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Title: Causes and solutions to surface facilities upsets following acid stimulation in the Gulf of Mexico

Journal Article · · SPE Production and Facilities
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/29528-PA· OSTI ID:435712
 [1];  [2];
  1. Baker Performance Chemicals Inc., Houston, TX (United States)
  2. Chevron U.S.A. Production Co., New Orleans, LA (United States)

This paper presents test data on the effects of acid and acid additives on emulsion and water treating in the Gulf of Mexico. This work also discusses the test methods developed to select acid additives and treating chemicals that will allow the producer to treat both oil and water more consistently and cost effectively while the acid flowback is in the system. It also presents system results that confirm the importance of the joint selection of acid and surface treating additives and show that significant cost savings can be gained by use of this process. Also discussed are the proper system application techniques for treating chemicals that can minimize surface treating problems caused by acid flowbacks. The results show that the proper selection and use of acid additives and surface treating products can eliminate or significantly reduce costly upsets in oil- and water-treating systems. Data on individual acid additives that impact water and oil treating are also presented. The results of this work are currently being used to solve produced-water- and oil-treating problems on offshore and onshore facilities in and around the Gulf of Mexico by reduction of production losses resulting from acid-flowback-related problems; reduction of the use and cost of tanks and barges used to segregate acid flowbacks; and development of effective methodology to select acid and surface treating additives that have resulted in lower overall treating costs.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
435712
Journal Information:
SPE Production and Facilities, Vol. 12, Issue 1; Other Information: DN: Paper presented at the 1995 SPE Production Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, OK (US), April 2--4, 1995; PBD: Feb 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English