Paper: Solvents For Paraffin Control

The accumulation of paraffin deposits in oil wells and flow lines presents a production and transportation problem that is very costly to the oil industry. This problem has been attacked in may ways but, until a few years ago the removal of such deposits was accomplished by mechanical means only. These usually involved lost time, extra labor, and special tools, all of which were expensive to the operator. Because of the high cost of such mechanical methods, it was found that, in many cases, chemical solvents, when properly applied, removed paraffin deposits from the well and flow line, with far less expense to the operator. Also, that mechanical methods and solvents could be combined to give the operator a better overall job at the lowest cost.