SPE-171497-MS

Near Wellbore Asphaltene and Wax Remediation Using In-Situ Heat

Generation in Both PCP and Non-PCP Wells: Concept, Operational
Challenges & Remedial Solutions
S.K. Goenka, J. Singhal, M.D. Kothiyal, A. Parasher, and S. Tiwari, Cairn India Ltd

Copyright 2014, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition held in Adelaide, Australia, 14 –16 October 2014.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
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Abstract
Deposition of paraffins and asphaltenes in the near well bore region has always been one of the most
studied cause of production decline especially in brown fields. Pumping heated fluids, inhibitor pumping,
or mechanical methods of clean out using coiled tubing jetting or jointed pipes are some of the industry
prevalent methods of countering this issue. But these methods are both cost and time consuming with short
lasting results. With industry constantly marching towards the production of more and more ‘difficult oil’
it has become the need of hour to devise and deploy more cost and time efficient methods to mitigate the
problem.
The paper highlights the application of In-Situ Heat generation methodology and details the execution
process used to mitigate the near wellbore wax deposition in field X in western part of India. Field X in
India has been developed as an onshore field wherein wells are drilled in shallow reservoir. To support
the oil production, some wells are produced using Artificial Lift techniques like PCP. Crude of the
reservoir is high in wax content with pour point at 60 °C which is very close to reservoir temperature (~65
°C) resulting in high wax deposition against screens & near wellbore. The wax dissolution temperature
is well above the reservoir temperature, due to which any effective remedial treatment necessitates higher
temperature generation for dissolution/inhibition of wax problems.
In-Situ Heat generation methodology is based on the concept of down-hole heat generation by
exothermic chemical reactions. The paper details the operational challenges observed while conducting
the operation in both PCP and non-PCP wells and various measures taken to mitigate the same. Steps in
developing this system and using it in the field are documented, and the challenges encountered, lessons
learnt and recommendations for future application of the system are described.

Introduction
Field X has a shallow (300-500 m TVDSS) sandstone reservoir with high net to gross, high porosity about
25-30 % and permeability above 1000 md. Its tilted fault block structure is formed at the intersections of
NNE-SSW and WSW-ENE faults, it contains Sand layer FX1 to FX-5. Field X Crude Oil is around 28
2 SPE-171497-MS

Figure 1—WAT&WDT from Reservoir Studies

API having about 20 cp viscosity at reservoir condition. The source rock being lacustrine in origin has
generated waxy oil.
Reservoir Fluid Properties
Based on the several Reservoir Fluid Studies completed on samples collected from the field X wells, the
crude viscosity are found to be 11-20 cp at reservoir conditions. Key objective of these studies was to
characterize the wax appearance temperature (WAT), wax dissolution temperature (WDT) and pour point
for the crude and its change with release of solution gas from the crude.
This provided an indication of how the WAT varies through the production process from the producing
reservoir fluid, through surface production facilities and export pipeline fluid to stock tank oil. From the
results of Reservoir Fluid Studies, it has been observed that WAT is very close to the reservoir
temperature. Hence during the normal crude oil production some temperature will be dropped for the fluid
flow near to the perforation which may cause the Wax build up near the well bore. Further it is very clear
from the results that any injection of cooler fluids will also result in Wax deposition causing a significant
skin effect. For the crude to become mobile again, as evident from Fig. 1, temperature of 15 to 20 °C
above the reservoir temperature is required.
Well Completions & Artificial Lift Selection
Designing strategy of well completions and crude handling surface facilities in Field X has clearly been
influenced by the high pour point and WAT of the crude. To ensure sustained flow assurance all the way
from the down hole till crude storage facilities, there is an efficient system of hot water circulation at every
well pad and back to facilities. This hot water is circulated down the wells via coiled tubing heater string
running parallel to the tubing in the production casing-tubing annulus ensuring the down-hole tempera-
tures to be always above the crude WAT. The hot water stream post circulation in the annulus gets mixed
into the flow line at surface and keeps the crude in the surface lines above pour point. With these special
features, standard upper completions are installed in these wells with a production packer isolating the
production casing – tubing annulus from the production tubing flow path and a Circulation SSD above it
SPE-171497-MS 3

Figure 2—Completion Schematic for PCP well X-A Figure 3—Completion Schematic for non-PCP well X-B

to ensure communication between them as and when required. The depth of packer is decided on the basis
of thermal gradient and wax appearance temperature of crude.
There are two types of completions installed in Field X – PCP & non-PCP completions. Since PCP has
been identified as the Artificial Lift method for the low reservoir pressure Field-X, completion for
majority wells in Field-X are with PCP installed. However some of the wells are on self-flow or on Jet
Pump.
Selecta-flow Screen SSDs have been deployed in Lower Completion as Flow Control devices. Upper
Completions for non-PCP wells include Chemical Injection Mandrels (for injection of PPDs & Scale
Inhibitors) and Circulation SSD. In case of PCP wells, Upper completion includes installation of PCP
stator, PCP rod & PCP Drive head, in addition to CIMs & Circulation SSD. Fig. 2 & Fig. 3 shows sample
completion diagram for PCP & non-PCP wells, respectively.

Performance Analysis of Wells

The performance of the individual wells is monitored through the Digital Oil Field and regular surveys
in the wells. Some of the wells were underperforming compared to initial prediction. Various surveys like
PBUs, GR, etc. confirmed that pressure depletion and scaling are not the likely reasons for production
decline. Detailed analysis of these wells suggested that the deposition of wax at the sand face might be
the most probable cause. It was envisaged that the pressure drop near wellbore resulted in corresponding
temperature drop and, hence, probably resulting in wax deposition at sand face and under performance of
wells.

Stimulation History
In view of suspected wax deposition, various well stimulations were planned in Field-X wells. To remove
the possible wax deposition near wellbore, chemical treatments such as Xylene & Diesel mixture were
4 SPE-171497-MS

Figure 4(a)—Surface Equipment Schematic/Layout for Well X-A

Figure 4(b)—Surface Line R/U to PCP kombi Tee

pumped. The treatments yielded good success post treatment, confirming possible deposition of wax near
wellbore. But, the results from these treatments were short lived. Pumping Xylene & Diesel mixture posed
HSE related hazards, limiting the usage of solvent type chemical treatment widely. Also the results from
pumping Xylene-Diesel were also short-lived. Considering the overall cost of treatment, HSE hazards and
short-lived results, need of alternate treatments was envisaged.
SPE-171497-MS 5

Figure 5—X-A Pumping Chart

Table 1—Pump calibration for well X-A

Unsatisfactorily results from the conventional stimulation treatments lead to an attempt for a thermal
stimulation to dissolve and remove the precipitated paraffin wax. Thermal stimulation was considered as
the applied heat had been capable of melting wax precipitates and improved the productivity of well.
In-Situ Heat Stimulation
Chemical treatment with controlled reaction time was conceptualized to provide heat to the formation,
considering all the constraints due to well completion. The Treatment design was based on the exothermic
reaction where in the Heat generated due to the reaction is being used for in-situ heating. The reaction rate
can be controlled to generate large predictable quantities of heat at a predetermined well depth.
Conventional oilfield mixing and pumping equipment is used to apply the process to the wells. The
exothermic reaction creates a heated region around the wellbore. Because the heat transfers by vertical
conduction and convection throughout the perforated interval, low-permeability Sections of the formation
are also heated. The radial extent of the heated region depends on the Volume of NH4Cl and NaNO2
chemical pumped.
The Treatment design was based on the following exothermic reaction
6 SPE-171497-MS

Figure 6 —Surface Equipment Schematic/Layout for Well X-B

Table 2—Chemical composition of Ammonium chloride & Sodium Nitrite for well X-A

Heat Generated during the reaction: 309 KJ/mol

The basic philosophy for the in-situ heat generation is as follows
● Generate heat at the sand face
● Allow heat generated to react with the solid precipitates
● Dissolve precipitate of heavier hydrocarbons at sand face
● Activate well and flow back.
SPE-171497-MS 7

Figure 7—X-B Pumping Chart

ⴰ Limit drawdown to keep temperature going below WAT.

ⴰ Limit drawdown to keep the flowing bottom hole pressure as high as possible.

The Treatment were deigned to take care of the 36⬙ area around well bore for the wax treatment. Refer
Figure 8. The exothermic reaction for heat stimulation based the NaNO2 and NH4Cl is quite unique as heat
generated in the process is used for dissolving the Wax and the reaction byproducts are NaCl and
Nitrogen, which are non-damaging and safe for oil wells. Also, to control the amount and time of heat
release Citric Acid was used as a reaction catalyst.

Stimulation Operation
Initially the Field-X was produced on self-flow with Jet Pump as mode of artificial lift in some of the
wells. Due to high WAT, flow assurance was always a concern while conducting any intervention/
stimulation in the wells. Also the PI of the wells was too low than the expected PI of the wells. Various
down-hole surveys like PBU confirmed drop in PI values. Other well interventions clarified that the major
drop in PI is not contributed by scale deposition or fines migration but by wax deposition near wellbore.
In view of same, various stimulation methodologies were adopted to treat the near wellbore region.
Below are the case studies on one PCP and non-PCP type well A and B respectively which were treated
with in-situ heating chemicals. Parameters like Candidate Selection and Job Planning are similar for both
types of wells hence only Well History, Challenges and Mitigation, Onsite Operation and Results &
Conclusions are dealt on case basis
8 SPE-171497-MS

Figure 8 —Treatment Design

Candidate Selection
On the basis of well performance, need for stimulation was identified. Down-hole pressure surveys
confirmed the cause of drop in PI to be due to plugging of screens. Back flush of screens was done with
diesel; no significant improvement in well performance was observed. Hence, it was decide to generate
in-situ heat to generate temperature above WDT to melt the deposited wax.
Job Planning
To attain the maximum efficiency from the in-situ heat stimulation, it is required to maintain proper
chemical composition, mixing ratios and placement of chemical in the wellbore. In order to ensure above,
proper lab tests were conducted to define the most suitable composition of the chemicals. Citric acid was
added to control the reaction time, so that the reaction occurs at wellbore and not on surface. Following
were planned to achieve the same.
●Lab Studies to define the chemical composition of Sodium Nitrite and Ammonium Chloride.
●Arrangement of 2 pumps with similar pumping capabilities.
●Calibration of the two pumps to ensure both pumps pump at same rate during main job to maintain
1:1 ratio of Sodium Nitrite & Ammonium Chloride.
● Arrangement for Real-time down-hole parameters monitoring.
Well X-A – PCP Type
Well History Well X-A is a light oil producer with 4⬙ ICD screens as lower completion and PCP
installed, in Upper Completion, as a part of artificial lift method. Refer the completion schematic in Fig
2. Due to the very low injectivity observed in the well in its initial production stages, paraffinic based
solvent cleaning of screens/bull-heading was called off. Subsequently, Straddle (selective) stimulation
was conducted with Xylene and Diesel mixture. Initial improvements were seen but eventually production
declined indicating the fact the treatment was short lived.
Challenges and Mitigation As mentioned in the Job Planning section, to attain maximum efficiency
from the stimulation job, below were the challenges.
● Pumping Chemicals in PCP Well. PCP rotor being stabbed in stator posed problem of pumping
chemicals from the surface as it would cause reverse rotation of the PCP rotor due to the presence
SPE-171497-MS 9

Table 3—Pump calibration for well X-B

of cavities between stator and rotor. To mitigate the issue it was decided to lift the rods, using the
crane, on the live well and the two pipe rams of the Kombi tee were used as the surface barriers.
This also avoided the requirement of a Workover for rod POOH.
● Reaction to take place near wellbore: Mixing of Sodium Nitrite & Ammonium Chloride was
required to be near wellbore to avoid pre-mature reaction and hence, heat loss down the
completion. To ensure the same, chemicals were planned to be kept in separate containers, pumped
through 2 different lines and meeting at wellhead. Citric acid was added to sodium nitrite to control
the reaction time.
● Reaction as per design: To maintain the stimulation as per designed chemical reaction, both the
chemicals were required to be reacted in same molar concentration. To ensure the same, pumps
used for pumping these chemicals were calibrated to pump same rate at same gear and horsepower
(as per the Table-1). This ensured maintaining 1:1 pumping ratio of both chemicals.
● Controlled Reaction Temperature: Monitoring of the down hole temperature was already possible
due to presence of down hole gauges with PCP but the final temperature to be achieved at the end
of reaction had to be limited below ~ 130 °C due to the temperature rating constraint of stator
elastomer (which was 150 °C). To counter the same it was planned to keep a well volume of Clay
Treated Water ready to be pumped as post flush in case down hole temperature post reaction
increased to 130 °C.
On-Site Operation Below was the operational procedure followed in the well for achieving the desired
results while considering the operational constraints and limitations.
● Rig-up Pumping unit and surface lines as per attached R/U Schematic Fig.4 (a) and (b) to the kill
line of the PCP Kombi-Tee.
● Stopped PCP and Shut well at FWV and fully closed globe valve. Kept hot water circulation at
maximum rate while going back to header. Removed coupling from polished rod. Installed (1⬙ SR
Box X 7/8⬙ SR box) X-over and M/U 2= Pony rod with proper rod wrenches. Latched it on top
open end with elevator latch.
● Marked Polish Rod of PCP with insulation tape at drive head as Mark A. Tied up measuring tape
to the hook of the crane. Picked up rod assembly slowly with crane. Simultaneously, secured the
measuring tape to sucker rod every 5-6 ft length. Pulled out total of 34= and 5⬙ of rod out from the
drive head. Pulling Weight~ 4-4.5 ton (Total rod load ⫹ friction in stuffing box). Hanging
Weight~ 3.5 ton.
● Pressure test Surface lines.
● Prepared 100 bbls of NH4Cl in heated water (temperature ~75 °C) as per chemical composition
included in Table-2.
10 SPE-171497-MS

Table 4 —Chemical composition of Ammonium chloride & Sodium Nitrite for well X-B

● Conducted injectivity test & established injectivity of 3.3 bpm at ~ 0 psi ITHP (i.e. well was taking
fluid on gravity). This was done to ensure that there is sufficient injectivity to pump treatment fluid
and also define the injection rates for the main job.
● Calibrated the two 600 HHP pumps. Both the pumps were operated in parallel and pump
parameters for both the pumps was recorded while pumping at same rate against same back
pressure. These pump parameters (Gear mode & rpm of pump) were recorded to provide guide
during the main job. Entire operation was conducted keeping pump in lock-up mode to ensure
minimum variation in pump parameters. Table-1 summarizes the pump parameters recorded
during pump calibration.
● 30 bbls of each chemical (NH4Cl & NaNO2) was prepared in two tanks of batch mixer without any
additives. Surface test was conducted by mixing the 50ml of each of two chemicals. Observed
temperature to rise up to 93 °C in 10 mins. Another sample was taken and Citric acid was slowly
added and effect on temperature rise was observed. Finally, 17 ppt. of Citric Acid was added to
NaNO2 solution and thoroughly mixed with centrifugal pump as per Table-2 recipe.
● Both the chemicals were pumped into the well followed by 20 bbls post flush of NH4Cl. Fig. 5
briefs the pumping operation.
● Monitored down-hole In-Situ Chemical reaction by observing down-hole pressure & temperature
behavior. Down-hole temperature & pump intake pressure was observed from the PCP down-hole
gauges, during pumping, to rise till 117 °C from 52 °C and 873 psi from 673 psi, respectively.
● Post pumping operation, temperature slowly stabilized to 80 °C and PIP dropped to 600 psi which
was a significant improvement.
● Flowed back the well on PCP.
Results Following were the result obtained post In-Situ stimulation in Well X-A
● Down-hole temperature shot up to 117 °C which was way below the max temperature limitation
of 130 °C but way above the crude WDT and hence would have helped in dissolving the near
wellbore wax deposition effectively.
● Down-hole pressure builds up slightly by ~ 373 psi and then reduced and got stabilized to ~ 600
psi (which is nearly 100 psi above the initial pressure before treatment),
● Down-hole temperature dropped and stabilized to 80 °C in 60 mins which still is sufficient to
dissolve wax at sand face and avoid further waxing out of crude during flowback.
SPE-171497-MS 11

Table 5—Treatment Calculation Sheet

●Post this treatment well flowed for almost 16 months on the PCP without any further treatment
required indicating that no damage was caused to the PCP pump and recently well was worked
over to replace the PCP which is the general work life of a PCP pump.
Well X-B – Non PCP Type
Well History Well X-B is an oil producer completed with ICD screens in Lower Completion. Well was
activated by displacing the well with diesel. Later on the basis of well performance, it was observed that
the influx in the well was gradual. It was analyzed that the cause of gradual influx was due to plugging
of screens with wax deposits. Refer to Fig-3 for Completion Diagram.
Challenges and Mitigation As mentioned in the Job Planning section, to attain maximum efficiency
from the stimulation job, below were the challenges.
● Reaction to take place near wellbore: Mixing of Sodium Nitrite & Ammonium Chloride was
required to be near wellbore to avoid pre-mature reaction and hence, heat loss down the
completion. To ensure the same, chemicals were planned to be kept in separate containers, pumped
through 2 different lines and meeting at wellhead. Citric acid was added to sodium nitrite to control
the reaction time.
● Reaction as per design: To maintain the stimulation as per designed chemical reaction, both the
chemicals were required to be reacted in same molar concentration. To ensure the same, pumps
used for pumping these chemicals were calibrated to pump same rate at same gear and horsepower
(as per the Table-3). This ensured maintaining 1:1 pumping ratio of both chemicals.
● Monitoring down hole effect of the reaction: To investigate the effect of the down-hole reaction,
E-line conveyed gauges were hung against perforation to monitor the down-hole pressure &
12 SPE-171497-MS

temperature. Also the down-hole gauges were rated up to 150 °C and, hence, once temperature
started shooting beyond 125 °C, E-line was POOH.
● Activation of the well: Since the stimulation involved the bull-heading of water based chemicals
into the formation, activation of the well was a probable challenge. This particular chemical
reaction based simulation was chosen because nitrogen was produced as a byproduct of the
reaction which further reduced the hydrostatic head and provided the required drawdown to lift the
well on self. Even if the energy provided was insufficient to lift the well, there was a provision of
flowing back the well by installing Jet Pump in the well.
On-Site Operation Below was the operational procedure followed in the well for achieving the desired
results while considering the operational constraints and limitations.
● Rig-up Pumping unit with 2 way goat-head and two 600 HHP pumps as per Fig. 6
● Pressure tested Surface lines.
● Prepared 100 bbls of NH4Cl in heated water (temperature ~75 °C) as per chemical composition
included in Table-4.
● Conducted injectivity test & established initial injectivity of 6 bpm at 290 psi ITHP. This was done
to ensure that there is sufficient injectivity to pump treatment fluid and also define the injection
rates for the main job.
● Calibrated the two 600 HHP pumps. Both the pumps were operated in parallel and pump
parameters for both the pumps was recorded while pumping at same rate. These pump parameters
(Gear mode & rpm of pump) were recorded to provide guide during the main job. Entire operation
was conducted keeping pump in lock-up mode to ensure minimum variation in pump parameters.
Table-3 summarizes the pump parameters recorded during pump calibration.
● Rigged up E-line PCE above Goat-head and pressure tested E-line PCE to pressure of 2400 psi
(wellhead rating - 3000 psi). RIH down-hole gauges and stationed the gauges at 601m MDORT
(just above perforations)
● 40 bbls of each chemical (NH4Cl & NaNO2) was prepared in two tanks of batch mixer without
any additives. Surface test was conducted by mixing the 50ml of each of two chemicals. Observed
temperature to rise up to 100 0C in 11 mins. Citric acid was slowly added and effect on
temperature rise was observed. Finally, 17 ppt. of Citric Acid was added to NaNO2 solution and
thoroughly mixed with centrifugal pump as per Table-4 recipe.
● Both the chemicals were pumped into the well followed by 20 bbls post flush of NH4Cl. Fig. 7
briefs the pumping operation.
● Observed down-hole temperature & pressure from the E-line. Once temperature shot up to 130 0C,
started to pull out of hole to avoid any damage to gauges due to excessive temperature.
● Effect of in-situ chemical reaction was observed by monitoring down-hole parameters (using
E-line) and THP.
● Flowed back the well on self. After sometime well ceased to flow.
● Activated the well with Nitrogen using Coiled tubing.
Results Following were the result obtained post In-Situ stimulation in Well X-B
● Down-hole temperature shot up to 130 0C (and still increasing). This temperature is way above
WDT and hence would have helped in dissolving the near wellbore wax deposition.
● Down-hole pressure builds up slightly by 50 psi and then reduced to initial value, once the well
was placed on production and segregated gas was released.
● Stabilized Down-hole temperature post treatment couldn’t be measured as the E-line was POOH.
SPE-171497-MS 13

Conclusion
● Proper planning of the operation is a critical aspect of stimulation job efficiency.
● In wells with temperature constraints, composition of the chemicals to be accord-
ingly decided.
● In-Situ heat generation has been identified as an efficient and cost effective method
of stimulation for wells with wax deposits as formation damage.
● As the chemicals are water based, there might be need of artificial means of lift to
flowback the well.
● The chemicals used are thermally stable and safe to handle.
● Reaction products of the chemical reaction are non-damaging to oil formation.
● Exothermic chemical application is successful in delivering the heat to the forma-
tion
● Productivity Index has improved ~ two to three folds on case basis by exothermic
chemical based heat stimulation.
● The wider application for the exothermic chemical based heat Stimulation will
result in production gains for Field X wells in future.
Nomenclature
● °C Degree Centigrade
● API American Petroleum Institute
● Bopd barrels of oil per day
● cP Centipoise
● Kbopd Thousands Barrels of Oil per Day
● Kh Horizontal Permeability
● mD MilliDarcies
● OWC Oil Water Contact
● OLGA SPT/SLB group software for transient well modeling.
● PI Productivity Index
● ppm Parts per million
● PCP Progressive Cavity Pump
● STOIIP Stock Tank Oil Initially In Place
● WAT Wax Appearance Temperature
● WC Water Cut
● WDT Wax dissolution temperature
● WRM Well and Reservoir Management
● XD Xylene and Diesel mixture
● NaNO2 - Sodium Nitrite
● NH4Cl - Ammonium Chloride
● NaCl - Sodium Chloride

References
1. SPE 15660-PA-In-Situ Heat System Stimulates Paraffinic-Crude Producers in Gulf of Mexico by
Ashton, J.P., Baker Sand Control; Kirspel, L.J., Freeport McMoRan Inc.; Nguyen, H.T., Credeur,
D.J., Baker Sand Control
14 SPE-171497-MS

2. IPTC 17681-MS-In-situ Heat Generation for Near Wellbore Asphaltene and Wax Remediation
Shobhit Tiwari, Sumil Kumar Verma, Raghavendra Karthik, Atul Kumar Singh, Sanjay Kumar,
Manjit Kumar Singh, Manish Dutt Kothiyal, SPE, Cairn India Ltd