Understanding Paraffin and Asphaltene Problems
in Oil and Gas Wells
Wednesday, September 3, 2003, San Angelo, Texas, 76903
Baker Hughes Incorporated and Baker Petrolite
Instructor: Ken Barker, Baker Petrolite
Paraffin and asphaltenes are natural components in crude oils and can
cause problems from the formation to the refinery. Paraffin- and asphaltene-related
problems of formation plugging, deposition, congealing oil, oil wetting,
and interface/tank bottoms cost the gas and oil industry hundreds of
millions of dollars each year. Most of this money is spent without either
a clear understanding of the problems being experienced or the cost.
This course will help the producer understand what paraffin and asphaltenes
are and the types of problems they can cause, how to identify them and
develop a cost effective treating program, and why hot oiling, acidizing
and other treatments may cause problems in some wells.
Target Audience: This course is designed for pumpers,
production engineers, reservoir engineers, field foremen, superintendents,
geologists and anyone wanting to better understand the crude oil and
condensate that they are producing.