Combination Demulsifier and Paraffin Dispersant Treatment Reduces LOE on San Andres Horizontals USD 1.99 Million
An operator in West Texas experienced high flowline pressures and restricted flow in horizontal San Andres wells, leading to an oil production decline of more than 60% during the first two years. Investigation revealed that the produced fluids formed a stable water-in-oil emulsion and contained high paraffin content, which caused significant paraffin deposition inside the flowlines. Coastal Chemical analyzed the deposits and tested several treatment options, ultimately developing a customized combination of a demulsifier and paraffin dispersant (DPD-5412) to address both the emulsion and paraffin buildup. Continuous application of this product reduced flowline pressure by an average of 8% and eliminated visible deposits in the piping and monitoring coupons. Due to the successful results, the operator expanded the treatment program to more than 48 wells across the field.
CHALLENGES
- West Texas – San Andres Horizontal Wells
- Water-in-Oil emulsion in production flowlines resulted in high-pressure drops and upsets in separation facilities.
- Severe paraffin deposition in production flowlines requiring monthly thermal treatments to maintain production.
SOLUTION
- Continuous treatment with Coastal Chemical DPD5412 to control water-in-oil emulsion and paraffin deposition in production flowlines.
RESULTS
- Controlled emulsion and paraffin flow issues in production flowlines
- Eliminated monthly hot oil treatments on 48 wells.
- Saved an estimated USD 0.9 million in annual hot oil treatment costs and lost production.
- Saved an estimated USD 1.09 million annually in chemical treatment cost with the combination of the emulsion breaker and paraffin dispersant in one single product.
- Total annual savings estimated at USD 1.99 million.
PARAFFIN AND EMULSION – PRODUCTION FLOWLINES
An operator in West Texas experienced high pressures and restricted flow on production flowlines for horizontal San Andres wells. The wells experienced a decline in oil production of >60% during the initial two-year period of production. The fluids from the flowline piping were sampled and evaluated. It was determined that the fluids consisted of a stable water-in-oil emulsion and the oil had a high paraffin content. The production flowline piping was also visually inspected and solid deposition was very apparent. Solid deposition was found on the flowline pipe walls and on the monitoring coupon.
Lab analysis revealed the deposits from the flowline pipe walls and the coupons were predominately paraffin. The Coastal Chemical Services team tested several demulsifiers and paraffin control products.
Coastal Chemical determined that a specific combination of a demulsifier and paraffin dispersant accomplished control of the water-in-oil emulsion and paraffin deposition. The recommended treatment was a combination product made up of the demulsifier and the paraffin dispersant. The development of a tailor-made combination demulsifier and paraffin dispersant product also provided a significant price reduction to the operator compared to applying both products separately.
Coastal Chemical’s DPD-5412 was the resulting combination demulsifier and paraffin dispersant product developed to optimally remedy the emulsion and paraffin in the production flowlines.
The DPD-5412 was applied continuously down the flowline. The application resulted in an 8% average decrease in flowline pressure. The visual inspection of the flowline piping and the monitoring coupon were both clean following the implementation of the DPD-5412.
Based on the success of the program, the operator made it standard practice to apply the DPD-5412 treatment program to other wells in the field experiencing the same flowline issues. The DPD-5412 product has successfully been implemented to over 48 wells in the field.
This case history is presented for illustration purposes only as results may vary between applications.