SPE

~iety of Petroleum Engineer'S

SPE 17009

Calcium Carbonate Scale Considerations: A Practical Approach

by O.J. Vetter,* Vetter Research; W.A. Farone, Applied Power Concepts; E. Veith,*
Bechtel Petroleum Operations; and S. Lankford,* Seneca Resources
* SPE Members

Copyright 1987! Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Production Technology Symposium, held in Lubbock, Texas, November 16-17, 1987.

This paper was selected for prese~tation by an SPE Program Committee following review of information. contained in an a~stract submit~ed by the
author(s). Contents of the paper, as presented, have not been reviewed ~~ the Society ?f Petroleum Engmee.rs and :'lre s~bject to correction by the
author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any pos1t1on of the Soc1ety of Pe~roleum Engmeers, 1ts_off1cers, or ~e~bers. Pape~s
presented at SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial Committ.ees of the Soc1ety of Petroleu'!l Engm~ers. Perm1sS1on to copy 1s
restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be cop1ed. The abstract should contam conspicuous acknowledgment of
where and by whom the paper is presented. Write Publications Manager, SPE, P.O. Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836. Telex, 730989 SPEDAL.

thermodynamics and other basic physical and

chemical correlations are kept at a bare-bone
Calcium carbonate scale, the most common oil minimum. Instead, we are stressing the more
field scale, normally forms from three-phase practical aspects of fighting CaC03 scale in
fluid systems at various downhole locations. a "typical" oil field based on some model
The basic scale formation mechanism of caco 3 considerations and some actual calculations.
in oil field operations was explained in a Any theoretical and any serious computational
recent publication [1]. However, only the considerations are deemphasized.
very basic model considerations and only a
few field application details were given in !_NTRODUCTION: A SHORT REVIEW
this recent publication related to caco 3 OF THE CaC03 SCALE FORMATION
scale modeling. Most practical field
applications of the CaC03 scale modeling CaC03 scale will be generated from the water
efforts were ignored. or brine phase during oil field operations.
However, this CaC03 scale formation normally
In this present paper, we elaborate on the takes place in the presence of other fluids
same mechanisms of CaC03 scale formation in a such as oil and gas [1,2]. Obviously, most
typical oil field emphasizing some of the CaC03 scale formations in oil -fields will
more practical aspects of this scale modeling occur in the presence of three-phase fluid
for field operators. None of the theoretical systems [1,2], i . e . , the CaC03 scale
but only some very practical aspects of this formations originate from a water phase in
scale formation are stressed in this present the presence of an oil and a.gas phase. In
paper. The outcome of some scale model runs two recent SPE publications [1 ,2], we
is used to show some practical field stressed the often ignored fact that even
applications of any serious model efforts. though CaC03 scaleforms fromthe aqueous
An attempt is made to show some field phase, both the gas and oil phases have
problems related to this common type of oil rather pronounced effects on the actual CaC03
field scale and how a proper modeling can scale formation. Ignoring these effects of
overcome some of these problems. A series of the gas and oil phases on the CaCOJ scale
different produced fluids are used in fifteen formation as commonly done in the oil
( 15) examples (representing 15 different industry will not allow the field operator to
wells) to illustrate the complexity and properly design and execute effective counter
intricacy of various CaC03 scale formations measures aimed at a removal and prevention of
in a hypothetical oil field. this CaC03 scale.
This paper is a logical follow-up of a The most recent publications on this topic
recently issued SPE paper rl] and is mainly (for a more complete list of references see
written for a practicing petroleum engineer [1] and [2]) outline the rather complex and
who is concerned mainly with practical field often intricate behavior of the water phase
operations. Therefore, all of the pertinent and its compositional dependency upon the
coexisting oil and gas phases. The basic PVT
--------------------------------------------
References and illustrations at end of paper
behavior of all three coexisting phases must
be considered for any reliable determination
 2 CALCIUM CARBONATE SCALE CONSIDERATIONS - A PRACTICAL APPROACH
of CaC03 scale formations during any type of
oil field operation. The basic mechanisms of
both the basic PVT behavior of all three
coexisting fluid phases and the associated
CaC03 scale formation from the water phase
were outlined in these recent publications.
The principal mechanism of a typical CaC03
scale formation is as follows: .
1. Under static (i.e., non-flowing)
reservoir conditions, the reservoir
brine may or may not be saturated in
respect to CaC03. If the reservoir rock
contains solid CaC03, one must assume
that the reservoir brine is saturated in
respect to CaC03. Also, there may or
may not exist ~ free gas phase under
static reservoir conditions.
2. Assuming there exists no free gas phase 8.
in the reservoir, and also assuming that
the dynamic (i.e., flowing) reservoir
pressures stay above the various bubble
point pressures of the entire three-
phase system, there may still occur some
CaCOJ scale formation within a reservoir
under producing (i.e., dynamic or
flowing) conditions. This amount of
scale formed per volume or mass unit of
brine is normally small. This scale is
simply formed due to the fact that the 9.
solubility of CaC03 in the brine is
reduced with decreasing pressure similar
to the solubility of all typical or;
common oil field scales [3,4,5].
. 3. The mechanism of CaC03 scale formation
changes drastically as soon as the
reservoir or wellbore pressure within
the system drops below any of the
relevant bubble point pressures. In
this case, gas is flashing from both the
brine and oil phases. This gas flash
process has a pronounced effect on the
CaC03 scale formation.
4. The flashing gas will contain some of
the C02 that was previously contained in
both the brine and oil phases. Thus,
the concentrations of C02 species in
both the oil and the brine will
decrease. At the same time, the pH
value of the remaining brine will
increase with decreasing pressure as
this gas flash process is proceeding.
5. The amount of C02 remaining within the
brine phase during this gas flash
process will depend on numerous factors
such as temperature, pressure, partial
C02 pressures in the system, total
amount of C02 in both the original oil
and water phases and some other, often
overlooked factors such as GOR, WOR and
the partitioning of C02 between the oil
and water phases.
6. As soon as the flashing of C02 gas from
both liquid phases has proceeded to
generate a certain combination of co 3 --
SPE 17009
and pH in the remaining brine, the
native ca++ ions and the native and
newly formed co3-- ions will cause the
precipitation of CaC03. In other words,
the solubility product will be reached
and exceeded rather drastically upon
flashinq of gas.
7. As the pressure is decreasing due to the
reservoir fluid production process, all
the pertinent thermodynamic variables
that affect the CaCOJ scale formation
will also change, thus leading to
constantly varying sets of thermodynamic
conditions within the entire fluid
system. Again, the entire fluid system
which affects the CaCOJ formation
consists of the gas, oil and water
phases.
This means, not only the pressures and
temperatures but also the respective
amounts and compositions of the three
fluid phases will dictate the amount of
CaC03 scale formed per mass or volume
unit of flowing water or brine. Of
p a r t i c u l a r i n t e r e s t are the
concentrations of Ca++ ions and C02
species that remain within the brine
phase at any given time and location.
Unfortunately, the concentration of co 2
species in the brine, by itself, depends
not only on the C02 partial pressure in
the entire fluid system but also upon
the partitioning of. the C02 between the
two 1 iquid phases. ',
10. At constant ca++ ion concentration in
the brine, the pH of the brine and the
actual co3-- ion concentration will also
constantly increase, thus leading to
drastically changing CaC03 scale forming
tendencies at various locations within
the system. In other words, the
formation of CaC03 scale from this brine
will constantly change as a function of
C02 partial pressure and other variables
as both the pressure and temperature are
decreasing due to the ongoing production
process.
11. The brine produced from a single
reservoir in a given well will exhibit
various CaC03 scale tendencies on its
way from the reservoir into the surface
facilities. Normally, this scale
tendency goes from a minimum through a
maximum back to a minimum. Depending on
numerous factors, the maximum scale
tendency could occur anywhere within the
reservoir or wellbore.
Obviously, as soon as the total pressure
anywhere with the entire fluid system will
drop below the bubble point pressure, the
Ca~03 scale formation will now depend on
qu1te a large number of thermodynamic
variables. The reservoir fluids on their way
to the surface may start as fairly non-
scaling fluids within the reservoir. Then,
SPE 17009 O.J. VETTER, W.A. FARONE, E. VEITH, S. LANKFORD
the scaling tendency of the same fluids
becdmes larger and larger with decreasing
pressure. Finally, after reaching a maximum,
the scaling tendency will become smaller and
smaller as the pressure s t i l l keeps
decreasing. It is not unusual that the
scaling tendency somewhere in the reservoir
is ~ero, then goes through a maximum within
the reservoir close to the wellbore and
becomes near zero again after the fluids have
ent~red the wellbore. Thus, a considerable
amount of scale will be formed within the
reservoir but hardly any trace of scale may
show up in the wellbore or within the surface
facilities.
In a way, 11 pinning down 11 the precise CaC03
scale formation as a function of these
t~er~odynamic variables will become somewhat
d1 f f 1cul t. Any cal cula tl on of the CaC03
scale deposition at any given time and at any
given location within the wellbore or
res~rvoir can be compared with shooting at a
mov 1ng target. In the previously mentioned
papers fl and 2], we have shown how this
somewhat complex scale forming process can be
mathematically described. Some of the major
algorithms for our CaC03 model were described
previously fl].
GENERAL FIELD OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS
DUE TO LACK OF CaC03 SCALE }1_QQE_1ING
Most production and reservoir engineers
underestimate the value of a correct and
highly reliable scale modeling. Stiff-Davis
and other water stability indices (see [l]
and [2]) are still in heavy use within the
oil industry. At best, any of these
stability or scale formation indices will
allow the field operator to determine if
there exists any caco3 scale formation
11
downhole 11 at all. None of these indices
will permit a calculation of the amount and
location of the scale deposits at various and
specified downhole locations. Often, an
indiscriminantly collected water sample is
used to calculate a single number for the
11
Scale forming tendency 11 within the entire
downhole system as it exists below the
wellhead. Most other downhole variables and
parameters leading to a certain amount of
scale per volume or mass unit of fluid are
ignored. Obviously, none of these indices
will shed any light on the scale formation at
any critical location such as the reservoir
in the vicinity of the wellbore, a
perforation hole, the casing, the downhole
pump, a gas lift mandrel, etc. To boot, the
critical effects of the gas and oil phases
(including C02 partitioning effects) are also
totally ignored in any of these index
calculations. None of the commonly used
scale forming or water stability indices can
take the critical effects of the gas and oil
phases on the scale formation into account.
All of these indices are concerned only with
the wa t.e r .ph a s e The r e f o r e , u s in g any of
these 1nd1ces for an effective fighting or
overcoming of scale problems in a real oil
field will and can not be successful.
3
Obviously, the common lack of precise and
reliab.le numbers. describing the Caco 3 scale
format1on at var1ous downhole locations has
led to a considerable confusiori among
practicing field engineers. In many cases.,
CaC03 scale has led to large and unreasonable
production rate declines but was never
suspected as the true cause for these
pro?uction problems. Many practicing
eng1neers can not be convinced that scale
leads to these unreasonable production
declines unless actual scale samples ate
found and presented as physical evidence.
The ?ld-fashioned theory still prevailing in
the 1ndustry states that nothing can or does
exist in a downhole environment including the
reservoir unless it can be optically or
v~su~lly examined. Unfortunately, it is
d1ff1cult at best to obtain actual caco 3
scale samples from within the reservoir.
Numerous and rather unsuccessful well and
reservoir stimulation jobs (including various
types of acidizing and fracturing jobs) have
l~d t~ t~emendous financial losses for many
011 f1eld operators. The high degree of
uncertainty and the unacceptably high failure
rate of many stimulation jobs speak for
th~ms~lves~ ~any times, the same type of
ac1d JOb w1th1n the same field has led to an
improvement of some wells, no effect on other
wells and a deterioration of still other
wells. Numerous job blunders occurred during
and after many of these attempts to clean the
wellbores from scale when the actual culprit
was located within the reservoir.
The situation is similar when it comes to
CaC03 scale prevention in many fields. Quite
often, a considerable waste of operating
~und~ ?ccurred because the wrong scale
1nh1b1tors were applied in ~r~ng
concentrations by using the ~r;ong application
methods[6].
The list of problems due to a lack of
reliable information regarding the actual
CaC03 ~cale formation in oil fields could go
on and on. What is needed is a reliable
modeling of the CaC03 scale formation under
actual oil field conditions and a proper
utilization of the calculated numbers.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN A TYPICAL
!1_0_l)EL RUN TO DETERr-liNE CaC03 SCALE_ FORMATION?
Let us start with a typical CaC03 scale model
r1:1n for a 11 typical 11 oil well which produces
011, gas and water. Obviously, two "things 11
are needed to properly calculate the
pertinent CaC03 scale formation from a
flowinq downhole fluid system:
1. A model that. contains both the proper
computer code and data base. This model
must be able to describe what physically
and chemically happens during the flow
of fluids from the reservoir into the
well and from here into the surface
facilities of an actual oil field.
4 CALCIUM CARBONATE SCALE CONSIDERATIONS - A PRACTICAL APPROACH
2. The pertinent input information required
to run this model. This input
information must come from various
sources as described later in this
paper.
A model similar to that described in a
ptevious paper rl] can be used to
mathematically describe the pertinent
physical and chemical details of all CaC03
scale accumulations at various downhole
locations. T_able__l shows the data required
to properly run this model. It becomes
obvious very quickly that the acquisition of
these required data is one of the major
hurdles for running such a model routinely
for a large number of fields. Not the model
run itself but the acquisition of the
pertinent data is the cost and time
determining factor. These problems are
described below.
~ORRECT CaC03_~LE MODELING IS NOT
WITHOUT_ PROBLEMS
CaC03 scale modeling is encumbered by quite a
few problems. Some of these problems are
listed below:
1. The numerous and critical thermodynamic
parameters of the entire reservoir fluid
system that will affect the CaC03 scale
formation under producing conditions are
extremely difficult to realize and to
determine. t-1ore often than not, it is
extremely diificult and costly to obtain
any correctly measured data in the
field.
2. To come up with a reliable mathematical
model based on measurable or
determinable thermodynamic variables is
difficult at best. Many models do not
describe the scale formation in all its
pertinent details. r-tany models do not
even consider the major factors which
dictate this scale formation. The still
existing lack of commercially available
and reliable scale models and the heavy
use of the useless indices is sufficient
proof for these statements.
3. A reliable model must consider the
correct PVT behavior of all reservoir
fluids under all conceivable sets of
thermodynamic downhole conditions. As a
minimum, this includes the gas flash
behavior of the oil and water and the
C02 partitioning between the oil and
water phases. Normally, none of this
three-phase PVT behavior is examined
despite its critical importance for any
optimized reservoir management including
its long-term exploitation. Instead,
major parts of the oil industry still
use the more or less useless two-phase
PVT behavior of the oil alone (i.e., PVT
of oil in the absence of water). The
lack of these three-phase PVT data make
it difficult not only to understand the
entire physical behavior of all of the
SPE 17009
reservoir fluids under various sets of
production conditions per se but also to
perform a reliable modeling of the CaC03
scale.
4. Obtaining all pertinent compositional,
and other PVT and C02 partitioning data
could conceivably make a complete and
reliable CaC03 modeling even for one
single well rather costly and time-
consuming.
5. If a given field contains a large number
of wells and if the degree of reservoir
depletion (or even the type of fluids)
varies from well to well and even from
location to location within a single
well. then not one model run but
numeroYs runs have to be performed.
This need for multiple model runs will
somewhat increase the cost and time
requirements.
Some of these problems are described in some
more detail in the next paragraphs of this
present paper.
DATA ACQUIS;!:TIO!\l_]J_BQ~kEMS RELATED
~Q DETERMINING ~~~Q3 SCA~_FORMATIONQ_
The most formidable hurdle for any
calculation related to a precise and reliable
determination of the downhole CaC03 scale
formation is given by the need to collect a
rather large number of field and lab data.
~able 1 lists the data required for a
complete calculation of the CaC03 scale
formation. The types of data listed in this
Table 1 may look rather "innocent" but are
often difficult to obtain.
In principle, a complete and reliable
calculation of the CaC03 scale formation
requires three different types of input data
for any reliable model and model runs:
1. Field data related to pressures,
temperatures and flow rates.
2. Laboratory and/or field data regarding
the chemical composition and certain
other properties of field collected
samples.
3. Laboratory data related to the three-
phase PVT behavior (including C02
par ti tioni nq effects) of all produced
fluids.
To collect and/or generate all of these data
as input information for any reliab~e
determination of CaC03 scale formation is
difficult and costly, to say the least. Some
of the problems related to this data
generation are described below.
Collection of Field Data
Looking only "skin deep" into any
conventional data acquisition or number
generation in a "typical" oil field operation
SPE 17009 O.J. VETTER, W.A. FARONE, E. WEITH, S. LANKFORD
indicates no serious problem regarding the
collection of the pertinent input information
for any reliable scale model. "Digging below
the surface" reveals a number of serious
problems. These problems start with the
pertinent data to be obtained through
conventional well test separators.
As mentioned in an earlier paper r21, these
conventional test separators operate in a
11
fill/dump" mode and are seldom operated in a
steady state mode. Thus, an e~a~t
determination of the fluid flow rates w1th1n
such a separator becomes somewhat difficult
and uncertain. Often, the conventionally
determined well test separator data as found
in the records of numerous oil field
operators must be taken with more than just
some caution. Instead, a new well test
should be performed for each well to collect
the critical separator data with the highest
possible degree of precision. What is needed
are (a) the flow rates of oil, water and gas
and (b) the temperature and pressure within
the separator.
Depending on the flow regimes of the fluids
produced from the tested well, the separator
design (including size) and the flow
measuring equipment attached to the test
separator, one may find various and varying
f 1 ow rates of the separated f l u ids It is
self-explanatory that the correct units of
the measured fluid flows are recorded. Of
particular interest are the units in which
the GOR's are given. According to our rather
practical experience in numerous oil fields,
hardly any of the routinely measured test
separator data (flow rates) can be taken at
face value. Often, problems exist when the
gas flow rates are determined through
conventional orifice meters. The absolute
pressure and temperature measurements (within
the separator) are normally determined with
sufficient accuracy, assuming the correct
type of backpressure regulator is used in the
gas line.
Wellhead pressures and temperatures are
fairly easy to determine with simple gauges.
As opposed to wellhead pressures and
temperatures, the most difficult part of the
critical data acquisition is related to the
pertinent downhole pressures and
temperatures. In most cases, the static and
flowing downhole pressures and temperatures
represent crude "ball park figures" only.
The uncertainties related to a correct
measurement of these pertinent downhole
pressures and temperatures causes a major
problem for any CaC03 scale model effort. If
the reservoir is hydraulically fractured, the
determination of the pertinent pressures
within or close to the fractures can not be
directly measured but must be determined by
calculations.
The only way to overcome the model problems
caused by these measurement uncertainties
seems to be a "bracketing" of the pertinent
static and dynamic pressures and temperatures
5
supported by some type of regression
analysis. This required "bracketing" of the
pertinent pressures and temp~ratur~s.c~eates
the need for a high degree of flex1b1l1ty of
any useful scale model. Rig.id scale mod.els
such as those described 1n an earl1er
publication on scale models [7] will not
allow any reasonable type of "bracketing".
The model runs would simply become too costly
and time consuming.
~ol:LectiQ_n__ of Sampl_es ,J1_Q_ Associa_ted Analyses
A number of fluid samples have to be
collected in the field to determine the
pertinent compositional data required for the
model run. These fluids (oil, gas and wate~)
should be collected under known thermodynam1c -
and flow conditions, i.e., the pressure,
temperature and flow rate of each fluid to be
sampled must be known. Furthermore, the
thermodynamic parameters as well as ~he flow
conditions of the to be sampled flu1ds must
be known and used as a reference state and
starting point for all subsequent model
calculations. Obviously, a properly operated
well test separator represents the ~nly
convenient sampling location that fulfllls
all three requirements for a pToperly
conducted fluid sampling. This means, the
fluid samples have to be collected from the
exit lines (gas, oil, water) of the well test
separator. Obviously, care must be tak~n
during the actual sampling proc~ss to avo1d
material losses due to the flash1ng or volume
expansion of these fluid samples during the
sampling process.
Generation of Three-Phase PVT and C~2
- Partitioning Data
It seems to be somewhat difficult to
visualize the value of correctly determined
three-phase PVT data for numerous .. oi~ field
operations. A large part of the 011 1ndustry
still lives with two-phase PVT data related
to the oil and some of the gas found
somewhere in the downhole system. In a
previous paper [2] we triea.. to show the
sometimes drastic differences between the
two-phase and three-phase ~VT behavior of
some oil field fluid systems 1f C02 and water
are present. Obviously, !lo caco~ sca~e
problem will be experienced 1n any f1eld 1f
neither C02 nor water is produced. ~he
determination of the three-phase PVT behav1~r
of the fluid system becomes mandatory 1f
CaC03 scale modeling is at~empt~~
Furthermore, all empirical correlat1ons a~med
at determining or predicting some phys~cal
properties of the oil phase rl,2] may yleld
wrong data in the presence of C02 and/or a
water phase. We know of no correct. and
reliable computer model or even a.s1mple
correlation that can properly pred1ct the
three-phase PVT behavior of any oil field
fluid system. This includes any of the
presently fashionable Equation of State (EOS)
approaches [1].
6 CALCIUM CARBONATE SCALE CONSIDERATIONS - A PRACTICAL APPROACH
The only way to obtain correct PVT data
describing the thermodynamic properties of
any three-phase oil field fluid system is by
properly measuring these PVT properties in
the laboratory. Unfortunately, the actual
efforts to experimentally determine these
pertinent data are by far greater than those
reqbired to push keyboard buttons in order to
run a useless three-phase computer model.
Another problem related to any reliable
three-phase PVT work is related to the proper
collection of the proper fluid samples.
Collecting of downhole samples is costly and
a waste of efforts at best. The reasons for
such a statement are rather obvious and need
no further elaboration.
~aC03 SCAL~ MODELING PROBLEMS
FOR MJ]LTIPLE WELLS
CaC03 scale can form anywhere within an oil
field operation. Unfortunately, the CaC03
scale formation or "scale forming tendency"
changes drastically from location to location
and from time to time even within a single
well system as the brine is flowing from the
reservoir into the well and from here into
the surface facilities. This means, the
critical pressure changes and other
thermodynamic variables can also vary with
the production rate even within any given
well. This constant variation of all
variables which dictate the precipitation of
CaC03 from the brine phase will lead to
rather drastic variations of the CaC03 scale
formation throughout each well and the entire
field. This complex CaC03 scale formation
makes it extremely difficult for the field
operator to determine the precise extent of
his CaC03 scale problem at a practically
infinite number of locations in all wells
throughout his field.
As stated in previous papers [1,2,6], the
mathematical handling of any CaC03 scale
formation anywhere in the field is mandatory
for a technically and economically feasible
solution to any of these scale problems. One
of the obvious questions is how to
mathematically handle these caco3 scale
formations not only in a single well
operation but also in a large number of wells
within an entire, given field. The model
used for any of these CaC03 scale formations
should not become too complex and runninq of
this model should not become too costly in
order to determine the critical variations of
a CaC03 problem for the numerous sets of
conditions within each well within an entire
field. These model runs in their entirety
for a rather larqe field (many wells) must be
performed at a reasonable cost and within a
reasonable time. Futhermore, the model must
be sufficiently flexible to describe the
various types of field operations.
The basic model described in a previous paper
[2] can be used in some slight variations to
handle a multiple well situation without the
need to run the model for each well.
SPE 17009
In 'r_abl~, we give a rather rough estimate
of the number of data points and
"identifiersh (such as location, date, time,
well number and others) which (a) have to be
used as pertinent input information and (b)
will be obtained as results of a typical
model run for a field that consists of 100
production wells. The model itself would be
run one hundred times in a row (i.e., once
for each well) . Handling and digesting . the
data becomes a formidable task. Evaluating
and utilizing the data for practical field
operations becomes feasible only if the
operator employs the assistance of a
computer. Fortunately, a common
microcomputer such as an IBM PC or compatible
machine is more than sufficient to manage,
evaluate and utilize this large "pile" of
data.
Assuming the field operator is planning to
make a serious and successful attempt to
effectively solve his scale problems, the
data described above must be generated.
Short-cuts in the data acquisition are
possible but will automatically lead to some
intolerable uncertainties.
To determine all pertinent input data for a
rather comprehensive scale determination in a
rather large and entire field can be rather
costly and time-consuming. However, these
efforts may become critical if the well
production rates have to be increased and, at
the same time, the field operational cost has
to be decreased. A pay-out for such an
effort can be delivered within a few weeks or
months of improved production. An even
larger pay-out can be accomplished by
dropping the attempts to perform a single and
rather useless stimulation job, i.e., a job
that will be useless because the correct
location and amount of scale was misjudged
during the design of such a stimulation job.
Still, many field operators shy away form a
serious attempt to determine the precise
amount and location of scale formed within an
entire field. In this case, it may help to
look at the beneficial side effects of the
data acquisition. The data required to
perform any comprehensive scale investigation
are also required for other field operations.
No optimization of the reservoir management
can be accomplished in the technically and
economically most feasible way unless it is
based to some considerable degree on the
correct PVT behavior of the reservoir fluids
under various static and dynamic reservoir
conditions. In a sense, scale modeling is a
part of a prudent reservoir management. It
may be easier for many field operators to
consider the acquisition of pertinent PVT
data on a "cost-sharing" basis for both
integral parts of a correct reservoir
management. This means, the cost of
obtaining the pertinent data as required for
SPE 17009 O.J. VETTER, W.A. FARONE, E. VEITH, S. LANKFORD
The only way to obtain correct PVT data
q~scribing the thermodynamic properties of
~ny three-phase oil field fluid system is by
properly measuring these PVT properties in
t):le laboratory. Unfortunately, the actual
~fforts to experimentally determine these
per~inent data are by far greater than those
required to push keyboard buttons in order to
run a useless three-phase computer model.
Another problem related to any reliable
three-phase PVT work is related to the ptoper
collection of the proper fluid samples.
Collecting of downhole samples is costly and
a waste of efforts at best. The reasons for
such a statement are rather obvious and need
no further elaboration.
~aC03 SCALE_ MODELING PROBLEMS
FOR MULTIPLE WELLS
CaC03 scale can form anywhere within an oil
field operation. Unfortunately, the CaC03
scale formation or "scale forming tendency"
changes drastically from location to location
and from time to time even within a single
well' system as the brine is flowing from the
reservoir into the well and from here into
the surface facilities. This means, the
critical pressure changes and other
thermodynamic variables can also vary with
the production rate even within any given
well. This constant variation of all
variables which dictate the precipitation of
CaC03 from the brine phase will lead to
rather drastic variations of the CaC03 scale
formation throughout each well and the entire
field. This complex CaC03 scale formation
makes it extremely difficult for the field
operator to determine the precise extent of
his CaC03 scale problem at a practically
infinite number of locations in all wells
throughout his field.
As stated in previous papers [1,2,6], the
mathematical handling of any CaC03 scale
formation anywhere in the field is mandatory
for a technically and economically feasible
solution to any of these scale problems. One
of the obvious questions is how to
mathematically handle these CaC03 scale
formations not only in a single well
operation but also in a large number of wells
within an entire, given field. The model
used for any of these CaC03 scale formations
should not become too complex and runninq of
this model should not become too costly in
order to determine the critical variations of
a CaC03 problem for the numerous sets of
conditions within each well within an entire
field. These model runs in their entirety
for a rather larqe field (many wells) must be
performed at a reasonable cost and within a
reasonable time. Futhermore, the model must
be sufficiently flexible to describe the
various types of field operations.
The basic model described in a previous paper
[2] can be used in some slight variations to
handle a multiple well situation without the
need to run the model for each well.
7
In T_abl~, we give a rather rough estimate
of the nUmber of data points and
"identifiers" (such as location, date, time,
well number end others) which (a) have to be
used as pertinent input information and (b)
will be obtained as results of a typical
model run fbr a field that consists of 100
production wells. The model itself would be
run one hundred times in a row (i.e., once
for each well). Handling and digesting the
data become.u a formidable task. E\Taluating
and utilizihg the data for practical field
operations becomes feasible only if the
operator employs the assistance of a
computer. Fortunately, a common
microcomputer such as an IBM PC or compatible
machine is more than sufficient to manage,
evaluate and utilize this large "pile" of
data.
~CQ_ST SHARING 11 FOR REQUIRED DATA GEl'illRATION
Assuming the field operator is planning to
make a serious and successful attempt to
effectively solve his scale problems, the
data described above must be generated.
Short-cuts in the data acquisition are
possible but will automatically lead to some
intolerable uncertainties.
To determine all pertinent input data for a
rather comprehensive scale determination in a
rather large and entire field can be rather
costly and time-consuming. However, these
efforts may become critical if the well
production rates have to be increased and, at
the same time, the field operational cost has
to be deer eased. A pay-out for such an
effort can be delivered within a few weeks or
months of improved production. An even
larger pay-out can be accomplished by
dropping the attempts to perform a single and
rather useless stimulation job, i.e., a job
that will be useless because the correct
location and amount of scale was misjudged
durinq the design of such a stimulation job.
Still, many field operators shy away form a
serious attempt to determine the precise
amount and location of scale formed within an
entire field. In this case, it may help to
look at the beneficial side effects of the
data acquisition. The data required to
perform any comprehensive scale investigation
are also required for other field operations.
No optimization of the reservoir management
can be accomplished in the technically and
economically most feasible way unless it is
based to some considerable degree on the
correct PVT behavior of the reservoir fluids
under various static and dynamic reservoir
conditions. In a sense, scale modeling is a
part of a prudent reservoir management. It
may be easier for many field operators to
consider the acquisition of pertinent PVT
data on a "cost-sharing" basis for both
integral parts of a correct reservoir
management. This means, the cost of
obtaininq the pertinent data as required for
8 CALCIUM CARBONATE SCALE CONSIDERATIONS - A PRACTICAL APPROACH
a precise scale modeling effort is shared by
obtaining the same or similar data for a
cotrect reservoir management including
numerous reservoir engineering tasks.
EFFECT3VE COUNTER MEASURES TO FIGHT SCALE
~N ROUTI~~_OIL FIELD OP.ERATIONS BASED
ON MODEL I{U_N..fi
Assuminq a correct scale forming profile of a
well or even an entire field is calculated,
the field operator can now design and execute
various counter measures. The technical and
economical feasibility of various means aimed
at fighting the scale problem in the field
could be intelligently evaluated. Some of
the counter measures which should or must
depend heavily on a correct scale modeling
are listed below:
1. Design of well bore or reservoir
cleaning and/or stimulation jobs that
can be performed in order to remove
existing CaC03 scale deposits. Some of
the chemically reactive solvents are:
a. Various types of acid.
b. Chelating reagents.
2. Design of stimulation jobs that are
aimed to create new flow channels
through the flow restricting scale
deposits (e.g., hydraulic fracturing).
3. Selection of the most effective scale
inhibitors and inhibitor application
methods aimed at preventing any further
scale build-ups within the wells and/or
reservoir [5].
Some of the dependencies of these counter
measures on proper scale modeling are briefly
described in the next paragraphs.
Q_ES IGN OF ACID__ JOB_Q
Acidizinq of a well or reservoir is often
used to remove CaC03 scale deposits in order
to increase the well production rates.
Unfortunately, none of these acid jobs can be
properly designed and executed unless one
knows precisely how much scale is located
where within the entire downhole system.
Finding or not finding any scale within the
wellbore is no reliable decision factor or
design criterion for conducting of such a
job. The majority and/or the truly flow
restricting parts of the scale may be located
within the perforation holes or somewhere
outside the wellbore within the reservoir.
If fractures (natural or induced) exist in
the reservoir, the truly flow restricting
scale may be located many feet away from the
wellbore.
Any proper design of any acid job (such as
preflush, GOncentrations and volumes of the
acid slug or slugs, multi-stage vs. single-
staged job, overflush volume, pump rates,
SPE 17009
etc) should be based upon the correctly
determined amounts and locations of the
scale. Obviously, this information can be
obtained only through proper scale modeling
including some critical material balances.
The conventional way of by-passing the model
efforts is to try various acidizin9
techniques within the same field and to
monitor the well performance after conducting
the various jobs. This is a rather poor
technique which is also rather costly in the
long run. Any one of these jobs could
represent an overkill or could be plagued by
a deficiency of the acid concentrations,
volumes, pump rates, etc. used in these
blindly designed and performed jobs. Not
increasing or only insufficiently increasing
the production rate after any of these acid
jobs has quite a few detrimental effects on
the "pocket book" of the field operator:
1. There may be no scale at all or the
scale may not be the true cause for the
flow restrictions. Thus, the field
operator is wasting his funds on the
wrong stimulation method.
2. Overkills by using too much acid or too
high acid concentrations during the
chosen acidizing technique also
represent a waste of precious funds.
3. Insufficient amounts of acid or other
improper features of the job design will
automatically lead to an excessive waste
of funds. rrhe money for the jobs is
wasted plus the operator ends up with a
rather costly opinion (and associated
decisions) that acidizing i~ not the way
to qo when proper acidizing is truly the
only alternative to increase the well
production rates.
Obviously, a proper scale modeling is
required to avoid these obvious stimulation
problems and to come up with a properly
designed acid job for the various wells in a
given field.
DESIGN Qf___ fRACTURING JOB_Q
Hydraulic fracturing is used for stimulating
many reservoirs. In principle, there are two
aspects of fracturina a reservoir as far as
scale is concerned:
1. Stimulate a well or reservoir that is
not affected by scale but the scale will
eventually lead to a scale formation
within the fractured system.
2. Stimulate a well or reservoir that is
already affected by scale.
These two different aspects require two quite
different 11 trains of thought 11 The first
aspect represents a conventional and proven
concept as long as no scale forms within the
fractures. As soon as scale starts to form,
the field operator has to concern himself
SPE 17009 O.J. VETTER, W.A. FARONE, E. VEITH, S. LANKFORD 9

with the drastically changed flowing downhole. Without using a proper Caco 3 scale
pressure/temperature profiles in the entire model, the actual downhole conditions can not
downhole system. Prior to the frac job, the be determined prior to testing or examining
scale may have formed inside the reservoir the inhibitor of choice.
within a few feet from the wellbore. After
th' frac job, the scale may form deep inside ~ELECTION_QF INHIB~TOR_APPLICATION METHODS
t h~ r ese rvoi r To e f f e c t i vel y f i gh t;. the
scale in a fractured or in a non-fractured Various scale inhibitor application methods
reservoir will require totally different can be used to effectively prevent the
stimulation methods in the future, i.e., formation of scale in A downhole environment.
after the initially high well production Typical methods are (a) the continuous
rates have declined to unacceptable levels. injection of scale inhibitor through the
Only proper scale modeling efforts will allow annulus or (b) the batch-wise squeeze
field operator to evaluate all near-term and technique. Choosing the proper inhibitor
long-term pros and cons of this fracture application method is critical. For example,
stimulation method. the continuous injection of inhibitors
through the annulus may keep the wellbore
The second aspect (see above) opens a "box of free of scale but will definitely not arrest
worms". Fracturing through a scaled-up any unreasonable production rate declines due
portion of the reservoir will create new flow to the formation of scale within the
channels into the wellbore. However, these perforations or even within the reservoir.
new flow channels will alao scale up during
any extended time of well operation. A Here again, the proper inhibitor application
restimulation of such a fractured well method can be chosen only if a reliable scale
through subsequent frac jobs is now model is applied to the particular and rather
confronted with a number of new and rather site-specific field situation.
severe problems. A second frac job (based on
a design similar to that of the first frac ~OME T.~tCAt_ ___EXAMPLES OF_ OIL FIELD
job) will definitely lead to a smaller Q_CALE MODELINii
success than the first frac job. The
existing but scaled-up old fractures will In this paragraph we describe some typical
have to be extended with each subsequent frac oil field conditions which lead to various
job, thus resulting in a need for bigger and amounts and locations of CaC03 scale
bigger frac jobs which will now be depositions throughout an entire downhole
consecutively more expensive but also environment. The previously described model
consecutively less successful. Finally, the and a number of reservoir fluids and field
field operator may end up with rather large conditions were chosen to illustrate the
and impenetrable walls throughout his complex behavior of these CaC03 scale
reservoir. The damage caused by these walls formations. A field consisting of fifteen
(scaled-up frac faces) may render the entire wells is chosen for our illustration.
reservoir irreparable.
Xable_l shows a number of well test separator
Again, proper scale modeling will allow the conditions and fluid compositions. We assume
field operator to predetermine the extent of for our model calculations that these
these problems and to design and execute measurements are correctly performed which,
counter measures before the situation gets unfortunately, is not normally the case in
out of hand. many field operations [2] The temperatures
and pressures measured in the test separators
SELEC_T!ON OF SCALE INHJ]i_J;TORS are the same in all fifteen cases shown in
Tab_].~. The water/oil ratio (WOR) and
Scale inhibitors provide a potential means to gas/oil ratio (GOR) are varied in four
stop and prevent any excessive formation of different sets of conditions throughout the
scale. The proper or most suitable scale field (see ~able 4).
inhibitor must be selected from literally
hundreds of potential candidates. This Xab~~ shows the composition of the water
means, the inhibitor must be selected based samples collected in the water exit line of
on test work under simulated downhole the well test operators at separator fixed
conditions [6]. Depending upon the severity temperatures and pressures. It should be
of the scaling conditions encountered in a remembered that water samples are normally
given field, numerous scale inhibitors may or exposed to atmospheric pressure and ambient
may not be suitable for an actual field temperature (15 psia and 760F) prior to
application within any site-specific field. analyzing the water samples. The volume and
This obviously means, the field operator can composition of the gas flashed from these
not make an intelligent choice of a scale water samples during the chanqe from well
inhibitor unless the particular scale test separator condition to atmospheric
inhibitor is tested under simulated downhole conditions may not be determined but must be
conditions prior to its field applications. considered in all subsequent calculations.
The test conditions must represent the very
site-specific set of conditions that exists Tabl~ shows also the composition of the
gases collected from the well test separator.
All gas compositions are "normalized" after
10 CALCIUM CARBONATE SCALE CONSIDERATIONS - A PRACTICAL APPROACH
~nalyzing the samples. The pressure drops
~ithin these gas sample containers caused by
~he temperature reductions prior to
performing the chemical analyses (trom 1700F
~o 760F) was not measured but was also
pon~idered in the subsequent calculations.
tr_abl.~shows the pertinent flow rates, GOR' s
pnd WOR's in the well test separators.
~ap~n~_Q show the pertinent PVT behavior
of the various fluid systems under downhole
conditions. Table 6 shows also the
concentration of C02 that remains within the
brine during the downhole gas flash process.
PROBLEMS RELATEQ~O CALCULATIO~
l!_NP_Dl\.TA INTE;RPRETATIONS
X~bles 3 through_Q. show various sets of
assumed and/or calculated data. A number of
assumptions had to be made in order to
calculate the pertinent PVT. (including co 2
partition) data as required for the
calculation of the CaC03 scale calculations
for the various well cases in such a
hypothetical field.
The purpose of this exercise (~ables 3
t_b_rough 6) is to show some general trends
related to the pertinent PVT behavior as it
relates to CaC03 scale formation. Of
p a r t i c u l a r interest are the C02
concentrations in the partially flashed brine
a s g i v e n i n '!'_a....e._~ T h
concentrations can be directly used for any
of the more conventional type scale model
considerations. Subsequent CaC03 scale
tendency calculations (not given in this
paper for space reasons) indicate:
1. The higher the WOR the smaller the Caco 3
scale tendency of the produced brine
under otherwise constant conditions.
2 0 The higher the GOR the larger will be
the CaC03 scale tendency of the produced
brine under otherwise constant
conditions.
3 0 The brine exhibits a higher CaC03 scale
tendency at pressures below but close to
the bubble point pressure than at
pressures much below the bubble point
pressure.
These major conclusions confirm most findings
in numerous fields on a world-wide basis.
From the standpoint of computer operations,
these seemingly high number of individual
calculations offers no real problems. As a
matter of fact, all these calculations can be
performed with an IBM or IBM compatible PC
within a few hours without any strain.
Obviously, not the calculations themselves
but the recordinq and interpretation of the
computed data and their implications for
field operations offer the seemingly
overwhelming problems.
SPE 17009
C..ONCLUSION.Q
1. Numerous CaCOJ scale problems in any
field operation can not be handled
properly unless a proper scale model is
used to assist the field operator in
handling these scale problems.
2. The cbstly and time-consuming part of
any scale model calculation i~ not the
model run itself but the acquisition of
all pertinent field and laboratory data
that are the input data for the model
run.
3. The model must be extremely flexible not
only to handle various types of field
conditions for different runs but also
to be able to handle simultaneously
numerous wells in large fields.
4. The GOR and WOR has rather pronounced
effects on both (a) the flash behavior
(including bubble point) of the entire
downhole fluid system and (b) the
pertinent amount of C02 dissolved in the
water at any pressure/temperature
combinations.
50 The higher the WOR, the smaller the
CaC03 scale tendency of the brine.
6 0 The higher the GOR, the larger the CaC03
scale tendency of the brine.
es e C0 2
7 0 Equal pressure drops below the bubble
point pressure have a larger effect on
the CaC03 scale tendency if they occur
closer to the bubble point than further
away f'rom the bubble point. This
explains why most CaC03 scale
depositions occur at the bottom of the
well or within the reservoir.
8. Some the trends shown in the calculated
and presented data (given in table form
as illustrations) are expected and
easily explained through rather simple
basic thermodynamic considerations.
9 0 Other trends indicated by the presented
data may look "awkward" and may come as
a surprise. However, they can be
explained through material balance
calculations.
10. To explain all of the trends and their
implications for oil field operations in
sufficient detail would lead beyond the
scope of this paper. These trends and
other data may warrant an additional
publication on this subject of scale
considerations for practical oil field
operations. Only a limited amount of
data could be presented.
11. The presented data demonstrate that the
total dissolved C02 in the brine and
with that the CaC03 scale tendency can
SEP 17009 O.J. VETTER, W.A. FARONE, E. WEITH, S. LANKFORD 11

vary drastically from well to well and

even from location to location within a
given a well. 7. VETTER, O.J. AND KANDARPA; V.,
" P RED IC T I 0 N 0 F C a C 0 3 S CAL E . UNDER
12. It is possible that some wells shown DOWNHOt~ CONDITIONS 11 SPE Pl\J?ER 8991,
major scale deposits only within the SPE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON OIL FIELD
wellbore whereas other wells in the same AND GEOTHERMAL CHEMISTRY. STANFORD,
field experience major scale tendehcies CALIFO~NIA, MAY, 1980.
only in the reservoir and not within the
wellbores.
13. To determine the amounts of scale and
the correct locations of the scale
deposits within any downhole environment
can be accomplished only through proper
computer modeling.

14. Data acquisitions and data management

problems seem to be inherent problems
for any comprehensive field
i~vestigation related to CaC03 scale
formations.

Q_NI.'J,'S AND CONY__ERSIONS

degree F: (OF-32)/1.8 = oc
ft X 3.048 E-01 =m
degree API: 141.5/(131.5 + OAPI) = g/cm3
psig x 6.894 752 E+OO kPa

REFERENCEQ_

1. VETTER, O.J., AND FARONE, A.W., "CALCIUM

CARBONATE SCALE IN OIL FIELD
OPERATIONS", SPE PAPER 16908, SPE
NATIONAL FALL MEETING, DALLAS, TEXAS,
SEPTEMBER, 1987.

2. VETTER, O.J., KANDARPA, V., WILLIAMS,

R .. BENT, M. SALZMAN, D., "THREE-PHASE
PVT AND C02 PARTITIONING", SPE PAPER
16351. SPE REGIONAL MEETING, VENTURA,
CALIFORNIA, APRIL, 1987.
3. VETTER, O.J., AND PHILLIPS, R.C.,
"PREDICTION OF DEPOSITION OF CALCIUM
SULFATE SCALE UNDER DOWNHOLE
CONDITIONS", JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM
TECHNOLOGY, pp. 1299 - 1308, OCTOBER,
1970.
4. VETTER, O.J., "HOW BARIUM SULFATE IS
FORMED: AN INTERPRETATION", JOURNAL OF
PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY, pp 1515 - 1524,
DECEMBER. 1975.

5. VETTER, O.J., VANDENBROEK, I., AND

NAYBERG, J., "SrS04: THE BASIC
SOLUBILITY DATA". SPE PAPER NO. 11803,
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON OILFIELD AND
GEOTHERMAL CHEHISTRY, DENVER, COLORADO,
JUNE, 1983.

6. VETTER, O.J., KANDARPA, V., SCHALGE,

A.L., STRATTON, M., AND VEITH, E., "TEST
AND EVALUATION METHODOLOGY FOR SCALE
INHIBITOR EVALUATIONS", SPE PAPER NO.
16259, SPE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON
OIL FIELD CHEMISTRY, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS,
FEBRUARY, 1987.
 s.~ 17 oo~

';!;'_ABLE 1

Q.ATA_BEQUifiEMENTS FOR
CaC03 SCALE MODELING
1. WELL TEST SEPARATOR DATA:

a. PRESSURE
b. TEMPERATURE
c. FLOW RATE OF GAS
d. FLOW RATE OF OIL
e. FLOW RATE OF WATER
2. COMPOSITIONAL DATA:

a. C02 CONTENT OF SEPARATOR OIL

b. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SEPARATOR GAS
c. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SEPARATOR WATER

3. OTHER FIELD DATA:

a. STATIC RESERVOIR PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE.
b. DYNAMIC RESERVOIR PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE.
c. FLOWING BOTTOMHOLE PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE.
d. FLOWING WELLHEAD PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE.
e. FLOWING SEPARATOR PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE.
f. FLOWING SURFACE FACILITY PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE.

4. C02 PARTITIONING AND OTHER "PVT" DATA AT SEPARATOR AND

VARIOUS WELLBORE AND RESERVOIR CONDITIONS:

a. BUBBLE POINT PRESSURE OF SEPARATOR FLUIDS AT VARIOUS

TEMPERATURES.
b. SPECIFIC VOLUME OR GRAVITY OF OIL, WATER AND GAS.
c. C02 DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN OIL, WATER AND GAS.

T_.ML~ .2_

EXAMPLE OF DATA MANAGEMENT PROBLEM FOR

SCALE MODELINGI'.i LARGE OIL FIE~D..Q.
1. M_ODEL I_NPUT DATA_;_

A. TOTAL WELLS IN FIELD: 100

B. SETS OF SEPARATOR CONDITIONS:

1) OIL FLOW RATES: 100

2) WATER FLOW RATES: 100
3) GAS FLOW RATES: 100
4) SEPARATOR GAS COMPOSITIONS: 100
5) SEPARATOR WATER COMPOSITIONS: 100
6) SETS OF SEPARATOR OIL PROPERTIES: 100

C. SETS OF SEPARATOR AND DOWNHOLE PRESSURE/TEMPERATURE

CONDITIONS: 600

2. TOTAL NUMBER OF MODEL INPUT VALVES INCLUDING

:I~E_NTIFIERS":-So,O~ - --------

3. ~OMPUTED AND REPORTED DATA POINTS_~ER WELL:

A. UNDISSOLVED GAS AND BUBBLE POINT AS A FUNCTION OF

TEMPERATURF. AND PRESSURE: 200

B. TOTAL C02 IN WATER PHASE AS A FUNCTION OF

TEMPERATURF. AND PRESSURE: 200

C. INCREMENTAL AND CUMMULATIVE SCALE FORMATION AS

A FUNCTION OF PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE: 200

D. MASS BALANCE DATA RELATED TO LOCATION AND

AMOUNT OF SCALE DEPOSITIONS: 200

4. TOTAL NUMBER OF MODEL INPUT VALUES INCLUDING_

:IDENTIFIERS": 10,000*

5. ~OTAL NUMBER OF MODEL INPUT AND OUTPUT VALUES_

INCLUDING IDENTIFIERS: 160,000*

* ESTIMATED MINIMUM FOR FIELD

 TABLE J.
COMPOSITIONAL AND OTHER DATA OF
-- SEPAR8._TOR FLUIDa--

l. ASSUMED WELL TEST SEPARATOR CONDITIONS:

150F A~D 95 psia FOR ALL TESTS
2. ASSUMED SEPARATOR FLOW TEST DATA:
GOR: VARYING BETWEEN 500 AND 2000 scf/sbl
WOR: VARYING BETWEEN 0.25 AND 4 scf/sbl
3. ASSUMED WATER (*), (**):
Na: 629.1 mg/1
K: 26.2 mg/1
mg: 76.5 mg/1
Ca: 20.1 mg/1
Cl: 1218.2 mg/1
TOTAL C02: 1000.0 mg/1
4. ASSUMED GAS COMPOSITION (*), (***):
N2: 0.5 mol%
C02: 15.0 mol%
C-1: 76.0 mol%
C-2: 3.5 mol%
C-3: 2.5 mol%
C-4: 1.5 mol%
C-5: 1.0 mol%
SPEC. GRAVITY o. 785 (air = 1)
5. ASSUMED STOCKTANK OIL: 33 1 API

(*) SAME FOR ALL WELLS

(**) AFTER DEPRESSURIZATION TO 15 psia
(***) NORMALIZED

'!'_AB_L_E_A

WELL TEST_pEPARATOR MEASUR~MENTS'<

1-----l---------l--------------l-------------l--------------l----------l
IWELL I OIL I WATER I GAS I GOR I WOR I
INO. I (BOPD) I (BWPD) I (scf/day) I (scf/sbl) I (scf/sbl) I
1-----1--------- -------------- ------------- --------------1----------1
I 1 I 10 2.50 5,ooo 500 I 0.25 I
I 2 I 15 3.75 11,250 750 I 0.25 I
I 3 I 20 5.oo 20,000 1000 I 0.25 1
I 4 I 30 7.50 45,ooo 1500 I 0.25 I
I 5 I 40 10.00 8o,ooo 2000 I 0.25 I
I 6 1 10 10.00 5,ooo 500 I 1.00 I
I 7 I 15 15.00 11,250 750 I 1.00 I
I 8
I 9
I
I
20
30
20.00
3o.oo
20,000
45,ooo
1000
1500
1.00
1.00
I I
110 I 40 4o.oo 8o,ooo 2,ooo I 1.00 I
Ill I 10 40.00 5,ooo 2,500 I 4.00 I
112 I 15 6o.oo 11,250 750 I 4.00 I
113 I 20 80.oo 20,000 1ooo I 4.00 I
114 I 30 120.00 45,ooo 1500 I 4.oo I
115 I 40 I 160.00 I 8o,ooo 2000 I 4.oo I
l-----l---------l--------------l-------------l--------------1----------l
*VOLUMES MEASURED AT SEPARATOR CONDITIONS
AND CORRECTED FOR STANDARD CONDITIONS
 TABLE 5

EFFECTS OF GOR ON GAS DISSOLUTION

l-----1----~---l-----------~-------------------------------------l
I I I UNDISSOLVED GAS ( 1) I
I I 1-------------------------------------------------1
I I I WOR = 0 2 5 I WOR = 4 I
ITEMP IPRESSUREI------------------------1------------------------I
I ('F) I (psi a) I 500 I 750 I 1000 I 2000 I 500 I 750 I 1000 I 2000 I
1----- -------- -----1----- -----1------1-----1----- ------1-----1
IllS 95 soo I 750 10001 20001 soo I 750 1000 I 2000
1125 400 452 I 702 9531 19541 347 I 599 852 I 1862
1140 1200 350 I 602 8541 18621-232 I 40 312 I 1399
1150 1400 330 I 582 8351 18451 -100 179 I 1292
1160 1soo 312 I 565 8181 18301 130 11256
1175 1800 258 I 512 7671 17841 -100 1 1079
1175 2200 161 I 418 6761 17051 1 667
1175 2400 88 I 348 6081 1646 377
1175 2600 -16 I 248 512 1565 -33
1175 2800 l-133 148 1263
1175 3000 I -382 856
1175 3200 I 809
1175 3400 I 760
1175 3600 I 710
I I
1175 s2oo I 217
1175 5400 I 142
1175 5600 I 64
1175 5800 I -19
1175 6ooo I
l-----l--------l-----l-----l-----l------l-----l-----l------1-----

EFFECTS__Qf_ GQR ON GAS DISSOLUTIOtL..llLJ!QT.H

~!QUID PHASES_~D C02 CONCENTRATI_QN_ IN WATE.B
(AT GOR = 2000 scf/sbl)

l-----l-------1----------------------------------------------------l
I I I UNDISSOLVED GAS (1) AND C02 IN WATER (2) I
I I 1----------------------------------------------------l
I I I WOR = 0 . 2 5 I WOR = 1. 0 0 I WOR = 4 . 0 0 I
PREss./-u;~~-~~;- --~~;-- ~-~~~-~~~-~--~~;-- ~-~~~~-~;- --~;;- 1
/TEMP I
I ( 'Fl I (psia) I
I I
(1) <2)1
I (scf/sbl) I (g/1)
1 (1) C2) 1 (1) 1 (2)
I (scf/sbl) I (g/1) I (scf/sbl) I (g/1) I
1
115 95 2000 1.09 2000 1.10 2000 1.10
125 400 1954 3.75 1934 4.02 1862 4.29
140 1200 1862 11.54 1761 13.81 1399 16.09
150 1400 1845 12.90 1724 15.81 1292 18.72
160 1500 1830 12.77 1700 15.82 1256 18.88
175 1800 1784 13.84 1617 17.69 1079 21.55
175 2200 1705 17.63 1451 23.40 667 29.20
175 2400 1646 19.63 1327 26.51 377 33.43
175 2600 1565 21.69 1150 29.79 -33 37.00
175 2800 1263 23.82 441 33.23
175 3000 856 26.02 -30 36.00
175 5200 217 54.77
175 5400 142 57.81
175 5600 64 60.93
175 5800 -19 61.50 I
l-----l-------l---------l-------l---------l-------l---------1------
(1) : "BASTARDIZED" UNIT IN scf GAS PER sbl OIL
(UNIT IS NOT IN scf GAS PER sbl LIQUID)
(2): g/1 = GRAM C02 SPECIES PER LITER OF WATER