Case Study: Eagle Ford Shale reduces wax deposition and pigging risks with SLB’s PI-7475 paraffin inhibitor

PI-7475 Inhibitor Reduces Wax Deposition and Pigging Risks in Eagle Ford Shale Tubing and Flowlines

SLB worked with Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas to address heavy wax and paraffin deposition in oil and gas wells, which was creating flow restrictions and increasing the risk of pigging and cleanout problems. An existing inhibitor program was losing effectiveness, and a stuck pig during a cleanout attempt highlighted the need for a better solution.

SLB tested the produced oil with standard and atypical cold finger laboratory methods and identified PI-7475 paraffin inhibitor as the best treatment. The product delivered more than 70% inhibition in normal lab tests and over 85% in higher-rate atypical testing, then performed well in the field, reducing wax deposition, lowering the need for paraffin cleanouts, and helping prevent pig sticking across the field.

Eagle Ford Shale