Methods and compositions for thermally treating a conduit used for a hydrocarbon production or transmission to help remove paraffin wax buildup

Methods are provided for increasing the temperature of a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon. According to one aspect, the method includes the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) a carrier fluid; (b) a first reactant and a second reactant, wherein: (1) the first reactant and second reactant are selected for being capable of reacting together in an exothermic chemical reaction; (2) the first and second reactant are in at least sufficient concentrations in the carrier fluid to generate a theoretical heat of reaction of at least 1,000 kJ/liter of the treatment fluid; and (c) a catalyst for the reaction between the first reactant and the second reactant, wherein at least some of the catalyst is suspended in the carrier fluid in a solid form that is adapted to help control the release of the catalyst into the carrier fluid; and (d) introducing the treatment fluid into a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon.