Method for removing or retarding paraffin buildup on surfaces in contact with natural gas
AssigneeThe Dow Chemical Company
InventorsWilliam J. Settineri, John G. Charles, Jerald J. Hinkel, Bradley P. Malone
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Abstract
A sulfur trioxide-containing fluid, e.g., sulfur trioxide gas, is contacted with the surfaces of equipment in contact with crude oil or natural gas to retard the deposition of paraffins from the crude oil or natural gas and/or to react with the paraffins already deposited on the equipment surfaces to produce a water-dispersible material which is removed with an aqueous liquid.
Claims13
A method for retarding deposition of paraffins on the surfaces of equipment in contact with natural gas containing such paraffins which comprises contacting the surface with a sulfur trioxide-containing fluid and thereafter rinsing the surface.
A method of removing paraffin deposit from equipment which has been in contact with natural gas containing such paraffins which comprises contacting the paraffin deposits with a sulfur trioxide-containing fluid to react with the paraffin deposit and convert at least a portion thereof to a water-dispersible material and thereafter rinsing the surface with an aqueous liquid to remove the water-dispersible material.
A method of stimulating a natural gas production well, the production in which has been reduced by paraffin deposit, which comprises
- (a) suspending production in such well,
- (b) passing a sulfur trioxide-containing fluid down such well to contact the paraffin deposits on the tubing of such well and in the formation adjacent to the base of the well to convert at least a portion of the paraffins to a water-dispersible material,
- (c) rinsing the tubing and adjacent formation with an aqueous liquid to remove the water-dispersible material, and
- (d) bringing the well back into production.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.