Novel Barium Sulfate Scale Inhibitor for Use in High Iron Environments

Abstract

Abstract Iron is known to affect the performance of polymeric and phosphonic acid based inhibitors used to control barium sulfate scale during oil and gas production. To evaluate these effects, the performances of both types of inhibitors have been determined in the presence of iron in simulated oilfield brine. Iron adversely affected the performance of the polymer but enhanced the performance of the phosphonate inhibitor. Evaluation of blends of the two inhibitors showed improved performance compared to either type of inhibitor used separately. An optimum ratio of polymer to phosphonate was determined which achieved greater than 90% inhibition of barium sulfate formation over the range 0 – 120 ppm iron.