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    Pat 5146988

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    8 views5 pages

    Pat 5146988

    Uploaded by

    CharlesDayan
    Pat 5146988

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    of 5
    Hn United States Patent 1) (1) Patent Number: 5,146,988 Paul [45] Date of Patent: Sep. 15, 1992 [58] METHOD FOR SCALE REMOVAL IN A 4.188.068 2/1980 Holmes et. 29s ‘WELLBORE ‘nkine 171988 Derowiseh ited (7S) Inventor: James M, Paul, Dallas, Tex. Primary Examiner—George A. Sucfild ssignse CCroration,Faistn, Va, Atorey, Agent, or Firm-—ALexandet J. McKillop, hele ae ee ‘Charles J. Speciale; Lawrence O. Miller (21) Appl Nos 745,700 [2] Filed: Avg. 16, 1991 Ci hoa f er se sale ‘A method for removing calcium sulfate scale from (5) Int. C1? EXIB 37/00 ‘ll comprising mixing carbon dione and water at [32] Us.a. 366/312; 134/3; downhole location within the well to form an acidic 166/309.1; 252/852 olution containing an equilibrium mixture of carbonic 166/305, 307311, a, bicarbonate and carbonate fons thal wil convert 166/312, 371; 252/8.552; 134/3 the calcium sulfate scale to calcium carbonate scale and [58] Field of Search, (56) References Cited subsequent in situ dissolution of the calcium carbonate US, PATENT DOCUMENTS sale into the acidic solution that flows into the forma- 2.787526 4/1957 Hughes ree/3o2 xen about the wel 2364100 12/1960 Marin 166/312 X Siosutes “3/1972 Caudle cra 166/307 11 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet 5,146,988 Sep. 15, 1992 US, Patent 2 FIG. CARBON DIOXIDE BIS INNIS CR RARARRRRRRRO BRKS LUSK 5,146,988 1 METHOD FOR SCALE REMOVAL IN A WELLBORE. FIELD OF THE INVENTION his invention relates to « method of removing cal- cium sulfate scale deposits from wells and particularly a ‘one-step chemical conversion of the calcium sulfate scale t0 an acid soluble calcium carbonate scale and subsequent in situ dissolution of the calcium carbonate scale. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Calcium sulfate scale, commonly called gypsum, is sometimes present in carbonate/dolomite formations that undergo primary, secondary and tertiary oil pro= ‘duction. Secondary dissolution of calcium sulfate in the formation, by fresher waters, can carry the calcium sulfate-rich water to the wellbore and near-wellbore formation, where gypsum scale can precipitate. These scales cause severe problems when they occur in down- hole equipment, tubing, and perforations in the casing adjacent the formation. Calcium carbonate scales are easily removed by pumping acid solutions, usually 10-15% hydrochloric acid (HC), downhole to dissolve the seale. However, acid solutions are not effective in removing gypsum scales from the wellbore and/or formation. The commonly used method to remove gyp- sum is two-part: pumping an inorganic or organic chem\- ‘cal downhole 10 convert the scale to an acid-soluble compound; and to dissolve the converted scale with Gilute acid solutions. Such a converter technique is disclosed in U:S. Pat, Nos, 2,787,326 and 4,155,857. US. Pat. No. 3,651,868 also discloses a two stage method of removing calcium sulfate deposits comprising frst con- tacting said deposits with # pressurized solution of am- ‘onium and eazbon dioxide in water and then contact- ing it with an aqueous acid solution. These methods are time consuming and not cost effective for removing scale, and addition the acid is corrosive to metal equip- ‘ment and hazardous to handle, ‘The present invention provides an improved method {for removing calcium sulfate deposits from wells which ‘combines a one-step chemical conversion of the calcium ‘sulfate scale 1 calcium carbonate and subsequent in situ

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