Description
This 3 days course is designed to present, review and discuss the physical characterization of crude oils and natural gases, the properties associated with the content of paraffins and asphaltenes, the causes of paraffin and asphaltene precipitation and effects in the production operations for different types of oil and gas reservoirs; impact in Secondary and Enhanced Oil Recovery projects including subsurface and surface equipment.
The course reviews problems encountered in oils from 8 ° API to above 50°API caused by paraffin and asphaltenes, field strategies implemented to produce these oils and practical solutions, the testing methods to identify physical characteristics of the waxy and asphaltene oils and treatment methods, mechanical, thermal and chemical.
Effects of paraffin and asphaltenes on emulsions, corrosion and scales, selecting cost effective treatments to prevent and remove formation damage caused by paraffin and asphaltenes in new and mature wells.
Questions will be taken throughout the course and discussion of the participants own problems will be encouraged.
Laboratory and Field case history is a fundamental part of this course.
- To learn about Paraffin and Asphaltenes and their role in the physical characteristics of the oil, the effect of oil composition and characteristics on the problems in drilling, completing and production stages.
- Understand the possible solutions to these problems and cost-effective approaches.
- Discussion of the history of the Paraffin and Asphaltene treatments from removal to inhibition and the economic impact of Paraffin and Asphaltenes in the industry.
- To learn characterization methods of Paraffin and Asphaltenes, understand reasons for paraffin deposition, and practical use the methods available in operations for control/mitigation of paraffin problems.
- To understand the tests used to determine cloud point (wax appearance temperature) and pour point and implications in the oil production.
- To study the physical characteristics of asphaltenes and how formation and tubing conditions can affect their stability and deposition tendencies
- Discuss influence of the API gravity, production methods and production conditions relate to asphaltene and paraffin problems
This course is designed for:
- Production Engineers,
- Reservoir Engineers,
- Supervisors,
- Chemical Engineers,
- Geologists, Geophysicists and Petrophysicists
- Field operators personnel
- Personnel from oil companies or Service companies that need to gain or increase their understanding of paraffin and asphaltene problems associated to field operations. This training can be fitted to the clients needs.
Day 1
Introduction and overview of Paraffins and Asphaltenes
- General Concepts
- Chemistry and Properties of Paraffin
- Chemistry and Properties of Asphaltenes
- Causes of Paraffin Problems
- Causes of Asphaltene Problems
- Formation Damage Caused by Paraffin and Asphaltenes
- Formation Damage from Other Causes
Field Case example and discussions.
Day 2
EOR related asphaltene formation damage problems
- Paraffin Problems in Producing Wells.
- Asphaltene Problems in Producing Wells.
- Paraffin Problems in Surface Equipment.
- Asphaltene Problems in Surface Equipment.
- Types of Paraffin Treatments.
- Types of Asphaltene Treatments.
- Cost Effective Paraffin Treating.
- Paraffin and Asphaltene Product Testing.
Day 3
Paraffins and Asphaltenes workshop
Discussion and review of the course material,
Group discussion of the paraffin and asphaltene impact in the reservoir, injection and producer wells, and production facilities.
Discussion of the control methods of paraffin deposits and recommendation for field applications.
Discussion of the control methods of Asphaltene deposition and recommendation for field applications.
Discuss student’s specific field problems and methods applied to prevent paraffin asphaltene deposition
Discuss student’s specific field problems and methods applied to prevent paraffin deposition that have failed.
Discuss student’s specific field problems and methods applied to prevent asphaltene deposition that have failed.
Presentation of field production/reservoir problems by the participants, establish and suggest work plans to be implemented in field operations.
Discuss teamwork integrated approach implemented by operational companies in other countries in relation to problems of paraffin and asphaltenes.
End of the training