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3 OILFIELD WATER
There is a constant body of water on the planet, which is, largely undergoing a
process of continuous recycle:
• water is precipitated
• some is sub-surface
PURE WATER
H20 ⇔ H+ + OH-
pH =log [H+]
If the measured pH of a water sample is <7 it follows that the water contains
dissolved substances (e.g. CO2) that render it acid. Similarly, if the pH is >7 the
water contains dissolved substances (e.g. bicarbonates) that render it alkaline.
Note: distilled water is not pure water; it contains dissolved CO2 and is acid.
WATER COMPOSITION
• atmospheric gases
• soils, rock
• organic matter
CATIONS
Calcium
• readily combines with HCO3- CO3- and SO42- to give precipitates, scales and
suspended solids
Magnesium
• may town scale (MgCO3) with carbonate ions (relatively unlikely because
MgCO3 is very much more soluble than CaCO3)
Sodium
Barium
• waters containing high SO42- usually contain low Ba2+ and vice-versa
Strontium
Iron
• may derive from the formation or be due to corrosion (of tubulars, for
example)
ANIONS
chloride
o may provoke pitting, crevice and deposit corrosion, also chloride stress
corrosion cracking of certain passive metals
carbonate/bicarbonate
• waters usually contain only HCO3- , but a small increase in pH can produce CO32-
sulphate
oxygen
carbon dioxide
hydrogen sulphide
• since metal sulphides are insoluble, H2S may encourage protective films
pH
• the more alkaline a water, the greater the chance of depositing Ca2+ and
Fe2+ /Fe3+ salts
§ plug waterways
• the more acid the water, the smaller the chance of deposition
o the sum of all the cations and anions (in ppm) should equal the IDS
(also in ppm)
o since anions and cations have opposite charge and water is electrically
neutral, the total positive charge present must equal the total negative
charge
o since ions have different mass and different charge, the mass of
cations should not equal the mass of anions
o the sum of the cationic equivalents/I should equal the sum of the
anionic equivalents/I (see example below)
• the analysed TDS closely relates to the sum of all the ion concentrations
WATER CORROSIVITY
o metabolizing bacteria
• a major factor is whether the water is likely to deposit insoluble and protective
scales
scaling
H2C03 ⇔ HC03- + H+
HCO3- ⇔ C032- + H+
• natural water usually contains HCO3- and very little CO32-; the primary Ca2+
salt produced is Ca(HCO3)2
• CO2 may be lost by heating or following a sudden pressure drop: the former
can occur in heat exchangers, the latter in well screens, pumps, valves,
vessels, etc.
• a water saturated with CaCO, tends to precipitate scale which may protect
against corrosion, it may also produce encrustation in water and injection
wells
Langelier Index
• the Langelier Index (LSI) compares the actual pH of a water (pHa) with the
pH it would have if it was saturated with CaCO3 (pHs)
Strictly, it applies to fresh waters of low TDS and pH 6.5 to 9.5. i.e. not oilfield brines
• if LSI is:
relatively non-corrosive
To determine:
pca; locate mg/I value for calcium hardness (expressed as CaCO3) on the mg/I
scale. Proceed vertically to the upper diagonal line, then across to the
pCa scale.
PAlk. locate mg/l value for M alkalinity (expressed as CaCO3 ) on the mg/l scale.
Proceed vertically to the lower diagonal line, then across to the pAlk scale.
C: locate mg/l value for TDS on the mg/l scale. Proceed vertically to the
appropriate temperature line, then across to the C scale.
Ryznar index
• whilst the LSI derives from theoretical considerations, the Ryznar Index (RSI)
is empirical:
• if RSI is:
Note:
• calculated LSI and RSI values do not always lead to the same interpretation;
a judgement must be made
• this index applies to oilfield brines where the TDS is >5000 ppm
The value of the constant, K, takes into account the influence of the higher overall
concentration of ions in the water.
Z = charge on ion
• calculate Stiff & Dads index from pHa , and values determined above
• If SDI is:
o water wells
• blended water may also be used for some domestic uses and in desalting
• well water may undergo secondary treatment to produce utilities water (e.g.
boiler feed) and potable water
o corrosion inhibitor
o scale inhibitor
o demulsifer
o antifoam
o hydrate suppressant
• the drop in pressure downhole as water is drawn from a water well may
lead to scale deposition in the well screens and gravel packs; a heavily
scaling water would normally be unsuitable for blending
• in the blending plant the treatment chemicals must remain compatible and
the two waters being blended must also remain compatible: mixing waters
can change the scaling tendency (needs scaling calculations)
• water treatment of well water is required to alter the composition of the water
to render it potable and/or suitable for hailer food
Injection Water
• most boilers in the oilfield used for steam raising are classed as low (Q00
psi) or intermediate (200-500 psi) boilers
o maintain steam purity (avoid droplet carryover and transfer of silica (SiO2) in steam
• a good quality water source reduces the extent and cost of feedwater
treatment
• boiler feedwater should have the lowest hardness, alkalinity, SiO2, TDS
and suspended solids economically possible (maximum limits for boiler in
Table below: feedwater limits must be lower depending on % blowdown)
TDS f
B= X 100
TDS max
• if the source water does not meet these requirements it must undergo:
• this requires both scale and corrosion control within the boiler
• scale control aims to precipitate insoluble salts within a boiler and to ensure
that the precipitated particles are dispersed and do not adhere to heat
transfer surfaces
o distillation
o reverse osmosis
of non-potable water
Materials Selection
• the general principles for materials selection for oilfield waters follow those
outlined in the materials selection module
o filters
o oxygen strippers
o H2S strippers
o well equipment
o miscellaneous equipment
o meters