Calcite scale prediction at the near-well region: A radiotracer approach

Abstract

Effective prediction of calcite scaling requires a reliable thermodynamic model for the prediction of the scaling tendency, a kinetic model for the prediction of scaling rate and a transport model to simulate flow in a porous medium. The accurate prediction of the scale deposition can warn the engineers to "treat" the formation around the wellbore in time. In addition, the prediction of the distribution of the scale deposition can direct the engineers to ensure the placement of the inhibitors into the formation zones where the deposition is expected, thus maximizing the probability of successful prevention of formation damage and minimizing at the same time the amount of the required inhibitors. In this contribution, we present a geochemical computational model that combines existing thermodynamic and kinetic models for CaCO3 precipitation, with treatments of flow and diffusion in electrolyte systems, in an one-dimensional porous medium. The geochemical model has the ability to predict the distribution of scale deposition along and around the production wells, as well as the distribution of formation damage (pore blocking, permeability reduction) around the wells. © Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2013.