Fully Miscible Micellar Acidizing Solvents vs. Xylene, The Better Paraffin Solution

Abstract

Abstract Organic deposits such as paraffin have long been an issue in many oil-producing wells throughout the world. These deposits have been treated for years with solvent chemicals such as xylene. Although xylene is quite effective at dissolving and removing paraffin, it is not easily miscible in most acid treatments, and it is extremely flammable. These two issues together make xylene a dangerous choice for paraffin removal. Fully miscible micellar acidizing solvents can solve paraffin problems more safely and effectively. These micellar acidizing solvents are less flammable, solubilize heavy hydrocarbons, reduce surface tension to remove water blocks, water wet formation matrix and are fully miscible in acid systems. Because they are fully miscible in acid systems, stimulation operations can achieve performance goals with much lower volumes of acidizing solvents. This paper will take a detailed look at the causes of paraffin deposition and will explain how xylene and fully miscible micellar acidizing solvents dissolve paraffin deposits. It will also compare the benefits and challenges associated with each system. Case study and lab test data will be presented to compare the performance and the economics of both systems.