Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology, Vol.44, No.5, 16-21, 2005
Production optimization of oil wells (the problem of salt deposits)
Hassi R'mel field is a gas condensate reservoir with A rather significant oil rim on the eastern and southern- peripheries, Producing wells were drilled to develop the oil zone. Unfortunately these wells were confronted by a severe salt deposit problem, more or less related to the exploitation. regime, which severely,reduced well to be shut in totally., The presence of sodium chloride,inorganic precipitate in the Well is undoubtedly influenced by: .The type and quantity of water influx; .Operating procedures; and; .Reservoir characteristics, such as temperature and pressure. A permanent fresh water injection, under a packer did not improve, the. performance of these wells. A large volume of water, e, volume injection is, required for particular wells, which has meant that the rapid salt deposition needed a daily,coil tubing,intervention. This treatment tends to become a cost I factor, and these Wells are then shut in. A study was undertaken in collaboration with. the Research and Development Centre (CRD) at Sonatrach to solve the salts. deposit problem in production due, to the effect of temperature change. It consists of analyzing a sample of the formation water in order to understand the phenomenon of the salt deposit, to test the anti-deposition product efficiency, and. to optimize its concentration under surface and bottom conditions, keeping in mind the reduction of the amount of injection water. Laboratory testing was undertaken first of all, in order to assess chemical water injection compatibility with formation water to ensure that the two fluids will not produce precipitates. It has shown that the alkyl amide aqueous solution is used to prevent precipitation of so sodium chloride crystals from high chloride brines from the bottom of the hole, changing crystal growth from symmetrical cubic orientation to a non-symmetrical dentritic type. Independently of the temperature, its efficiency will also depend on the presence of other salts in the brine and the pH. The purpose of this paper,is to show: 1. The problem created by sodium chlorite salt deposits which impede the performance of a well; and, 2. Solutions adopted to improve the Productivity Index, by using chemicals to reduce deposits of salt.