This course is an introduction to inorganic scaling. It includes an overview of the different types of inorganic oilfield scales encountered during production, and the various methods used to control them. Field examples will illustrate the importance of an effective scale management strategy.

Topics include:

• Why scale forms and how to treat it, including both chemical and engineering solutions
  
• Conventional acid soluble scales (carbonates) and non-acid soluble scales (sulphates as well as other less common scales such as sulphides
  
• The chemistry of scale inhibition as well as the benefits and limitations of different chemical inhibitors
  
• The squeeze process, the mechanisms involved and the various chemical and reservoir factors control the treatment lifetime, as well as other chemical deployment methods such as continuous injection etc.
  
• Scale removal including both mechanical methods and chemicals methods

At the end of this course, participants should understand:

• The influence of initial field design and varying production conditions on the control of inorganic scales
  
• The use of modeling tools such as scale prediction software, reservoir simulators and near well-bore treatment models
  
• A technical, economic, and risk-based analysis process for estimating total field scale management costs for new field developments
  
• Throughout the course extensive reference is made to real field case studies and other published works to illustrate the importance of the various aspects covered.

Introductory

2 Days

Scaling is one of the most persistent flow assurance issues in the oilfield. Anyone who is involved in the production side of the business should have a basic understanding of the problems of inorganic scale.

The course is intended for new or practicing production engineers and production chemists involved in scale control and mitigation in oilfield operations.

1.6 CEUs (Continuing Education Units/16 hours) awarded for this 2-day course.

To receive a full refund, all cancellations must be received in writing no later than 14 days prior to the course start date. Cancellations made after the 14-day window will not be refunded. Send cancellation requests by email to trainingcourses@spe.org; by fax to +1.866.460.3032 (US) or +1.972.852.9292 (outside US); or mail to SPE Registration, PO Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083.

For more details, please contact us at trainingcourses@spe.org.

Gordon M. Graham is the managing director of Scaled Solutions, an independent laboratory in Livingston, UK. Until September 2002, he was a research fellow at Heriot-Watt University, where he was responsible for the management and technical direction of the large, multi-sponsored Flow Assurance and Scale Research team.

Graham served three years as chairman for SPE International Oilfield Scale Symposiums, and three years for SPE International Oilfield Corrosion Symposiums. He also served six years on the program committee for the SPE International Oilfield Chemistry Symposiums, chaired the 17th International Tekna International Oilfield Chemistry Symposium in 2006 and continues to serve on the committee for this event. He also serves regularly both as committee member or chairman on other production chemistry related workshops including the biannual SPE workshop on Oilfield Scale, the SPE Scale and Asphaltene workshop in Abu Dhabi, as well as several other international events.