PRESSURE DROP MODELS FOR PARAFFINIC OIL FLOW

Abstract

Wax deposition is a common phenomenon that occurs when crude oil flows in a pipeline. It is one of the main problems related to flow maintenance, because it leads to flux limitation and pressure drop increase. In addition, it can produce major damage to equipment, creating high-risk in operation or even a complete shutdown of production, impacting profitability negatively. Thus, this research aims to show pressure drop models based on Darcy-Weisbach and Power Fluid model for single-phase flow of paraffinic oils in horizontal lines. It will investigate aspects such as different flows, outdoor temperatures, and the BSW (Basic Sediments and Water) values observing their influence on flow pressure. Experimental data from paraffinic oil wells were used to validate the models. The results showed good fit of the models to the data of the eight experiments, with high values of adequacy coefficient (R2) above 0.97. Experiments with higher BSW content and lower ambient temperature had a greater impact on the pressure drop, being well represented by the two models.