Improved paraffin prevention techniques reduce operating costs, powder River Basin, Wyoming

Abstract

This paper presents and discusses the methods used by Amoco Production Company to reduce operating costs resulting from paraffin deposition. The initial program was basically that of removal of paraffin deposits from downhole tubular goods and surface lines and equipment by mechanical cutting and oil treating. However, as production experience was gained, it was established that the prevention of paraffin deposition was much less costly than its removal. Hence, plastic coated tubing and rods, fiberglass flow lines, and paraffin inhibition chemicals were investigated and eventually utilized extensively. Since then mechanical cutting and hot oiling to remove paraffin deposits have virtually been eliminated with a concurrent reduction in operating cost.