BaSO4 (barite) scale is a serious problem in the oil and gas industry and has the potential to contain naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). Systematic prediction and control methods been researched. The element that typically substitutes into the BaSO4 scale is radium causing the scale to be radioactive and presenting the industry with a potential environmental problem that can be extremely expensive to alleviate. In addition to environmental concerns, BaSO4 scale can seriously impact field economics where it occurs due to lost production, damaged or ruined equipment and downtime.

BaSO4 scale containing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) as well as calcium carbonate scale have been reported in gas production facilities in conjunction with the Antrim play in northern Michigan. The scale study involved a systematic characterization of BaSO4 scale from the Michigan Basin area under study, both as to occurrence and environmental hazard, and an evaluation of scale control methods using brines typical of the area. The initial study involved sample collection and analytical work-up to arrive at a correct theoretical analysis of the problems involved. The primary cause of scale in the surface equipment is due to the commingling of produced waters from wells with sulfate concentrations of between 1000 and 3100 mg/l with waters from other wells with 20 - 50 mg/l barium. Scale also forms in some wells without the commingling of waters due to the temperature and pressure changes during production. Threshold scale inhibitor evaluations were done using a high temperature-pressure laboratory apparatus developed at Rice University under contract to GRI (patent application pending) and effective chemicals and probable dose rates for inhibition were determined.

Subject
Acids, Water, Materials, Sand, Sulfates, Scale inhibitors, Solubility, Effluent, Scale formation, Corrosion inhibitors, Equipment, Scale, Brines
Keywords:
scale, scale treatment, inhibitors, inhibitor evaluations, inhibitor squeeze, phosphonate chemistry, NORM scale, field studies
© 1993 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1993
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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