized microscope

M3 - Master's Thesis

ER -