The ultrahigh temperature (150–200 °C), pressure
(1000–1500 bar), and TDS (over 300 000 mg/L) encountered
in oil and gas production from deepwater pose significant challenges
to scaling prediction and control. An apparatus has been built to
test scale formation at temperature up to 250 °C and pressure
to 1700 bar (24 000 psi). The study expands the current knowledge
of Barite (BaSO4) solubility to the condition of high temperature,
pressure, and ionic strength. By fitting Pitzer’s model to
experimental solubility data, this study also provides a feasible
approach to assess the temperature and pressure dependence of virial
coefficients in the Pitzer’s equations of ion activity coefficients
through measurement of mineral solubility. The prediction of Barite
solubility made by the Brine Chemistry Consortium software ScaleSoftPitzer
(SSP) that has incorporated the newly developed coefficients is consistent
with experimental measurement.
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