The Prediction of Wax Precipitation by Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm and Comparison With a Multisolid Model in Crude Oil Systems

Abstract

This article introduce a new implementation of the neural network and genetic programming neural network technology in petroleum engineering. An intelligent framework is developed for calculating the amount of wax precipitation in petroleum mixtures over a wide temperature range. Theoretical results and practical experience indicate that feedforward networks can approximate a wide class of function relationships very well. In this work, a conventional feedforward multilayer neural network and genetic programming neural network (GPNN) approach have been proposed to predict the amount of wax precipitation. The introduced model can predict wax precipitation through neural network and genetic algorithmic techniques. The accuracy of the method is evaluated by predicting the amount of wax precipitation of various reservoir fluids not used in the development of the models. Furthermore, the performance of the model is compared with the performance of multisolid model for wax precipitation prediction and experimental data. Results of this comparison show that the proposed method is superior, both in accuracy and generality, over the other models.     

Studies of Wax Deposition Onset in the Case of Indian Crude Oil

Abstract

Before taking any decision regarding strategies for prevention and remediation of wax deposition problems in the production tubing, pipeline, and process equipment, it is essential to identify the conditions of wax deposition and to predict wax deposition rates. In this article a study on the prediction of wax deposition, different factors affecting the deposition, and the practical applications of laboratory results obtained for characterization of the Indian crude oils have been presented. The waxy crude characterization study was performed on both stock tank crude oil and recombined integrated crude oil. The results of it exemplify the influence of composition, temperature, and pressure on the solid behavior of Indian paraffinic crudes.     

Experimental study on the regulation of wax deposition

Abstract

Based on the theory of wax deposition dynamics, and the wax deposition rate model of a Tieling–Jinxi insulated crude oil pipeline was established for Daqing–Jilin mixed oil. Based on their physical properties, the sediments removed from the pipeline were mixed into the original oil sample at different proportions. The sediment volume measured by three physical methods in different seasons was compared. The results showed that the error between the value measured by the wax content method and the predicted value by the model was the smallest, which was -5% in winter and -3.9% in summer. Therefore, the wax content method can be used to estimate the sediment in the pipeline and determine the prediction accuracy of the model.     

Wax Diffusivity: Is It a Physical Property or a Pivotable Parameter?

Abstract

In order to predict wax deposition problems the key parameter is the wax diffusion coefficient. While it is quite easy to find measured diffusivity values for well-defined compounds at quite low concentrations, very few experimental data are available for wax diffusivity in oil. Most of the literature data are estimated by interpolating experimental data obtained by loop tests and then they are affected by a noticeable uncertainty. In fact this parameter collects the whole uncertainty of the test and the paradoxical situation is that the key parameter ends to be the most error-affected or to be used as a pivotable parameter in “predictive” models. This article describes an experimental procedure to determine the overall diffusivity coefficient of waxes into the oil; the main advantage of this technique is that it allows the direct measure of diffusivity on the oil. Besides it is a very simple and straightforward technique. Results obtained were used to gain insight into the deposition process; the conclusion was that, due to the counter-intuitive diffusivity dependence on temperature, it is likely that noncompositional models available at present are structurally incorrect.     

An Experimental Study on Wax Deposition of Water in Waxy Crude Oil Emulsions

Abstract

The key factors affecting wax deposition of water-in-oil emulsion were studied experimentally using a cold finger device. Wax deposition characteristics of emulsions were obtained. The results showed that the wax deposition profile of emulsions as a function of temperature parameters was similar to that of single oil. However, the effect of the extent of water cut on wax deposition was obviously different at different temperatures. Furthermore, the relative mass of deposit was proposed and found independent of water cut, from which wax deposition rate at different water cuts could be predicted and the predicted values were in good agreement with experimental data.     

The Effect of Tube Orientation and Pour Point Depressant on Paraffin Wax Deposition

Abstract

A flow loop was used to study wax deposition in the laboratory. Data are presented to demonstrate that the tube orientation and pour point depressants have significant effects on the paraffin wax deposition for oil from the Octh Louie, a Cretaceous formation in the Manderson Field, Wyoming. Changing the tube orientation from horizontal to vertical reduced the amount of wax deposited by 28% for a tube wall (T_wall) temperature of 42°F. The circulating oil temperature (T_bulk) was held constant at 76 ± 3°F. The amount of wax deposited was found to be a linear function of the driving force (T_bulk – T_wall) and the wax appearance temperature (WAT) was estimated by extrapolating this linear relationship to a point of zero wax deposition. The WAT thus obtained (94.5°F) varied considerably with the cloud point (62°F) obtained using the ASTM D2500 method. Change in viscosity with time has also been investigated. Addition of a specific pour point depressant (PPD) at a concentration of 5 mL/gallon reduced wax deposition by 52%; concentrations of 10 mL/gallon of oil reduced the wax by 61%. Changing the flow regime from laminar to turbulent also had a significant effect, reducing the wax deposition by up to 42%. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC-FID) analyses and other relevant property data pertaining to the oil are also presented.     

Experimental Investigations of the Mitigation of Paraffin Wax Deposition in Crude Oil Using Chemical Additives

Abstract

Wax deposition from crude oil is a very expensive problem for oil producers around the world. The objective of this study is to understand the characteristics of paraffin wax deposition and to test the effectiveness of solvents in the inhibition of the crystallization and subsequent precipitation of the paraffin wax and to test the most effective concentration of the solvent used. The oil used here is from the Dakota formation from the Fourteen Mile Field in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming. Two paraffin inhibitors were tested for this crude oil on a horizontal flow system. The inhibitors are mixtures of solvents, pour point depressants, and wax crystal modifiers. These inhibitors were tested at different concentrations and temperatures and the deposition rates were obtained for each. One inhibitor especially designed for this crude oil was relatively successful, reducing the deposition by up to 59% depending on the temperature.     

大庆原油蜡沉积规律研究

在理论分析及室内试验的基础上,系统研究了油温、流速、管壁处温度梯度等参数对大庆原油蜡沉积的影响.在原油与管壁温差相同时,不同温度段蜡沉积速率并不相同,存在蜡沉积高峰区.在壁温相同时,随油温升高,蜡沉积速率逐渐增加.在油温、壁温相同的条件下,随流速增加,蜡沉积速率下降.建立了大庆原油蜡沉积模型,并利用该模型预测了铁岭-秦皇岛输油管线不同季节、不同时间沿线蜡沉积分布.铁-秦线冬季存在蜡沉积高峰区;春、秋季出站时蜡沉积最严重,下一站进站时蜡沉积最轻;夏季蜡沉积速率更小,且沿线变化不大.     

A New Unified Model for Predicting Non-Newtonian Viscosity of Waxy Crudes

Abstract

Viscosity determination in the non-Newtonian regime has always been a major problem in the oil industry. This is due to its dependence on the wax precipitated shear and thermal history of the crude oil. The present shear rate dependent viscosity model was developed by applying the theory of suspension rheology. This model is characterized by its capacity to predict viscosities of crude oils with different shear and thermal history and those containing petroleum-based diluents. Once viscosities at two temperatures above the wax appearance temperature (WAT) and apparent viscosity in the non Newtonian regime are known, viscosities or apparent viscosities at any temperature above the gel point can be determined by using the model together with the concentration of precipitated wax at the specified temperature. Verification of the model by using two Nigerian crudes with different shear and thermal histories and two crudes obtained from the literature shows that the model predicts viscosities with an average absolute deviation of 4.9%.     

Modeling Formation Damage Due to Flocculated Asphaltene Deposition

Abstract

In this article, a hybrid model of an analytical and artificial neural network simulation and corresponding analytical method are applied using laboratory data obtained by performing various dynamic displacement experiments with preseparated oil asphaltene content that resulted a close agreement, so it could predict the trend of permeability reduction due to deposition of asphaltene using the hybrid model described. The procedure of matching is described here.

The main conclusion is the ability to predict the deposition of asphaltene in the reservoir without the need to generate data from expensive downhole samples and/or laboratory tests.     

Influencing factors governing paraffin wax deposition of heavy oil and research on wellbore paraffin remover

Abstract

Wax deposition is harmful to oil wells, especially for waxy heavy oils at low temperature. The influencing factors on wax deposition of heavy oil were studied and a kind of O/W emulsion type wellbore wax remover was investigated. The results showed that the wax deposition rate of Jinghe heavy oil increased with the increasing wax content and asphaltenes content but decreased with the increasing water content. The oil in water emulsion type paraffin remover was prepared and it showed both good wax dissolution and paraffin prevention ability and can save large quantities of solvent. The results of this study provides a possible way for waxy heavy oils to dissolve wax, to prevent wax deposition and reduce the viscosity of heavy oils by emulsification together, which is helpful to reduce the frequency of hot washing and enhance oil recovery for waxy heavy oils.     

Evaluation of Effect of Polymeric Pour Point Depressant Additives on Indian Waxy Crude Oil

Abstract

Wax deposition in oil production constitutes a critical and difficult-to-control problem in terms of productivity and production operation costs going from the reservoir to surface facilities. In the present work, four polymeric additives were prepared and used as pour point depressants (PPD) for Limbodara (Indian) crude oil via polymerization of different undecylenates with maleic anhydride with a further reaction with amine. The results are encouraging and show that prepared additives function both as wax dispersants and flow improvers due to the presence of polar groups in the structure. Cross–polarizing microscopic studies were performed to study changes in morphology of wax crystals in crude oil with and without additive. A zero-friction advanced rheometer AR-500 was used to determine the viscosity by applying Bingham plastic-flow model.     

Rheology of Doped Nigerian Niger-Delta Waxy Crude Oil

Abstract

Precipitation and deposition of wax, which usually results from temperature lowering, has detrimental effects on petroleum industry operations. To appreciate and understand the physicochemical mechanics of wax precipitation, rheological experiments were carried out on three doped and undoped Nigerian waxy crude oils. The characteristic shear stress straining rate shows an initial constant shear stress below 50 sec^?1 shear rate, followed by a gradual increase above 50 sec^?1 which is indicative of energy consumption in the partial break-up of wax matrix bonds. Doping greatly ameliorates the rheological properties and pour points of the crude oils. The Bingham plastic model excellently fit the experimental data, with a correlation coefficient ≥ 0.97721.     

Transportation technology with pour point depressant and wax deposition in a crude oil pipeline

The authors systematically studied transportation technology with pour point depressant and wax deposition in an industrial crude oil pipeline. Experiment results manifest that beneficiated oil acquires obvious modification effect and the reheating temperature of intermediate heat stations should be above 55°C to avoid effect deterioration. Heating schemes are made with lower heating temperature and wider output range. Moreover, an applicable wax deposition model is established to predict wax deposition distribution along the pipeline under various operating conditions. Wax deposition rate varies severely along the pipeline and it is necessary to consider its non-uniformity in production.     

MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF WAX DEPOSITION IN CRUDE OIL PIPELINES (COMPARATIVE STUDY)

ABSTRACT

In this research, wax deposition in different crude oil pipeline systems was studied. In oil pipelines, the main mechanism for wax appearance is the temperature change along the pipeline. A computer program was developed to simulate the wax precipitation phenomena. Temperature profile along the pipeline was determined and solid liquid equilibrium constant, wax mole fraction and wax thickness along the pipeline were calculated. This computer program was applied to different crude oil pipeline systems in Iraq (Baiji-Daura, Rumaila-Zubair-Fao and Hadttha-Rumailia). In Haditha-Rumaila crude oil pipeline system, it was observed that wax thickness after a year is approximately 0.1 mm and temperature declined from 303 K to around 300.5 K. The wax mole fraction after a year is approximately 0.2. The solid-liquid equilibrium constant for the first component around 0.228 and around 165 for the second component after a year. Similar results were observed in other crude oil pipeline systems studied.     

WAX DEPOSITION IN HORIZONTAL WELLS

ABSTRACT

In this research, wax deposition in horizontal well bores was studied. In a horizontal well, the main mechanism for wax appearance is the pressure change rather than the temperature change. Six different thermodynamic models were improved for horizontal wells by adding a pressure function, and a computer program was developed to simulate the precipitation phenomena in horizontal wells. Solid-liquid equilibrium constants for each pseudo-component were calculated. Critical pressures and overall solid mole fractions of the crude oil at different error ranges are determined. In addition to these, the changes in productivity index due to wax deposition for steady state and pseudo-steady state conditions were examined by the addition of a “wax factor”. It was observed that pressure change was slightly effective on wax appearance in horizontal wells.     

Proposing a novel and accurate model for forecasting dynamic viscosity of n-alkane in operational conditions

Abstract

The viscosity of fluid is known as resistivity of fluid to flow and straightly affected by temperature and pressure. As it is obvious, the viscosity of reservoir fluid is known as one of the critical parameters which extensively effect on production. Therefore, in the present paper, multilayer perceptron artificial neural network (MLP-ANN) is used as a novel and accurate model to predict dynamic viscosity of normal alkanes in the operational conditions. To this end, 228 dynamic viscosity points as function of carbon number of n-alkane, temperature, and pressure were collected from a reliable paper. The comparison between MLP-ANN outputs and experimental dynamic viscosities is performed in graphical and statistical manners. The calculated coefficients of determination 0.99739 and 0.99051 for training and testing phases express the great ability of MLP-ANN algorithm in prediction of dynamic viscosity of n-alkane. According to the analysis, MLP-ANN has enough accuracy and potential to be used as software for which applicable in petroleum industry.     

Wax Deposition in Flow Lines Under Dynamic Conditions

The wax deposition in the tubing, pipeline, and surface flow line is the major problem in the oil fields. It generates additional pressure drop and causes fauling and ultimately increases the operating cost during production, transportation, and handling of waxy crude oil. In this work, attempts were made to study the wax deposition in the flow lines due to Indian crude oil under dynamic condition. The experimental work was carried out for neat crude oil and pour point depressants treated crude oil at different ambient/surface temperature and pumping/reservoir temperature. It was observed that temperature has significant effect on the wax deposition of the crude oils. From these studies, ideal temperature of crude oil to pump in the pipeline or flow line was determined. The present investigations also furnishes that the selected pour point depressant in this work decreases the wax deposition significantly and may be used for controlling the wax deposition problems in case of Indian crude oil.     

含蜡原油石蜡沉积模拟方法研究

对从苏丹Unity油田现场取得有代表性的原油样品进行了原油组分分析和析蜡点测试。并针对油田的生产状况,利用与美国德士古石油公司合作建立的自动化高压石蜡沉积循环管道模拟系统,采用冷却实验步骤测试了苏丹原油从高于原油析蜡点温度到较低环境温度范围内在现场流速、油温和环境温度下的石蜡沉积速率,定量研究了流速和油温对石蜡沉积速率的影响,并采用分子扩散和剪切效应的总效应来描述石蜡沉积机理。利用临界蜡张力作为模拟放大因子,采用半经验的石蜡沉积数学模型,预测了Unity油田21井的生产井筒在现场生产条件下的石蜡沉积情况,模拟了不同产量和不同时间的蜡沉积剖面。结果表明,该油井在目前高产条件下,未发生石蜡沉积问题;在低产时,须考虑清蜡和防蜡措施。     

PARAFFIN DEPOSITION BEHAVIOUR OF WAX-OIL BLENDS DURING FLOW; EFFECT OF WAX CONCENTRATION AND PHYSICAL PARAMETERS

ABSTRACT

Paraffin deposition behaviour of wax-oil blends has been studied under flowing conditions in a horizontal pipe. The effect of time, cold surface temperature, flow rate and wax concentration on deposition has been studied and their level of significance has been evaluated statistically.