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Advances and Future Challenges of Wax Removal in Pipeline Pigging Operations on Crude Oil Transportation Systems
Author(s) -
Li Weidong,
Huang Qiyu,
Wang Wenda,
Gao Xuedong
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
energy technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.91
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 2194-4296
pISSN - 2194-4288
DOI - 10.1002/ente.201901412
Subject(s) - wax , pigging , petroleum engineering , pipeline (software) , pipeline transport , crude oil , environmental science , process engineering , materials science , engineering , mechanical engineering , composite material , environmental engineering
Wax deposition is a severe flow assurance challenge that threatens waxy crude oil production and transportation. For wax remediation, pipeline pigging is the most widely used technique. However, the elusiveness of wax removal mechanism and the lack of reliable methods to evaluate wax breaking force and wax removal efficiency easily trigger pig stalling and wax blockage in field pigging operations. Modeling wax breaking force and wax removal efficiency, therefore, promotes the pigging confidence. This Review seeks to clarify the current picture of wax removal research in crude oil pipeline pigging. Relevant wax deposit properties including wax layer thickness and strength are discussed. Wax removal mechanisms are summarized from perspectives of wax–pig interaction, macroscopic force response, and scenarios with oil flow. Prediction models of wax breaking force and wax removal efficiency are analyzed comprehensively. Pig geometry optimization using this model is given. In addition, the key roles of wax deposit strength, viscoelasticity and thixotropy, foam pig investigation, and wax plug prediction are highlighted for guiding future endeavors in this area.