Drilling and mining is a complex process that requires qualified selection and high-quality equipment debugging. Complications can occur even if all precautions are taken during the extraction of liquid minerals (such as oil). For example, in perm area, 70% of the cases, the complications are caused by the formation of paraffin deposits, which hinders the extraction process of " black gold " and sometimes leads to emergency situations in the well. Computations by scientists from Perm Polytechnic University will help avoid such problems in the future.
This study published in the journal Engineering Results. During the oil production process in many oil fields, the problem of paraffin deposition will occur, which will directly affect the composition of liquid oil and the condition of pipelines. In modern techniques for preventing paraffin deposition, it can be called "cold flow".
This method involves intentional cooling of the oil to a temperature that prevents the formation of paraffin deposits on the surface of the oil production equipment, but for effective application, it is necessary to evaluate the changes in oil viscosity under different temperature conditions.
Scientists conducted a series of laboratory studies to simulate the movement of oil in the pipeline on a special experimental device. With the help of measurement, they were able to determine the dynamic changes in petroleum viscosity during paraffin sediment formation. The research results will provide more accurate technical calculations for underground oil production.
”When the temperature of the oil exceeds the temperature at which the sediment begins to crystallize, its viscosity gradually decreases as heavy components are released from the oil and deposited on the walls of the experimental device, which results in an increase in the pressure in the pipeline. At a temperature of 25 °C, the viscosity values obtained at the start and end of the study are similar, but at temperatures below 20 °C, the characteristics of the oil deteriorate,” explained the head of the department, Center for Geology and Development of Oil and Gas Fields, College of Mining and Petroleum, Assistant at the Department of Oil and Gas Technology, Kiril Viat Gold Department of Oil and Gas Technology, Perm Polytechnic University.
Therefore, scientists urge oil industry companies to take into account the viscosity changes of oil during sediment formation during their production and transportation. They demonstrate that the formation of organic sediments can significantly change the viscosity of "black gold" and thus affect the parameters of oil flow. If we take into account the results obtained in the extraction and transportation of raw materials, it is possible to apply petroleum production technology more efficiently.
