Pour point depressant for waxy crude oil

[asghar]

From a new well the expected oil production is around 1200 BOPD and water, initially 50 BWPD and with the time increases to about 5000 BWPD. The Crude oil is paraffinic and has the following properties.

Pour point 95 oF
Well Head Temp. 95 oF
Crude API 35
Sp. Gr. 0.8

For the production facilities a line heater is proposed to maintain the temperature above pour point, particularly for winter season and/or at night. Two 600 Bbls, each, insulated rectangular tanks are proposed to settle the water and store the crude oil before shipment through bouzers.

I am curious to find out that could Pour point depressant be used to do away with the line heater? If so could there be any detrimental effects on

· Oil water separation?
· Distillation operation at the refinery?
· BS&W?
· Tank storage?
· Shipment through bouzers?
· Pumping operation?
· Filter choking?
· Any other?

 

[25362]

When asking the PPD supplier for a quotation and/or testing I'd add to your list: refinery desalting problems, corrosion and catalyst poisoning effects.

 

[asghar]

25362 (Chemical) Thanks for good tips. I sure will add these points

 

[kami1]

Yes, you can use PPD to do away with line heating. No I am not a PPD supplier!

They are also known as flow improvers. The answer to other questions listed below:
. Oil water separation? Yes, it can have detrimental effect
· Distillation operation at the refinery? No effect
· BS&W? Yes, it can have detrimental effect
· Tank storage?No effect
· Shipment through bouzers?No effect
· Pumping operation? No effect
· Filter choking? No effect
· Any other? Could also increase foaming tendencies - may stabilise the foam formation.

I hope this is of some help.

Regards
Kami

 

[asghar]

Kamil,
Thanks for the guidance, I have to contact the PPD supplier and ask their point of view keeping your points in mind.