Drilling Fluid Scale Inhibitor Loading for Continuous Oil Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing saline scale formation in oil production require well shutdowns for inhibitor injection, leading to high costs and production losses, and existing drilling fluid compositions do not effectively address the formation of BaSO4, SrSO4, and CaCO3 scales in offshore wells.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a scaling inhibitor into the drilling fluid during the drilling phase, ensuring chemical compatibility and a concentration of 0.2 to 0.5% (v/v), allowing the inhibitor to form a functional filtrate that inhibits scale formation in the reservoir and production system, extending protection for at least one year without affecting rock formation or porosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inhibitor squeeze is injected into the producing formation to prevent scale formation, then scale inhibition is achieved, but well production must be stopped and high costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The scaling inhibitor is incorporated into the drilling fluid before the well enters production phase. The inhibitor is introduced into the reservoir rock through the drilling operation itself, performing the inhibition action in advance before scale formation becomes a problem during production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two separate operations into one: the drilling fluid injection process and the scale inhibitor application. By merging the inhibitor injection with the drilling fluid circulation, the need for separate well shutdown operations is eliminated.
2Reliability
If inhibitor squeeze is performed to adsorb scaling inhibitor into the reservoir rock, then scale formation is inhibited, but time is required for adsorption and production is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The scaling inhibitor is applied during the drilling phase, which occurs before production begins. This preliminary application allows the inhibitor to be adsorbed into the reservoir rock while the well is still being drilled, eliminating the need to wait for adsorption during production operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling fluid circulation provides continuous injection of the scaling inhibitor into the reservoir throughout the drilling operation. This continuous action ensures thorough inhibitor distribution and adsorption without interrupting the overall process timeline.
3Reliability
If chemical injection mandrels are installed in all production intervals to prevent scale, then scale inhibition is improved, but device complexity and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scale inhibition function from the complex injection mandrel system and integrates it into the existing drilling fluid delivery mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate chemical injection mandrels while maintaining effective inhibitor delivery to all production intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling fluid serves multiple functions simultaneously: it performs the primary drilling function and also acts as the vehicle for delivering the scaling inhibitor to the reservoir. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated injection equipment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional inhibitor concentrations are used in drilling fluid, then chemical compatibility is maintained, but scale inhibition effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the concentration parameter of the scaling inhibitor in the drilling fluid, using a range of 0.2 to 0.5% (v/v). This parameter change provides sufficient inhibitor concentration for effective scale prevention while maintaining compatibility with the drilling fluid system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents production losses by inhibiting scale formation in the production system, reducing the need for costly interventions and maintaining production flow, with potential savings exceeding $8 million per well by avoiding well shutdowns and using a more effective inhibitor concentration than traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a period of time is required for the inhibitor to be adsorbed by the reservoir rock. After the adsorption time, when the matrix rock adsorbs part of the scaling inhibitor
Implementation Method 2
During oil production, the inhibitor fluid that was adsorbed by the reservoir rock will begin a chemical desorption process, that is, it will be gradually released with the produced water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for preventing loss of oil production due to scaling of producing wells, through the application of scaling inhibitor in drilling fluids that will be used in the drilling phase of the reservoir rock, and applied in the area of oil reservoirs, aiming to contribute to the guarantee of production flow from the wells, with the presence of scaling inhibitor into the fluid produced by the well, with at least 1 year of effectiveness after opening the well for production.