| abstract |
An additive may be added to an oil-based fluid having at least one wax foulant therein. The additive may be or include an alpha olefin copolymer, an alkyl phenol-formaldehyde resin, an alkyl acrylate, a polyalkyl methacrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate co-polymer, ethylene vinyl acetate terpolymer, imidazoline, and combinations thereof. The additive may alter at least one property of the wax foulant as compared to an otherwise identical oil-based fluid absent the additive. The altered property may be or include the amount of wax foulant deposited, the amount of paraffinic wax dispersed, settling rate of the paraffinic wax foulant, viscosity of the paraffinic wax foulant, shape of the paraffinic wax foulant, such as but not limited to softening the wax foulant, and combinations thereof. |