Nanocarbon-based enhanced squeeze treatment for improved scale management

Abstract

Oil and gas industry is facing dilemma regarding scale management particularly for offshore production activities in ultra-deep waters under high pressure-high temperature (HPHT) conditions. Scale inhibition squeeze treatment widely employed technique for scale control. However, at HPHT conditions, routine conventional chemistries for scale mitigation are ineffective and unviable. This paper presents promising advantages of employing nanotechnology to enhance conventional scale squeeze treatment. Experimental studies were carried out to examine the potential benefits of using Graphene Oxide (GO) and Carbon nanotubes to increase the adsorption and retention of ETDA scale inhibitor onto reservoir rock in a process coined as ‘Nano-carbon Enhanced Squeeze treatment (NCEST)’. This process involves treating the reservoir rock in the near wellbore region with nanomaterials that rendered increased active surface area for scale inhibitor adsorption. Stronger bonding was witnessed between EDTA and reservoir rock which accounts for better retention of EDTA. Test analysis of coreflood experiments were conducted by the aid of FESEM, EDX and UV-visible. Application of the proposed NCEST model was observed to significantly increase adsorption of EDTA on rock core sample treated with GO to achieve maximum scale inhibitor adsorptive capacity of 180mg/g as compared to 51mg/g when treated without nanomaterial.