UNIQUE NATURAL SOLVENTS FOR TREATING PARAFFIN AND ASPHALTENE RELATED PRGELEMS
S. R. King, AMSOL Corporation, C. R. Cotney, C.R.C. Consulting
Problems related to paraffin and asphaitenes continue to plague the oil and gas Industry. These include solid deposits, stabilization of emulsions and sludge production"'. Common solvents and condensates are popular treatments for dissolving and/or controlling paraffin and asphaltene related problems. Typically, these fluids have been used with little regard for long term effectiveness and formation damage consequences. Unique condensate feedstocks with high multiple aromatic content were identified. Laboratory testing, blending and refining resulted in solvents that can keep paraffin and asphaitenes in solution under a wide range of conditions. As a result of this work condensates are blended and refined to maximize solvency, demulsifying properties and maintain wettability without the addition of chemical additives. The properties of these refined natural solvents offer economical alternatives and/or enhancement to common treatment practices including hot oiling, condensate treatments, chemical treatments, stimulation and production treatments.