Vol. 8, Issue 9, Part O (2024)

Due to increasing demand of crude oil for the essential energy sources in day to day activities, the deposition of crude wax in wells as well as in transporting pipelines is a major concern in the field of crude oil production and transportation industries. Wax deposition leads to blocks pipelines and reduces its inner diameter therefore, the cost of petroleum production increases gradually. This paper summarizes the key technologies used to inhibit or remediate deposited wax in wells. It provides an inclusive review, highlighting the main disadvantages and advantages of each technique. Mechanical removal remains widely used for addressing wax issues in wells, despite its high cost. Heating is another common method, though it can cause damage the pipelines and reservoirs. Biological treatments require additional studies to understand better site conditions. Insulating materials and coating are generally not fully effective and often need supplementary methods. Cold flow has only been tested in pipelines and is not appropriate to wells. Lastly, methods like electric, WIT and magnetic fields, and oscillatory motion are practical applications that have yet to be totally proven. By synthesizing current research and case studies, current review intend to highlight the progress and future directions in crude wax deposition management.