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PARASPERSE Paraffin Cleaner

1995 (Updated August 2003)

Confidential--Halliburton Use Only

Introduction

Concentration range: 1 to 10%

PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner was designed primarily as a water-dispersible paraffin-cleaningagent. Because of its water dispersibility, PARASPERSE has other applications described in thischapter. When PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner is added to any aqueous fluid, a milky, water-

external dispersion is formed.

Applications

Wellbore and Tubing Cleanout

PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner can be dispersed in water or acid to clean tubular goods before

other stimulation treatments. Thus, removing paraffin and/or inorganic scale that can sloughoff the tubing during treatment could eliminate damage to the formation during thestimulation treatment.

The concentrations in Table 1 are recommended for optimum cleaning.

Table 1Recommended Concentrations ofPARASPERSE Paraffin Cleaner

Cold Water (below 70F) Use 8 to 10% by volume

Warm water (70F to 100F) Use 5% by volume

Hot water (100F to 150F) Use 2% by volume

Hot water (150F to 200F) Use 1% by volume

The required concentration of PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner in any instance can vary with theamount of paraffin present, how well the paraffin adheres to pipe surfaces, and thetemperature at which the paraffin deposits.

Cleaning Flow Lines

Because of the distances and amounts of paraffin, flowline cleaning requires the following

steps.

Heat the water as high as practical.

Increase the concentration of PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner.

These precautions are especially necessary in offshore applications where the flowline maytravel several miles under water because the temperature decreases to that of thesurrounding water before it reaches the storage tanks. Use a minimum of 5% PARASPERSEparaffin cleaner when cleaning long flowlines.

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Aiding Placement of Paraffin Inhibitors

Up to, but not exceeding, 40% by volume of PARACHEK 160 paraffin inhibitor or any otheroil-soluble paraffin inhibitor can be added to PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner, which in turn canbe added to any aqueous treating fluid.

Using this method, acid- or water-based fracturing fluids can be used to squeeze paraffininhibitors into the formation during other stimulation treatments.

For example, if it was determined previously that one drum of paraffin inhibitor is needed, thisvolume is diluted with 80 gal of PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner to make a 40% inhibitorsolution. This inhibitor solution is then added to the aqueous treating solution. Such a systemprovides a greater versatility in the use of paraffin inhibitors and helps stimulate their use inthe field. The benefit of such a system is providing long-term paraffin inhibition in conjunctionwith paraffin cleanup and other stimulation treatments.

Preflush for Fracturing

In areas in which winter temperatures are extremely cold, the use of cold treating fluids

(particularly when fracturing) could cause paraffin precipitation in the formation, causingdamage to production or slow well cleanup.

Disperse PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner in an aqueous spearhead and use to place a solvent-rich boundary between the formation fluids and cold treating fluids. This process helpsalleviate the problem of paraffin precipitation. For example, since the area of the fracture facewith the greatest temperature drop is adjacent to the wellbore, 50 to 100 gal of PARASPERSEparaffin cleaner is sufficient in the first 2,000 gal of aqueous preflush. This fluid should be onthe formation before fluid-loss additives are added to the treating solution.

Deposit Removal

The aqueous dispersion of PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner does not actually dissolve all theparaffin contacted. It actually breaks the paraffin up into small particles that are dispersedalong with the PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner. Consequently, there is no way of knowingexactly how much paraffin can be removed with varying concentrations of PARASPERSEparaffin cleaner. Under laboratory conditions, 1.3 lb of paraffin was removed over 24 hours atroom temperature in each gallon of 10% PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner prepared with water.The amount of paraffin removed depends on agitation, contact time, temperature, and howwell paraffin adheres to the pipe surfaces.

Mixing Procedures

Read the"Safety Precautions"section of this document before attempting to blendPARASPERSE paraffin cleaner.

PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner, at any concentration, can be blended directly into any aqueousfluid. With a small amount of agitation, a uniform dispersion is achieved. However, like mostwater-external emulsions, PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner tends to "cream out" after standingstatic for about an hour. A uniform dispersion can be ensured if the tanks are "rolled" justbefore pumping the fluid.

PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner can be used in acids and in fracturing fluids. It may be possibleto eliminate both nonemulsifying and anti-sludging agents when using PARASPERSE paraffincleaner in acid, but testing should be performed to determine its applicability. Table 2 lists theproperties of PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner.

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The preferred method to mix the PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner would be to circulate twocontainer volumes. Air should not be used to initially disperse the PARASPERSE paraffincleaner into the fluid as an explosive air/solvent mixture could be evolved. Once thePARASPERSE paraffin cleaner has been fully blended into the mixture, air can be used todisperse any solvent that has creamed to the top of the blend.

Table 2Properties of PARASPERSE

SAP Numbers 100012782 (55-gal drum)

100064045 (bulk)

Specific Gravity @ 68F 0.89

Boiling Point (F) 237

Flash Point (F) (TOC) 44

Flash Point 10% Aqueous Solution (F) 105

Flash Point 5% Aqueous Solution (F) 195

Safety Precautions

Keep PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner away from flames.

PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner is a highly flammable material with a low flash point. Treat itwith the same respect as gasoline and other materials with low flash points. Once it isdispersed in water, the flash point is no longer critical unless separation occurs. Exercisecaution with regard to open flames.

Adding PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner to hot water or acid for injection into a well can bedangerous unless done correctly. The safest method to add the PARASPERSE paraffin cleanerwould be to inject it into the heated water or acid downstream from any open blender tubs ortanks.

PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner, with its low flash point, could evolve a dangerous amount offumes if added directly to heated water or acid in an open container or blender tub withoutimmediate proper agitation. Treat the open container or blender tub as when handling otherhighly flammable substances and cover with either a CO2 or nitrogen blanket. The"Hydrocarbon Pumping Guidelines"document provides information for the safe handling ofhighly flammable hydrocarbon liquids during either blending or pumping operations.

WARNING: Containers must be properly grounded when transferring PARASPERSE paraffincleaner from one container to another. Failure to do so can result in an explosion.

Avoid skin or clothing contamination with PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner. Do not take internally.

Precaution

NOTE: When treating oil wells, do not heat water above the melting point of the paraffin inthe well. If the temperature of the water is too hot, it can flow down the tubing or annulus andagain solidify on or in the formation, causing a decrease in productivity. When pumping hotfluids down the annulus, pump the well to remove melted paraffin from the tubing. Scrape thetubing before pumping hot fluid down the well.

Because PARASPERSE paraffin cleaner does not actually dissolve all the paraffin it contacts butrather disperses most of it, special precautions should be observed. This dispersed paraffin

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could plug small orifices, such as chokes or pump valves. This problem exists when thetemperature of the solution is less than the melting point of the wax.

For more information, contact PE Tech Services Support.

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