Determining the effect of mineral scaling formation under different injection water sources on the performance of Mishrif carbonate reservoir in Halfaya oilfield, Southern Iraq

Abstract

The chief source of the oilfield scale is the mixing of incompatible waters. This study demonstrated that mixing the reservoir of Mishrif formation (Halfaya oilfield) with six types of injection water sources, including Tigris River water, producing water formation, Gulf seawater, Marshes water, Middle Kirkuk formation water, and Main Outfall Drain water (AL-Masab AL-Aam Channel), leads to the formation of salt crusts that cause the reduction of reservoir rock permeability. According to the Piper diagram, the Mishrif formation water of all extant water samples was of the sodium chloride type (NaCl), except for HF-81, which was between (NaCl) and mix (CaMgCl) type. A geochemical simulation model of water alignment (PHREEQC) was used to simulate this problem, and it revealed the mineral scaling from mixing processes. These minerals precipitate in rock pores and clog them, which then cause damage to the petrophysical properties of the reservoir and prevent the passage of liquids. Results showed that the best water types used for injection are Middle Kirkuk formation water, followed by the general downstream, then Gulf seawater, but treatment before injection is needed. The study of geochemical modeling method can help to better understand scaling issues by efficiently identifying the best injection water from various selected types with the lowest possible cost, which in turn improves oil production.

Examining the Factors that Impact the Formation of Barite Scale in Water Injection Operations: Experimental Study and Quantification of Scale Formation

“…In the dynamic realm of oil and gas production, the strategic implementation of water injection stands as a cornerstone technique, facilitating the augmentation of reservoir pressure and thereby optimizing hydrocarbon recovery [1][2][3][4][5]. The unwanted deposition of a solid layer of mineral salts is known as scale [6,7].…”

Research on water-out mode and differential perforation in thick carbonate reservoir

“…Carbonate reservoirs contribute significantly to daily oil production, with over 60% of the world's remaining conventional oil reserves located in these formations (Ya Yao et al, 2018;Anas M. Hassan et al, 2023). Water injection is a vital method for improving oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs in the Middle East (Bisweswar G et al, 2020; Barros E G D et al, 2023;Ghalib H B et al, 2023;Farnetano R P et al, 2023;Wu Y and Hu D et al, 2023). However, challenges such as premature water breakthrough pose significant obstacles to achieving optimal oil recovery (Li Y et al, 2020;AL-Otaibi B et al, 2021;Dewever B et al, 2021;Yang C and Yang S et al, 2022;Wei C et al, 2022).…”

Static and dynamic evaluation of formation damage due to barium sulfate scale during water injection in carbonate reservoirs

“…Since most oil fields are in the second half of their life, it is necessary to apply secondary oil recovery techniques to maintain the reservoir pressure and increase the production rate. The most common secondary recovery method is water injection operation into oil reservoirs to compensate for the pressure drop due to oil production (Afekare et al 2017;Hasankhani et al 2018;Aminian et al 2019;Khojastehmehr et al 2019;Ghalib et al 2023).…”