Abstract
In October 2006 the Bruce platform successfully brought A14(A8) online after 7¾ years of dormancy and lost production. The well was shut because it substantially increased scale risk in the process plant, and particularly the main oil line booster pumps. The produced water contained >1,600 mg/l barium and if commingled with seawater produced from other wells would produce significant BaSO4 scale. Bringing the well online required a review and redefinition of scale management and plant operations to react to changing conditions.
An in depth pre-start assurance checklist was developed that included changing the topside scale inhibitor to a newly developed blend and modifying the chemical injection system. An on-site scale detection method was introduced and the water management approach as it pertains to the water handling plant was reviewed. New procedures for well operations were developed and a contingency scale inhibitor delivery system put in place. A significant workload was completed in preparing the well to flow. This effort uncovered a few surprises that were managed successfully. The well was brought on at 4.17 MBOED (663 m3/d) a production gain that could not have been realised without this change in scale management philosophy.
