At the present stage of development of the oil industry, production conditions are becoming increasingly complex due to the growing share of hard-to-recover reserves and the expansion of high-viscosity paraffinic crude oil extraction. Under these circumstances, improving the efficiency of production and transportation processes through scientifically grounded management approaches has become a priority. One of the most serious challenges in oil and gas production, treatment, and transportation is the formation of asphaltene–resin–paraffin deposits (ARPD). Their accumulation in downhole equipment, tubing strings, flowlines, pipelines, and storage facilities leads to reduced throughput capacity, increased energy consumption, higher operational risks, and significant deterioration of technical and economic performance indicators.
The complexity of this issue is determined by the multifactorial nature of solid hydrocarbon phase formation. Crude oils from different fields vary in composition, molecular weight distribution of paraffins, and content of resins and asphaltenes, which necessitates a differentiated and scientifically justified approach to selecting treatment methods. In real operating conditions, a single technological process often requires simultaneous solutions to several interconnected tasks, including pour point reduction, rheological control, prevention of paraffin deposition, and removal of already formed deposits.
Experience shows that single-component reagents frequently fail to provide the required level of efficiency. Therefore, the development of multicomponent inhibitor formulations exhibiting synergistic effects represents a promising direction. This approach makes it possible to broaden the range of available chemical treatments and significantly enhance their performance under variable technological conditions. This work examines the mechanisms of paraffin deposition, investigates the structural and rheological properties of high-viscosity paraffinic crude oils, develops new composite reagents, and proposes technological solutions aimed at improving production and transportation efficiency while ensuring environmental safety of pipeline systems.
The results obtained are intended for practical implementation and contribute to increasing equipment reliability, reducing operational costs, and improving the economic performance of oil and gas production enterprises.
