Prediction of Scale Formation Problems in Oil Reservoirs and Production Equipment due to Injection of Incompatible Waters

In this paper, the mechanisms of scale formation from oilfield water are presented. An accurate model for predicting the scaling phenomena due to mixing of incompatible waters, changes in thermodynamic, kinetic and/or hydrodynamic conditions in oilfield operations is suggested. This model can predict scaling tendency of common oilfield waters in disposal wells, water‐flooding systems and in surface equipment and facilities. The model is developed based on experimental data and empirical correlations, which match the oil field conditions accurately. Furthermore, the simultaneous deposition of different oilfield scales and the competition of various ions to form scale are incorporated in the model. The suggested model has been used to investigate the potential for scale precipitation in various Iranian on‐shore and off‐shore oil fields, where water injection is being performed for the water disposal of desalting units or as a method of secondary recovery or reservoir pressure maintenance.