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EPSRC Reference: GR/N20263/01
Title: QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL MAPPING OF ADSORBED SCALE INHIBITORS ON CORE ROCK SAMPLES
Principal Investigator: Wogelius, Professor RA
Other Investigators:
Manning, Professor DAC Graham, Dr G Vaughan, Professor DJ
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
BP Nalco-Exxon Nuclear Physics Laboratory
T R Oil Services Ltd
Department: Earth Sciences
Organisation: Victoria University of Manchester, The
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 June 2000 Ends: 31 May 2002 Value (£): 192,667
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Oil & Gas Extraction
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The formation of inorganic scale is a critical problem in oil extraction that can cause serious decline or an early halt to production. Predictions of Scale Inhibitor (SI) behaviour have been derived from experimental data. At present, adsorption of inhibitors is determined by wet chemical or spectroscopic analysis of P or S in fluids exposed to core samples. Numerous analytical problems have limited the types of predictions that can be made based on current experiments. It has been shown that formation mineralogy has a significant effect on SI adsorption/desorption. We propose an experimental program involving a multi-discipline team that will overcome previous problems by using state-of-the-art method to directly map the locus of adsorption within reservoir core. Ultra sensitive techniques such as Electron Microprobe Analysis, Rutherford Backscattering and Particle Induced X-ray Emission Spectroscopy will be used to quantitatively map adsorbed inhibitor concentrations and underlying mineralogy. To reproduce oilfield conditions, the rocking bomb facility (Manchester University) and dynamic core flooding apparatus (Heriot-Watt University) will be used. Results from this project will have a direct impact on the selection of type, and quantity of SI used, and on modelling of SI lifetimes in reservoirs.
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