Paraffin Inhibitor Formulations for Different Application Environments: From Heated Injection in the Desert to Extreme Cold Arctic Temperatures†Presented at the 10th International Conference on Petroleum Phase Behavior and Fouling.

Abstract

Paraffin inhibitors are used in petroleum production operations to reduce wax deposition and/or reduce viscosity or complete gelling of high-wax-content petroleum fluids. When the treatment is for viscosity reduction or gel prevention, the paraffin inhibitor is commonly called a pour-point depressant. The active chemistries of paraffin inhibitor/pour-point depressant products are specialty polymers that alter the wax crystallization process, which, in turn, changes the characteristics of wax deposits and wax gel networks. The polymers are typically formulated in a carrier fluid for easy delivery (with a simple injection pump) to the petroleum stream that is to be treated. Most commonly, the polymer is dissolved in a solvent. This formulation must, of course, be stable and suitable for use in its particular application environment. The environment (principally ambient temperature) can vary widely depending on the geographical region and the season of the year. Similarly, constraints placed on paraffin inhi...