Who is DWAX?
- DWAX is an oil field service company primarily focusing on oil well services and oil flow optimization.
Why are paraffin, asphaltene and bitumen a problem in the oil industry?
- Costly flow blockages in oil production are primarily due to the deposition of heavy organics from petroleum fluids. These heavy organics, such as paraffin and asphaltenes, exist in all crude oil products in various quantities and forms. Paraffin and asphaltenes precipitate or crystallize into solids when temperature or pressure drops in the oil production process.These heavy solids stick to the walls of tubulars and to reservoir surfaces, causing a barrier to the flow of oil. These heavy organics, in many instances, move from the well tubing to flow lines and to production separators, pumps, strainers and other fluid-handling equipment, creating further operational problems. In many cases, oil wells are completely shut down after being plugged by these heavy materials, As a result of these solids blocking the flow of oil, production volume is greatly reduced and expensive operational problems are experienced. The buildup of paraffin and asphaltene in oil wells is a problem in the oil industry, Paraffin and asphaltene as well as other impurities accumulate on the walls of the pipes which are used to bring the oil up from underground deposits. lf not removed, these accumulations will eventually build up to the point that the flow of oil is significantly reduced and the well may become inoperable.
How do producers currently manage these problems?
- Chemical treatments: While chemical treatments help to manage paraffin issues in the well, some chemicals do not suspend the paraffin indefinitely and can be damaging to the environment. Chemical Treatments can partially dissolve or disperse paraffin, only to have it recrystallize further down the line in another area of the well.
- Hot Oiling: One of the common oil-field well bore problems is paraffin deposition. Hot oiling is one method tried for removing paraffin. Paraffin and asphaltene buildup is handled by periodically pumping very hot oil, augmented by cleansing additives, down the pipe in order to melt the accumulations. The melted paraffin and asphaltene are then forced out of the well by the continuing upward flow of oil. During a hot oiling job, a significant amount of the oil injected into the annulus goes into the formation, and hence, has the potential to damage the formation and interrupts the follow of oil during the process. Organic particulates in stock tank oil may not completely dissolve as the oil passes through the hot oiling truck heat exchanger, hence, these particulates may plug the formation. Hot oiling can vaporize oil in the tubing faster than the pump lifts oil. This interrupts paraffin removal from the well, and thus, since the wax is not removed from the well, the wax is refined into harder deposits, can go deeper into the well, and can stick rods.
- Knifing: An apparatus and its operation for removing paraffin from a well tubing string above a wire-line operated subsurface safety valve assembly installed in the tubing string. During normal production operations, a wire line connects the paraffin cutting apparatus to surface facilities. In order to reduce the wear of the rods against the sidewalls of the well tubing, rod-guide devices, paraffin scraper, or the like, fora reciprocating rod is constructed of substantially identical half sections adapted to be disposed adjacent the opposite sides of the outer periphery of the rod. Telescopic orientation of the 2 half sections wedges the guide or scraper around the outer periphery of the rod.Paraffin cut from the tubing skiing wall is removed by flow of production fluids through the open equalizer port.
- Pigging: A paraffin scraper, or pig, is driven through the pipeline by fluid pressure in the pipeline. lt has a solid plastic cylindrical shape with a number of annular recesses. In addition, there is a small-diameter axial bore extending through the whole length of the body to create a jet-fluid stream at the front during scraping action.
What does DWAX do?
- Compared to conventional and costly methods such as hot oiling, knifing and chemical treatments, DWAX has proven to solve some of the most difficult paraffin, asphaltene and bitumen problems in the oilfield. DWAX’s treatment service incorporates the use of a specialized all natural, plant based, biodegradable solution.
Does DWAX oil well service remove or just move the problem further along the line?
- DWAX’s proprietary formula works to emulsify and suspend deposits inhibiting well performance and production. DWAX’s treatment service incorporates the use of a specialized all natural, plant based, biodegradable solution. DWAX’s proprietary formula works to emulsify and suspend deposits inhibiting well performance and production.Unlike chemical products which partially dissolve or disperse paraffin only to have it recrystallize further down the line, DWAX’s product alters the molecular structure of the paraffin with dramatic results. The existing paraffin is restructured so it re-enters the crude and will not precipitate out again – remaining suspended. It will not drop out in another area of the well.Additionally, potential paraffin formation is prevented when the solution is present in the crude, keeping flow lines clean. DWAX’s formulation is typically used to treat oil wells without inhibiting the production of the well during the treatment process.
How do DWAX service programs optimize production and add to the clients bottom line?
- Regular oil well service by DWAX will typically prevent wells from seizing up solid with paraffin. This reduces the need for service rigs and hot oil units as well as the accompanying increase in lifting costs. DWAX’s oil field treatment service will eliminate the need for costly chemical programs:
- No production loss during well servicing
- DWAX service programs will reduce service rig costs
- Power usage will be noticeably reduced on a mechanical lift system
- DWAX’s treatment service will help reduce the risk of parted rods
Is DWAX environmentally responsible?
- The purpose of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Actis to support and promote the protection, enhancement and wise use of the environment while recognizing the protection of the environment is essential to the integrity of ecosystems and human health and to the well-being of society; the importance of preventing and mitigating the environmental impact of development and of government policies, programs and decisions as well as the shared responsibility of all Alberta citizens for ensuring the protection, enhancement and wise use of the environment through individual actions.Lab and field tests have shown the paraffin-removal additive developed by DWAX, is both oil soluble and water dispersible. This economical blend of natural materials is non toxic, bio-degradable, and made from all plant based ingredients.Commitment to environmental solutions DWAX is committed to continue its research using bio-degradable plant based ingredients to solve the challenging issues facing the oil and gas industry. Testing is underway with complementary products including natural corrosion inhibitors as well as products for oil production enhancement.