Miniaturized surface-plasmon-resonance sensor for rapid on-site detection of wax deposition in oil wells

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Crude oils contain waxes that are soluble in the oil liquid phase at reservoir conditions. However, when the crude oil temperature drops, the waxes become less soluble in the liquid and dissolved wax molecules tend to crystallize and form solid particles. The deposition of wax is a major problem during oil production, transportation, and processing, causing complications such as reduced extraction, clogging of pipelines and well-bores, and equipment damage. Dr. Chau will collaborate with Schlumberger Canada Ltd. to develop a compact, robust, optical sensor that can be used on-site at flow line and well bore conditions to directly quantify the onset and behaviour of wax deposition. The sensor will be based on a surface-sensitive phenomenon known as surface plasmon resonance, or SPR. Surface plasmon resonance describes a condition in which light incident onto a highly conductive metallic film excites resonant charge oscillations that are stuck on the surface of the metal. These oscillations are highly sensitive to perturbations in the environment adjacent to the metal surface. The project will explore new SPR sensor designs that are capable of detecting dielectric perturbations due to wax deposition, while protecting the metallic surface from corrosive effects of oil. The sensor will be initially implemented and tested in Dr. Chau's Applied Electromagnetics Laboratory at UBC, using pure component samples and dead oil (atmospheric pressure) samples supplied by DBR Technology Center. If these tests are successful, the SPR sensor will be tested at the DBR Technology Center inside specialized chambers that can reach high pressures and temperatures typical of flow-line or well-bore conditions. Thus, this project will provide proof-of-concept data on a new optical technique for detecting wax precipitation and deposition. The success of this project will pave the way for future collaborations between UBC and Schlumberger to further develop and commercialize SPR sensor technologies for flow assurance.