Scale Inhibition through Formation Squeeze Techniques

Calcium sulfate scale deposition in oil producing wells in West Texas is a serious and expensive production problem. A great deal of time and money has been devoted to this problem but, as yet, no completely satisfactory solution has been found. Mechanical removal of the scale followed by fracture treatments or acidizing have been partially effective in restoring production capacity. Squeeze treatments using scale inhibitors have considerable promise, but will require refinements in the placement techniques. Fracture treatments spearheaded with scale inhibitors have given the best results to date. This paper will discuss these treating procedures with particular emphasis on formation squeeze techniques.