Thermal Shrinkage and Gas Void Formation of Waxy Crude Oil with Additive

The presence of paraffin wax in crude oils especially during the extraction and transportation processes causes problems to the producer, transporter and refiner. There are two critical effects result. First, the pressure drops where the drive efficiency will decrease and the other one is the decline in term of the mobility of the crude. This report discussed the thermal shrinkage and gas voids formation of waxy crude oil. The effect of final temperature to the volume, pressure and gas composition of the gelled crude is evaluated. As the gelled crude undergoes cooling process or thermal shrinkage, the effect of chemical additives on the formation of gas voids is also investigated.
During plant shutdown, high pressure pump is required to move the gelled crude. The presence of gas voids during thermal shrinkage or cooling process indicates the opportunity to reduce the restart pressure by considering the compressibility of the gelled crude. The challenge faced by most engineers and plant operators are to accurately predict the restart pressure. The outcome of this project would be beneficial to oil and gas operating companies in managing the platform as well as to enhanced the profit.
Literature reviews on existing studies related to the title of the project have been done prior to the initial phase of the project. The methodologies and results from different studies are compared. The next phase would be the experimental works where the static petroleum crude in the pipeline at seabed level is simulated by the equipments and tools in the laboratory. Besides, an additive is also added to the crude oil which is pour point depressant (PPD). As the crude oil is cooled, formation of gas voids will take place. From here, detailed analysis is done with respect to the three parameters which are gas voids volume, pressure and gas composition.