Thermal removal of wax

In thermal technique melting of wax is usually done by the injection of hot oil/hot
water/chemicals.
This technique is simple, low cost and the results are immediate.
Well deposits can vary from a mushy consistency at the upper end of the deposit
to hard, crystalline waxes at the bottom.
The type of wax is a function of the carbon atoms in the molecule.
Soft wax: C12 to C25
hard wax: C25 to C50+
The following is a listing of a few of the wax types that may be encountered in
typical well deposits:








As we can see, The melting temperature increases with the carbon number.
We have to plan our injection time and temperature according to the wax type.

Wax
Component
Carbon
Number
Melting Point
C F

Pentadecane C15 10 50
Hexadecane C16 20 68
Octadecane C18 28 82
Eicosane C20 38 10
Tetracosane C24 51 12
Triacontane C35 75 16
Now, when hot oil/hot water is injected into a well, the heat of the fluids rapidly
transfers to the cooler well bore equipment and waxes in the upper sections of
the well.
As pumping of the hot treating fluid continues the heated zone progresses down
the well bore removing additional deposits.
However, the treatment will not completely clean the well unless the treating
fluid is hot enough and injected long enough to reach the melting point of the
hard waxes at the lower end of the deposit.
Specially designed HOT OIL UNITS are used to heat the lease oil/water to a
temperature of 200 to 500F and either bullhead it into the well or circulate it
through a work string.

Fig. Hot Oiler
If the paraffin depositing is solid it will often have to be washed out with a work
string.
The CT is an excellent tool used in conjunction with hot oil for the removal of
paraffin.
Process:
- The CTU is rigged up in standard manner.
- A high temperature pack-off rubber should be used in
the pack-off.
- The hot oil trucks discharge line is connected to the
rotating hub of the CTU reel.
- Hot oil/hot water should be circulated through the CT
until the CT is hot prior to going in the hole.

Fig. CTU
Fig. Paraffin removal with Hot Oil
Cautions:
- Circulation of the hot fluid should be maintained from surface to approximately 500
feet below the fresh water zones.
- Circulation should be maintained for at least two hours after reaching the desired
depth. This will ensure melting away all the paraffin rather than simply washing a
hole through it.
- Returns should be monitored to be sure the oil is hot enough to melt the paraffin
before circulation is stopped.
Extreme cautions:
- If the hot oil/chemical should come in contact with someone, it adheres and creates
a much more severe burn than would hot water.
- Extreme care should be used when moving the coiled tubing while circulating hot
fluid.
Advantages:
- CTU provides continuous circulation from surface to bottom.
- CTU has a very effective blowout preventer and pack-off assembly.
- Its operation is fast effective and economical.