SureThermSM Service for Paraffin Removal - Halliburton
SureThermSM Service for Paraffin Removal - Halliburton
SureThermSM Service for Paraffin Removal - Halliburton
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PIPELINE AND PROCESS SERVICES<br />
Pipeline <strong>Service</strong>s<br />
Cleaning <strong>Service</strong>s<br />
SureTherm SM <strong>Service</strong><br />
Targeted Heat Placement in Remote Locations to Remove Pipeline Deposits<br />
The SureTherm SM service uses a time-delayed exothermic chemical<br />
technology to generate a significant quality of heat after a<br />
calculated delay time (Figure 1).<br />
This proprietary technology enables delaying of the exothermic<br />
reaction so that it can be pumped into a pipeline to a specified<br />
location where the generated heat (Figure 2) can be used to treat<br />
deposits such as paraffin wax or hydrate or used to<br />
warm components.<br />
The SureTherm service provides important benefits:<br />
• Significantly improves paraffin removal efficiency compared to<br />
traditional treatments<br />
• Eliminates risks associated with the use of mechanical<br />
scrapers in a reduced ID or restricted pipeline<br />
• Can be applied online (with production) or<br />
offline (pipeline shut down)<br />
<strong>Paraffin</strong> Deposits in Subsea Pipelines<br />
<strong>Paraffin</strong> wax is one of the most common pipeline deposits leading<br />
to decreased production in oil pipelines (Figure 3). Two widely<br />
used remediation approaches include mechanical scrapers<br />
and / or solvents.<br />
Fig. 2 - The water to be used <strong>for</strong> the SureTherm SM treatment is analyzed<br />
and tested to confirm the desired delay time.<br />
The potential of a total pipeline blockage resulting from failure of a<br />
scraper to pass through an excessively restricted pipeline is often a<br />
strong deterrent to the implementation of a cleaning program using<br />
mechanical scrapers.<br />
Solvent Per<strong>for</strong>mance is Decreased Due to the<br />
Low Temperatures<br />
Effective paraffin solvents are available but solvents are most<br />
effective when applied at elevated temperatures. Due to the low<br />
internal temperature associated with most subsea pipelines, the<br />
ability of solvents to remove significant quantities of paraffin<br />
is greatly reduced. This decreased efficiency results in the<br />
requirement of large treatment volumes of solvent, long treatment<br />
times, and ultimately a high cost.<br />
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Fig. 1 – The SureTherm SM service enables the precise control of the<br />
timing of the exothermic reaction so that heat is generated when and<br />
where it will be most effective.<br />
Mechanical Scrapers Pose Risks of Complete Blockage<br />
Internal restrictions caused by paraffin deposits increase the risk<br />
associated with common removal methods based solely on the use<br />
of mechanical scrapers.<br />
HAL32377<br />
SureTherm <strong>Service</strong> Enhances Solvent<br />
Treatments<br />
Depending upon the specific requirements, the SureTherm service<br />
can be applied alone or synergistically with an effective paraffin<br />
solvent such as <strong>Halliburton</strong>’s Paragon solvent. This combination<br />
of SureTherm and solvent ensures that the solvent is being applied<br />
at elevated temperatures resulting in efficient removal of paraffin<br />
from restricted pipelines.<br />
Online or Offline Cleaning<br />
In most cases, the SureTherm service can be applied while a<br />
pipeline is in operation with minimal disruptions to normal<br />
production. The components can be mixed and injected directly<br />
into the production flow.
PIPELINE AND PROCESS SERVICES<br />
As heat is released, the temperature of the pipeline fluids are<br />
elevated and the paraffin gradually melts or dissolves into the<br />
production flow. If the pipeline is shut down, the SureTherm SM<br />
service treatment can be designed to deliver a targeted release<br />
of heat at the location of the most severe paraffin deposition.<br />
Appropriate addition of a solvent such as Paragon agent can be<br />
considered to enhance the paraffin removal process.<br />
The products of the reaction are salt, water, nitrogen gas and heat.<br />
These are all environmentally acceptable.<br />
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Fig. 3 – The temperature profile of the SureTherm SM reaction, heat is<br />
generated in the above example 120 minutes after mixing<br />
Operational Aspects<br />
Any SureTherm service operation begins with a careful<br />
consideration of the engineering aspects of the treatment. In<br />
addition, testing of the proposed SureTherm <strong>for</strong>mulation must be<br />
completed with the water that will be used <strong>for</strong> the treatment.<br />
This confirms that the desired delay time can be achieved.<br />
The SureTherm service is based on a catalyzed reaction between<br />
two components to produce a large amount of heat. The catalyst<br />
used in the SureTherm service is a proprietary, solid-phase material<br />
that provides a delay in the onset of the chemical reaction. Based<br />
on temperature, allowable treatment pressure, and the chemistry<br />
of the water system, separate solutions containing appropriate<br />
concentrations of the two basic components are prepared and<br />
stored in separate tanks. When the treatment is to be pumped, an<br />
appropriate amount of catalyst is added to one of the components<br />
and the two separate fluids are simultaneously injected into the<br />
pipeline (Figures 4).<br />
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Enhanced Environmental Per<strong>for</strong>mance<br />
The reaction products are sodium chloride (common salt), water,<br />
nitrogen gas and heat. Compared to traditional paraffin solvents<br />
or dispersants, both the initial reactants and reactant products<br />
associated with the SureTherm service pose considerably less threat<br />
to personnel and the environment.<br />
Vent<br />
Drains<br />
Pig Launcher<br />
Component A<br />
Component B<br />
From Process<br />
Catalyst<br />
Fig. 4 – The mixing of SureTherm takes place at the injection point<br />
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For more in<strong>for</strong>mation about <strong>Halliburton</strong>’s SureTherm <strong>Service</strong>, contact your local<br />
<strong>Halliburton</strong> representative or email pps@halliburton.com.<br />
© 2012 <strong>Halliburton</strong>. All rights reserved. Sales of <strong>Halliburton</strong> products and services will be in accord solely with the terms and conditions contained in the contract<br />
between <strong>Halliburton</strong> and the customer that is applicable to the sale. H07615 02/12<br />
www.halliburton.com