Paraffin-related flow assurance issues have become more prevalent over the past two decades as more unconventional oil reserves are produced. Depending on the maturity of the source rock and selective alterations during expulsion and migration, these crude oils, as well as those from conventional plays, can contain significant amounts of wax (n-C-18 and above). As these crude oils are produced, there may be instances when the fluid drops below a certain temperature that induces wax insolubility, and therefore increases the risk of paraffin deposition. The deposition can lead to constrictions in tubing, fouling of rod pumps and other mechanical lift methods, and restrictions in separating facilities and export lines. There are several solutions available to the operator to mitigate such paraffin fouling events, one of which is chemical based. However, the design, selection, and reputation of such production chemicals have suffered greatly because of laboratory testing procedures providing less than satisfactory results and, more importantly, field performance correlations. Here, we present a novel test method development that overcomes the main drawbacks of traditional paraffin fouling testing procedures by providing a real-time measurement of the initial layer of foulant formation by measuring near-infrared (NIR) light transmittance on a temperature controlled reflective surface, the para-window. The equipment and procedure are described relative to standard industry testing protocols. Further developments are also demonstrated that permit the generation of a unique paraffin fouling profile. The profile encompasses relatively more representative temperature conditions than the traditional methods allow, and therefore generates more fieldlike deposits. This then affords the opportunity to develop the next generation of paraffin control production chemicals tailor-made for the most insoluble and problematic wax fractions.