Scale Inhibitor Application In Northern Alberta: A Case History of an Ultra High Temperature Scale Inhibition Solution in Fire Tube Heater Treaters

SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, 11-13 April 2011, The Woodlands, Texas, USA

Scale Inhibitor Application In Northern Alberta: A Case History of an Ultra High Temperature Scale Inhibition Solution in Fire Tube Heater Treaters

Jonathan J Wylde - Clariant (Canada) Inc., Keith Allan, Jeff McMahon (Clariant Corporation) and Steve Mayner (Clariant (Canada) Inc.)

Abstract

Reports work performed on a challenging scaling environment in Alberta, where scale was forming on the fire tubes of a series of heater treaters. Bulk fluid temperature was 110°C but skin temperature of the fire tubes was in excess of 450°C. This created an extremely high scaling potential.

Previous work, summarized here, characterized the scaling on the tubes. Included is an update given on the continued success of this treatment, best practice monitoring results, and optimization.

This work describes the further investigation of the system scaling challenge. It was found that in solving calcite scaling, other scale forms became dominant such as siderite and silica scales.

In addition, it was found that one of the root causes of scale build-up was the presence of EOR polymer in the produced water.

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