Mitigating Inorganic Scaling Using Synthetic Zeolite

Inorganic scaling is a predominant formation-damage mechanism in most producing and injection wells worldwide. It occurs in the well tubing and near well bore formations of the production and injection wells. Carbonate and sulfate are two main types of scales commonly found in the oil fields. The deposition of scale on surfaces and production equipment is a major production problem. Scale built-up decreases permeability of the formation, reduces well productivity and shortens the lifetime of production equipment. In this project Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5) has been used to mitigate the inorganic scaling, as it has high selectivity and high ion exchange capacity. The objectives of this project are to analyze the potential of synthetic zeolite in mitigating inorganic scaling and to examine the changing in permeability of the rocks subjected to the fluid treated with synthetic zeolite. For the scope of study, the literature review on inorganic scaling, synthetic zeolite and permeability of the rock have been done. There are two experiments have been conducted during this project, which are Zeolite Ion Exchange Experiment and Permeability Test. Then, the project is continued with analyzing the sample solution taken from Zeolite Ion Exchange Experiment with X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). From here, the mineral composition and chemical elements of ZSM-5 can be analyzed. Based on the results obtained from XRF, ZSM-5 has shown its capability in absorbing barium and sodium ions. Meanwhile for the permeability test, there is reduction in permeability of the core samples based on the sample solutions used. These sample solutions that are treated with synthetic zeolite have lower permeability reduction compared to untreated sample solutions. In this study, it is found that synthetic zeolite exhibits potential in mitigating inorganic scalin

Mitigating Inorganic Scaling Using Synthetic Zeolite

Inorganic scaling is a predominant formation-damage mechanism in most producing and injection wells worldwide. It occurs in the well tubing and near well bore formations of the production and injection wells. Carbonate and sulfate are two main types of scales commonly found in the oil fields. The deposition of scale on surfaces and production equipment is a major production problem. Scale built-up decreases permeability of the formation, reduces well productivity and shortens the lifetime of production equipment. In this project Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5) has been used to mitigate the inorganic scaling, as it has high selectivity and high ion exchange capacity. The objectives of this project are to analyze the potential of synthetic zeolite in mitigating inorganic scaling and to examine the changing in permeability of the rocks subjected to the fluid treated with synthetic zeolite. For the scope of study, the literature review on inorganic scaling, synthetic zeolite and permeability of the rock have been done. There are two experiments have been conducted during this project, which are Zeolite Ion Exchange Experiment and Permeability Test. Then, the project is continued with analyzing the sample solution taken from Zeolite Ion Exchange Experiment with X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). From here, the mineral composition and chemical elements of ZSM-5 can be analyzed. Based on the results obtained from XRF, ZSM-5 has shown its capability in absorbing barium and sodium ions. Meanwhile for the permeability test, there is reduction in permeability of the core samples based on the sample solutions used. These sample solutions that are treated with synthetic zeolite have lower permeability reduction compared to untreated sample solutions. In this study, it is found that synthetic zeolite exhibits potential in mitigating inorganic scalin

INVESTIGATION OF CLAY STABILIZER POTENTIAL FOR HIGH CLAY CONTENT FORMATION

Clay swelling has been studied for decades due to its damaging problem in the reservoir. It has caused permeability impairment due to blockage at the pore throat and reduction of the available pore spaces in the reservoir. The past few decades have seen rapid development of clay stabilizers to treat clay minerals near-wellbore region areas. However, there a limited study investigating the potential of clay stabilizers to prevent clay swelling throughout the reservoir. The present study aimed to investigate the potential of potassium chloride (KCl) and Poly-diallyldimethylammonium chloride (PolyDADMAC) as cationic clay stabilizers to mitigate the clay swelling phenomenon throughout the reservoir. This study conducted a series of free swelling tests on bentonite with varying brine salinity and clay stabilizer concentration. In addition, the rheological properties of KCl and PolyDADMAC were measured at 24°C and 98°C and at a 7.34 s–1 shear rate to determine its flow potential throughout the reservoir. The results showed that 0.3 wt.% to 1.5 wt.% of KCl and PolyDADMAC were able to control the expansion of bentonite immersed in an aqueous solution, with PolyDADMAC has shown excellent performance, whereas the bentonite expansion in PolyDADMAC solution is significantly lower than KCl. This result is driven by the fact that PolyDADMAC has greater amounts of cationic charges to neutralize abundant negative charges on clay mineral surfaces. Furthermore, the viscosity of 0.3 wt.% to 1.5 wt.% of KCl and PolyDADMAC at 24°C and 98°C recorded is low, which is 0.25 cP to 1.45 cP and 0.83 cP to 2.32 cP respectively. This low value proves its potential to be penetrated throughout the reservoir, not limited to near the wellbore region only

Investigation of Nanoparticles Dispersion in Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Solvent

Recently, the study on nanoparticles application in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) starts to growth. Nanoparticles have given better indication for EOR development such as in foam stability as its nano size particles can be feasibly dispersed in aqueous solution and easily flow through porous media. Aggregation of nanoparticles are said to be a major contributor for paralyzing nanoparticles dispersion deep into the formation. Hence, in this research sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is used as stabilizing solvents or carrier fluids in enhancing nanoparticles properties to prevent coagulation of nanoparticles when mixed to create a nanofluid. The dispersion of various concentration of silica oxide (SiO2) and aluminium oxide (Al2O3) are examined by using turbidity test. Results from this research show that the silicon dioxide nanoparticles are at best to be mixed in NaOH solvent to retain longer retention time

Modeling the Combined Effect of Salt Precipitation and Fines Migration on CO2 Injectivity Changes in Sandstone Formation

Carbon dioxide, CO2 emissions have risen precipitously over the last century, wreaking havoc on the atmosphere. Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) techniques are being used to inject as much CO2 as possible and meet emission reduction targets with the fewest number of wells possible for economic reasons. However, CO2 injectivity is being reduced in sandstone formations due to significant CO2-brine-rock interactions in the form of salt precipitation and fines migration. The purpose of this project is to develop a regression model using linear regression and neural networks to correlate the combined effect of fines migration and salt precipitation on CO2 injectivity as a function of injection flow rates, brine salinities, particle sizes, and particle concentrations. Statistical analysis demonstrates that the neural network model has a reliable fit of 0.9882 in R Square and could be used to accurately predict the permeability changes expected during CO2 injection in sandstones

Facies Analysis and Depositional Model of The Middle-Upper Triassic Semantan Formation, Central Pahang, Malaysia

This study details the sedimentological analysis of the Middle-Upper Triassic Semantan Formation in the Jerantut-Temerloh-Kemayan region of central Pahang. Seven (F1-7) facies have been identified which are; F1) poorly sorted conglomerate, F2) pebbly sandstone, F3) structureless-to-parallel laminated sandstone, F4) wavy-to-ripple fine-to-medium laminated sandstone, F5) slumped thin-interbeded sandstone and shale, F6) interbedded sandstone and shale, and F7) shale, represent a subordinate part of the Semantan Formation. Examination of the succession of the vertical facies resulted in concession of genetic units (FA1-FA5) which are; FA1) deep channel complex, FA2) distal lobe, FA3) hybrid gravity flow deposit, FA4) channelised lobe and FA5) non-channelised lobe. It is believed that these five genetic units were deposited within four proposed laterally contiguous depositional environments which are; 1) Inner fan - deep channel-levee complex (represent by FA1), 2) Mid fan - channelised lobe (represented by FA5 and FA3), 3) Mid Fan - non-channelised lobe (represented by FA4 and FA3), and 4) Outer fan - distal lobe (represented by FA2). The Semantan Formation deep-water fan is analysed as a sand-rich fan system, based on its sediment types