Wellbore treatment for reducing wax deposits
US7681638B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 2008 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K8/524
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of reducing wax deposition in an oil wellbore tubing includes providing an aqueous bioslurry comprising at least one microbe capable of degrading paraffin wax at about 20-45° C. and a nutrient medium containing one or more carbon source and an oxygen slow-releasing compound. The method further includes providing an oil wellbore completion having a production tubing with an interior surface including a zone that is susceptible to wax deposition when the well is operated to produce oil. The method further includes, while oil production from the well is stopped, incubating the biological slurry in the wax-deposition zone tubing for a sufficient time to multiply the microbe(s) and form a biofilm on at least the wax-susceptible zone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.