Formation and Prevention of Oilfield Scale: From the Laboratory to the Field

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Disciplines: Production and Operations

Course Description

This course is based on one that has been presented on several occasions at the SPE Oilfield Scale Conference, Aberdeen, UK. It is normally presented by three members of the Heriot-Watt University Flow Assurance and Scale Team (FAST) – Professor Eric Mackay, Professor Ken Sorbie and Mr Mike Singleton – who have a combined total of over 60 years of experience in both research and field applications in the area of oilfield scale prevention. Between them, they have written over 250 technical papers on this subject alone. This course draws very strongly on that extensive experience and provides both the underlying theory (originally developed by the authors in some cases) in an accessible manner along with concrete practical examples of how this knowledge is applied in the field.

This short course serves as both an introduction, and in places as state-of-the-art, in oilfield scale management. It is suitable for production technologists, engineers, oilfield chemists and anyone involved in flow assurance issues, working in the field, in the laboratory or in research. The basic science is illustrated by field examples and attendees will have the opportunity to see how the Heriot-Watt ScαleFAST and SQUEEZE software are used to perform scale prediction calculations and to carry out field scale inhibitor squeeze designs.

Contents:

1. Background to mineral scale formation in oilfields

• the basic ideas of mineral scale formation
• oilfield brine compositions and how these lead to different scales
• calcite scale, mixed Ba/Sr/Ca/SO4 scales and more exotic scales
• field examples from around the world

2. Scale prevention using chemical scale inhibitors

• basics of scale control using scale inhibitors (SI)
• how scale inhibitors work mechanistically
• topside scale control and downhole squeezing
• introduction to downhole squeezing of scale inhibitors

3. Thermodynamics of mineral scale prediction

• thermodynamics and the scale prediction equations
• sulphate and carbonate scale prediction
• the fundamental equations for scale formation and their solution
• scale prediction software
• examples using field data to illustrate scale prediction
• use of scale prediction to define experimental conditions for laboratory inhibition efficiency testing

4. Theory of scale inhibitor squeeze treatments

• basic equations for transport and adsorption of scale inhibitors in flow through porous media
• the adsorption isotherm, (C)
• precipitation squeeze treatments
• field examples of squeeze treatment design
• demonstration (and hands-on use) of Heriot-Watt SQUEEZE software

5. The design of field scale management programmes

• assessing the problem
• designing a laboratory programme for field scale control
• screening methods for scale inhibitors for specific field scaling problems
• bulk jar and tube blocking tests for inhibition efficiency – interpretation of what these tests mean mechanistically
• the role of core flooding in scale inhibitor selection with field examples
• assessing and avoiding formation damage when applying scale inhibitors in squeeze processes – field examples

6. Advanced topics in field squeeze design

• scale inhibitor treatments in horizontal wells
• scale prevention in subsea wells
• scale inhibitor placement – back to basics on the theory and practice of SI placement in heterogeneous reservoir systems
• field examples illustrating scale inhibitor placement issues in heterogeneous systems

7. The impact of the reservoir on the field scaling problem

• where does scale form in the total reservoir/production system
• reservoir scale predictions of the scaling problem
• illustration with field examples from the North Sea and offshore West Africa
• approaching the total system in the context of risk management of the problem

8. Recent developments in scale prevention

• non-aqueous scale inhibitors – a review of the chemical systems and the mechanisms through which they are thought to work
• pre-emptive scale protection of wells
• sulphate reduction plants
• Gyda field example of in situ sulphate stripping

Learning Level

Intermediate

Course Length

2 Days

Why Attend

This is a unique opportunity to learn from people who developed some of the industry’s best tools for managing oilfield scale.

Who Attends

This course is for production technologists, engineers, oilfield chemists and anyone concerned with flow assurance issues. It is also useful for those who work in the service, scale inhibitor and sulphate industries.

Special Requirements

Participants are encouraged to bring their field formation, injection water composition data, and other properties of their reservoirs for discussion in class.

CEUs

1.6 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) are awarded for this 2-day course.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be received no later than 14 days prior to the course start date. Cancellations made after the 14-day window will not be refunded. Refunds will not be given due to no show situations.

Training sessions attached to SPE conferences and workshops follow the cancellation policies stated on the event information page. Please check that page for specific cancellation information.

SPE reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule courses at will. Notification of changes will be made as quickly as possible; please keep this in mind when arranging travel, as SPE is not responsible for any fees charged for cancelling or changing travel arrangements.

We reserve the right to substitute course instructors as necessary.

Instructors

Other courses by these instructors