As the oil and gas industry evolves, so do its challenges. Maintenance management of oilfield equipment is key in thriving in this industry.
One of the biggest challenges for producers today is keeping production lines clear and running.
To ensure the flow of hydrocarbons, oil and gas equipment needs to be properly maintained, and necessary measures need to be taken to correct problems when they emerge.
When no maintenance plans are in place or when a problem occurs in between scheduled maintenance, remediation services and products are the first step in returning operations to normal.
Remediation vs. Maintenance
Although preventative maintenance can eliminate the need for remediation in many cases, problems can still arise with pipelines and equipment. When the unexpected happens, remediation is the best course of action. Through remediation, operators can lessen the damage to their equipment and infrastructure and restore operating conditions. In these situations, the best action operators can take is working with a reliable service provider to determine the best treatment for their equipment.
Remediation takes place when a problem has occurred and needs to be solved or corrected. For example, paraffin wax and asphaltenic deposit buildup in pipelines and wellbores require quick intervention. Paraffin deposition and asphaltenic deposit cause interruption to production services, unexpected downtime and other unforeseen, costly consequences.
Paraffin wax buildups can:
- Increase back pressure on formations and production systems
- Plug off tubulars or pipelines, thus halting production
- Reduce efficiency
- Require expensive and extensive remediation work
When executed correctly, regular maintenance efforts to manage paraffin accumulations can be cost-effective, and can enhance oil production and performance.
Maintenance has numerous benefits:
- Mitigates risk of downtime
- Avoid the need for costly remediation jobs
- Maintains steady production
- Reduces future damages
- Prolongs equipment life span
Operators who invest in regular maintenance services and solutions can achieve improved results in the long run.
Remediation in challenging environments
Pipeline length and location can hinder maintenance or remediation, especially when paraffin wax buildups are in an area that is tough to reach. Remediation operations that are offshore, in rural areas, or on aged pipelines can be particularly challenging.
Offshore
Offshore oil and gas production is inherently more difficult than land operations. Offshore operators have to deal with low temperatures, extreme weather, long distances and high pressures. All of these factors play a role in delayed repairs, causing remediation challenges.
It’s important to keep flow assurance a priority as blockages or disruptions to flow can lead to interruptions in production or asset damage.
Rural areas
Operations or pipelines in rural areas have to consider a different set of trials when it comes to remedial maintenance such as the location, lack of infrastructure, impacted roads and even different regulations depending on the state.
Aging pipelines
According to Plant Engineering’s April 2022 Industrial Maintenance Report, 39% of downtime incidents are due to aging equipment, while 58% of facilities identify aging equipment as a top challenge when it comes to improving maintenance. Environmental conditions and climate are a few factors affecting pipelines today.
Taking remedial measures
Ideal Energy Solutions, LLC designed a selection of production remediation products to assist in situations where reactive maintenance is needed.
PipeRenew® is an advanced blockage removal solution that removes paraffin wax and asphaltene accumulations in flowlines and pipelines. What’s unique about PipeRenew® is that it’s temperature independent, meaning it’s effective even in subsea temperatures below 34°F.
Advantages of PipeRenew® include:
- Environmentally responsible and non-hazardous
- Activates with seawater, produced water or fresh water and can be used for both land and offshore applications
- Can be deployed in pipelines of any length or size, making it ideal for trunk lines, transfer lines or process lines
WellRenew® is a non-hazardous, chemical solution used for wellbore remediation. WellRenew® removes blockages caused by paraffin wax and asphaltene buildups in downhole tubulars. Similar to PipeRenew®, WellRenew® is temperature independent and exclusively designed to be used on pipelines of any length or size for onshore or offshore applications.
Benefits of WellRenew® include:
- Biodegradable and will not harm formations
- Activates with seawater, produced water or freshwater, and can be used for both land and offshore applications
- Heavier than production fluids or solvents, it migrates through blockages
PigRenew™ is an aggressive, non-stickable pigging solution used to clear paraffinic and asphaltenic deposit blockages in reduced flow pipelines or out of service and uncleaned lines. Over time, PigRenew™ dissolves and leaves behind a micro-resistant film that prevents future deposits from accumulating.
Benefits of PigRenew™ include:
- Penetrates and removes hard deposits in temperature ranging from 34 ̊F to 190 ̊F.
- Remediates the line without the risk of becoming stuck
- Cleans or flushes similar to a mechanical pig
