THE IMPACT OF PARAFFIN DEPOSITS ON PRODUCTIVITY AND MODELING OF THE OPTIMAL CLEANING INTERVAL IN GAS LIFT WELLS

Gas lift operation involves injecting compressed gas into a low-producing or non-producing well to maximize oil production. The gas lift method is an artificial lift technique that brings reservoir fluid to the surface by utilizing the energy of the compressed gas injected into the well. However, the gas lift artificial lift process has certain drawbacks, such as well deterioration, inaccurate production measurements, gas compressor instability, and excessive gas injection. Furthermore, due to the increasing percentage of difficult-to-extract reserves in the overall structure, the formation of paraffin deposits remains a critical problem in oil production. Studies show that the precipitation of dissolved paraffin in oil and the formation of deposits begin when the bottom-hole temperature (BHT) drops below the Paraffin Appearance Temperature (PAT). In gas lift wells, this is typically observed on the inner surface of the tubing (NKB or production tubing). The formation of wax (paraffin) deposits negatively affects the performance of individual production wells and the development of the field as a whole, leading to reduced productivity and the necessity of taking measures for paraffin removal, consequently increasing the well's downtime and operational costs. It is essential to implement regular wax removal measures in wells to ensure stable production of high-paraffin crude oil. Within the framework of the study's methodology, the physical basis of the gas lift process is analyzed using mathematical models. Furthermore, the main factors influencing the formation of paraffin deposits—specifically the temperature regime, pressure change, and composition of the circulating oil, associated petroleum gas (APG), and the oil-gas mixture in the gas lift tubing—are thoroughly determined. The practical effectiveness of the proposed operational solutions for preventing paraffin deposits is demonstrated based on the analysis of well operating characteristics and the thermodynamic state. A key finding is the presentation of specific recommendations for determining the optimal composition of the associated petroleum gas injected into the gas lift process to prevent paraffin formation. This optimal composition allows the temperature inside the tubing to be maintained above the PAT. The research results can be applied to enhance the efficiency of gas lift wells operating with high-paraffin crude oils, reduce operating expenses, and extend the working life of the wells. Keywords: gas lift, paraffin deposits, artificial lift methods, oil production, tubing (or production tubing), production optimization