Abstract
The BP operated Miller field poses a unique chemical challenge as it has arguably the harshest oilfield scaling regime in the North Sea, if not the world. An average of 3-4 squeeze treatments per week are performed across the online wells creating tremendous operational, chemical and logistical challenges. This produces the ideal environment to evaluate new technologies and engineering solutions in an attempt to increase the wells' overall efficiency.
Deep downhole chemical injection (DDHCI) was installed on well A26/08 and brought online during July 2003. The Miller DDHCI is unique to the industry as it allows the injection of a scale inhibitor at the perforations via a tail pipe essentially protecting the whole of the tubing from scale deposition. This approach has the potential to reduce the need for additional scale control via squeeze treatments.
Much emphasis has been placed on the efficiency of scale protection DDHCI offers. A year of flowing the well under the protection of the continuous injection chemical has yielded much information about the nature of the chemical delivery and inhibitor efficiency. Much has also been learnt about the pumping hardware required to ensure continued performance. Further information has been provided by two intensive sampling exercises which have allowed independent analysis for the squeeze chemicals and the injected chemical.
