Paper: CRITERIA FOR SCALE INHIBITOR APPLICATIONS IN HYDRAULIC FRACTURING TREATMENTS

As the price of energy and services increase, even greater attention will be focused on all aspects of scale deposition. The detrimental impact of scale deposition continues to compel the industry to develop new technologies and innovations in scale control and prevention. One area where this has been especially challenging is in hydraulic fracturing treatments. As well completions and fracturing treatments increase in cost, size, and complexity, the demand for cost effective scale control has increased accordingly. Potential scale deposition problems need to be evaluated and strategies for prevention and control need to be planned before the well is completed and stimulated. Previous papers have addressed new products, technologies, and applications, but few have provided a process for scale inhibitor design in hydraulic fracturing treatments. This paper will attempt to provide criteria for planning and design of these scale inhibitor applications by addressing inhibitor selection, placement, loading, and experience.