Development of a method for monitoring the formation of organic deposits on the inner surface of the oilwell tubing

Intensive formation of organic deposits in the tubing of an oil production well is one of the most serious complications in oil production. An important task is to correctly assess the effectiveness of the methods used to combat the deposits in question. Field diagnostics of the condition of the inner surface of the production tubing is carried out by evaluating indirect parameters that do not allow evaluating the distribution of deposits along the production tubing. With the aim of solving these problems the authors of this work have developed a method for monitoring the formation of deposits on the inner surface of the tubing on the basis of the ‘thermal analogy’ mechanism. The applicability of the technology was evaluated at the Wax Flow Loop laboratory stand. The developed mathematical model for calculating the dynamics of sediment formation based on the temperature parameters of the flow significantly correlates with the data obtained using the basic barometric method. The use of this technology will make it possible to increase the efficiency of oilfield equipment, reduce the accident rate of production, more correctly select methods for combating wax deposition and evaluate their effectiveness.

采油井油管内有机沉积物的大量形成，是采油生产中最为棘手的生产难题之一。准确评估针对此类沉积物的防治方法的有效性，是一项关键课题。当前针对生产油管内壁状态的现场诊断，多通过间接参数开展评估，但此类方法无法获取沉积物沿生产油管的分布情况。为解决上述问题，本研究团队基于‘热类比（thermal analogy）’机制，开发了一种油管内壁沉积物形成的监测方法。该技术的适用性已在蜡质流动环路（Wax Flow Loop）实验室台架上完成验证。所开发的基于流体温度参数计算沉积物形成动力学过程的数学模型，与采用基础气压法获取的实验数据具有显著相关性。应用该技术可提升油田设备运行效率、降低生产事故率，更精准地筛选蜡质沉积物防治方案并评估其应用效果。