Carbonate-based solvents for scale-squeeze enhancement
AssigneeBaker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
InventorsSankaran Murgesan, Jerry J. Weers, Onome Ugono, Jeffrey A. Russek, Dong Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A scale inhibitor squeeze treatment is enhanced by injecting a pre-flush solution into a wellbore, where the pre-flush solution includes at least one organic carbonate solvent, such as a dialkyl carbonate and/or a cyclic carbonate. The use of an organic carbonate solvent can help prevent the pre-flush solution emulsion formation, help avoid water-blocking, and enhance scale inhibitor adsorption. The use of an organic carbonate solvent also permits the pre-flush solution to be free of water, in one non-limiting embodiment.
Claims10
A scale inhibitor squeeze treatment method, the treatment comprising:
- injecting a pre-flush solution into a wellbore;
- injecting a main treatment solution containing at least one scale inhibitor into the wellbore;
- injecting a post-flush solution into the wellbore;
- shutting-in the well for a period of time;
- and
- subsequently producing oil from the wellbore;
- where the pre-flush solution comprises:
- at least one organic carbonate solvent selected from the group consisting of glycerol carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, dibutyl carbonate, and combinations thereof;
- at least one surfactant, wherein the at least one surfactant is a nonylphenol;
- optionally at least one co-surfactant;
- optionally at least one co-solvent;
- and
- optionally at least one hydrocarbon.
A scale inhibitor squeeze treatment method, the treatment comprising:
- injecting a pre-flush solution into a wellbore;
- injecting a main treatment solution containing at least one scale inhibitor into the wellbore;
- injecting a post-flush solution into the wellbore;
- shutting-in the well for a period of time;
- and
- subsequently producing oil from the wellbore;
- where the pre-flush solution comprises:
- at least one organic carbonate solvent selected from the group consisting of glycerol carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, dibutyl carbonate, and combinations thereof;
- an absence of water;
- optionally at least one surfactant;
- optionally at least one co-surfactant;
- optionally at least one co-solvent;
- and
- optionally at least one hydrocarbon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.