Production Chemistry in Flow Assurance

Production Chemistry in Flow
Assurance
Wan Amni Binti W Mohamad
Staff Production Technologist
PETRONAS Carigali
10th July 2018

UTP
Internal
1
Objectives
 To have a basic understanding of actual PETRONAS Carigali

offshore production systems
 To explain the types of flow assurance issues faced in
PETRONAS Carigali operated fields and the flow assurance
management strategies taken to ensure hydrocarbon fluids are
able to be transported from the reservoir to the export point while
meeting HSE and specifications requirements
Production
Flow Assurance
Systems Overview
Offshore production systems Issues
 Key elements  Organic scales: Wax, Asphaltenes

 Production separation  Emulsions
 Gas treatment plant  Inorganic scales: Calcium carbonate,
 Produced water treatment plant barium sulphate
 Seawater injection plant
Internal
2
PRODUCTION SYSTEMS OVERVIEW
Internal
3
Typical offshore field layout: Baram Delta
Internal
4
© 2018 PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD (PETRONAS)
Overall offshore production systems: Production performance
is delivered through the six (6) production lenses
Internal
5
Three (3) key elements in production systems
Artificial lift Gas and fluid separation Storage
Gas meter Gas
Gas pipeline
Oil
ptf
Water
3) Surface Processing/Production System

2) Well System
pwf
pe 1) Reservoir System
p
Internal
6
Surface Processing/Production System
Gas Treatment Gas Calorific Val.

Manifold Dew Point
Plant
H2S
Production Separation BS&W

Process Oil
RVP
Salt
Heat
Water
Flowlines Solids
Produced
Water Plant
Chemicals Oil-in-Water
Solids
Well
Contaminants
Internal
7
Production separation train
Two Phase Gas

Separation
Process FWKO / Electrostatic

De-salter
Heater* Separator Coalescer
Chemical Water
Addition
Crude Oil Degassing
Storage Boot
Export
Internal
8
Gas Treatment Plant
Flash Gas
Compression
and Scrubbers
Gas Sweetening
Produced Gas Glycol and Final Boost
from Separators Gas Dehydration Dew Point Compression
Conditioning
Water Propane H2S / CO2 Export
Internal
9
Produced Water Treatment Plant
Water and solids

from separator Discharge
Solid / Liquid Liquid /Liquid Polishing Water Injection

separation Separation Filters System
Solids Oil Water for Injection

discharge to wells
the environment
Internal
10
PETRONAS SBO field:
Sea Water Injection Process Facilities
STATIC MIXER V-4055
M
V-4035
HYPOCHLORINATOR REGEN GAS
COMPRESSOR METHANOL
A-5100
DEMISTER CYCLONE
DEOXYDISER
STRIPPING TOWER
S-4010 A/B S-4020 A/B/C V-4046
DEAERATOR/
V-4030
COARSE CONT.
FILTERS V-4045 HEATER
FINE
P-4090 A/B/C FILTERS
SEAWATER
LIFT PUMPS
M MIXER
T-4090 A/B/C
To Closed Drain Caisson
SEAWATER SUJT-C Water Injection Header
CAISSON SEAWATER INJECTION
PUMPS SUDP-A Water Injection Header
SUPG-B Water Injection Header

V-4080 A/B/C
Internal
11
Typical Issues in Production Systems
 Production chemistry issues in the upstream oil and gas industry occur as a
result of fluid characteristic change (chemical and physical changes) to the well
stream fluids, as they are transported from the reservoir through the production
systems.
 In general, production chemistry problems are one or a combination of the

following:
1) Problems caused by fouling i.e. scales , corrosion products, wax (paraffin),
asphaltenes and gas hydrates
2) Problems caused by the physical properties of the fluid i.e. foams, emulsions
and viscous flow
3) Problems that are HSE, asset integrity and economics related, i.e. H2S, oily
water discharge and some production chemicals
Internal
12
HSE: Process and Environmental Impact
 Discharge disposal laws/limits including best practices to protect

environment
 Safety hazard due to production contaminant (H2S, mercury,
TENORM)
 For any oil and gas field development, environmental provision need
to be catered in the design (e.g. water disposal system)
Internal
13
Flow assurance in production systems….
 Definition of flow assurance

 Roles of production chemists/production technologies in FDP
 Definition of organic, emulsion, inorganic scales
 Background, problems, diagnosis (tools & testing), mitigation
and control of:
 Organic scales: Waxes, asphaltenes
 Emulsion
 Inorganic scales: Calcium carbonate, barium sulphate
Internal
14
What is Flow Assurance…..
 Flow assurance means “guarantee the flow” and covers all aspects of production
from the reservoir to the export point
 The major impacts of flow assurance are covered below:

 Blockage can result from the deposition of hydrates, wax, asphaltenes, inorganic
scales, sand, or other produced solids.
 Phase behaviour and viscosity such as stable emulsions and foam, will have a
significant impact on the frictional pressure losses in the system.
 Mechanical integrity includes the impact of corrosion and erosion on the physical
materials (such as steel) that make up the system.
 Changes in operating conditions such as slugging or slugs generated by pigging
operations.
 Thermal effects of start-up and shut-down operations or limiting flow rates associated
with a variety of operating conditions.
 Flow assurance management encompassing:

 Prediction
 Mitigation/Remedial
 Monitoring
Internal
15
Oily Solids
Waxy Solids from

Pigging Exercise at
Puteri Platform
Pigging Debris Sludge

from Samarang
Internal
16
Fouled Hydrocyclone
Internal
17
Scaling in flowlines, tubing and pumps
Internal
18
Roles of production chemist/production technology in Field
Development Plan (FDP) to address flow assurance issues
 Fluid sampling: QC samples collected

 Fluid analysis: Determine types of crude/water analyses and results QC
 Drilling activities: Selection of completion fluids
 Chemicals selection: Selection of production, water injection,
stimulation and sand control chemicals
 Flow assurance issues: Identify potential problems and provide
appropriate recommendations based on simulations i.e. PVTsim,
Prosper, OLGA and ScaleChem, Corrosion Analyzer
 Specialized testing: Core and coreflooding tests for rock-fluid
compatibility studies
Internal
19
Deposition of scales causes flow assurance issues in
production systems
Oilfield Scale Types
Gas Scale Inorganic Organic Soaps
Hydrates Sulphates Asphaltenes Carboxylates
Sulphides Waxes Naphthenates
Halites Acid Induced

Sludge
Carbonates
Oxides /
Hydroxides
Internal
20
Wax/Paraffin Scales
Internal
21
Organic scales deposition in production systems
Tanks
Flowline Pipeline
Tubing &
Rods
Pump
Wellbore/ formation
Internal
Characteristic of crude oils
Crude oils have a diverse range of physical

characteristics:
Density, g/cm3 0.700 to 1.160

API 71 to –10
Pour Point -50° to 50°C
Viscosity, poise <0.001 to >1000
Crude & Emulsion
Yield Stress, dynes/cm2 0 to >5000
Wax Appearance Temp 7° to 56°C
Wax Content, %wt 0 to 57
Asphaltene Content, %wt 0 to 20
Water content, %v/v 0 to 95
Waxy crude
Heavy oil
Internal
23
Definition of wax
 Wax is an organic deposit consisting principally of paraffin waxes
 Waxes occurring in crude oils are complex mixtures of normal paraffins,

branched or iso-paraffins and cyclo -paraffins
 Two main categories of wax can be extracted from crude oils:

 Paraffin Waxes
 Microcrystalline Waxes
Internal
24
Key properties of waxy crudes
Highly Non-Newtonian Mildly Non-Newtonian Newtonian
15-25 oC
Pour Point Temperature Cloud Point/Wax Appearance

Temperature (WAT)
Internal
Example of typical crude oil properties in PETRONAS Carigali
operated fields
WAT Pour Point Wax Content

Fields Fluid Location
(deg C) (deg C) (wt%)
PMO Oil Malaysia 39 26 12

(basement)
SKO Oil Malaysia 32 27 26
SKO Oil Malaysia 41 32 22
SBO Oil Malaysia ~ 22 18 5
PMO Oil Malaysia 69 51 ~24
International Oil Indonesia 65 33 17.5
Internal
26
Testing methods and sample volume requirements
Sample volume Sample volume

required required
Techniques Test method
(mL/sample) (mL/sample)
- Dead Oil - Live Oil
WAT/WDT 1) Cross Polarized 10-100 60-100/pressure
Measurement Microscopy (CPM) (Analysis time frame (Analysis time frame
2) Differential Scanning 1 to 3 days/sample) 1-2 days/pressure)
Calorimetry (DSC)
3) Near Infrared (NIR)
Wax content 1) Precipitation method 10+ -

measurement (wax content) (Analysis time frame
1 to 2 days/sample)
2) Can be derived from 10 to 100

High Temperature Gas (Time frame 1-2 days
Chromatography and up to 15 days in
(HTGC) certain labs)
Internal
27
Equipment to measure WAT and PPT
Oil sample-CPM
results
Internal
28
High Temperature Gas Chromatography (HTGC):
Wax composition based on Carbon number/Alkane distribution
Example: Sepat field HTGC results
n C20
n C40>
Internal
29
Wax management: Typical approach taken by team
• Obtain representative samples of ‘live’ oil and wax deposits from downhole
1 locations
• Routine crude analysis including to measure WAT & pour point temperature
2
• Laboratory testing at production conditions – Rheology and wax deposition

3 tendency
• Relate to a pressure/temperature envelope derived from a thermodynamic

4 model
• Geothermal gradient should give an indication of the lowest static bottomhole

temperature of the tubing for wax to be deposited in the production tubing
5
(under static condition)
• Simulate deposition prediction using steady state or transient /dynamic

6 simulation e.g PROSPER, OLGA
• Screen potential wax inhibitor/pour point depressant chemicals to find the

7 optimum cost – effective treatment of the wax deposition problem
Internal
30
Preventing wax deposition in wells and surface
facilities
 Wax preventive measures – Control:
 Thermal management (for design purposes)

• Retain heat (insulation, pipe in pipe/PIP, vacuum insulated
tubing/VIT, residence time, etc)
• Add heat (electrical-heat tracer)
 Chemical injection (surface/subsurface)

• Pour point depressant (PPD)/flow improvers
• Inhibitors/crystal modifiers
 Operation
• Produce at higher FTHT (> cloud point)
• Displace/bullhead diesel/water to displace oil column in the
tubing prior to planned shut in
Internal
31
Removal techniques if wax deposition occurs
 Wax remedial measures-Treatment:
 Thermal:
• Hot oiling/hot water flushing
 Chemical:
• Solvent/Dispersants
 Mechanical:
• Pigging/Cutting
 Thermo-chemical (heat generated by chemicals):
• Solid Deposition Treatment Technology (SDTT)®
Optimum cost-effective removal methods for existing

formation wax deposition:
Combination of mechanical or thermal with chemical
methods
Internal
32
Case study on Solid Deposition Treatment
Technology (SDTT): Thermo-chemical (Solid Clenz)
Background:
• Solid Clenz chemical treatment is a unique ‘2-pack’ thermo-chemical

systems which consist of 2 formulations where the resultant pill will
generate in-situ heat (up to 175 degC) in the tubing and contains surfactant,
ester to dissolve and disperse the organic solid deposits.
• Solid Clenz combines chemical and thermal method in single stage:
–Removes tough organic deposits
–Create high temperature
–Modular technology (eliminates utilization of barge)
Application
• 1st application was in SKO (2003)
• Recent application: SKO (2018)
Internal
33
Solid Clenz: SKO Field Application
2 pack thermo-chemical system:
Melts and Prevents solids

dissolves solid redeposition
deposits
Example: SKO well pre & post treatment skin
Percentage of Skin
Strings Pre-Treatment Post-treatment
Reduction
Short string Qo = 55 bopd Qo=180 bopd 70 %
s= 99 s=30
Long string Idle Qo=98 bopd 64%

s=250 s=90
Internal
34
Conclusions on field applications
• Successful treatment in SKO – wax deposited was removed resulting in

production increase and skin reduced after treatment
• For fields with wax depositional issues in the tubing, SDTT treatment is
recommended
• Effectiveness of Solid Clenz chemical was tested in the lab i.e.
dissolution tests prior to field applications
• In-depth post treatment analysis should be conducted immediately after
treatment to quantify success
Internal
35
Asphaltene
Internal
36
Simplified view of SARA in crude oil
SARA Analysis
Saturate
Aromatic
Resin
Asphaltene
Internal
37
Introduction to asphaltene chemistry/properties
• Compounds consist of highly condensed aromatic

structures
• Contain mainly C and H, but also O, N, S, Ni, Fe and
V
• Asphaltene particles are charged - polar molecule
• Dispersed as colloidal particles.
• The high carbon content gives oil its black colour
• High molecular weight (1000 to 2500)
• Insoluble in n-heptane but soluble in hot benzene
• Usually crude with low API – higher asphaltene
content
• Amorphous solid (non-crystalline)
• Deposits are usually black, brittle solids
(coke/bitumen) – bitumen family
• Waterproof and adhesion props: road surfaces,
protective coatings
Internal
38
What causes asphaltene to precipitate and deposit?
Primary causes
 Changes in oil composition (gas injection)-
secondary recovery mechanism
 Pressure depletion
 Asphaltene & Resin concentration
PRODUCTION (BOD)
1000 Secondary causes

 Change in temperature
100 Event  Others (pH, water cut)
YEARS
Internal
39
Asphaltene precipitation occurs through….
 Changes in pressure  change the fluid

BP: Bubble Point
% Dispersed Asphaltene
Lower flocculation Upper flocculation

Onset, re-dissolving Onset
density  asphaltenes flocculation 

point
Maximum flocculation or
Minimum dispersed
BP
asphaltene point
Pressure deposition
 Mixing the reservoir fluids with a different gas

 asphaltene problems. Lean gas or CO2 for
enhanced oil recovery  destabilize
asphaltene in the crude oil
 Stimulation practices (acidizing)  destabilize

(disturb) asphaltene equilibrium  asphaltene
problems
Internal
40
Impact of asphaltene deposition
Slow irreversible process
Tubing.
Deposits can restrict Reservoir
tubing diameter Impact of Asphaltene Near wellbore drop
reducing outflow Deposition out of asphaltene
performance flocculation can
Deposits can foul severe impair inflow
operating equipment: performance
GLV’s, SSSV’s and
such
Surface Facility
Can stabilize emulsion
Plugging first stage gas separator, can lead to pressure build up.
Internal
Plugging compressor inlet, leading to starving
problem
Asphaltene characterization assessments
 Instability Assessment
CH
3
CH
3 N
O  SARA Screening
CH
3
S
N CH
3  Instability (De Boer plot)
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
 Detailed assessment
 Thermodynamic Precipitation (APE)
SARA analysis  Particle Size & Kinetics (using High
Pressure Microscope (HPM) micrograph
Asphaltene Precipitation
 Deposition Envelope (APE)
 *Modelling (prediction)
Asphaltene Modelling Flow Diagram
Solid Detection Scan (SDS) with
HPM
42
Internal
SARA analysis results for PETRONAS Carigali fields (STO & CO2
induced)
SKO-A Reservoir
*Asphaltene deposition induced changes in

fluid compositions (i.e. CO2 injection)
SKO-B Reservoir
Internal
44
‘de Boer’ plot for preliminary asphaltene problem assessment
10000
Fields with known
Preserevoir - Psaturation (psia)
9000 Severe Problems K production problems.

Fields without production
8000 problems.
C - Clyde, North Sea
K F - Fulmar, North Sea
7000
HM - Hassi Messaoud, Algeria
K - Kuwait
6000 P - Prinos, Greece
K
U - Ula, North Sea
5000
U C P
4000 HM
F
3000
Possible
2000 Problems
1000
No Problems
0
0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9
Internal
In situ density (g/cc)
45
Asphaltene content database for Malaysia
1. Data were collected on 31 oilfields and 172 wells around

Malaysia
2. Asphaltene content for Malaysian reservoir, 0.01 to 0.6%.
Internal
46
Case study: PMO field
Modelling for prediction studies – results & interpretation
Reservoir Bubble Point Reservoir Asphalten Pb (psia) Asphaltene Precipitation

Sample Dulang Temperature Pressure Pressure e Content
Prediction
(oF) (psig) (psig) (%) Experimental AEOS
6G-1.2 (DST 3)-
1 9214/296 200 1673 1744 0.1 1687.7 1687.7 Possible/No
6G-1.2 (DST 3)-
2 80291/242 200 1500 1744 0.1 1514.7 1514.7 Possible
3 6G-7.1-DST 3 203 1593 1783 0.1 1607.7 1607.7 Possible
4 Dulang
PMO-1 5 205 1370 1780 0.1 1384.7 1384.7 No
5 6G-7.1-DST 2 206 1492 1816 0.1 1506.7 1506.7 Possible
6 6G-1.1B-DST 3 208 1530 1854 0.03 1544.7 1544.7 No
7 6G-1.4-DST 1 211 1681 1895 0.1 1695.7 1695.7 No
8 B-21S 215 1525 - 0.17 1539.7 1539.7 No
9 Dulang
PMO-2 1-DST 2 218 1825 1898 0.1 1839.7 1839.7 Possible/No
10 Dulang
PMO-3 6A 225 2700 2033.2 0.1 2054.7 2054.7 Possible/No
11 6G-1.1B-DST 5 198 478 1782 0.03 492.7 - -
• Tuning of experimental bubble point pressure with AEOS resulted a very close matched, no tuning was done
on other parameters due to unavailability of laboratory data (SARA analysis, AOP and precipitation studies).
• There is a potential of asphaltene precipitation problem in 5 out of 11 samples above, however the results was
found inconsistence and arguable because asphaltene issue was not observed in actual condition at current
reservoir pressure (after certain years of production).
Internal
47
Asphaltene management approaches
 Proactive Prevention - Control

 Reservoir: Maintain pressure (i.e., water flood)
 Wellbore: Continuous injection of solvent/chemicals -
prevent onset asphaltene flocculations
 Remedial Measures/Treatments
 Near Wellbore & Formation
- Chemical-aromatic solvents (benzene & xylene) wash
 Wellbore and surface facilities:

 Mechanical scraping – periodic treatment using wireline
cutting/CTU
 Batch solvent/chemical treatment
 Pigging
Internal
48
Case study: Asphaltene inhibitors injection
• A Canadian operator experienced increasingly lower production rates from

a number of wells:
 Attributed to asphaltene deposition in the well bore and co-precipitate with
paraffin wax deposition
 A well soak stimulation treatment was performed as follows:-

 A mixture of asphaltene dispersant and wax dispersant (2:1) was combined with
clean stock tank crude and this was heated to 50°C
 This mixture was pumped down the well annulus followed by stock tank crude
containing demulsifier
 The treatment slug was spotted at the perforations and the well was shut in for 24
hours
 When the well was put back on production, the oil production rate
increased by 35% and some water was produced.
Internal
49
Wax vs Asphaltene
TEST WAX ASPHALTENES
Momentary Instantaneous Little melting, with any

heating, then melting and re- molten material slowly
• Deposition of wax and immediate freezing, giving a thickening to give a
cooling. frosted or mottled glassy mirror surface.
asphaltene may occur surface.
Prolonged Rapid melting, Softening, sputtering,
together heating. burning with smoky burning from bubbling
• Paraffins are high flame from a pool of
thin liquid, little or no
froth, puffball formation,
much residue.
molecular weight, non- residue.
polar aliphatic
compounds
• Asphaltenes are high TEST WAX ASPHALTENES
molecular weight, polar Methylene chloride, Possible Complete solution,

chloroform, discoloration, no leaving only
aromatic compounds benzene, toluene, dissolving. inorganic residue if
xylene present.
• Methods that work for (all cold).
paraffin are ineffective Kerosene Possible Possible
for asphaltenes (cold). discoloration, no discoloration, no
dissolving. dissolving.
Kerosene Complete solution. No dissolving.
(hot). 50
Internal
Emulsion
Internal
51
Oilfield emulsion – The problem……..
• An emulsion is a heterogeneous liquid system consisting of two immiscible liquids,

with one of the liquids intimately dispersed in the form of droplets in the second
liquid
• Emulsion increases viscosity and hence increase pressure drop causing
problems in reservoir, wells, gathering systems and treatment facilities.
• 2 main types of emulsions:
 Water in Oil emulsion
 Oil in Water emulsion
• Factors affecting emulsions:
 Mixing energy i.e. pumps, fluid flow, choke, bends (turbulent flow)
 Emulsifying agent i.e. solids (sands, scales), production/drilling chemicals,
natural surfactants (paraffins, asphaltenes)
Internal
52
Types of emulsion
Normal emulsion Reverse emulsion

Continous phase – Oil Continous phase – Water
Dispersed phase- Water Dispersed phase- Oil
EMULSION EMULSION
CRUDE OIL
WATER WATER
PETRONAS Water disposal

requirement: 40 ppm
Internal
53
Treatment of Water-in-Oil Emulsions
• Heat treatment – heater (remove water-oil dehydration)
• Chemical & heat treatment – addition of demulsifiers/emulsion breakers
i.e. polyglycol esters dissolved in aromatic and/or aliphatic alcohol solvents
SKO 1
SKO 2
SKO 3 Depends on
injection locations
SKO 4 i.e. higher T &
SBO 1 longer retention
SKO 5 time
PMO 1
PMO 2
SBO 2
(a)-(b) (c)-(d)
Demulsifiers absorb Demulsifiers cause
preferentially at interfaces droplet flocculation,
and attach to the organic and coalescence and
inorganic components, which separation.
are emulsifying agents.
Internal
54
Inorganic Scales
Internal
55
Definition of inorganic scales
• Precipitation of dense, adherent material from mineral components of water

(brine i.e. Ca, Ba, Na, HCO3, SO4, Cl) on surfaces
• Key parameters in inorganic scaling is solubility – precipitation occurs when
solubilities of salts (combination of mineral ions) exceeded due to high
concentration or unfavourable conditions (pressure, temperature, pH)
• Examples of inorganic scales: calcium carbonate/calcite, barium
sulphate/barite, sodium chloride/halite, calcium sulphate scales
Internal
56
Problems caused by inorganic scales
• Scale Deposits
• Formation damage (near wellbore) – productivity loss
• Blockages in perforations or gravel pack
• Blockages in screens
• Restrict/block flow lines
• Safety valve & choke failure – Loss of control.
• Topside equipment (separators etc.,)
• Pump wear – e.g. ESP’s
• Downhole equipment
• Injector wellbore – injectivity loss
• Suspended particles
• Plug formation & filtration equipment
• Reduce oil/water separator efficiency
• As of end 2010, 5 strings out of 28

idle strings are idle due to calcite
scale problem
• Total production lost: 182,500 bbl
(over one year)~10% of total
production at SKO-W
• Major trunklines are injected with SI
Internal
57
Calcium carbonate/calcite scales
Properties:
• Dependant on partial pressure of
carbon dioxide
• Solubility lower at high temperatures
• Acid soluble i.e. HCl
Internal
58
Barium sulphate/barite scales
Properties
• Low solubility in water
• Solubility lower at lower pressures – most
precipitation in production systems
• Co-precipitate with radioactive ions i.e.
Radium substitutes for Barium - NORM scale
(HSE issue)
• Difficult to remove-not acid soluble, require
chelating agent
Main cause of scale:
• Mixed water (incompatibility) i.e Ba ion from
formation water, SO4 ion from seawater
Internal
59
Inorganic scale control and remediation
Scale formation prediction Scaling potential modelling

SCALE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
- Lab evaluation: Dynamic tube - ScaleChem, Multiscale
blocking
Prevention/Mitigation
PETRONAS Carigali
- Operate under less scaling

condition
- Avoid mixing incompatible
waters
- Removing ions:
Removal treatment
Desulphonation
- Calcite: Acid (HCl)
- Scale inhibition
- Barite: Chelating agent (EDTA,
injection/squeeze treatments
HDC)
- Mechanical: Scrapers, milling
- Combination:
Chemical+Mechanical
Monitoring
- Monitor ions: Ca, HCO3, Ba, SO4
Internal
- Monitor scale inhibitor residual
© 2018 PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD (PETRONAS) 60
Scale inhibition mechanism
“Scale Inhibitors must posses the ability to

prevent or delay crystal growth”
Crystal growth
retardation:
‘Poisoning’ of the
crystal growth
sites Phosphonate
& Polymer
Nucleation
Inhibition: Alters
the thermodynamic
stability of the
growing crystals
Internal
61
Case Study: SKO-W
Acid scale removal & scale inhibitor squeeze treatment
Acidizing is required to remove scale deposit prior to squeeze treatment
Squeeze Treatment
Well 1 Inject Pre-flush

OilScale
+ Water + (3% KCL + 0.1% SCW84521)
inhibitor
Scale Post-flush
Inhibitor
Deposit Acid Scale Removal
slug
Inject Scale Inhibitor
2
1) Inject
(3%15%
KCL +HCL
10%SCW82451)
Inject Post-flush
2) 3Shut in for 1 hour
(3% KCL)
3) Flow back until pH > 6
4 Soak for 12 hrs
5 Flow the Well

Reservoir
15 ft © 2018 PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD (PETRONAS)
Internal
End….summarizing
• Production systems consists of production fluid treatment facilities i.e. fluid

separation, gas treatment plant, produced water treatment plant, seawater
injection treatment plant
• Ability of hydrocarbon transported from reservoir to export point is defined

as flow assurance (in accordance to HSE and specifications
requirements)
• PETRONAS Carigali operated fields are also affected by flow assurance

issues in the wellbore, tubulars, surface facilities, pipelines with regards
to:
- Deposition of wax which also co-precipitate with asphaltene
- Deposition of calcium carbonate and barium sulphate scales
• Adopt appropriate flow assurance management strategies to meet

production targets
Internal
63
THANK YOU
Internal
64

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Production Chemistry in Flow

10th July 2018

 To have a basic understanding of actual PETRONAS Carigali

Offshore production systems Issues

 Key elements  Organic scales: Wax, Asphaltenes

3) Surface Processing/Production System

Gas Treatment Gas Calorific Val.

Production Separation BS&W

Two Phase Gas

Process FWKO / Electrostatic

Water Propane H2S / CO2 Export

Water and solids

Solid / Liquid Liquid /Liquid Polishing Water Injection

Solids Oil Water for Injection

STATIC MIXER V-4055

SUPG-B Water Injection Header

 In general, production chemistry problems are one or a combination of the

 Discharge disposal laws/limits including best practices to protect

 Definition of flow assurance

 The major impacts of flow assurance are covered below:

 Flow assurance management encompassing:

Waxy Solids from

Pigging Debris Sludge

 Fluid sampling: QC samples collected

Oilfield Scale Types

Gas Scale Inorganic Organic Soaps

Hydrates Sulphates Asphaltenes Carboxylates

Sulphides Waxes Naphthenates

Halites Acid Induced

Crude oils have a diverse range of physical

Density, g/cm3 0.700 to 1.160

 Wax is an organic deposit consisting principally of paraffin waxes

 Waxes occurring in crude oils are complex mixtures of normal paraffins,

 Two main categories of wax can be extracted from crude oils:

Highly Non-Newtonian Mildly Non-Newtonian Newtonian

Pour Point Temperature Cloud Point/Wax Appearance

WAT Pour Point Wax Content

PMO Oil Malaysia 39 26 12

PMO Oil Malaysia 61 30 11

SKO Oil Malaysia 41 32 22

PMO Oil Malaysia 68 51 24

PMO Oil Malaysia 56 42 18

SBO Oil Malaysia ~ 22 18 5

PMO Oil Malaysia 69 51 ~24

International Oil Indonesia 65 33 17.5

Sample volume Sample volume

Wax content 1) Precipitation method 10+ -

2) Can be derived from 10 to 100

Example: Sepat field HTGC results

• Laboratory testing at production conditions – Rheology and wax deposition

• Relate to a pressure/temperature envelope derived from a thermodynamic

• Geothermal gradient should give an indication of the lowest static bottomhole

• Simulate deposition prediction using steady state or transient /dynamic

• Screen potential wax inhibitor/pour point depressant chemicals to find the

 Wax preventive measures – Control:

 Thermal management (for design purposes)

 Chemical injection (surface/subsurface)

 Wax remedial measures-Treatment:

Optimum cost-effective removal methods for existing