STUDY OF THE MECHANISMS OF WAX PREVENTION IN A PIPELINE WITH GLASS INNER LAYER

The mechanisms of wax prevention in a pipeline with a glass inner laye r have been studied by simulating crude oil production by a pump well, and transport of crude oil and formation water in glass and steel tub es in a laboratory. It is clearly demonstrated that the water wetting property of glass and steel is the key factor in controlling the abili ty of wax to be deposited on the walls of glass and steel tubes. When the water content of crude oils A and B was more than 60%, the oils an d formation water flowed as a plug and o/w emulsion, and a stable wate r film was formed between the oil and the wall of the glass tube. The film prevented the oil being deposited on the wall of the glass tube, consequently, the amount of wax deposited on the wall was reduced. The mechanisms of wax deposition on the wall of glass and steel tubes are molecular diffusion and shear dispersion.