Journal of Petroleum & Environmental Biotechnology

Investigation on performance of cationic polymeric inhibitors for mitigating silicate scales during ASP flooding

2^nd International Conference and Expo on Oil and Gas

October 27-28, 2016 Rome, Italy

Siti Qurratu Aini Mahat and Ismail Md. Saaid

Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Malaysia

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Pet Environ Biotechnol

Abstract:

Silicate scaling is often induced by alkaline surfactant polymer (ASP) flooding in sandstone reservoirs. The formation of silicate scale is complicated by its dependence on multiple factors including pH, silica concentration, and magnesium concentration, which vary as the flood progresses. These factors affect silicate scaling tendency, and consequently, severity of the problem. Silicate scale is a very serious problem in the oil and gas production system. Therefore, silicate scale inhibitors have been suggested to mitigate problems in oilfields. In this study, some of the dendrimers inhibitors with enhanced functionality used in the water industry have been reviewed and assessed for possible application in oilfields scales. It was found that the NH2-terminated dendrimers exhibited excellent inhibitory silica polymerization efficiency compared with the control. It is now certain that effective silica scale inhibition is dependent on the cationic charge on the polymer backbone. However, these dendrimer inhibitors suffer from a serious disadvantage when the silicates that are not inhibited entrap the dendrimers. Visual observations show that these particles appear as white flocculant precipitates at the bottom of the test vessels. Previously, it was found that silica scale inhibition can be achieved by use of scale inhibitors in combination with anionic polymer additives. It is believed that an effective silica inhibition should be based on a delicate balance structure of cationic�??anionic charges. Therefore, in the present study pteroyl-L-glutamic acid (PGLU) compound is used in synergistic action with cationic dendrimer polymer. PGLU has been proven to be an effective scale inhibitor at high temperature in aqueous solution of synthetic produced water. Furthermore, it was found that PGLU assist the inhibitory action of dendrimers by alleviating formation of insoluble SiO2-PAMAM precipitates to operate more effectively.

Biography :

Siti Qurratu Aini Mahat is currently a PhD student in the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS. She received her MSc degree from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia in 2013 and BSc in Petroleum Chemistry from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2010. Her current research interests include flow assurance and improved oil recovery.

Email: qurratu_g02723@utp.edu.my