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DEMO2000-Prosj.ret tekn.utv. petro.virk

CHEmical Control Knowledge demonstration project: Monitoring And Treatment Enhancement

Alternative title: Kjemisk kontroll demonstrasjonsprosjekt: monitorering og plasering forbedring

Awarded: NOK 3.9 mill.

Oil fields are commonly produced with water injection to drive the oil out of the reservoirs. As the injected water eventually reaches the oil producing wells, it is likely to be mixed with water from the reservoir itself inside the well. Due to differences in dissolved minerals, mixing them may lead to precipitation of inorganic salts (known as "scale") inside the well, often causing clogging and rapid decline of oil production. To prevent the scale from sticking to the internal walls of the well, a so-called "scale-squeeze" treatment (injection of a special chemical called scale inhibitor) must be done on a regular basis. During the treatment, the oil production is stopped; the water solution containing the scale inhibitor is injected into the well and placed into the reservoir. Then normal production is restarted and the inhibitor flows back from the reservoir, protecting the well from scale by hindering salt particles from sticking to each other and to the internal walls of the well. The frequency of scale squeezes, and thus how often production needs to be stopped, is mainly dependent on the amount of inhibitor injected and how precisely it can be distributed in the reservoir. This project aim to demonstrate the use of a specially designed foam to guide the placement of the scale inhibitor, and to show how new monitoring techniques and optimisation methods can be applied to observe and improve the process. The goal is more efficient use of chemicals, increased oil recovery, better economy and reduced environmental impact. The new monitoring techniques showed promising results, however the project was stopped prematurely per request from the field operator.

While the tracer injection combined with advanced pressure transient analysis showed good potential to monitor squeeze treatment and to increase understanding of chemical placement, the project goals were not reached due to early termination on request of field operator.

Funding scheme:

DEMO2000-Prosj.ret tekn.utv. petro.virk