INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECTS OF SOLVENTS IN MITIGATING WAX PRECIPITATION DURING C02 FLOODING

When the wax precipitation reaches the most severe level, it may result in the
plugging of well bores, production facilities, and transportation pipelines during
oil/gas production. Based on literature study, there are several techniques conducted
to mitigate wax precipitation, including chemical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, and
microbial treatment. In view of their availability and affordability, chemical methods
were chosen to the method applied in this study. The study aims to investigate the
effects of solvents in maintaining the wax crystallization growth during C02 flooding
process. Physical properties such as viscosity, density, and pour point were measured
by using Viscometer, Digital Density Meter, and Pour Point Tester. In addition, the
additional study on C02 effects on wax precipitation was conducted. The information
about wax content and reservoir temperature of oil was required to support other
physical properties measurement.