Solving paraffin deposition problem in tubing by heating cable application

Abstract

The production of paraffin-base crude is expensive and more complex then of other oil types. In northern Serbia, where majority of oil and gas fields are located, about 25% of oil production accounts for the high paraffin oil. During this oil type production, the paraffin deposition occurs in tubing's upper zone, ranging from 700 m depth upwards. In this article is presented original way of heating cable application, for solving paraffin deposition problem in tubing that can be easy and quickly installed in the well. Paraffin deposition problem is solved by heating, and at the same time the increased temperature causes the oil viscosity reduction resulting with improved oil flow rate. Application of this method and the results are exemplified by the flowing well B-3 where are used two different heating cables. This method, which is very successfully solves the problem of paraffin deposition in the tubing, can also be applied to wells producing by different artificial lift methods.