Abstract
This paper will explain and demonstrate a method to increase production in individual wells or fields with skin damage, due to paraffin accumulations, corrosion, emulsion and scale formation, utilizing an individual treatment design from a library of facultative anaerobic microorganisms.
These neutrally charged marine organisms, in a saline solution of nutrients, are naturally occurring, non-pathogenic, non-toxic, non-careinogenic, non-combustible and require no permits from the Environmental Protection Agency for storage, transportation or disposal. Environmentally, these microorganisms are as safe as any product in our industry to control and reduce skin damage.
Paraffin, corrosion, emulsion and scale formation have resulted in significant economic losses, reducing profitability for producers and operators. The resulting skin damage can be controlled and reduced through proper treatment by locating microorganisms in the immediate formation, perforations, and in the case of most problem preventing restrictions in production streams or failures in lifting equipment. Traditional control methods for treatment involve implementing techniques such as hot oiling, paraffin cutting, chemical and condensate treatments. These techniques have been marginally successful, economically prohibitive and temporary at best. Many of these traditional methods are dangerous from a safety standpoint and often have caused serious long term damage to the productive life of the well (especially in the case of hot oiling).
