Carbonate Scaling Prediction: The Importance of Valid Data Input

In field work recently conducted, it was revealed that there were no scale control measures in place as scale prediction conducted earlier concluded that there was no scaling risk.  However, a field survey later observed calcium carbonate deposits. In view of the inconsistency between theoretical prediction and field observations, another scale prediction was conducted to understand the real field scaling potential.

Carbonate scale prediction is more challenging due to the CO₂ evolution and partition into all three (water/oil/gas) phases during production. This paper describes the scale prediction conducted using Multiscale" at three different scenarios: (1) Prediction without hydrocarbon, i.e., only water production during the calculation; (2) Prediction with water & gas, i.e., gas production is considered; and (3) Prediction with all three phases, i.e., the true replication of the production. The effect of pH was studied in detail during sensitivity runs. In addition, the effect of power oil on scaling potential is also investigated. It is well known that pH increase has a profound effect to prompt calcium carbonate scaling potential, a local increase in pH may have contributed to the solid deposition observed in field. Besides, the exclusion of the oil and gas phase in the previous modeling, has underestimated the real scaling risk, while the carbonate scaling potential increases significantly when hydrocarbon was included into the calculation. The addition of power oil has little effect on the overall scaling potential in this case."

This is a typical case in demonstrating that invalid scaling prediction can cause misinterpretation of true scale potential and therefore insufficient scale control, which can result in scale buildup in field. This work highlights the importance of validity and reliability of data input into scale prediction software; in particular for carbonate scale prediction, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of reactions in all three phases, i.e., the alkalinity and CO₂ mass balance, to ensure an accurate prediction. Because CO₂ can partition into all the three phases (water, oil and gas), compositional analysis for both oil and gas at the water sampling/analysis condition should be obtained before an accurate scale prediction can be made. Prediction results from any scale prediction software are only accurate if the input information is correct and sufficient. Without the complete information set, the scale prediction can only be treated as indicative. Field observations and deposit analysis should be incorporated into the consideration to evaluate the true likelihood and severity of the scale problem.