SPE 87461 Scale Management of Production Wells via Inhibitor Application in Supporting Injection Wells

V. Ragulin, Yukos; A. Mikhailov, Yukos; O. Latipov, Yukos; A. Voloshin, Yukos; N. Tyabayeva, Yukos and E. Mackay, SPE, Heriot-Watt Univ.
Copyright 2004, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc. This paper was prepared for presentation at the 6th International Symposium on Olfield Scale held in Aberdeen, UK, 26-27 May 2004. This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Papers presented at SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper for commercial purposes without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper was presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O. Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435.

result, the interval between workovers for pump equipment increased by approximately 2.5 times. Furthermore, oil production was increased relative to the period before introduction of this technology. An economic evaluation was carried out that showed the viability of using this technology for the protection of wells in a compact injector-producer pattern. Introduction Due to application of various techniques to maximize oil recovery in Yukos oilfields, the number of wells with scale problems is increasing. As the results of analysis of deposits on ESP wheels shows [1], the portion of inorganic deposits which is soluble in hydrochloric acid amounts to 99.8 % [2]. In addition, it should be mentioned that the content of the iron oxides and hydroxides are low in comparison with calcite and magnesium carbonate deposits. As is well known, the main reasons for the formation of carbonate deposits are pressure and temperature changes during oil production [3-6]. These may lead to decreasing carbonic acid content in the produced fluid and, as a consequence, to carbonate scale depostion on downhole equipment: (O3)2 3 + 2 + O2 The main scale prevention methods in Western Siberian oilfields are as follows [7]: 1. A continuous dosing either topside or downhole. 2. A periodical inhibitor dosing at the well bottom hole. 3. Inhibitor treatment application via pressure support water injection wells. For scale prevention the continuous inhibitor dosing utilising surface dosing systems is widely used [3]. In spite of its efficiency, this technology has disadvantages, such as high costs for dosing and system maintenance. An alternative to this technology is inhibitor dosing into the injection system. The first experiments using this alternative technology were carried out in Bashkortostan, but without detailed analysis of the results. Yukos Oil Company is interested in trying this new method elsewhere, and the South-Surgut oilfield (KhantyMansi Autonomous Area) was selected for testing.

Abstract At the present time, the YUKOS Oil Company is applying various techniques to maximize oil recovery. Some of these techniques, such as waterflooding, are leading to an increase in the number of wells that face scaling problems. Various technologies are being used for scale management in these wells, including, for example, continuous inhibitor dosing utilising surface dosing systems. This method has some disadvantages, including the high cost of the service. In addition, this technology only protects downhole equipment from damage by scale deposits, but the bottomhole formation zone remains unprotected. Some years ago we recommended that production wells be protected via scale inhibitor application in the injection waters used for reservoir pressure control and sweep. Experiments conducted have shown that this technique may be used for certain production well types with scaling problems when these are located in relatively close proximity to their supporting injection wells. This paper presents the experimental and field results when this technique was tested in the South-Surgut oilfield. Before testing, a preliminary investigation of the formation geology and hydrodynamic connectivity between injection and production wells was carried out. Next, a large number of experiments were carried out to select an efficient inhibitor chemistry, to test for inhibitor adsorption on the reservoir rock, to evaluate an initial MIC for the solution, and to determine the inhibitor dosing periodicity. During testing of this technique, the inhibitor concentration in the produced water was regularly measured, and the impact on protection against scale was continuously evaluated. It was demonstrated that the inhibitor concentration in the produced water did not decrease below 510 ppm on average during 150-200 days for all wells. As a

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SPE 87461

Technology description The technology of inhibitor injection via the pressure maintenance system is appropriate for use in wells with scale problems which are closely located to each other. In addition, there should be good hydrodynamic communication between production and injection wells. The distance between injecting and producing wells should be at most 1,5 km, because for longer inter-well distances the inhibitor losses will increase due to adsorption processes in the reservoir. The applied inhibitor should be compatible with both formation and injected water. In addition, it must retain its chemical integrity under formation temperatures and pressures, and have weak adsorption onto the rock formation. Inhibitor selection for the treatment is made on the basis of the chemical composition of the scale deposits and technology characteristics of the reagent (inhibitor activity, aggregation state, compatibility with formation water, corrosion potential, thermal stability and no impact on oil treating) Well selection Preliminary economic evaluation results showed that this technology is effective for scale protection if the number of production wells is not less than 5. The zone selected for the trial included 9 production wells: 64, 489, 706, 5004, 5026, 5049, 5075, 5917, and 5077. Figure 1 represents the location of the wells in the SouthSurgut oilfield, all of which have scale problems and are situated in relatively close proximity to their supporting injection well 53. Reservoir characterisation Oil is produced from the B-type reservoir which is 2300 m in depth. Reservoir paramenets are T=70-750 C and P=23,6-24,0 MPa. Permeability is 0,155-0,350 m2 (157-355 mD). Rock mineralogy consists of quartz (35-40 %) and feldspar (4550%). Debris is mica (10-20%) and chlorite (1-3%). Porefilm cements have a complicated composition that includes kaolin and carbonate cement. Modelling Before testing, the hydrodynamic connectivity between injection and production wells was analysed. Then the most efficient inhibitor chemistry was selected and inhibitor losses due to adsorption-desorption processes were evaluated. In addition, the hydrodynamic link was determined by investigation of the relevant indicators and by correlation dependence which was calculated using a Rose Diagram software application created in UfaNIPIneft, Bashkortostan. This application calculates the correlation between the injection well and production wells with the help of hydrodynamic well testing, depending on the distance between them, and production/injection data. As a result, the correlation matrix was obtained. Inhibitor adsorption during core flooding: Experimental results The chemical composition of formation water (B-type reservoir) for the South-Surgut oilfield is shown in Table 1.

Four phosphonate inhibitors (OEDF-MA, PAF-13A, SNPH 5311 and SNPH 5301) were chosen for investigation of their efficiency with respect to calcite carbonate scale inhibition and their efficiency/cost ratios in this system. The adsorption-desorption properties of the reagents were determined by electrochemical methods using electro kinetic potential in a filtration regime under continuous pressure drop conditions. Fig. 2 shows the changes in adsorption-desorption capacity of a South-Surgut oilfield core during the period of ion-hydrate layer formation during core flooding with mineralized water (80 ), and its destruction by scale inhibitor adsorption. It should be noted that an ion-hydrate layer under inhibitor desorption is not completely reconstructed. This suggests irreversible adsorption of some inhibitor on the rock formation. As a result of this investigation it was determined that scale inhibitor at 0.1% concentration in water is adsorbed by the rock very effectively. Thus, in order for the rock to work as a donor, the inhibitor concentration in water during injection should be not less than 1 g/l. As can be seen from Figure 2, based on desorption rate from the rock surface the inhibitors are ranked as follows: OEDF-MA > PAF-13A > SNPH 5301 > SNPH 5311. According to preliminary estimates, the losses of scale inhibitor OEDF-MA, which has the best desorption compared with the others, reaches 53 % from the rock surface. Thus, on technical considerations, OEDF-MA would be the preferred choice due to its having good desorption characteristics and high efficiency at low concentrations for scale prevention in the injection system. In spite of this, inhibitor PAF-13A was used for testing experiments because of its lower cost. Field results The ion composition of injection water for South-Surgut oilfield is shown in Table 2. Also, Table 3 represents the component analysis of reservoir fluid, stock tank oil and separator gas samples. On the first stage of inhibitor injection into the water pressure maintenance system, the adsorption process dominates over desorption of the reagent. Therefore, injection at the selected doze rate was carried out during a 10-day period, with a frequency of one injection batch every two days. It should be noted that selected doze rate exceeds the optimal one by 5 times. During the subsequent 20-day period, dosing took place with a frequency of once every two days at the optimal dose rate. During 2001-2002 two treatments were carried out (October 2001 and April 2002). Monitoring of the inhibitor concentration in produced water was carried out during the first treatment. It should be noted that the inhibitor was observed in the production fluids in each of the wells with a scaling problem. As the results showed, wells 706, 5916, 5004, 489, 5075, 5049 and 723 responded to inhibitor injection via the injection system very well. Wells 5026 and 5077 reacted weakly, possibly because of their remote location from the injection

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zone. For wells 5049, 5026, 5075, inhibitor breakthrough occurred 10-20 days after the treatment; for wells 5916, 5077, 489 after 60-70 days; and for wells 5004, 706 after 100 days. As a result of these treatments the number of ESP failures greatly decreased, as may be seen from Figure 3. The workover period for pump equipment increased from 118 to 330 days per well on average. In addition, it should be mentioned that oil production in these nine wells increased compared with the base level. This is due to 1) reduction in down time, and 2) inhibition of the scale formation processes in the water saturated parts of the reservoir and in the bottom hole zone of the well (Figures 3, 4, 6). Figures 5 and 7 clearly show inhibitor production for wells 5077 and 706 during the monitoring period. It should be noted that from December 2002 the number of ESP failures increased because of a decrease in inhibitor concentration in the rock formation and produced water. Test results showed that the period of well protection after one injection well treatment using this technology in this system is 6-7 months. Investigations showed that costs of the well maintenance after the treatment decreased in comparison with the initial level. In addition, the workover period for pump equipment increased by 1,4-4,9 times, as may be seen from Table 4, where the efficiency of protection of the well equipment by inhibitor injection via the water injection system is represented. Conclusion Based on preliminary investigations of scaling problems in the South-Surgut oilfield, experiments were carried out to test the possibility of injecting inhibitor in pressure support water injection wells. This efficiency of this technology was demonstrated in this system, and should be considered as a candidate in other oilfield systems with a scaling potential where inter-well spacing is relatively short. It should be noted that during 2003 the pre-analysis of the hydrodynamic conductivity between producing and injecting wells, inhibitor selection and adsorption-desorption characteristics were made for Teplovskoe, Ust-Balykskoe and Prirazlomnoe oilfields. In addition, the inhibitor volumes and injection periodicity were determined, and recommendations were made for each case.

Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the Yukos Oil Company for funding this study and permission to publish. We also acknowledge the partners in Nefteyugansk region for providing necessary information, assistance in carrying out the evaluations and treatments, and discussions of the results described in this paper. References 1. J.F. Lea, M.R. Wells, J.L. Bearden, L. Wilson, R. Shepler and R. Lannom: Electrical Submersible Pumps: On and Offshore Problems and Solutions paper SPE 28694 presented at the SPE International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition, Veracruz, Mexico, 10-13 October 1994. Ragulin, V.V., Smolyanets, E.F., Mikhailov, A.G.: Vliyanie soleotlozheniya na rabotu nasosnogo oborudovaniya v OAO Yuganskheftegaz, Neftepromislovoe delo (Oilfield Engineering), Moscow, OAO VNIIOENG, No.7, p.23-26, 2001. Hinrichsen, C.J.: Preventing Scale Deposition in Oil Production Facilities: An Industry Review paper N61 presented at NACE Corrosion 98, Houston, Texas, 1998. Oddo, J.E. and Tomson, M.T.: Why Scale Forms in the Oil Field and Methods to Prevent It, SPE Production and Facilities (Feb. 1994) 47-54. Ramstad, K., Tydal, T., Ellersten, E. and Jakobsen, T.: Precipitation and Deposition of CaCO3. Laboratory Studies and Field Experience, presented at the 1999 NIF Tenth International Oil Field Chemicals Symposium, Fagernes, Norway, Mar. 1-3. Vetter, O.J., Kandarpa, and Phillips, R.C.: Prediction of Deposition of Calcium Sulfate Scale Under Down-Hole Conditions, JPT (Oct. 1970) 2732841299-1308. Voloshin, A.I., Ragulin, V.V., Tyabayeva, N.E., Diakonov, I.I. and Mackay, E.J.: Scaling Problems in Western Siberia paper SPE 80407, presented at the SPE 5th International Symposium on Oilfield Scale, Aberdeen, Scotland, 29-30 January 2003.

2.

3.

4. 5.

6.

7.

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SPE 87461

Oilfield South-Surgut

Reservoir (III) B-group

Na+++ 5750

Ion content, mg/l (average value) Mg2+ Ca2+ 32SO42HCO3Cl24,3 232 1342 8721 Table 1. Ion composition of formation water

pH

Ion content, mg/l (average value) Oilfield Water type Production water Na+++ 5249 Mg2+ 19 Ca2+ 224 32SO4213 HCO3659 Cl8165

pH

South-Surgut

7,9

Table 2. Ion composition of injected water Sample Density, kg/m3 CO2 Reservoir fluid Stock tank oil Separator gas Table 3. N2 CH4 C2H6 Mol percent C3H8 inC4H10 C4H10 6,1 1,255 3,65 iC5H12 1,125 nC5H12 1,68 C6H14+

Molecular weight

823

0,175

0,235

28,85

3,22

53,73

179

884 0.953

0 0,21

1,49

0,28 75,35

0,15 6,9

1,4 10,21

0,63 1,28

2,85 2,71

1,39 0,51

2,84 0,72

90,46 0,62

243 22,92

Hydrocarbon analysis of reservoir fluid, stock tank oil and separator gas samples (on average) Decrease in costs per 1ton of produced oil (factor) 3,53 1,24 2,46 4,49 4,1 2,25 2,44 2,43 1,25

Well

Decrease in costs per well (factor) 3,5 1,24 2,47 4,5 4,1 2,26 2,43 2,44 1,25

Change in fail-safe period (factor) 3.86 1.39 2.66 4.90 4.90 2.57 2.66 2.66 1.39

64 489 706 5004 5026 5049 5075 5077 5916

Table 4. Efficiency of the well equipment protection by the inhibitor injection via pressure maintenance system.

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Figure 1. Chosen zone of the wells on the South-Surgut oilfield ( - well with scale problems) Definition for production wells: Definition for production wells: - well with scale problems 5003____ -5003 well number, 1,9-45% 1,9- fluid production rate in m3/day, 45% - watercut Dark blue color segment water production Brown color segment oil production 548 20 - 548 well number, 20- water injection rate in m3/day

Blue color segment water injection

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SPE 87461

10 mole 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 Time, hour 5 6

-6

SNPH-5311 SNPH-5301 PAF-13A OEDF-MA

Figure 2. Adsorption-desorption curves for the chosen scale inhibitors on the rock surface of B-type reservoir at temperature = 800C and pressure 1 atm.

250 200 150

oil fluid (water+oil) pump failures

Fluid rate (m /day), oil rate (ton/day)

3
ESP failures

100
1 1 1 1 1

50 0
Oct-00
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0
Mar-03

Jan-01

Apr-01

Jul-01

Nov-01

Feb-02

May-02

Sep-02

Dec-02

Month

Figure 3. Dynamics of oil and fluid production and ESP failures.

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SPE 87461

20 18 16 14 Oil rate (ton/day) 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Oct-00 Jan-01 Apr-01 Jul-01 Nov-01 Feb-02 May-02 Sep-02 Dec-02 Month 1 inhibitor treatment 2 inhibitor treatment

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 Watercut, %

oil watercut

10 0 Mar-03

Figure 4. Production dynamics for well 5077 over the treatment period.

70 60

Amount of inhibitor, ppm

50 40 30 20 10 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Time, days

Figure 5. Dynamics of inhibitor production for well 5077 over the treatment period.

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SPE 87461

40 35 30 Oil rate (ton/day) 25 20 15 10 5 0 Oct-00 Jan-01 Apr-01 Jul-01 Nov-01 Feb-02 May-02 Month 1 inhibitor treatment

60

50

40 Watercut, %

30

2 inhibitor treatment

20

oil watercut
Sep-02 Dec-02

10

0 Mar-03

Figure 6. Production dynamics for well 706 over the treatment period.

70

Amount of inhibitor, ppm

60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Time, days

Figure 7. Dynamics of inhibitor production for well 706 over the treatment period.

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