Macro Crystalline Wax in Crude Oil Pipeline

[MIANCH]

Hi Als,
During study we noted that wax in our crude oil contain 29% macro-crystalline and 2.5% micro-crystalline. Pipeline is a 80KM long and has uphill 170 m steep and then going to downhill at 70 m from sea level. more than 10 year pigging operation has not conducted and now lot of wax is deposited. Can anyone have similar experience and how to remove deposited wax. our production is afraid of pig stuck and we need alternative to solve this problem.
Best regards

 

[1503-44]

There are cleaning pigs made for cleaning wax deposits.
Better that you get the contractors involved with the selection process in finding what type pig will do best for your particular wax deposition and thickness. I would try to use pigs before reverting to chemical, or thermal methods.

https://www.tdwilliamson.com/solutions/intervention-and-isolation/pipeline-pigs/wck

https://www.rosen-group.com/dms/ros...ROSEN Group - Pipeline Cleaning Solutions.pdf

https://piggingsmarter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Propipe-Pigging-of-Waxy-Pipelines-Rev-01.pdf

https://www.invacor.com/pipeline-cleaning-services/

https://www.pigtek.com/products/de-waxing-pig/

--Einstein gave the same test to students every year. When asked why he would do something like that, "Because the answers had changed."

 

[LittleInch]

Ah, Mr 44 has done what I was going to do.

You really need to employ a pigging company with experience of wax removal. You will need a lot of runs. what diameter is this?

Has there been a loss of flow or increase in pressure drop?

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[LittleInch]

"Little Inch,
What if we or some company can come and tell us that only pig can remove wax and what could be implications we can face, please share your experience.
Best Regards"

Wax in pipelines is very difficult to remove, especially if it has aged and got hard. Just start slow and gently but it is a high risk operation.

That's why you will need to pay a lot for a company who has experience of this and the pigs to help remove it.

You also need to think about where the wax is going to go when it arrives in your facility.

There is no other practical alternative.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Dhurjati Sen]

It seems you are unable to find a pigging company at your location.

Maybe a new 80 km pipeline project is on the anvil?

Or you need to cut the piping (underground?) at few locations (uphill?) to get a feel of the reality?



DHURJATI SEN
Kolkata, India

 

[MIANCH]

No we already contacted with a company and pipeline wax removal and cleaning are in planning phase.