CR Cotney, C.R.C. Consulting & S.R. King, GeoStim, LLC
Many present and future production problems can be identified and predicted with less cost and downtime utilizing oil field chemistry applications. The chemical characteristics of drilling, completion and work-over fluids have immediate and long lasting effects that can enhance or impede production. The temperature and pressure changes that occur during production effect the chemical equilibrium of the formation fluids. The application of oil field chemistry can predict immediate and long-term chemical changes that affect production. The same chemical tests used for problem identification can be applied to maximize production during stimulation and production operations. This paper presents a review and discussion of readily available oil field chemical testing. A systematic and practical approach to interpretation and application of the results is presented. The oil field chemistry discussed in this paper includes the evaluation of chemical, microbial, and physical components in water, oil, gas, scale, and corrosion products. A water flood case history demonstrates test and results application.