Author(s)

Nasir Ullattumpoyil, Talal M. Al-Ghamdi, Nasser R. Al-Hajri

Southern Area Technical Support Department, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, KSA.

Corrosiveness or scaling is an inherent threat to oil operations. The primary cause for this threat is the presence of water having complex geochemical matrix. Unanticipated water production, particularly if it contains unwanted impurities, can significantly impact hydrocarbon production. The current paper discusses the degree of threat posed to oil operation facilities based on the water characteristics. Methodology involved the collection and analysis of water samples from major sources in oil industry such as groundwater, wellheads and seawater. The parameters tested include geochemical, microbiological and pollutants. The lab data was used to develop scaling and corrosion prediction indices such as Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), Ryznar Stability Index (RSI) and Puckorius Scaling Index (PSI). The study indicated varying water chemistry for different sources. Mixing of those waters may lead to ionic saturation and scaling in different facilities. Presence of the SRB and GAB in some water sources also posed threat to water system by forming fouling and corrosion. Seawater used for offshore oilfields water injection to maintain reservoir pressure and improve oil recovery showed scaling tendency, whereas under different reservoir pressure, it can cause corrosion. Some of the samples also had corrosion residuals such as iron, which indicated active corrosion. Current study showed higher alkalinity with high sulfate for one groundwater sample with presence of active corrosion residuals such as dissolved iron and manganese. The study showed positive value for LSI which indicated supersaturation of the water samples with respect to calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and scale forming. Similarly, for RSI and PSI, the value was below six which confirmed the scaling potential for all the samples. Even though the index value was pointing towards scaling potential, the geochemistry, microbiology and presence of other impurities indicated corrosion threat to the oil and gas industrial facilities. The study concluded the importance of different scale inhibition mechanism and corrosion control in Oil and Gas industry.

Formation Water, Petroleum Reservoirs, Groundwater, Saturation Indices, Corrosiveness

Ullattumpoyil, N. , Al-Ghamdi, T. and Al-Hajri, N. (2024) Corrosion and Scaling Threat in Upstream Oil Operation. World Journal of Engineering and Technology, 12, 426-437. doi: 10.4236/wjet.2024.122027.