Deposition of Inorganic Carbonate, Sulfate, and Sulfide Scales on Antifouling Surfaces in Multiphase Flow

Impairment of flow by way of mineral scale formation is a major complication affecting production in the oil and gas industry. Soured reservoirs contain hydrogen sulfide (H2S) that can prompt the formation of exotic metal sulfide scales, leading to detrimental fouling that can negatively impact production. The contrast in the mode of precipitation (solid formation from liquid solution) and deposition of both sulfide scale and conventional inorganic carbonate and sulfate scales is herein examined. Design of an experimental rig allowing diffusion of H2S gas into the brine phase of a sealed reaction vessel resulted in a realistic representation of scaling processes occurring within sour reservoirs. Multiphase conditions, induced by introduction of a light oil phase to scaling brine within a turbulent regime, aimed to study the effect of oil and water wetting on pipeline fouling. Performance of a range of antifouling surfaces was determined through measurement of scale deposition by gravimetry and microscopy ...