Description of Paper

Calcium carbonate scale was detected in several vertical wells in a sandstone reservoir in Saudi Arabia. The scale was detected downhole, plugging gravel packing screens and the intake of submersible pumps. Scale build up caused significant decline in oil production from this field. The sandstone reservoir is water-sensitive and has a bottom hole temperature of 160°F.

An emulsified scale inhibitor (phosphonate-type) treatment was designed to mitigate scale in this field. Recently, Nasr-El-Din et al.1  discussed the development of this new treatment and reported initial field results. So far the treatment was successfully applied in more than twenty wells. Some of these wells were de-scaled before the treatment, while other wells were treated before scale detection.

The objectives of the present paper are to assess the outcome of this treatment based on field data and to optimize the scale squeeze treatment based on the analysis of well flow back samples. Samples of produced water from these wells were collected and analyzed for nearly three years.

Keywords:
paraffin remediation, wax inhibition, drilling fluid property, drilling fluid selection and formulation, emulsion, waterflooding, asphaltene remediation, squeeze treatment, flowback sample, water cut
Subjects:
Drilling Fluids and Materials, Production Chemistry, Metallurgy and Biology, Reservoir Characterization, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Formation Evaluation & Management, Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties), Inhibition and remediation of hydrates, scale, paraffin / wax and asphaltene, Waterflooding
Copyright 2003, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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