Society of Petroleum Engineers

SPE 30086
Formation Damage due to Losses of ea-based Brine and How It Was Revealed
Through Post Evaluation of Scale Dissolver and Scale Inhibitor Squeeze
Treatments
K. Lejon, Statoil as, J. Tuxen Thingvoll, Statoil as, E.A. Vollen, Statoil as, P. Hammonds, Baker Performance Chemicals
Copyright 1995, Society at Petroleum Engineers, Inc,
This paper was prepared for presentation at the European Formation Damage Conference held In The Hague, The Netherlands, 15-16 May 1995,
This paperwas selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as presented,
have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subjected to correction by the author(s), The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of the
Society of Petroleum Engineers, Its officers, or members, Papers presented at SPE meetings are SUbject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. illustrations may not be copied, The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom
the paper is presented, Write Librarian, SPE, P,O. Box 833836. Richardson. TX 75063-3836, U,S.A. (Facsimile 214-952-9435).

ABSTRACT

Calcium based brine has regularly been used during workover

operations on naturally completed wells without any sign of formation damage. In gravel packed wells which have seen severe
losses of Ca based brine production decline was observed.
Fur some of the gravel packed wells the production decline occurred when bringing the well on production after completion,
whilst in others, the loss in productivity occurred after sea water
breakthrough. I
In order to increase productivity and confirm the relationship between productivity decline and formation of CaS0 4 scale due to
losses of completion brine, scale dissolver treatments were carried out.
The use of dissolver chemicals resulted in mobilization and removal of several hundred kilograms of solids from the near wellbore area.
A post-evaluation strategy to provide information about the nature, origin and location of scale was successfully implemented.
More importantly, the dissolver treatments resulted in increased
oil production.
The findings and lessons learned have had several important implications for gravel pack completions and well treatments in
Statoi!.

Unfavorable mixing ratios of Ca-based brine and sea water, used

as solvent for chemicals or as displacing fluid, can also pl'Oduce
favorable conditions for precipitation of solids and subsequent
formation damage.
In addition, oilfield waters will deposit sparingly soluble salts
(eg. CaC0 3) due to either changes in physical conditions (e.g
temperature, pressure) or change in chemical composition (loss
of gas, mixing of waters).
Scale deposits are commonly calcium carbonate; barium, stl'ontium and calcium sulphates; and various naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). The latter are commonly
precipitated with the other sulphate scales.
Carbonate scales are easily removed by acid treatment and calcium sulphate with moderate difficulty by using converters,
In oilfield operations Sulphate scales are more commonly treated
with non-acid dissolvers. These formulations are blends of
chelating agents, accelerators, dispersants and other synergists. 4
The chelants are capable of forming soluble complexes with
metal ions. The stability of these complexes is known to depend
on the chelating agent and metal, solution pH, temperature, etc.
For dissolution to occur, the solubility of the complex must exceed that of the scale as indicated by the equations:
CaS0 4 (s) H

INTRODUCTION

Ca2+ + SO/

l' J,

Solutions of high density brines of calcium chloride and calcium

bromide are extensively used in workover and drilling operations. Normally, this practice does not produce any deleterious
effects. However, the potential for formation damage due to reaction between calcium-based brine and water present in the reservoir exists and is documented through laboratory studies and
field experience23

References and figures at end of paper

75

Ca2+ + EDTN- H Ca(EDTAl (aq)

Also, the scale must furnish metal ions in solution for chelation
to occur. The strengths of chelant metal complexes may be compared from values of their stability constants as shown in Table I

Formation Damage due to Losses of Ca-based Brine and How It Was Revealed
Through Post Evaluation of Scale Dissolver and Scale Inhibitor Squeeze Treatments

Table 1: Stability C!lnstants (loglllK) !If Metal Chelant

ClIInplexes'
Metal

NTA

HEDTA

EDTA

DTPA

11.40

14.40

10.30

18,70

Ca'+

6.40

8.30

10,70

10,80

elapsed from the time of completion to the apperance of the production problems,
A list of events and observations leading to the verification of a
causal link between observed productivity problems and losses
of completion brine is given below,

Chelant

A1 3+

SPE 30086

Definition of productivity index:

Fe'+

8,30

12,20

14.30

16.40

Fe3+

15.90

19,80

25,10

28,00

Ba'+

4.80

6,30

10,70

10,80

QIo'=

Sr'+

5.00

6,90

8,70

9.80

P lbhp=

PI = Q 10' j (P res - P

I'CS

Chelants are of relatively high molecular weight in compal'ison

to metal ions and therefore are required in high concentrations
for substantial scale dissolution, The aminocarboxylate chelants
are active over a broad pH range,
The activity toward a particular metal ion varies with pH. A
chelant can then be formulated to be somewhat ion specific in
dissolution, These chelants are also stable to hydrolysis at high
temperatures: an essential property for surviving downhole conditions without degradation, The aminocarboxylates have low
toxicity to marine organisms but are not readily biodegradeable,
Formulated products are not aggresive to elastomeric material
and show low corrosion rates, relative to acid, on metals used in
well completion. 4
Use of brines containing alkaline earth metal ions as solvents,
pre-tlush or overtlush should be avoided where possible, as
these ions reduce the efficiency of the dissolver treatment.
For optimum performance, the design of a scale dissolver job
should be conducted on a well by well basis,
An effective scale dissolver treatment requires correct application as well as an efficient product, Improper application of an
efficient product has been shown to produce poor results. 6,7
The treatment may be a simple bullheading of tluids downhole,
or require diverting agents 01' coiled tubing. for accurate placement. A typical sequence is outlined below,

Ibhp)

where:

Total fluid rate (Sm3/d)

Reservoir pressure (bar)
Flowing bottom hole pressure (bar)

QIlit and Pres are measured values,

P lbhP is calculated using a well hydraulic prediction programme,
Production data input comprises tlowing wellhead pressure, total
tluid rate and water cut.
Well A showed symptoms typical of formation dam,lge due to
calcium sulphate scale:
In July 93,10 months after completion, the PI dropped
from 750 to 520 Sm 3/d/bar and further to 95 Sm3/d/bar
in October 93.
The first produced water sample obtained had a Ca'+
content (2100 mg/l) five times higher than expected
compared to the level found in more tban 20
neighbouring wells (350-450 mg/l),
Production logging in October 93 verified reduced
productivity together with high Gamma Ray (GR)
readings
In well B, formation damage occured after scale inhibitor
squeeze treatment following sea water breakthrough:
A sharp increase in the Ca'+ level was recorded during
a 48 hours backtlow period after inhibitor squeeze (500
mg/l before, 4200 mg/l after (see figure 1)
Only 6% return of inhibitor was found. This is
significantly lower compared to previous squeeze
treatments (25"30%)
Production logging performed before and after the
treatment verified reduced productivity

WELL HISTORIES
During a period of less than six months several gravel packed
wells experienced a sudden and sharp decline in productivity,
The problems appeared shortly after seawater breakthrough or in
connection with scale inhibitor squeeze treatments.
It was soon realized that the problems could be related to heavy
losses of calcium brine during completion operation,
During most completion operations, the bulk part ot the brine
volumes used are backproduced during the clean-up period.
Brine still remaining in the formation, so-called "lost brine", is
expected to return over the next few days together with oil and
produced water.
For the problematic wells, heavy losses of high density calcium
brine (150-1000 m3 ) were recorded, The volumes lost are summarized in table 2. For these wells, several months to a year

76

During a short period, three more gravel packed wells experienced productivity decline that have been linked to residuals of
calcium brine in the neal' well bore area,
In Well C, breakthrough of produced water with high sea water
content (98 %) 11 month after completion had a dramatic effect
on productivity:
During a few months produced water rate decreased
significantly and eventually ceased completely
The productivity (PI) alsoclecreased and this trend
continued after the water production ended,
Well 0 produced only I % water after, compared to 18 % before,
gravel pack operation. Analyses of pr!lduced water showed a
threefold increase in Ca'+ after gravel pack operation (from 1612

SPE 30086

K. Lejon, J. Tuxen Thingvoll, E.A. Vollen, Statoil, P. Hammonds, Baker Performance Chemicals

to 4462 mg/I). In this well tangible evidence of calcium sulphate

precipitation was found:
Scale particles found in the sand trap and in downhole
bailer were identified as CaS0 4 21-lp (gypsum).
Well E was eventually added to the list of problematic wells.
This well produced dry oil prior to the gravel pack operation. A
short time after, both the production rate and wellhead pressure
started to decline (table 3)
For well E, the drop in production rate was related to possible
precipitation of CaS0 4 due to use of seawater during gravel pack
operation
Table 3. Well E - Production data after completion operation
Date
14.11.93

Choke
mm

P WII
bar

SmJ/d

QUiI

Water
cut

17

138

958

17.11.93

24.8

109

1.564

02:12.93

24.2

81

449

17.12.93

24.2

80

348

01.01.94

53.9

80

210

period to make sure that fresh dissolver contacted the

CaS0 4 scale in the near well bore area.
Based on ideal conditions, the dissolver front was
calculated to be displaced 2 m out from the wellborc.
(*) Sea water was replaced by 2% KCI in the sccond
treatment of well D
WellE
In order to reveal the nature and composition ofthc problem, a
diagnostic treatment with a very limited amount of dissolver
chemicals was planned. The results from this treatment provided
the basis for the decision on whether to initiate another and
larger dissolver treatment.
15 m3 of chemicals were initially pumped down to the perforation interval and 1/3 of the tubing was filled with chemicals.
Agitation and addition of fresh chemicals to the gravel pack was
then achieved by pumping small volumes every 4 hours during
the 48 hour shut-in period, giving a 0.6 m radial displacement of
the fluids into the formation.
POST EVALUATION OF BACK- PRODUCED AQUEOUS
PHASE

For all wells, except well B, the potential for sulphate scale
formation was evident due to high concentrations of sulphate
(eg. high sea water content) and high calcium.
High GR-readings readings are normally scen when sulphate
scales of barium and strontium are formed. In well A, the presence of sulphate scale incorporating NORM was detected. Thus
the observed formation damage could be due to both natural
formed barium sulfate scale and calcium sulphate from lost
brine.
In well B, no increase in radiation was detected after production
decline indicating precipitation of calcium and inhibitor.
SCALE DISSOLVER TREATMENTS
In order to remove the formation damage and restore the productivity, scale dissolver treatments were carried out in well A, C, D
and E.
Well A, C and D
The dissolver treatments were carefully designed and carried out
according to the following procedure:
A scale dissolver formulation incorporating EDTA was
chosen from laboratory studies.
Solutions were bullheaded except in one operation (well
D, 1st treatment) where coiled tubing was employed.
A spear of sea water (*) containing demulsifier and
scale inhibitor was pumped ahead of the scale dissolver.
Sea water containing scale inhibitor was used as the
displacement fluid.
The shut in period was set to 48 hours to achieve
optimum reaction temperature and enough time for
chemicals to react.
To obtain the highest possible dissolution rate, sea
water was pumped every 4 hours during the shut in

77

Well A
The backflow profile was established by offshore monitoring of
pH and level of scale dissolver. See Figure 2.
Based on these analyses, the sampling period was established.
Onshore analyses for ion compositions were carried out on the
same samples using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry
(lCP) and volumetric titrations (Mettler Auto Titrator).
The amount of dissolved scale was estimated t1'om material balance calculations based on the percentage of formation water
and seawater/dissolver solution in back produced water
In principle, all ions or species that do not take part in any physicalor chemical reaction during the dissolver process can be used
as indicators for the formation water content. As no such species
exist, a comprimise was chosen.
The concentration of magnesium ions (Mg 2+) was selected as the
best indicator because sea water (dissolver solvent) is high and
formation water low in magnesium. More importantly, there are
few slightly soluble magnesium compounds, and the one which
may be present downhole (MgC0 3 ) is relatively unaffected by
EDTA at pH<10. It is also acknowledged, that the concentration
of strontium ions (Sr 2+) is another worthy chemical tracer.
The percentage of formation water in each sample has been calculated from the foil wing formula:
%sw= 1OO%*([MJ,amplo-[MswD/([MFW-[MswD
[MJ,nmplc.sW.FW
= conc. of indicator ion in sample,
sea water/dissolving solution and formation water respectively
From these calculations, the ions in excess were found to be
Ca2+, CI', SO/ and Ba2+.
The results are presented in Figure 3.

Formation Damage due to Losses of Ca-based Brine and How It Was Revealed
Through Post Evaluation of Scale Dissolver and Scale Inhibitor Squeeze Treatments

The concentration of excess calcium ions throughout the backflow period is not balanced by chloride or sulphate ions. The
surplus of Ca'+ ions is reported as calcium carbonatelcalcium
chloride (CaCO/CaCI,).
(Bicarbonate was not included In the ion analyses.)
The rationale for doing this is as follows:
The dissolver has probably dissolved some CaC0 3, but to ascribe the whole surplus of Ca'+ to dissolved CaC0 3 is not realistic based on solubility considerations.
Large concentrations of bicarbonate and carbonate will form
downhole due to the injection of the alkaline dissolver solution:
CO, (oil)

CO2 (aq)

CO, (aq) + OH'

HC0 3'

HC0 3'+OH'

CO/'+2HP

SPE 30086

The calculations are based on excess ions in backproduced water

phase and rate/volume of produced water.
In retrospect, it was realized that fewer samples than optimum
were taken during the .backflow and variations in the ion pattern
may not have been properly detected. An underestimate of the
amount of material mobilised and removed is therefore likely.
WellC
Following the dissolver treatment a total number of 34 water
samples were taken during a period of 200 hours. Analyses of
pH and scale dissolver (%) were carried out offshore. Ion analyses were determined onshore.
Using the same arguments as for well A, the quantities of solids
mobilised and removed during the backflow period were determined. The results are plotted in figure 5.

High concentrations of CO/' subsequently suppress the rate of

dissolution ofCaC0 3.

It is conceiveable that precipitation of sodium chloride will occur when concentrated calcium brine is mixed with alkaline
EDTA solution containing sodium ions. This happens because
sodium chloride is much less soluble than calcium chloride
CaCI, (s,aq) + 2Na\aq) = 2NaCI (s) + Ca'\aq)

It is not known if CaCI, exists in solution (aq) or as solid salt (s)

The reaction explains why dissolved quantities are reported as
CaCO/CaCI 2
Dissolved material during the backflow period is shown in fig. 4.
The plot shows a major peak equivalent to 7000 mg/I (7 kg/m3)
of CaCI 2 which is observed between 1.5 and 2.5 hours after
opening the well. Later on, the level stays constant. The conentration of CaS0 4 in the return fluid is relatively constant over the
14 hour backflow period. This may indicate that the sulphate
scale is evenly distributed from the gravel pack into the near
well bore area.
A small amount of BaS0 4 is mobilised after 2-3 hours. This suggests that the dissolved BaS0 4 was located in the gravel pack. At
that time both pH and dissolver return are at their highest level.
A large amount (peak) of CaCO/CaCI, is observed between 2.5
and 5.5 hours. This happens when the concentration of scale dissolver in the return (and Na" ions) is at maximum (38 %). Also,
this period starts with maximum concentration of Ca'+ and CI'
ions. The concentration of calcium continues at a high level
while chloride drops sharply, suggesting that the solubility of sodium chloride is exceeded and NaCI salt is precipitated.
The estimated total amounts of material removed during the 14
hour backflow period were:
1700 kg CaCI,
300 kg CaS0 4
6 kg BaS0 4
450 kg (CaC0 3 /CaCI,)

78

The backflow profile in well C is different from well A. The major part of the mobilised material is returned between 30 and 80
hours suggesting that the brine was lost further out in the formation. Also, a larger amount of brine was removed in well C compared to well A.
CaS0 4 is returned at a constant level from 14 to 40 hours. The
presence of CaCO/CaCI, is again observed when the concentration of chloride starts to climb (35-60 hours). This creates a favorable condition for NaCI precipitation as suggested for well A.
Therefore the amount of CaC03 should be less than reported
830 kg).
The total quantities removed during the dissolver operation are
summarized in table 6
WellD
The quantities of solids mobilised during the 10 hours backflow
period was determined as decribed above for A and C, and the
results are plotted in figure 6.
The plot shows elevated amounts of CaCI" one peak appearing
at 1-2 hours and another broader peak at 4 -10 hours. A minor
amount of CaS0 4 is observed after 1 hour, but the bulk is produced back after 4-10 hours.
The dissolver treatment also mobilised a constant amount of
BaS0 4 throughout the initial backflow period indicating that the
conditions were favourable(high pH, sufficient concentration of
EDTA) for dissolving this hard and difficult scale. This also suggests that a significant amount of CaC0 3 is dissolved ..
Prior to the dissolver treatment, the produced water of well D
contained enhanced levels of Ca'+ (6226 mg/l compared to 1612
mg/I in the formation water). If correction is made for the enhanced Ca'+ levels, both the broad peaks of mobilised CaCl, disappear while the amount of CaC0 3 diminishes (figure 7). The
amount ofCaS04 and BaS0 4 remains the same.
This indicates that the lost brinc (CaCI/ CaBr,) is located further
out in the formation than the CaSO/BaS0 4 scale, and that the
dissolver solution has not penetrated the area of lost brine. This
observation may also suggest that when CaS0 4 is formed, sulphate ions from the passing sea water/injection water picks up

SPE 30086

K. Lejon, J. Tuxen Thingvoll, E.A. Yo lien, Statoil, P. Hammonds, Baker Performance Chemicals

Ca2+ ions from the brine and move into, or to the vicinity of the
gravel pack where deposition occurs.
The second dissolver treatment in well D with limited volume of
solvent (EDTA) also removed some CaS0 4 and CaC0 3 in
addtion to iron. The backproduced aqueous phase was deficient
in chloride ions, indicating that precipitation of NaCI may have
occured.
The analyses and post evaluation of the second dissolver treatment was somewhat difficult due to lack of analytical results
from the backflow period. Low water cut and formation of stable
oil/water emulsions made it difficult to obtain enough water for
ion analysis.

WellC
The well was put on production at a rate of approximately 1000
Sm 3/d. This rate was chosen to minimize any process problems
due to high concentration of spent dissolver fluid and high pH.
The production rate was increased in stcps over a period of 24
hours.
Before the scale dissolver treatment, the well produced with an
oil rate of 2900 Sm 3/d at a wellhead pressure of 76 bar. After
the treatment the well was producing 5700 Sm 3/d at maximum
choke setting and a wellhead pressure of95 bar.
During the sampling period wellhead pressure decreased from
94 to 84 bar and water cut increased from 2% to 15%.

WellE
The quantities of solids mobilised during the 22 hours backflow
period are presented in figure 8.

A well test performed a week after the treatment, showed a loss

in productivity (PI) from 210 to 80 Sm 3/d/bar. The production
data are given in table 5.

The plot shows that the return of CaS0 4 is minor during the first
4 hours, but later the content increases and reaches a constant
level from 5 to 22 hours after which sampling was terminated.

Further well tests 2 and 3 weeks later also showed a decrease in

productivity, but the well was still producing at a considerably
higher PI and rate than before the treatment.

As observed for well A, precipitation ofNaCI has occured concurrent with an increase in CaCO/CaCI 2 The bulk part of the
material mobilised is believed to be CaCI 2 based on solubility
considerations.

Table 5: Well C - Production data before and after dissolver

treatment

PRODUCTION IMPROYEMENTS
Well A
As described in the previous chapter a relatively large amount of
CaS0 4 scale was removed from the gravel pack or near well bore
area.
In table 4, well tests before and after the dissolver treatment are
listed. An immediate increase in productivity was observed, the
oil rate increasing from 2871 Sm3/d to 3465 Sm 3/d. However,
this increase only lasted a few days. 10 days later the welltest
showed an oil rate of 2743 Sm3/d. In the following weeks the
productivity showed a further decrease. Due to the short term effect on productivity no data acquisition programme was carried
out in this well.
Despite the short effect of the dissolver treatment, the net profit
from increased oil production more than balanced the operational cost, including chemicals.
Table 4: Well A - Production data before and after dissolver
treatment

FWHP

Qoi!
Sm 3/d

Water

PI

bar

cut

Sm3/d/bar

14.12.93be
fore

77

2.871

26.5

92

06.0 I. 94aft
er

77

3.465

31.2

177

12.01.94aft
er

75

2.743

34

88

Date

Date

FWHP

PI

bar

Qoi!
Sm 3/d

Water cut
%

Snl/d/bar

02.11.93
before

76

2.900

31

24.12.93
after

95

5.700

210

30.12.94
after

84

3.960

II

80

To gather more information on how the treament affectcd the

productivity it was decided to perform a PLT/BU. The most interesting findings are given below:
A PLT prior to the dissolver treatment gave a
contribution of30 % of total flow from the lower 1/3 of
the gravel packed interval. The PLT after the treatment
gave an increase in contribution to 46 % , indicating a
stimulation effect across the lower part of the interval.
All water production was coming from the lower 1/3 of
the gravel packed interval
PI, at a total rate of 3000 Sm3/d, increased from 33
Sm 3/d/bar to 128 Sm 3/d/bar
Pressure drop across the gravel pack decreased form
93.9 bar to 22.4 bar.

%
As can be seen from figure 9, the well produced at a higher oil
rate during January - April 94 compared with the well test pet
formed prior to the treatment.
The benefical effect of the dissolver trcatmcnt is also reflected in
the economic results. The operational cost for the treatment was
estimated to $100.000. As a comparison, the extra oil produced
during this period was worth about $40 million.

79

Formation Damage due to Losses of Ca-based Brine and How It Was Revealed
Through Post Evaluation of Scale Dissolver and Scale Inhibitor Squeeze Treatments

Our study indioates that diagnostio treatments with

small dissolver volumes is as effective and durable as
large volumes.

WellD
The first dissolver treatment in Well D gave an increase in wellhead pressure that enabled the production rate initially to be kept
at the target rate of 1100 Sm3/d, but shortly after the operation
the wellhead pressure started declining"
Three months after the treatment the wellhead pressure was back
at the same level as before. The positive scale dissolver result
experienced in well E (next section), triggered another treatment
in well D using the same procedure and dissolver volumes as in
well E. After the 2nd treatment the wellhead pressure was stable
at a high level for several months, maintaining the production
rate at the target of 1100 Sm3/d.
The results are summarized in table 7.

SPE 30086

Monitoring programmes and post evaluation strategies

for soale dissolver treatments are essential.
For gravelpaoked wells, the brine system has been
ohanged to sodium bromide (NaBr) if high brine losses
are expected.
AKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to thank the management of Statoil for penn ission to publish this paper.
REFERENCES

WellE
Production data in table 3 clearly show that well E experienoed
a dramatic decrease in productivity prior to the dissolver treatment. There was a conoern that the well oould be oompletely
blooked, thus preventing the pumping of soale dissolver
solution.
The treatment enabled the well to be produced at an oil rate that
was above the initial rate following the gravelpack operation, indicating that the gravel paok operation had oaused formation
damage that now was removed.
The wellhead pressure deolined slightly during the next 2
months, but then stabilized. For the next 8 months no further decrease in produotion rate or wellhead pressure was observed.

1.

Schmidt, T., and S0reide, F., "Mineral Soale in

Gravelpaoked Wells", Paper no. 56, Corrosion 94,
NACE

2.

Martinko, B., "Investigation of Chemical

Compatibility of Fonnation Waters with CaCl 2 and
CaBr2 Brines", NAFTA 44, p. 265-269 (1993)

3.

Ali, S. A., Javora, P. H., Guenard, J. H., and Kitziger,

F. W., "Test High-Density Brines For Formation
Water Interaotion", Petroleum Engineer International
(July 1994)

4.

Paul, J.M., and B.D. Fieler, "A new solvent for

Oilfield Scales", 67th Annual Conference, SPE no.
24847.

Remarkably, the limited scale dissolver operation resulted in a

full restoration of well produotivity. Aooordingly, it was decided
to design the seoond operation in well D the same way.

5.

Chelant Stability Constants, Akzo Chemioals Ltd.

Produot literature.

6.

Fieler, E.D., "Applioation and evaluation ofsoale

dissolver treatment", paper 58, Corrosion 94, NACE.

The results are summarized in table7.

7.

Hunton, A.G., "Improvements in Scale Dissolver

Formulation", Oilfield Chemical Symposium, Geilo
(1994)

CONCLUSIONS
The major reason for the deoline in produotivity in gravel paoked
wells has been confirmed to be due to heavy losses of calciumbased brine during completion operation. Breakthrough of sea
water has led to precipitation of CaS0 4 Use of sea water as solvent for scale dissolvers and scale inhibitors has also added to
the deleterious effects.
The observations and findings have lead to following conclusions and recommendations:
Formation damage is related to the volume of brine lost
during completion operation.
Lost Ca-brine during gravel paoking has been found to
be present in the formation after many months of
produotion.
Loss of oompletion fluids during gravel paoking should
be minimised and monitored properly.
Laboratory compatibility studies of treating chemicals
should be initiated if heavy losses of completion brine
has occurred.
Use of soale dissolver has been identified as an effective
and economical method for repairing formation damage
related to sulphate scale.

80

ATTACHMENT 1
Table 2: Calcium Based Brine Injected and Lost During Completion Operation
Type (*)

Specific
Gravity

Lost
(m 3)

Perforation length

CaCl 2
CaCl 2
CaCl 2
CaBr2
CaBr2

1.38
1.36
1.33
1.68
1.63

1000
500
400-450
450
150

57 m
71 m
35 m
27 m
26m+15 m

Well A
WellB
WellC
WellD
WellE

(*) = The brines contain both CaCl 2 and CaBr2. Low density brine is low in CaBr2. High density brine is rich in CaBr 2

Table 6: Compounds Removed (Precipitated **) During Dissolver Treatments

Well A
WellB
WellC
Well D, no 1 (*)
Well D, no 2 (*)
Well E (*)
(*)
(**)

=
=

CaCI 2

CaS0 4

CaCO/CaCI 2

BaS0 4

SrS0 4

NaCI

1700 kg

300 kg

450 kg

5 kg

6200 kg
5.5 kg/m 3
1.2 kg/m 3

280 kg
1.2 kg/m 3
1.5 kg/m 3
5 kg/m3

830 kg
4 kg/m 3
8 kg/m 3
17 kg/m 3

o kg

0
0
0
0

0
0
(-15 kg/m 3)
(- 13 kg/m 3 )

I kg/m 3
0
0

Total amount dissolved not determined because volume produced water was not recorded
Precipitation of sodium chloride

Table 7: Oil Production Improvements and Duration of Dissolver Treatments (kg)

(before)
(Sm 3/d)

(after)
(Sm 3/d)

Q"

Maximum
improvement
(Sm 3/d)

Duration
(4)

2871

3465

594

10 days

Q"

Well A
WellB
Welle
Well D (I)
Well D (2)
Well E (3)
P WH
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(*)

=
=

=
=
=
=

2900
518
1014
210

5700
986
1060 (*)
1542

2800
468
46 (*)
1332

70-120 days
<2 months
>8 months
>8 months

Wellhead pressure
First dissolver treatment, large dissolver volume injected, coiled tubing
Second dissolver job, small dissolver volume injected, pump job, bullheading
Small dissolver volume injected, pump job, bullheading
Period of increased oil production
Oil rate kept at about 1100 Sm3/d due to production limitation

81

Other immediate effects

(Comments)
PI increase: 92 to 77 Sm 3/d/bal'
(No dissolver treatment)
PI increase: 31 t0210 Sm 3/d/bal'
P WH increase: 78 to 129 bar
P WH increase: 82 to 132 bar
PwHincrease: 80-136 bar

ATTACHMENT 2

Figure 1
WELL B: Calcium Concentration in Produced Water
4500

T..~===-;::===:;~==::;j~===-;:::;====;-~~~~---=TI
.
Iseve,ol month,l

4000

~~~~~~

--~---~I

148 hours pe'lool

-l----~~~=~----IH~----=====-------.-:-J------

3500 - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . - - - 1 \------_---\l.ill"')..1JJlllJ'-'"""=L.-

tl

3000 + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ' - - - - {
Q

2500 + - - - - = = " - ' - ' = T - = - - - - H

+'
'ij 2000 + - - - - - - - - - - " ' - - - 7 J
~
1500

+------t--------"ll~

500

~.

~.

.~

Semple number

Figure 2
Well A: Return Curves for Scale Dissolver and pH (2nd y-axis)

....

~
15

~'#.

40

11

35

10,5

30

10

25

9,5

20

C.

15

8,5

10

7,5

OL,....--"'--'-"'--..l-_L---'-_..l-_L---'-_..l-_L----'-_..l-_-'---==-----"""--l!!!Ill"-.......~. .-----'

10

Hours

82

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

Figure 3
WELL A : EXCESS ION CONCENTRATIONS (me/l)
140.00

/1 0-.........

II 1\
\

120.00
1100.00

,~

80,00

'"

60.00

40,00

20.00

-..."' ,@;]

'"-.

/'

--.

-II-Ca
---D-

""""'-

r--....

.-/

........

.- --=::::: ~

Ba

.........

-804
..........- C[

0.00
-20.00

~ ~.-

10

12

14

16

110111'5

Figure 4
WELL A: Compounds Removed During Dissolver Treatment
12000

10000

'"
i
0

E 6000

,B
'l:j

"

4000

0'

2000

1.5

2.75

3.25

3,75

Hours

83

4.75

5,75

7,75

11.17

14,75

FigureS
WELL C: Compouuds dissolved duriug dissolver treatmeut
14000

-y--------------------------------------,

12000

+---------~------------_A-~-------------j

~ 10000

'll

8000 +-~~----------~~----__i

,~

6000 +-----~---'==~==~""-y

''

4000

+-------------~V

2000

Hours

Figure 6
Well D: Compouuds Removed Duriug Dissolver Treatmeut
12,00

10,00 -

'"~
1l
6

e
~

8,00 -

6,00

rJ

'-l:!

'-g
!l

4,00

CI
2,00

0,00
0,5

1,5

2,5

4,5

Hours

84

10

Figul'c 7
Wcll D: Compounds Removcd Dul'ing Dissolvcl' Treatmcnt
Correction Made for Enhanced Levels ofCa in Produced Waler Prior to Treatment
12,00

10,00

;;,
Ei

8,00

6,00 -

,~

'+l

4,00

""=
C'

2,00

0,00
2,5

1,5

0,5

10

4,5

Hours

Fignl'e 8
Wcll E: Componnds Removcd Dnl'ing Dissolvcl' Treatment
90,00 - . - - - - - , - - - - - , - - - - - , - - - - , - - - - - , - - - - - , - - - - , - - - - - - , - - - - - , - - - , - - - - - , - - - - , - - - - - ,

80,00

-1-__l---_-I__---+

70,00

t-----I-----j,----t---+---\-7

60,00

40,00

30,00

i!l

20,00

'~

10,00

!l

C'

IcaC03fCaC1 21

50,00

'+l

~----1---d.----~-L---l----'-----'-----.L----L-,__-I

0,00
-10,00
-20,00

+---+----1---+---1

-30,00 -'---_ _'___----.J_ ___'_ ____'__ _

0,5

1,5

_ ___'___ __'____ _'___ _'___

4,5

10

Hours

85

13

__'_ ____'__ __"__ _..J

16

19

22

Figure 9
Well C : Production rates
GOOO
5500

Dissol ver treatment

5000
r--.

:'2

4500

'8

4000

3000

~
[i 3500

2500

.g"

2000

'.0

Po<

7(J~120dllYS

1500
1000
500

/
0

50

100

150

200

250

Days

86

300

350

400

450

500