Deployment of Real-Time Scale Deposition Monitoring Equipment to Optimize Chemical Treatment for Scale Control During Stimulation Flowback

A series of three fixed platforms off the California coast produce fluids sourced from sandstone and carbonate formations that individually produce brines with substantial amounts of calcium and bicarbonate, respectively. These fluids are sent to a central facility onshore for processing, requiring that the combined fluids be treated for calcium carbonate scale. During acid stimulation treatments of wells, the fluid flowback from the wells initially has very high calcium levels that greatly increase risk of scale formation for a short period of time. To better understand the dynamic scale risk created during stimulation flowback, a monitoring program using a novel in-line deposition monitoring probe was implemented. The probe was placed in-line at the onshore processing facility to track changes in the production fluids prior to and during the acid stimulation program. The resulting data was correlated to several events that occurred within the process including a process shut-in, deposition of heavy oil residue that fouled the probe during a period of poor separation, and scale deposition upon reduced chemical treatment.Real-time data obtained during flowback from two acid stimulation jobs is presented, demonstrating how it was possible to optimize the scale inhibitor treatment program such that no scale deposition occurred during these treatments. The value of the real-time monitoring data versus other methods of assessing the risk of scale formation within these fluids is highlighted and the ability to optimize inhibitor treatment rates in real-time demonstrated.The development and implementation of on-line real-time monitoring for deposition control of an active and changing scaling environment shows the clear value that this technology brings to scale control within process facilities.