Paraffin management

Benefit from a systematic approach

Where hydrocarbons depressurize and cool, paraffins can nucleate and grow into crystal structures that can impact production through gelation, higher pour point and viscosity, and deposition. Operational issues such as reduced flow, increased backpressure, and waxy sludge formation in storage tanks can occur.

Our proven approach starts with gathering and examining field information, followed by designing and implementing laboratory tests to determine the optimal treatment. 

Paraffin inhibitors

We offer a wide variety of paraffin inhibitors to meet your specific needs:

• paraffin deposition inhibitors—high-molecular-weight polymers that interact with paraffins in crude to modify or inhibit wax crystal formation, shape, and size, so that surface adhesion is eliminated
• pour-point depressants—polymers with n-alkyl chains that similarly impede wax crystal formation, leading to lower fluid viscosity, pour point, and yield stress
• paraffin dispersants—surface-active agents that prevent paraffin deposition in oilfield systems by creating repulsion between paraffin particles as well as between paraffin particles and other (for example, pipe) surfaces.

If the optimal product is not part of our existing range, we can design a product specifically for your application.

Ambient conditions during treatment application are considered when selecting and designing the most cost-effective solution. For example, stability under extreme conditions, such as deepwater environments, is assessed when appropriate. A full range of deepwater-stable, umbilical-compatible products is available.

We also provide a variety of paraffin dissolvers to remediate deposition and restore production to optimal levels.

Paraffin dissolvers

SLB uses mechanical, thermal, and chemical techniques to treat deposited waxes.

Chemical dissolution treatment necessitates application of solvents that effectively and efficiently remove paraffin wax deposits, dissolving the paraffin regardless of structure, size, or melting point. This process requires much less energy compared with melting the wax crystals. Solvent effectiveness improves with increased temperature and agitation.

Available solvents include chemistry based on aliphatics, aromatics, esters, terpenes, and more. The most effective product that meets the application requirements can be selected or designed based on your preferred parameters to ensure that your performance, cost, and environmental goals are achieved.