Scale Inhibitor Placement in Completion Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inhibiting scale formation in reservoirs during oil production require stopping well production for inhibitor injection and adsorption, which can lead to production losses and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves incorporating a scale inhibitor into the completion fluid used during injectivity test operations, allowing the inhibitor to be absorbed by the reservoir rock and remain inside the reservoir to prevent scale formation during oil production.
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 improved, but production must be stopped and adsorption time is required, leading to production losses
Solution Approach 1:
The scale inhibitor is incorporated into the completion fluid before injection, allowing the inhibitor to be positioned inside the reservoir during completion operations. This preliminary action ensures that the inhibitor is already in place before production begins, eliminating the need for separate inhibitor squeeze operations and adsorption time, thus maintaining production continuity while ensuring scale inhibition
Solution Approach 2:
The completion fluid serves dual purposes: it performs its primary function of keeping the well damped during completion operations while simultaneously delivering the scale inhibitor to the reservoir. The inhibitor is self-delivered through the completion fluid without requiring separate injection operations, reducing operational interruptions and maintaining productivity
2Reliability
If inhibitor squeeze operation is performed to inhibit scale formation, then scale prevention is improved, but operational complexity and cost increase due to required stoppages and adsorption time
Solution Approach 1:
The scale inhibition function is merged with the completion fluid injection operation. The inhibitor is incorporated into the completion fluid formulation, combining two operations (completion fluid injection and inhibitor squeeze) into one. This eliminates the need for separate inhibitor injection operations and adsorption time, reducing operational complexity while maintaining effective scale prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The completion fluid is given multi-functionality by incorporating the scale inhibitor into its formulation. It simultaneously performs its primary function of maintaining well damping during completion operations and its secondary function of delivering scale inhibitor to the reservoir. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate inhibitor squeeze operations, reducing operational complexity
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
This approach prevents early scale formation, reduces production losses, and decreases the need for interventions and chemical treatments, resulting in significant cost savings and improved well productivity.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorption time of the inhibitor by the reservoir rock is necessary. After the adsorption time has elapsed, when the source rock adsorbs part of the scale inhibitor
Implementation Method 2
During the 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
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for applying scale inhibitor to completion fluids during injectivity test operations. Said method takes advantage of the completion fluid to inhibit scaling in the reservoir by filling the porous spaces of the reservoir rock with the inhibited completion fluid. When the well is put into production, this inhibited fluid positioned inside the reservoir will be produced together with the oil and will inhibit the formation of scale inside the reservoir and on production equipment.