Synthesis and performance of a polymeric scale inhibitor for oilfield application

Abstract

A potential polymeric scale inhibitor used for oilfield was synthesized by solution polymerization. The static inhibition rate on calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, and strontium sulfate can reach up to more than 95 %. The inhibition performance of the polymer on calcium fluoride was also evaluated. Effects including test temperature, NaCl concentration, pH value, and evaluation time on the performance of the polymer were researched. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses were used to investigate the influence of the antiscalant on the scale crystal. The impact of carbon dioxide on the calcium carbonate crystal was also found. The inhibitor has a well-inhibition rate of more than 90 % in the actual oilfield water samples.