A Laboratory Workflow for Characterization of Scaling Deposits in Thermal Wells

Ali Habibi, Charles E. Fensky, Morteza Roostaei, Mahdi Mahmoudi, Vahidoddin Fattahpour, Hongbo Zeng and Mohtada Sadrzadeh
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Ali Habibi: Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
Charles E. Fensky: Blue Spark Energy, Calgary, AB T1Y 7K2, Canada
Morteza Roostaei: RGL Reservoir Management Inc., Leduc, AB T9E 0W1, Canada
Mahdi Mahmoudi: RGL Reservoir Management Inc., Leduc, AB T9E 0W1, Canada
Vahidoddin Fattahpour: RGL Reservoir Management Inc., Leduc, AB T9E 0W1, Canada
Hongbo Zeng: Chemical and Materials Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
Mohtada Sadrzadeh: Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-14

Abstract: Previous studies have shown that different parameters such as reservoir conditions (e.g., pressure, temperature, and brine chemistry) and wellbore hydraulics influence the scaling tendency of minerals on the surfaces of completion tools in conventional resources. Although different studies have investigated the suitable conditions for the precipitation of scaling minerals, there is still a lack of understanding about the composition of the scaling materials deposited on the surfaces of completion tools in thermal wells. In this study, we presented a laboratory workflow combined with a predictive toolbox to evaluate the scaling tendency of minerals for different downhole conditions in thermal wells. First, the scaling indexes (SIs) of minerals are calculated for five water samples produced from thermal wells located in the Athabasca and Cold Lake areas in Canada using the Pitzer theory. Then, different characterization methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and colorimetric and dry combustion analyses, have been applied to characterize the mineral composition of scale deposits collected from the surfaces of the completion tools. The results of the SI calculations showed that the scaling tendency of calcite/aragonite and Fe-based corrosion products is positive, suggesting that these minerals can likely deposit on the surfaces of completion tools. The characterization results confirmed the results of the Scaling Index calculations. The SEM/EDS and ICP-MS characterizations showed that carbonates, Mg-based silicates and Fe-based corrosion products are the main scaling components. The results of dry combustion analysis showed that the concentration of organic matter in the scale deposits is not negligible. The workflow presented in this study provides valuable insight to the industry to evaluate the possibility of scaling issues under different downhole conditions.

Keywords: thermal wells; scaling index; Pitzer theory; SEM/EDS; ICP-MS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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