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Scale Prediction and Inhibition Services

Prevention and Remediation of Scale

Scale damages the near well bore region, blocks perforations, blocks valves and accumulates throughout surface facilities. Scale can form due to mixing of incompatible sea and formation waters, corrosion and/or souring, CO2 degassing and temperature decreases. Intertek Westport engineers are able to predict where scaling is likely to occur by modeling the effect of changing production conditions on water chemistry and using accruate data from on-site analyses.

Intertek Westport Scale prediction and inhibition services include:

On-site analysis Reservoir Condition Core Test

SEM/XRD scale identification Evaluation of Acidizing Packages Evaluation of Squeeze Scale Inhibitors

Prediction Modeling: Formation Water Scaling Waterflood Incompatiblities

Scaling can often be prevented by the use of threshold scale inhibitors. Westport engineers design and evaluate kinetic inhibitor packages taking into account such factors as scaling potential, pH, temperature and reservoir rock type. Molecular modeling can be used to identify the most effective functional groups.

Remediation of scale usually requires acidizing treatments tailored to case-by-case requirements. In some cases complexing agents rather than acids may be suggested. Westport experts thoroughly evaluate acidizing packages for effectiveness and for acid induced problems such as emulsions, sludging and corrosion.

Reservoir condition core test facilities and the Westport flowloop work station are used to test inhibitor packages.