A Combined Laboratory and Field Approach to Optimize Scale Inhibition Placement Via Fracturing in Krasnoleninskoe Field, Russia

Abstract

Scale formation and accumulation is a major concern for Russian production companies. In Western Siberia, most wells produce fluids via Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP), and it is believed that up to 30% of the ESP failures result from scale damage. Despite that scaling is commonly first recognized at the ESPs, it can ultimately affect the whole production system. The most efficient treatment strategy to prevent scale induced damage in the tubular, including ESP, is scale inhibition. Traditionally, this involves an inhibitor squeeze treatment which is a localized inhibitor placement covering the near-wellbore area or the continuous injection of the inhibitor via a capillary tube. However, these techniques are designed to protect the production system. Squeeze treatments in hydraulically fractured formations are not always effective. Scale inhibitors together with compatible borate fracturing fluids can be used for a more effective scale inhibitor placement throughout the created hydraulic fracture to prevent scale formation from the reservoir level to the production system. This technique combines hydraulic fracturing and scale inhibition into one treatment resulting in operational simplicity. Since 2008, the combined fracturing/scale treatments have been successfully applied in the Krasnoleninskoe oil field in Western Siberia. This paper outlines the learning procedure and presents designs, testing and monitoring results from the campaign conducted at Krasnoleninskoe oil field (including Talinskaya and Em-Egovskaya sections).

Field Study of the Physical and Chemical Factors Affecting Downhole Scale Deposition in the North Dakota Bakken Formation

“…However, adding the scale inhibitor to the fracturing fluid was later reported to provide a more efficient well treatment at a lower cost (Miller 1999;Cowan et al 2000). Pilot testing and field implementation in Russian oil fields demonstrated that increases in production and productivity can be obtained by optimizing the fracturing-fluid scale-inhibitor treatments (Cheremisov et al 2008;Yakimov et al 2010). Scale-inhibitor-impregnated proppants have also been used successfully and have the advantage of being distributed uniformly throughout the fracture while having low reactivity with the fracturing-fluid gel (Norris et al 2001;Szymczak et al 2006).…”