Endpoint mobility ratios for vertical and horizontal wells with incidence of scale deposition

Abstract

One of the most difficult and profit hurting problems found in the oil field is the build-up of scale deposits in the well bore, production string, flow lines and even in storage tanks. These deposits act as a restriction during build-up in the wellbore causing a gradual decrease in production and, in many cases, as a solid barrier for wellbore fluid flow. This paper presents an analytical model based on the existing thermodynamic model showing the endpoint mobility ratios for both vertical and horizontal wells with the incidence of scale precipitation and deposition at the near wellbore region during water flooding. The results revealed that Endpoint mobility ratio for a vertical well with radial flow approaches unity "1" faster than for the horizontal well with elliptical flow. And horizontal wells are good candidates for managing scale precipitation and deposition during waterflooding.