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.